Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark one)

x Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

or

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 001-33834

 

 

RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   36-4419301

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

900 East Green Street

Bensenville, Illinois

  60106
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (847) 295-7000

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x     No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes   x     No   ¨

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.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

As of May 6, 2016 the Registrant had 26,722,958 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

               Page  
Part I       Financial Information      2   
   Item 1.    Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)      2   
      Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2016 (unaudited) and December 31, 2015      2   
      Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015      3   
      Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015      4   
      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) – Three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015      5   
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)      6   
   Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      17   
   Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      28   
   Item 4.    Controls and Procedures      28   
Part II       Other Information      28   
   Item 1.    Legal Proceedings      28   
   Item 1A.    Risk Factors      28   
   Item 5.    Other Information      29   
   Item 6.    Exhibits      29   
Signatures      30   
Exhibit Index      31   

 

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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

Rubicon Technology, Inc.

Consolidated balance sheets

 

     March 31,
2016
    December 31,
2015
 
    

(unaudited)

(in thousands, other than

share data)

 

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 21,290      $ 21,216   

Restricted cash

     186        170   

Short-term investments

     3,115        8,895   

Accounts receivable, net

     1,938        1,738   

Inventories

     20,853        21,333   

Other inventory supplies

     5,502        5,717   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     806        1,188   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     53,690        60,257   

Property and equipment, net

     56,476        57,569   

Other assets

     1,171        1,416   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 111,337      $ 119,242   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Accounts payable

   $ 3,474      $ 3,256   

Accrued payroll

     236        164   

Accrued and other current liabilities

     336        1,328   

Corporate income and franchise taxes

     59        207   

Accrued real estate taxes

     296        238   

Short-term loan payable

     1,500        1,500   

Advance payments

     16        9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     5,917        6,702   

Deferred tax liability

     395        554   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     6,312        7,256   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 undesignated shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding

     —          —     

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized and 28,497,802 and 28,007,811 shares issued; 26,722,958 and 26,232,967 shares outstanding

     29        28   

Additional paid-in capital

     373,933        373,565   

Treasury stock, at cost, 1,774,844 shares

     (12,148     (12,148

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (30     (33

Accumulated deficit

     (256,759     (249,426
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     105,025        111,986   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 111,337      $ 119,242   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.

Consolidated statements of operations

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2015     2015  
     (unaudited)
(in thousands, other than
share and per share data)
 

Revenue

   $ 4,287      $ 8,910   

Cost of goods sold

     9,706        14,019   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross loss

     (5,419     (5,109

Operating expenses:

    

General and administrative

     1,767        2,068   

Sales and marketing

     391        338   

Research and development

     579        433   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (8,156     (7,948
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

    

Interest income

     24        16   

Interest expense

     (35     (23

Realized gain (loss) on foreign currency translation

     683        (357
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     672        (364
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (7,484     (8,312

Income tax benefit (expense)

     151        (36
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (7,333   $ (8,348
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per common share

    

Basic

   $ (0.28   $ (0.32
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ (0.28   $ (0.32
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing net loss per common share basic and diluted

     26,226,614        26,129,276   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.

Consolidated statements of comprehensive loss

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2016     2015  
     (unaudited)
(in thousands)
 

Net loss

   $ (7,333   $ (8,348

Other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax

     5        6   

Unrealized loss on currency translation

     (2     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     3        6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

   $ (7,330   $ (8,342
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.

Consolidated statements of cash flows

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2016     2015  
    

(unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net loss

   $ (7,333   $ (8,348

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities

    

Depreciation and amortization

     1,642        3,317   

Stock-based compensation

     370        334   

Deferred taxes

     (159     29   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (199     770   

Inventories

     1,219        647   

Other inventory supplies

     328        100   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     647        332   

Accounts payable

     123        (1,050

Accrued payroll

     64        (258

Corporate income and franchise taxes

     (148     (189

Advanced payments

     7        (4

Accrued and other current liabilities

     (948     313   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (4,387     (4,007
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (549     (234

Purchases of investments

     —          (307

Proceeds from sale of investments

     5,785        5,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

     5,236        4,459   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards

     (1     (8

Restricted cash

     (16     4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (17     (4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net effect of currency translation

     (758     326   

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     74        774   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     21,216        24,353   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 21,290      $ 25,127   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated statements.

 

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Rubicon Technology, Inc.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2016

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Interim financial data

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with Rubicon Technology, Inc.’s (the “Company”) annual report filed on Form 10-K as amended for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of adjustments of a normal and recurring nature) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations have been included. Consolidated operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016.

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Rubicon Worldwide LLC, Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD, Rubicon Technology Hong Kong Limited and Rubicon Technology Korea Yuhan Hosea. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Foreign currency translation and transactions

Rubicon Worldwide LLC, Rubicon Technology Hong Kong Limited and Rubicon Technology Korea Yuhan Hosea’s assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates and capital accounts at historical exchange rates. The results of operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates during the respective periods. Translation adjustments resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates for Rubicon Worldwide LLC, Rubicon Technology Hong Kong Limited and Rubicon Technology Korea Yuhan Hosea are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity.

The Company has determined that the functional currency of Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD is the U.S. dollar. Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD’s assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the remeasurement method. Non-monetary assets are translated at historical exchange rates and monetary assets are translated at exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates. Translation adjustments for Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD are included in determining net income (loss) for the period. The results of operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates during the respective period. The Company records these gains and losses in other income (expense).

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are generated from the effects of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company, which is the U.S. dollar. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are generally required to be recognized in the determination of net loss for the period. The Company records these gains and losses in other income (expense).

Investments

The Company invests available cash primarily in investment grade commercial paper, corporate notes, FDIC guaranteed certificates of deposit, common stock, and government securities. Investments classified as available-for-sale securities are carried at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Investments in trading securities are reported at fair value, with both realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded in other income (expense), in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Investments in which the Company has the ability and intent, if necessary, to liquidate in order to support its current operations, are classified as short-term.

The Company reviews its available-for-sale securities investments at the end of each quarter for other-than-temporary declines in fair value based on the specific identification method. The Company considers various factors in determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, including the severity and duration of the impairment, changes in underlying credit ratings, forecasted recovery, its ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and the probability that the scheduled cash payments will continue to be made. When the Company concludes that an other-than-temporary impairment has resulted, the difference between the fair value and carrying value is written off and recorded as a charge on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of March 31, 2016, no impairment was recorded.

 

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Accounts receivable

The majority of the Company’s accounts receivable is due from manufacturers serving the LED and optical systems and specialty electronics devices industries. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. Accounts receivable are due based on contract terms and at stated amounts due from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.

Accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the length of time past due, the customer’s current ability to pay and the condition of the general economy and industry as a whole. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they are deemed uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are recorded as a reduction to bad debt expense. The following table shows the activity of the allowance for doubtful accounts:

 

     March 31,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Beginning balance

   $ 389       $ 140   

Charges to costs and expenses

     (54      235   

Accounts charged off, less recoveries

     —           14   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ 335       $ 389   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Raw materials cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method, and work-in-process and finished goods costs are determined on a weighted-average cost basis which includes materials, labor and overhead. The Company reduces the carrying value of its inventories for differences between the cost and the estimated net realizable value, taking into account usage, expected demand, technological obsolescence and other information. At times in 2016 and 2015, the Company accepted sales orders for core and wafer products at prices lower than cost. Based on these sales prices, the Company recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, a lower of cost or market adjustment which reduced inventory and increased cost of goods sold by $544,000 and $252,000, respectively. Inventories are composed of the following:

 

     March 31,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Raw materials

   $ 6,943       $ 7,346   

Work in progress

     10,745         9,920   

Finished goods

     3,165         4,067   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 20,853       $ 21,333   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company establishes inventory reserves when conditions exist that suggest inventory may be in excess of anticipated demand or is obsolete based on customer specifications. The Company evaluates the ability to realize the value of its inventory based on a combination of factors, including forecasted sales, estimated current and future market value and changes in customers’ product specifications. The Company’s method of estimating excess and obsolete inventory has remained consistent for all periods presented.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Land and land improvements

   $ 4,133       $ 4,133   

Buildings

     26,103         26,097   

Machinery, equipment and tooling

     50,969         50,364   

Leasehold improvements

     7,141         7,141   

Furniture and fixtures

     816         816   

Information systems

     1,121         1,105   

Construction in progress

     1,249         1,327   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cost

     91,532         90,983   

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (35,056      (33,414
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

   $ 56,476       $ 57,569   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Long-Lived assets

The Company reviews property and equipment for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If such events or changes in circumstances occur, the Company will recognize an impairment loss if the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets are less than the carrying value of the related asset. The impairment loss would adjust the asset to its fair value.

In evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of such assets. If the fair value estimates or related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges related to property and equipment. Asset recoverability is first measured by comparing the assets’ carrying amount to their expected future undiscounted net cash flows to determine if the assets are impaired. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value.

In response to the Company’s current period operating losses combined with our history of continuing operating losses, the Company evaluates the recoverability of certain property and equipment. In the third quarter of 2015, the overall outlook for the sapphire market continued to be volatile as industry analysts reported significant worldwide over capacity and pricing of sapphire products reached historical lows. Based on the Company’s quarterly assessment using the most recent projections, impairment to these assets was indicated as of September 30, 2015, as the recoverable amount of undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the carrying amount of these assets and the Company recorded an asset impairment charge on machinery, equipment and facilities. At March 31, 2016, the Company reviewed the current fair market value and concluded no additional adjustments were needed. The Company will continue to assess our long-lived assets to ensure the carrying amount of these assets is still appropriate given any changes in the marketplace and other factors used in determining the current fair market value.

Revenue recognition

Revenues recognized include product sales and billings for costs and fees for government contracts.

Product Sales

The Company recognizes revenue from product sales when earned. Revenue is recognized when, and if, evidence of an arrangement is obtained and the other criteria to support revenue recognition are met, including:

 

    Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists . The Company requires evidence of a purchase order with the customer specifying the terms and specifications of the product to be delivered, typically in the form of a signed quotation or purchase order from the customer.

 

    Title has passed and the product has been delivered . Title passage and product delivery generally occur when the product is delivered to a common carrier.

 

    The price is fixed or determinable . All terms are fixed in the signed quotation or purchase order received from the customer. The purchase orders do not contain rights of cancellation, return, exchange or refund.

 

    Collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. The Company’s standard arrangement with customers includes payment terms. Customers are subject to a credit review process that evaluates each customer’s financial position and its ability to pay. Collectability is determined by considering the length of time the customer has been in business and history of collections. If it is determined that collection is not probable, no product is shipped and no revenue is recognized unless cash is received in advance.

Government Contracts

The Company recognizes research and development revenue in the period during which the related costs are incurred over the contractually defined period. In July 2012, the Company signed a contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory to produce large-area sapphire windows on a cost plus fixed fee basis. The Company records research and development revenue on a gross basis as costs are incurred plus a portion of the fixed fee. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, $97,000 and $141,000 of revenue was recognized, respectively. To date, the Company has recorded $4.1 million in revenue and the total value of the contract is $4.7 million.

 

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The Company does not provide maintenance or other services and it does not have sales that involve multiple elements or deliverables.

Net income per common share

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of diluted common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted shares outstanding are calculated by adding to the weighted-average shares any outstanding stock options and warrants based on the treasury stock method.

Diluted net loss per share is the same as basic net loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 because the effects of potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive.

As of March 31, 2016, diluted shares outstanding were the same as basic shares outstanding as the exercise price of outstanding stock options exceeded the weighted-average trading share price and there were no outstanding warrants.

 

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At March 31, 2015, the Company had the following anti-dilutive securities outstanding which were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share:

 

     2015  

Warrants

     38,219   

Stock options

     21,952   
  

 

 

 
     60,171   
  

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise from transactions and other events from non-owner sources. Comprehensive loss includes net earnings (loss) and other non-owner changes in equity that bypass the statement of operations and are reported in a separate component of equity. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, other comprehensive loss included the unrealized loss on investments and foreign currency translation adjustments.

The following table summarizes the components of comprehensive loss:

 

     March 31,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Unrealized loss on investments

   $ (12    $ (17

Unrealized loss on currency translation

     (18      (16
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending Balance

   $ (30    $ (33
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Recent accounting pronouncement

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017 (early adoption is not permitted). The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15 (“ASU 2014-15”), Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern . The standard requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Management must evaluate whether it is probable that known conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, would raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. If such conditions or events are identified, the standard requires management’s mitigation plans to alleviate the doubt or a statement of the substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern to be disclosed in the financial statements. The standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting ASU 2014-15 on its financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11 (“ASU 2015-11”), Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The amendments in this ASU require an entity to measure in-scope inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, further clarifying consideration for net realizable value as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This ASU more closely aligns the measurement of inventory in GAAP with the measurement of inventory in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). For public business entities, ASU 2015-11 is effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendment in this ASU is prospectively applied with earlier adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating this guidance and does not believe the adoption will significantly impact the presentation of its financial condition, results of operations and disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 (“ASU 2016-01”), Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The standard requires equity investments (except those accounted for

 

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under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. These changes become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting ASU 2016-01 on its financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases (Topic 842) which modifies the lease recognition requirements and requires entities to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from leases on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 requires entities to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting ASU 2016-02 on its financial statements.

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 (“ASU 2016-09”), Compensation - Stock Compensation ( Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting which modifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting ASU 2016-09 on its financial statements.

3. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company evaluates operations as one reportable segment, as it only reports profit and loss information on an aggregate basis to its chief operating decision maker.

Revenue is attributed by geographic region based on ship-to location of the Company’s customers. The following table summarizes revenue by geographic region:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Germany

   $ 1,538       $ 510   

United States

     1,111         1,523   

Korea

     422         725   

Australia

     412         215   

Taiwan

     383         1,701   

China

     2         3,351   

Other

     419         885   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenue

   $ 4,287       $ 8,910   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes revenue by product type:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Core

   $ 441       $ 5,109   

Wafer

     2,345         1,891   

Optical

     1,404         1,769   

Research & Development

     97         141   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenue

   $ 4,287       $ 8,910   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes assets by geographic region:

 

     March 31,
2016
     December 31,
2015
 
     (in thousands)  

United States

   $ 82,145       $ 88,916   

Malaysia

     29,146         30,276   

Other

     46         50   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 111,337       $ 119,242   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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4. INVESTMENTS

The Company invests available cash primarily in investment grade commercial paper, corporate notes, FDIC guaranteed certificates of deposits, common stock, and government securities. The Company’s short-term investments balance of $3.1 million as of March 31, 2016, is comprised of corporate notes and bonds of $1.9 million and FDIC guaranteed certificates of deposit of $1.2 million. The Company’s investments are classified as available-for-sale securities and are carried at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The following table presents the amortized cost and gross unrealized gains and losses on all securities at March 31, 2016:

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 
   (in thousands)  

Short-term Investments:

           

FDIC Guaranteed certificates of deposit

   $ 1,200       $ —        $ —        $ 1,200   

Corporate notes/bonds

     1,915         —           —           1,915   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total short-term investments

   $ 3,115       $ —        $ —        $ 3,115   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents the amortized cost and gross unrealized gains and losses on all securities at December 31, 2015:

 

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 
     (in thousands)  

Short-term Investments:

           

FDIC Guaranteed certificates of deposit

   $ 1,920       $ —        $ —        $ 1,920   

Corporate Notes/Bonds

     6,980         —           5         6,975   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total short-term investments

   $ 8,900       $ —        $ 5       $ 8,895   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company values its investments at fair value, defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The standard below describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value.

 

    Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

    Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

    Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

The Company’s fixed income available-for-sale securities consist of high quality, investment grade commercial paper, corporate notes, FDIC guaranteed certificates of deposit, common stock, and government securities. The Company values these securities based on pricing from pricing vendors, who may use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 inputs) or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2 inputs) in determining fair value. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments having Level 2 inputs were derived from non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated by observable market data, quoted market prices for similar instruments, or pricing models, such as discounted cash flow techniques.

 

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The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (in thousands)  

Cash Equivalents:

           

Money market funds

   $ 16,505       $ —         $ —        $ 16,505   

Investments:

           

Available-for-sales securities—current

           

FDIC Guaranteed certificates of deposit

     —           1,200         —           1,200   

Corporate notes/bonds

     —           1,915         —           1,915   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 16,505       $ 3,115       $ —        $ 19,620   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015:

 

     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (in thousands)  

Cash Equivalents:

           

Money market funds

   $ 17,702       $ —         $ —        $ 17,702   

Investments:

           

Available-for-sales securities—current:

           

FDIC Guaranteed certificates of deposit

     —           1,920         —           1,920   

Corporate notes/bonds

     —           6,975         —           6,975   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 17,702       $ 8,895       $ —        $ 26,597   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In addition to the debt securities noted above, the Company had approximately $4.8 million and $3.5 million of time deposits included in cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

5. SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company had one customer individually that accounted for approximately 35% of revenue. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company had one customer individually that accounted for approximately 29% of revenue.

Customers individually representing more than 10% of trade receivables accounted for approximately 51% and 57% of accounts receivable as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Company grants credit to customers based on an evaluation of their financial condition. Losses from credit sales are provided for in the financial statements.

6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock

As of March 31, 2016, the Company had reserved 3,183,945 shares of common stock for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding common stock options and vesting of restricted stock units. Also, 361,733 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for future grants of stock options and restricted stock units (or other similar equity instruments) under the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) as of March 31, 2016.

Warrants

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, 24,380 warrants expired and the Company has no common stock warrants outstanding.

7. STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS

The Company sponsored a stock option plan, the Rubicon Technology Inc. 2001 Equity Plan as amended (the “2001 Plan”), which allowed for the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options for the purchase of common stock. The maximum number of shares that may be awarded or sold under the 2001 Plan was 1,449,667 shares. Each option entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at the specified option exercise price. The exercise price of each incentive stock option granted must not be less than the fair market value on the grant date. At the discretion of management and with the approval of the Board of Directors, the Company granted options under the 2001 Plan. Management and the Board of Directors determined vesting periods and expiration dates at the time of the grant. On August 2, 2011, the plan expired.

 

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In August 2007, the Company adopted the Rubicon Technology Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan as amended and restated effective March 23, 2011 (the “2007 Plan”), which allows for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and bonus shares. The Board of Directors has appointed the Board’s Compensation Committee to administer the plan. The Compensation Committee determines the type of award to be granted, the fair market value, the number of shares covered by the award, and the time when the award vests and may be exercised.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value stock options issued after January 1, 2006. For options granted in 2016, the Company uses five year historical data to determine its volatility assumptions and expected term. The assumed risk-free rates were based on U.S. Treasury rates in effect at the time of grant with a term consistent with the expected option lives. The forfeiture rate is based on past history of forfeited options. The expense is being allocated using the straight-line method. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded $161,000 and $200,000, respectively, of stock option compensation expense. As of March 31, 2016, the Company had $1.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards granted under the Company’s stock-based plans that it expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.74 years. The Company accounts for options issued prior to January 1, 2006 under the intrinsic value method.

The following table summarizes the activity of the stock incentive and equity plans as of March 31, 2016 and changes during the three months then ended:

 

     Shares
available
for grant
    Number of
options
outstanding
    Weighted-
average option
exercise price
     Number of
restricted
stock and
board
shares
issued
     Number of
restricted
stock units
outstanding
 

At January 1, 2016

     732,270        2,851,568      $ 7.07         201,455         454,021   

Granted

     (529,498     42,000        1.11         487,498         —     

Exercised/Issued

     —          —          —           —           (3,702

Cancelled/forfeited

     158,961        (126,609     11.26         —           (33,333
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

At March 31, 2016

     361,733        2,766,959      $ 6.78         688,953         416,986   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company’s aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying stock options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock. Based on the fair market value of the common stock at March 31, 2016 and 2015, there was no intrinsic value for options outstanding. The weighted average fair value per share of options granted for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $1.11 and the fair value of each option grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using an expected term of 5.1 years, risk-free interest rate of 1.31%, expected volatility of 65% and no dividend yield. The Company used an expected forfeiture rate of 23.1%.

A summary of the Company’s non-vested options during the three month period ended March 31, 2016 is presented below:

 

     Options      Weighted-
average
exercise
price
 

Non-vested at January 1, 2016

     1,251,961       $ 2.23   

Granted

     42,000         1.11   

Vested

     (41,500      5.22   

Forfeited

     (58,012      1.74   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-vested at March 31, 2016

     1,194,449       $ 2.08   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded $71,000 and $61,000, respectively, of restricted stock unit (“RSU”) expense. As of March 31, 2016, there was $591,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to the non-vested RSUs. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.19 years.

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock units is as follows:

 

     RSUs
outstanding
     Weighted average price at
time of grant
     Aggregate intrinsic
value
 

Non-vested restricted stock units as of January 1, 2016

     454,021       $ 1.92      

Granted

     —           —        

Vested

     (3,702      3.94      

Cancelled

     (33,333      4.50      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-vested at March 31, 2016

     416,986       $ 1.70       $ 304,400   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded $138,000 and $73,000, respectively, of stock compensation expense related to restricted stock.

An analysis of restricted stock issued is as follows:

 

Non-vested restricted stock as of January 1, 2016

     15,200   

Granted

     487,498   

Vested

     (15,200
  

 

 

 

Non-vested restricted stock as of March 31, 2016

     487,498   
  

 

 

 

8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Purchase Commitments

The Company has entered into agreements for electricity and to purchase equipment and components to construct furnaces. These agreements will result in the Company purchasing electricity, equipment or components for a total cost of approximately $5.2 million with deliveries occurring through 2017.

Litigation

From time to time, the Company experiences routine litigation in the normal course of its business. The management of the Company does not believe any pending litigation, other than as set forth below, will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

On April 30, 2015, Firerock Global Opportunity Fund LP filed a complaint in the Northern District of Illinois asserting federal securities claims against the Company, certain officers, its directors and the underwriters in the Company’s March 2014 stock offering. The complaint sought as a remedy either money damages or rescission of the March offering, plus attorneys’ fees. On October 29, 2015, after mediation and subsequent discussions, the parties reached a settlement agreement in principle. On January 27, 2016, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois granted a motion for preliminary approval of the agreement. The settlement agreement includes a release of all defendants, and dismissal of the case against all defendants with prejudice. The Company recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 an expense of $1.1 million of which $900,000 is the amount the Company contributed to the settlement and paid on February 17, 2016. The remaining costs of the settlement are expected to be covered by insurance.

On November 19, 2015, the Carolyn Piper Smithhisler Living Trust, derivatively on behalf of Rubicon Technology, Inc., filed a complaint in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois against the Company’s Board of Directors and certain senior officers seeking to remedy alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of the law, failure to implement an effective system of internal controls, and failure to oversee the public statements made by the Company and certain individual defendants. The complaint sought as a remedy to recover damages against the individual defendants for the benefit of the Company and to require the Company to reform and improve its corporate governance and internal procedures plus attorneys’ fees. After extensive discussions, the parties informed the court on May 2, 2016 that they had reached a settlement agreement in principle. The proposed settlement provides for the Company to adopt certain governance changes and to pay certain amounts. The Company’s insurance carriers are expected to cover substantially all of the settlement payments and expenses. The proposed settlement is subject to a court approval process.

9. INCOME TAXES

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and Malaysia. On a quarterly basis, the Company assesses the recoverability of deferred tax assets and the need for a valuation allowance. Such evaluations involve the application of significant judgment and multiple factors, both positive and negative, are considered. For the period ended March 31, 2016, a valuation allowance has been included in the 2016 forecasted effective tax rate. The Company is in a cumulative loss position for the past three years, which is considered significant negative evidence that is difficult to overcome on a “more likely than not” standard through objectively verifiable data. Under the accounting standards objective verifiable evidence is given greater weight than subjective evidence such as the Company’s projections for future growth. Based on an evaluation in accordance with the accounting standards, as of December 31, 2015, a valuation allowance has been recorded against the net U.S. deferred tax assets in order to measure only the portion of the deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized based on the weight of all the available evidence. At

 

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March 31, 2016 the Company continues to be in a three year cumulative loss position, therefore, until an appropriate level of profitability is attained, the Company expects to maintain a full valuation allowance on its U.S. and Malaysia net deferred tax assets. Any U.S. and Malaysia tax benefits or tax expense recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations will be offset with a corresponding valuation allowance until such time that the Company changes its determination related to the realization of deferred tax assets. In the event that the Company changes its determination as to the amount of deferred tax assets that can be realized, the Company will adjust its valuation allowance with a corresponding impact to the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made.

The tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2016 is based on an estimated combined statutory effective tax rate. The Company recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2016 a tax benefit of $151,000 for an effective tax rate of 2.0%. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the U.S. federal 35% statutory rate and state 6.2% (net of federal benefit) statutory rate was primarily related to U.S. and Malaysia valuation allowances and Malaysia foreign tax rate differential.

10. CREDIT FACILITY

On January 2, 2013, the Company entered into a three-year term agreement with a bank to provide the Company with a senior secured credit facility of up to $25.0 million. The agreement provides for the Company to borrow up to 80% of eligible accounts receivable and up to 35% of domestically held raw material and finished goods inventory. Advances against inventory are limited to 40% of the aggregate outstanding on the revolving line of credit and $10.0 million in aggregate. The Company has the option to borrow at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.75% or the Wall Street Journal prime rate plus 0.50%. If the Company maintains liquidity of $20.0 million or greater with the lending institution, then the borrowing interest rate options are LIBOR plus 2.25% or the Wall Street Journal prime rate. There is an unused revolving line facility fee of 0.375% per annum. The facility is secured by a first priority interest in substantially all of the Company’s personal property, excluding intellectual property. The Company is required to maintain an adjusted quick ratio of 1.40 to 1.00, maintain operating and other deposit accounts with the bank or bank’s affiliates of 25% of the Company’s total worldwide cash, securities and investments, and the Company can pay dividends or repurchase capital stock only with the bank’s consent during the three year term. In August 2015, the Company entered into an amendment agreement with the bank to extend the senior secured facility through January 2, 2018. Under the amended agreement, advances against inventory are limited to the lesser of 45% of the aggregate outstanding principal on the revolving line of credit and $10.0 million and the rate on facility fee on the unused portion of the revolving line was adjusted to 0.50% per annum. All other terms and conditions remain the same. As of March 31, 2016 the Company had borrowed $1.5 million against this facility electing a borrowing rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% and had additional available borrowing capacity of $1.1 million under this facility. The agreement contains a subjective acceleration clause and requires the Company to maintain a lockbox. As a result, the Company has classified the debt as a current liability on its balance sheet. For three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded interest expense of $35,000 which includes $31,000 of interest expense charged on the unused portion of the facility. For three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company did not draw on this facility and the Company recorded $23,000 of interest expense charged on the unused portion of the facility.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including statements regarding our estimates, expectations, beliefs, intentions, projections or strategies for the future, results of operations, financial position, net sales, projected costs, prospects and plans and objectives of management for future operations may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives and financial needs. These forward looking statements can be identified by the use of terms and phrases such as “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “prospects,” “goals,” “potential,” “likely,” and the like, and/or future-tense or conditional constructions such as “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” etc. (or the negative thereof). Items contemplating or making assumptions about actual or potential future sales, market size and trends or operating results also constitute forward-looking statements.

Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Before investing in our common stock, investors should be aware that the occurrence of the risks, uncertainties and events described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2015 and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown business, economic and other risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this Quarterly Report, other than as may be required by applicable law or regulation. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected or projected.

You should read this Quarterly Report, the documents that we reference in this Quarterly Report and have filed with the SEC as exhibits and our Annual Report on Form 10-K as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2015 with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “Rubicon,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Rubicon Technology, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries.

OVERVIEW

We are a vertically integrated, advanced materials provider specializing in monocrystalline sapphire for applications in light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”), optical systems and specialty electronic devices. Sapphire is also used as an exterior component in mobile devices, specifically camera lens covers, dual flashes and home buttons on certain newer model smartphones and as the crystal covering the faces of certain smart watches. Sapphire was adopted for use on the home button on certain smartphones because of the scratch resistance and increased touch capacitance it offers, which are important characteristics to ensure the effectiveness of the fingerprint recognition security built into the device. In addition, some consumer electronics original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) are using full sapphire faceplates for smartphones, in limited volume. If sapphire smartphone faceplates were widely adopted, this would become the world’s largest application for sapphire. We apply our proprietary crystal growth technology to produce high-quality sapphire products efficiently to supply both high-volume and niche end-markets, and we work closely with our customers to meet their quality and delivery needs.

Our largest product lines are:

 

    sapphire cores, two to six inches in diameter, which our customers further process into wafers for use in LED applications and into components such as lens covers for mobile devices;

 

    four and six-inch sapphire wafers that are used as substrates for the manufacture of LED chips and to a lesser extent for other semiconductor applications such as Silicon-on-Sapphire (“SoS”) Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (“RFICs”);

 

    four, six, and eight-inch patterned sapphire wafers (“PSS”) which are polished wafers that undergo additional processes of photolithography and dry plasma etching to produce a patterned surface which enhances LED light extraction efficiency (“LEE”); and

 

    optical sapphire components in various shapes and sizes, including round and rectangular windows and blanks, domes, tubes and rods. These optical sapphire products are used in equipment for a wide variety of end markets, including defense and aerospace, medical devices, oil and gas drilling, semiconductor manufacturing and other markets.

 

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The adoption of sapphire in mobile devices continued to expand with the introduction of new products such as the Apple watch, which has sapphire content, as do at least two other smart watches manufactured by others already in the market. In addition, Kyocera has introduced a new smartphone with a sapphire faceplate and a Chinese smartphone manufacturer has announced plans to do the same. However, the industry expectation was that at least one version of the iPhone 6 introduced in the third quarter of 2014 would have a sapphire faceplate. That did not happen and the subsequent bankruptcy filing by GT Advanced Technologies Inc. (“GTAT”) has raised considerable speculation on how the mobile device segment of the sapphire market will continue to evolve. While we do not know whether Apple has changed its overall strategy around sapphire, mobile device manufacturers continue to expand the use of sapphire in more of their products. In addition, product developers in the consumer electronics and medical device markets are testing sapphire for use in new products. If sapphire is incorporated in these new applications, it could result in significant additional demand for sapphire.

Currently, the LED market remains the largest consumer of sapphire. For the LED market, we currently sell two to six-inch material in core form and four, six and eight-inch material in polished and PSS wafer form. Eight-inch wafers are sold primarily for customers’ research and development efforts at this time. We have the ability to produce cores and wafers of up to twelve inches in diameter to support production of chips for next-generation LED and other electronic applications. Larger sapphire also has current applications in the optical markets. In other semiconductor markets, we sell primarily six-inch wafers used in certain RFIC products.

We have been focusing our efforts on a newer product offering, patterned sapphire substrates or “PSS”. High-Brightness LED chip manufacturers etch a pattern onto the surface of the sapphire wafer in the early stages of their production process in order to improve light output. We have leveraged our capability in producing larger diameter sapphire wafers to offer pre-patterned, larger diameter (four-inch and six-inch) wafers to the LED market. PSS sales volumes are expected to continue to increase this year.

We recognize research and development revenue in the period during which the related costs and fees are incurred.

Historically, a significant portion of our revenue has been derived from sales to relatively few customers. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we had one customer that accounted for approximately 35% of our revenue and for the three months ended March 31, 2015, we had one customer that accounted for approximately 29% of our revenue. Other than as discussed above, none of our customers accounted for more than 10% of our revenue for such periods. Although we are continuing to diversify and expand our customer base, we expect our revenue to continue to be concentrated among a small number of customers. We expect that our significant customers may change from period to period.

We recognize revenue based upon shipping terms with our customers and from our government contract as costs and fees are incurred. Delays in product orders or changes to the timing of shipments could cause our quarterly revenue to vary significantly. We derive a significant portion of our revenue from customers outside of the U.S. In most periods, the majority of our sales are to the Asian market and we expect that region to continue to be a major source of revenue for us. All of our revenue and corresponding accounts receivable are denominated in U.S. dollars.

We manufacture and ship our products from our facilities in the Chicago metropolitan area and from our facility in Penang, Malaysia. We have approximately 226,400 square feet of manufacturing and office space in Batavia, Franklin Park and Bensenville, Illinois and a 65,000 square foot facility in Penang, Malaysia, which processes sapphire grown by us in our Illinois facilities into finished cores and wafers. Our Malaysia facility currently finishes the majority of our core, wafer and PSS production. In March 2012, we acquired additional land in Batavia, Illinois to expand our crystal growth capacity.

Our cost of goods sold consists primarily of manufacturing materials, labor, manufacturing-related overhead such as utilities, depreciation and rent, provisions for excess and obsolete inventory reserves, freight and warranties. We purchase materials and supplies to support such current and future demand. We are subject to variations in the cost of raw materials and consumables from period to period because we do not have long-term fixed-price agreements with most of our suppliers. We mitigate the potential impact of fluctuations in energy costs by entering into long-term purchase agreements. Once our current agreements expire, if electricity prices increase significantly, we may not be able to pass these price increases through to our customers on a timely basis, if at all, which could adversely affect our gross margins and results of operations.

Our operating expenses are comprised of sales and marketing, research and development (“R&D”), and general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses. G&A expenses consist primarily of salaries and associated costs for employees in finance, human resources, information technology and administrative activities, charges for accounting, legal, and insurance fees, and stock-based compensation. The majority of our stock-based compensation relates to administrative personnel and is accounted for as a G&A expense.

Other income (expense) consists of interest income, interest expense and realized gains and losses on investments and currency translation.

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method whereby the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the book value and the tax basis of assets and liabilities are recognized as deferred tax assets and liabilities, using

 

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enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be recognized. Our analysis of ownership changes that limit the utilization of our net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards as of March 31, 2014, shows no ownership change. We believe that an updated analysis will not likely indicate an ownership change that would limit the utilization of net operating losses and tax credits at March 31, 2016. We are in a cumulative loss position for the past three years, which is considered significant negative evidence that is difficult to overcome on a “more likely than not” standard through objectively verifiable data. Based on an evaluation in accordance with the accounting standards, as of December 31, 2015, a valuation allowance has been recorded against the net U.S. deferred tax assets in order to measure only the portion of the deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized based on the weight of all the available evidence. At March 31, 2016, we continue to be in a three year cumulative loss position, therefore, a full valuation allowance was provided and no tax benefit will be recorded until we can conclude that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized.

We anticipate our capital expenditures will be kept to a minimum. We have a commitment to purchase a new tool that will enable us to provide the higher volume samples and pilot-production capacity which are required for customers to fully qualify and commercialize new products which will result in a total capital expenditure of approximately $1.2 million. Our capital expenditures in the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $549,000.

 

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RESULTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS THREE MONTHS ENDED March 31, 2016 AND 2015

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2016      2015  
     (in millions)  

Revenue

   $ 4.3       $ 8.9   

Cost of goods sold

     9.7         14.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross loss

     (5.4      (5.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

     

General and administrative

     1.8         2.1   

Sales and marketing

     0.4         0.3   

Research and development

     0.6         0.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     2.8         2.8   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (8.2      (7.9

Other income (expense)

     0.7         (0.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (7.5      (8.3

Income tax benefit

     0.2         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (7.3    $ (8.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table sets forth our consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of revenue for the periods indicated:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2016     2015  
     (percentage of total)  

Revenue

     100     100

Cost of goods sold

     226        157   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross loss

     (126     (57
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

    

General and administrative

     42        24   

Sales and marketing

     9        4   

Research and development

     14        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     65        32   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (191     (89

Other income (expense)

     17        (4
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (174     (93

Income tax benefit

     4        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (170 )%      (93 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Revenue. Revenue was $4.3 million and $8.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, a decrease of $4.6 million. We experienced lower revenue from sales of our core products by $4.7 million, of which $4.2 million was attributable to a decrease in volume and $489,000 was attributable to a decrease in price. Demand for our core products was very low in the first quarter 2016 compared to the first quarter 2015, due to decreased demand from the LED market, over capacity in the sapphire industry and excess inventory in the supply chain. We experienced higher revenue of $454,000 from sales of our wafers which was due to higher sales of PSS polished wafers of $1.1 million which was partially offset by a decrease in sales of polished wafers of $603,000. Of the $454,000 increase in wafer revenue, $1.9 million was attributable to higher volume offset by $1.4 million attributable to decreased pricing. We also had decreased revenue of $365,000 from optical products due to a decrease in the sales of sapphire for sensor and instrumentation applications.

 

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We anticipate pricing to remain challenging for at least the next several quarters. We have continued to focus our sales of wafer products on PSS wafers where we believe there is greater margin opportunity. In addition to pursuing our PSS potential, we are working on building our optical business by expanding our product offerings and growing our customer base in order to diversify our product offerings. We operate in an extremely volatile market, so the amount of price or volume change and acceptance of new product offerings is difficult to predict.

Gross loss. Gross loss was $5.4 million and $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase in gross loss of $310,000. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we were not operating at capacity due to lower demand, and recorded as an expense $2.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively of costs associated with the under-utilization of equipment and staff. We have accepted sales orders for core and wafer products at prices below cost. As a result, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we recorded a lower of cost or market adjustment which reduced inventory and increased cost of goods sold by $544,000 and $262,000, respectively.

General and administrative expenses . G&A expenses were $1.8 million and $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, a decrease of $301,000. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in investor relations expenses of $126,000, decrease in recruiting costs of $104,000, lower stock compensation expenses of $88,000, decrease in insurance costs of $33,000 and a decrease in travel expenses of $30,000 partially offset by an increase in legal fees of $129,000.

Sales and marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses were $391,000 and $338,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $53,000. The increase in sales and marketing expenses is primarily attributable to an increase in employee compensation costs of $27,000 on higher headcount and an increase in marketing services and samples costs of $19,000.

Research and development expenses. R&D expenses were $579,000 and $433,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, an increase of $146,000. The increase is attributable to increased employee compensation costs of $168,000 on increased headcount partially offset by a decrease in project expenses and equipment costs of $33,000.

Other income (expense). Other income was $672,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to other expense of $364,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015, a decrease in other expense of $1.0 million. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the realized loss on foreign currency translation of $1.0 million.

Income tax benefit. In accordance with ASC740 “Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASC740”), we evaluate our deferred income tax assets quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required or should be adjusted. ASC740 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established against their deferred tax assets based on consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, using a “more likely than not” standard. We are in a cumulative loss position for the past three years, which is considered significant negative evidence by the accounting standards that is difficult to overcome on a “more likely than not” standard through objectively verifiable data. The accounting standards attribute greater weight to objective negative evidence than to subjective positive evidence, such as our projections for future growth. Based on this evaluation, as of December 31, 2014, a valuation allowance has been recorded against the net U.S. deferred tax assets in order to measure only the portion of the deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized based on the weight of all the available evidence. At March 31, 2016 we continue to be in a three year cumulative loss position, therefore, until an appropriate level of profitability is attained, we expect to maintain a valuation allowance on net deferred tax assets related to future U.S. and Malaysia tax benefits and will no longer accrue tax benefits or tax expense on our Consolidated Statement of Operations. In the event that we change our determination as to the amount of deferred tax assets that can be realized, we will adjust our valuation allowance with a corresponding impact to the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made. The tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2016 is based on an estimated combined statutory effective tax rate. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate of 2.0% and the U.S. federal 35% statutory rate and state 6.2% (net of federal benefit) statutory rate was primarily related to U.S. and Malaysia valuation allowances and Malaysia foreign tax rate differential.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have historically funded our operations using a combination of issuances of common stock and cash generated from our operations.

As of March 31, 2016, we had cash and short term investments totaling $24.4 million, including cash of $4.8 million held in deposits at major banks, $16.5 million invested in money market funds and $3.1 million invested in corporate notes and bonds and FDIC guaranteed certificates of deposits.

 

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Cash flows from operating activities

The following table represents the major components of our cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2016      2015  
     (in millions)  

Net loss

   $ (7.3    $ (8.3

Non-cash items:

     

Depreciation and amortization

     1.6         3.3   

Stock based compensation and other, net

     0.4         0.3   

Deferred taxes

     (0.2      —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-cash items:

     1.8         3.6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Working capital:

     

Accounts receivable

     (0.2      0.8   

Inventories

     1.5         0.7   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     0.7         0.4   

Accounts payable

     0.1         (1.1

Other accruals

     (1.0      (0.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total working capital items:

     1.1         0.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (4.4    $ (4.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash used in operating activities was $4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. During such period, we generated a net loss of $7.3 million, including non-cash items of $1.8 million, and an increase in cash from net working capital of $1.1 million. The net working capital increase was driven by a decrease in inventory of $1.5 million primarily related to a decrease in raw materials, and a decrease in other prepaid expenses of $661,000 primarily related to a decrease in prepaid furnace components. This increase was partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable of $199,000 on increased revenue and timing of customer payments and a decrease in other accruals of $1.0 million due to payment of a litigation settlement of $900,000 and timing of other payments.

Cash used in operating activities was $4.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. During such period, we generated a net loss of $8.3 million, including non-cash items of $3.6 million, and an increase in cash from net working capital of $700,000. The net working capital increase was driven by a decrease in accounts receivable of $770,000 on timing of customer payments, a decrease in inventory of $647,000 primarily related to a decrease in raw materials, and a decrease in other prepaid expenses of $432,000 primarily related to a decrease in prepaid furnace components. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable of $1.1 million due to timing of payments.

Cash flows from investing activities

The following table represents the major components of our cash flows from investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

     Three months ended
March 31,
 
     2016      2015  
     (in millions)  

Purchases of property and equipment:

     

Machinery & equipment for coating process

   $ (0.6 )    $ —     

Polishing platform and PSS machinery and equipment

     —           (0.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total purchases of property and equipment:

     (0.6      (0.2
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Purchases of investments

     —           (0.3

Proceeds from sales of investments

     5.8         5.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

   $ 5.2       $ 4.5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Net cash provided by investing activities was $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we used approximately $549,000 for the purchase of equipment for our new coating process, and used proceeds from the sale of investments of $5.8 million to fund operations.

Net cash provided by investing activities was $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we used approximately $234,000 for the purchase of equipment, and used proceeds from the sale of investments of $5.0 million to fund operations, partially offset by purchases of investments of $307,000.

We anticipate our capital expenditures will be kept to a minimum. We have a commitment to purchase a new tool that will enable us to provide the higher volume samples and pilot-production capacity which are required for customers to fully qualify and commercialize new products which will result in a total capital expenditure of approximately $1.2 million. Our capital expenditures in the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $549,000.

Cash flows from financing activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $17,000 and $4,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily from cash used to increase restricted cash requirements. Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was primarily from cash used to settle net exercise stock based compensation.

Future liquidity requirements

We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, investments, anticipated cash flows from operating activities and secured credit facility will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next twelve months. However, if we are not able to reduce our use of cash in the next twelve months, we may not have enough funds available to continue operating at our current level in future periods. Our cash needs include cash required to fund our operations, and the capital needed to fund any future expansion in the U.S. and Asia and investments in new product development. If the assumptions underlying our business plan regarding future revenues and expenses change, or if unexpected opportunities or needs arise, we may seek to raise additional cash by selling equity or convertible debt securities. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or convertible debt securities, the percentage ownership of our stockholders could be significantly diluted, and these newly-issued securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to those of existing stockholders. Our stock price has traded below $1.00 per share and on April 19, 2016, we received notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of NASDAQ indicating that we are not in compliance with NASDAQ’s minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share, because the closing bid price for our stock was below $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days. We have a grace period of 180 calendar days, or until October 17, 2016, to regain compliance with the minimum closing bid price requirement for continued listing and we may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar days grace period if we elect to, and qualify for, the transfer of our common stock to the NASDAQ Capital Market. In order to regain compliance, the closing bid price of our common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. In the event we do not regain compliance within the applicable grace period(s), our common stock will be subject to delisting by NASDAQ. If our common stock were to be delisted, this would significantly impact our ability to raise funds through the issuance of equity. If we obtain additional debt financing or draw further on our credit facility, a substantial portion of our operating cash flow may be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on such indebtedness, and the terms of the debt securities issued could impose significant restrictions on our operations. If we are unable to obtain financing, we may be unable to successfully execute our business plan.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

We consider to be critical those accounting policies that require our most subjective or complex judgments, which often result from a need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain, and that are among the most important of our accounting policies in the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations. We believe the following to be our critical accounting policies, including the more significant estimates and assumptions used in preparation of our financial statements.

Foreign currency translation and transaction

Rubicon Worldwide LLC, Rubicon Technology Hong Kong and Rubicon Technology Korea Yuhan Hosea’s assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates and capital accounts at historical exchange rates. The results of operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates during the respective period. Translation adjustments resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates for Rubicon Worldwide LLC, Rubicon Technology Hong Kong and Rubicon Technology Korea Yuhan Hosea are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity.

We have determined that the functional currency of Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD is the U.S. dollar. Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD’s assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the remeasurement method. Non-monetary assets are translated at historical exchange rates and monetary assets are translated at exchange rates existing at the

 

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respective balance sheet dates. Translation adjustments for Rubicon Sapphire Technology (Malaysia) SDN BHD are included in determining net income (loss) for the period. The results of operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates during the respective period. We record these gains and losses in other income (expense).

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are generated from the effects of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than our functional currency, which is the U.S. dollar. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are generally required to be recognized in the determination of net income (loss) for the period. We record these gains and losses in other income (expense).

Revenue recognition

We recognize revenue from sales of products and billings for costs and fees from government contracts. We recognize revenue from sales of products when:

 

    Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists.  We require evidence of a purchase order with the customer specifying the terms and specifications of the product to be delivered, typically in the form of a signed quotation or purchase order from the customer;

 

    Title has passed and the product has been delivered.  Title passage and product delivery generally occur when the product is delivered to a common carrier or per terms of a consignment agreement;

 

    The price is fixed or determinable.  All terms are fixed in the signed quotation or purchase order received from the customer. The purchase orders do not contain rights of cancellation, return, exchange or refund; and

 

    Collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.  Our standard arrangement with customers includes payment terms. Customers are subject to a credit review process that evaluates each customer’s financial position and its ability to pay. We determine collectability by considering the length of time the customer has been in business and our history of collections with that customer. If we determine that collection is not probable, no product is shipped and no revenue is recognized unless cash is received in advance.

In July 2012, we signed a contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory to produce large-area sapphire windows on a cost plus fixed fee basis. We recognize revenue from this contract in the period during which the related costs are incurred over the contractually defined period. We expect to complete our contract in 2017.

We do not provide maintenance or other services and the Company does not have sales that involve multiple elements or deliverables.

Inventory valuation

We value our inventory at the lower of cost or market. Market is determined based on net realizable value. Costs for raw materials are based on actual costs on a first-in, first-out basis and costs for work in process and finished goods are based on a weighted average cost basis. We establish inventory reserves when conditions exist that suggest inventory may be in excess of anticipated demand or is obsolete based on customer required specifications. We evaluate the ability to realize the value of our inventory based on a combination of factors, including forecasted sales, estimated current and future market value and changes in customers’ product specifications. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, we accepted sales orders for core and wafer products at prices lower than our cost. Based on these sales prices, we recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2016 an adjustment which decreased inventory and increased costs of goods sold by $544,000. We expect pricing to remain challenging for at least the next few quarters. Our method of estimating excess and obsolete inventory has remained consistent for all periods presented. However, if our recognition of excess or obsolete inventory is, or if our estimates of our inventory’s potential utility become, less favorable than currently expected, additional inventory reserves may be required. We determine our normal operating capacity and record as an expense costs attributable to lower utilization of equipment and staff. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we determined that we were not operating at capacity and recorded costs associated with lower utilization of equipment and staff of $2.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively. The sapphire market continues to be challenging as a result of over-supply in the market. It is likely we will incur additional adjustments for lower utilization of our equipment and staff in 2016.

Investments

We invest available cash primarily in investment grade commercial paper, FDIC guaranteed certificates of deposit, corporate notes and government securities. Investments classified as available-for-sale securities are carried at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Investments in trading securities are reported at fair value, with both realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded in other income (expense), in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Investments in which we have the ability and intent, if necessary, to liquidate in order to support our current operations are classified as short-term.

 

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We review our available-for-sale securities investments at the end of each quarter for other-than-temporary declines in fair value based on the specific identification method. We consider various factors in determining whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, including the severity and duration of the impairment, changes in underlying credit ratings, forecasted recovery, our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and the probability that the scheduled cash payments will continue to be made. When we conclude that an other-than-temporary impairment has resulted, the difference between the fair value and carrying value is written off and recorded as a charge on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of March 31, 2016, no impairment was recorded.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based on an assessment of the collectability of specific customer accounts. The determination of risk for collection is assessed on a customer-by-customer basis considering our historical experience and expected future orders with the customer, changes in payment patterns, and recent information we have about the current status of our accounts receivable balances. If we determine that a specific customer is a risk for collection, we provide a specific allowance for credit losses to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. We believe that, based on the customers to whom we sell and the nature of our agreements with them, our estimates are reasonable. Our method of estimating collectability has remained consistent for all periods presented and with past collections experience.

Long-Lived assets

We review property and equipment for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If such events or changes in circumstances occur, we will recognize an impairment loss if the undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets are less than the carrying value of the related asset. The impairment loss would adjust the asset to its fair value.

In evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of such assets. If our fair value estimates or related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges related to property and equipment. Asset recoverability is first measured by comparing the assets’ carrying amount to their expected future undiscounted net cash flows to determine if the assets are impaired. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value.

In response to our current period operating losses combined with our history of continuing operating losses, we evaluated the recoverability of certain property and equipment. In the third quarter of 2015, the overall outlook for the sapphire market continued to be volatile as industry analysts reported significant worldwide over capacity and pricing of sapphire products reached historical lows. Based on our quarterly assessment using the most recent projections, impairment to these assets was indicated as of September 30, 2015, as the recoverable amount of undiscounted cash flows did not exceed the carrying amount of these assets and we recorded an asset impairment charge on machinery, equipment and facilities. At March 31, 2016, we reviewed the current fair market value and concluded no additional adjustments were needed. We will continue to assess our long-lived assets to ensure the carrying amount of these assets is still appropriate given any changes in the marketplace and other factors used in determining the current fair market value.

Stock-based compensation

We grant stock-based compensation in the form of stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and restricted stock. We expense stock-based compensation based upon the fair market value on the date of grant. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model will be affected by assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include our expected stock volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rates, forfeitures and expected dividends.

The expected term represents the weighted-average period that our stock options are expected to be outstanding and is based upon five years historical data. We estimate the volatility of our common stock based on a five year historical stock price. We base the risk-free interest rate that we use in the option pricing model on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the expected term on the options. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, therefore, use an expected dividend yield of zero in the option pricing model. We are required to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The current forfeiture rate of 23.1% was based on our past history of forfeitures.

We allocate stock based compensation costs using a straight-line method which amortizes the fair value of each option on a straight-line basis over the service period. Based on the variables affecting the valuation of our common stock and the method used for allocating compensation costs, we recognized $370,000 in stock compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

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All option grants made during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were granted at an exercise price per share equal to the closing market price of our common stock on the day before the date of grant. Therefore, there is no intrinsic value because the exercise price per share of each option was equal to the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant.

Based on the fair market value of the common stock at March 31, 2016, there is no aggregate intrinsic value of all stock options exercisable or outstanding.

Income tax valuation allowance

Evaluating the need for and amount of a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets often requires significant judgment and extensive analysis of all the positive and negative evidence available to determine whether all or some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance must be established for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not (a probability level of more than 50 %) that they will not be realized. In general, “realization” refers to the incremental benefit achieved through the reduction in future taxes payable or an increase in future taxes refundable from the deferred tax assets, assuming that the underlying deductible differences and carryforwards are the last items to enter into the determination of future taxable income. In determining our valuation allowance, we consider the source of taxable income including taxable income in prior carryback years, future reversals of existing temporary differences, the required use of tax planning strategies, and future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards. We are in a cumulative loss position for the past three years, which is considered significant negative evidence by the accounting standards that is difficult to overcome on a “more likely than not” standard through objectively verifiable data. Under the accounting standards objective verifiable evidence is given greater weight than subjective evidence, such as our projections for future growth. Based on an evaluation in accordance with the accounting standards, as of December 31, 2015, a valuation allowance has been recorded against the net U.S. deferred tax assets in order to measure only the portion of the deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized based on the weight of all the available evidence. At March 31, 2016 we continue to be in a three year cumulative loss position, therefore until an appropriate level of profitability is attained, we expect to maintain a full valuation allowance on our U.S. and Malaysia net deferred tax assets.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers , which supersedes most of the current revenue recognition requirements. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017 (early adoption is not permitted). The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15 (“ASU 2014-15”), Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern . The standard requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Management must evaluate whether it is probable that known conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, would raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. If such conditions or events are identified, the standard requires management’s mitigation plans to alleviate the doubt or a statement of the substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern to be disclosed in the financial statements. The standard is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting ASU 2014-15 on our financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11 (“ASU 2015-11”), Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The amendments in this ASU require an entity to measure in-scope inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, further clarifying consideration for net realizable value as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This ASU more closely aligns the measurement of inventory in GAAP with the measurement of inventory in International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). For public business entities, ASU 2015-11 is effective for annual periods and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendment in this ASU is prospectively applied with earlier adoption permitted. We are evaluating this guidance and do not believe the adoption will significantly impact the presentation of our financial condition, results of operations and disclosures.

 

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In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 (“ASU 2016-01”), Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The standard requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. These changes become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting ASU 2016-01 on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases (Topic 842) which modifies the lease recognition requirements and requires entities to recognize the assets and liabilities arising from leases on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 requires entities to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting ASU 2016-02 on our financial statements.

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 (“ASU 2016-09”), Compensation - Stock Compensation ( Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting which modifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting ASU 2016-09 on our financial statements.

 

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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, there were no material changes in the information regarding market risk contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as amended for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Management’s evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Based on evaluations at March 31, 2016, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer (together, our “certifying officers”), with the participation of the management team, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that material information relating to the Company is accumulated and communicated to management, including our certifying officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

Our certifying officers have concluded that there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the three months ended March 31, 2016 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On April 30, 2015, Firerock Global Opportunity Fund LP filed a complaint in the Northern District of Illinois asserting federal securities claims against the Company, certain officers, its directors and the underwriters in the Company’s March 2014 stock offering. The complaint sought as a remedy either money damages or rescission of the March offering, plus attorneys’ fees. On October 29, 2015, after mediation and subsequent discussions, the parties reached a settlement agreement in principle. On January 27, 2016 the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois granted a motion for preliminary approval of the agreement. The settlement agreement includes a release of all defendants, and dismissal of the case against all defendants with prejudice. The Company recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 an expense of $1.1 million of which $900,000 is the amount the Company contributed to the settlement and paid on February 17, 2016. The remaining costs of the settlement are expected to be covered by insurance.

On November 19, 2015, the Carolyn Piper Smithhisler Living Trust, derivatively on behalf of Rubicon Technology Inc., filed a complaint in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Illinois against the Company’s Board of Directors and certain senior officers seeking to remedy alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and other violations of the law, failure to implement an effective system of internal controls, and failure to oversee the public statements made by the Company and certain individual defendants. The complaint sought as a remedy to recover damages against the individual defendants for the benefit of the Company and to require the Company to reform and improve its corporate governance and internal procedures plus attorneys’ fees. After extensive discussions, the parties informed the court on May 2, 2016 that they had reached a settlement agreement in principle. The proposed settlement provides for the Company to adopt certain governance changes and to pay certain amounts. The Company’s insurance carriers are expected to cover substantially all of the settlement payments and expenses. The proposed settlement is subject to a court approval process.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict, involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual results and are often beyond our control. We have identified a number of these risk factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as amended for the year ended December 31, 2015, which factors should be taken into consideration when reviewing the information contained in this report. There have been no material changes with regard to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as amended for the year ended December 31, 2015 other than as set forth below.

 

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Our common stock could be delisted from NASDAQ if the closing bid price remains below $1.00 per share .

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market. The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) provides various continued listing requirements that a company must meet in order for its stock to continue trading on The NASDAQ Global Market. Among these requirements is the requirement that the Company’s stock trades at a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share. On April 19, 2016, we received notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of NASDAQ indicating that we no longer comply with the minimum bid price requirement because the closing bid price for our stock was below $1.00 for 30 consecutive business days. In accordance with the NASDAQ listing rules, we have a grace period of 180 calendar days, or until October 17, 2016, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. In order to regain compliance, the closing bid price of our common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of ten consecutive business days. NASDAQ may, in its discretion, require our common stock to maintain a bid price of at least $1.00 per share for a period in excess of ten consecutive business days, but generally no more than 20 consecutive business days, before determining that the Company has demonstrated an ability to maintain long-term compliance. After October 17, 2016, the end of the grace period, if we have not regained compliance with the minimum bid price requirement, we may be eligible for an additional 180 calendar days grace period if we elect to, and qualify for, the transfer of the listing of our common stock to the NASDAQ Capital Market. If we fail to qualify for the second grace period or fail to regain compliance during the second grace period, our common stock will be subject to delisting by NASDAQ. There is no assurance that we will be eligible for an additional grace period or that our common stock will not be delisted. If our common stock is delisted, additional sales practice requirements would be imposed on broker-dealers who sell our securities. The additional burdens imposed upon broker-dealers by these requirements could discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in our common stock. This would significantly affect the ability of investors to trade our securities and would significantly negatively affect the value and liquidity of our common stock. These factors could contribute to lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for our common stock. Also, if we seek to implement a reverse stock split in order to remain listed on NASDAQ, the announcement and/or implementation of a reverse stock split could significantly negatively affect the price of our common stock.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

On May 6, 2016, our Board of Directors adopted the Second Amended & Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”). The Bylaws were effective immediately and included, among other things, the following changes:

 

    Specifying the powers of the chairman of the stockholder meeting; and

 

    Establishing the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain actions and proceedings.

The foregoing summary of the Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, reference to the full text of the Bylaws, which are filed as Exhibit 3.3 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and incorporated by reference herein.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The exhibits filed or incorporated by reference as a part of this report are listed in the Exhibit Index which appears following the signature page to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  Rubicon Technology, Inc.
Date: May 10, 2016   By:  

/s/ William F. Weissman

    William F. Weissman
    President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 10, 2016   By:  

/s/ Mardel A. Graffy

    Mardel A. Graffy
    Chief Financial Officer

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

The Exhibits listed below are filed or incorporated by reference as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

  

Incorporation by Reference

    3.1    Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rubicon Technology, Inc.    Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed on November 1, 2007 (File No. 333-145880)
    3.2    Amendment No. 1 to Eighth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rubicon Technology, Inc.    Filed as Appendix A to the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 29, 2011 (File No. 1-33834)
    3.3    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Rubicon Technology, Inc.   
  31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.   
  31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   
  32.1    Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   
101.INS**    XBRL Instance Document   
101.SCH**    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document   
101.CAL**    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document   
101.LAB**    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document   
101.PRE**    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Document   
101.DEF**    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document   

 

 

** Filed electronically with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

 

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Exhibit 3.3

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

of

RUBICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

(the “Corporation”)

ARTICLE 1

OFFICE AND RECORDS

Section 1.1 Delaware Office . The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware shall be located at 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19808. The name of its registered agent at that address is Corporation Service Company.

Section 1.2 Other Offices . The Corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.

Section 1.3 Books and Records . The books and records of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 2

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 2.1 Annual Meetings . An annual meeting of the stockholders shall be held for the election of directors at such date, time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be designated by the Board of Directors from time to time. Any other proper business may be transacted at the annual meeting.

Section 2.2 Special Meetings . Special meetings of stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Board of Directors. Such special meetings shall be held at such date, time and place either within or without the State of Delaware as may be stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 2.3 Notice of Meetings . Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the written notice of any meeting shall be given not less than ten nor more than sixty days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.


Section 2.4 Adjournments . Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 2.5 Quorum . At each meeting of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by law or the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting shall constitute a quorum. For purposes of the foregoing, two or more classes or series of stock shall be considered a single class if the holders thereof are entitled to vote together as a single class at the meeting. In the absence of a quorum, the stockholders so present may, by majority vote, adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.4 of these Bylaws until a quorum shall attend.

Section 2.6 Organization . Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by a chairman of the meeting, who shall be the Chairman of the Board, or in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the President, or in the absence of the foregoing persons, a chairman designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of such designation, a chairman chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in the absence of the Secretary, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. At each meeting of stockholders, annual or special, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board of Directors or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (1) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (2) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (3) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as shall be determined; (4) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; (5) restrictions on the use of audio or video recording devices at the meeting; and (6) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The chairman of a meeting may adjourn or recess any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, at any time and for any reason, whether or not a quorum is present, to reconvene at the same or some other place.

Section 2.7 Voting; Proxies .

(a) Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by the stockholder which has voting power upon the matter in question.

 

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(b) Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for the stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A written proxy may be in the form of a telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram, or other means of electronic transmission was authorized by the person.

(c) A duly executed proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made irrevocable regardless of whether the interest with which it is coupled is an interest in the stock itself or an interest in the Corporation generally. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation.

(d) Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot unless the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of all classes of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall so determine.

(e) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, at all meetings of stockholders for the election of directors, the vote of a plurality of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy shall be required to elect.

All other elections and questions shall, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon present in person or by proxy at the meeting.

Section 2.8 Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record . In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date: (a) in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, shall, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting and (b) in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (i) the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and (ii) the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

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Section 2.9 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote . The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic email addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.

Section 2.10 Advance Notice Procedures; Notice of Annual Meetings of Stockholders .

(a) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in the Bylaws, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in the Bylaws.

(b) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 2.10(a), the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 60th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided , however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Rule 14a-11 promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (ii) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (iii) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (A) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner and (B) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 2.10(b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the Corporation is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 70 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required herein shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

(d) General .

(i) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth herein shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth herein. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded.

(ii) For purposes herein, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

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(iii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights (A) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (B) of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors under specified circumstances.

Section 2.11 Inspectors of Election . Before any meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment. The number of inspectors shall be either one (1) or three (3). If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the chairman of the meeting may, and upon the request of any stockholder or a stockholder’s proxy shall, appoint a person to fill that vacancy.

Such inspectors shall: (a) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting and the authenticity, validity, and effect of proxies and ballots, (b) count all votes and ballots, (c) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any and all challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, (d) determine when the polls shall close, (e) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots, and (f) do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all stockholders.

The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical. If there are three (3) inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

ARTICLE 3

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 3.1 Functions and Compensation . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided in the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) or the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 3.2 Number; Qualifications . The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. The Board of Directors shall be fixed solely and exclusively by resolution duly adopted from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. The directors shall hold office in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. No director need be a stockholder of the Corporation.

Section 3.3 Resignation; Removal; Vacancies . Any Director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. A resignation shall be effective upon receipt, unless the resignation otherwise provides. Directors may be removed from office only in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled in the manner provide in the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

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Section 3.4 Regular Meetings . The regular annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held, without notice other than this Section 3.4, on the same date and at the same place as the Annual Meeting following the close of such meeting of stockholders. Other regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at such hour, date and place as the Board of Directors may by resolution from time to time determine and publicize by means of reasonable notice given to any director who is not present at the meeting at which such resolution is adopted.

Section 3.5 Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called, orally or in writing, by or at the request of a majority of the directors, the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or the President. The person calling any such special meeting of the Board of Directors may fix the hour, date and place thereof.

Section 3.6 Notice of Meetings . Notice of the hour, date and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or in case of the death, absence, incapacity or refusal of such persons, by the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or the President or such other officer designated by the Chairman of the Board, if one is elected, or the President. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given to each director in person, by telephone, or by facsimile, electronic mail or other form of electronic communication, sent to his or her business or home address, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, or by written notice mailed to his or her business or home address, at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when hand delivered to such address, read to such director by telephone, deposited in the mail so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid if mailed, dispatched or transmitted if faxed, telexed or telecopied, or when delivered to the telegraph company if sent by telegram.

A written waiver of notice signed before or after a meeting by a director and filed with the records of the meeting shall be deemed to be equivalent to notice of the meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because such meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Except as otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

Section 3.7 Quorum . At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if less than a quorum is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice, except as provided herein. Any business which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed may be transacted at such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present. For purposes of this section, the total number of directors includes any unfilled vacancies on the Board of Directors.

 

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Section 3.8 Action at Meeting . At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of the directors present shall constitute action by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise required by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.

Section 3.9 Action by Consent . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board of Directors. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form. Such consent shall be treated as a resolution of the Board of Directors for all purposes.

Section 3.10 Manner of Participation . Directors may participate in meetings of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all directors participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting in accordance herewith shall constitute presence in person at such meeting for purposes of these Bylaws.

Section 3.11 Committees . The Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, may elect one or more committees, including, without limitation, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and an Audit Committee, and may delegate thereto some or all of its powers except those which by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws may not be delegated. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any such committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors or in such rules, the committee shall be governed by the same rules regarding meetings, action without meetings, notice, waiver of notice, and quorum and voting requirements as are applicable to the Board of Directors. All members of such committees shall hold such offices at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may abolish any such committee at any time. Any committee to which the Board of Directors delegates any of its powers or duties shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and shall report its action to the Board of Directors.

Section 3.12 Compensation of Directors . Directors shall receive such compensation for their services as shall be determined by a majority of the Board of Directors, or a designated committee thereof, unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, provided that directors who are serving the Corporation as employees and who receive compensation for their services as such, shall not receive any salary or other compensation for their services as directors of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE 4

OFFICERS

Section 4.1 Executive Officers; Election; Qualifications . As soon as practicable after the annual meeting of stockholders in each year the Board of Directors shall appoint a President and Secretary, and it may, if it so determines, elect a Chairman of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board from among its members. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and one or more Assistant Treasurers and may give any of them such further designations or alternate titles as it considers desirable. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

Section 4.2 Term of Office; Resignation; Removal; Vacancies . Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, each of the officers of the Corporation shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board of Directors after the annual meeting of stockholders next succeeding the officer’s election, and until the officer’s successor is elected and qualified or until the officer’s earlier resignation or removal. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Board of Directors may remove any officer with or without cause at any time, by the affirmative vote of the majority of the directors then in office, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting.

Section 4.3 Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board, if one is appointed, shall preside, when present, at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

Section 4.4 Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer, if one is appointed, shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate. If there is no Chairman of the Board or if he or she is absent, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside, when present, at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors.

Section 4.5 President . The President shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.

Section 4.6 Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents . Any Vice President (including any Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President) and any Assistant Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.

Section 4.7 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers . The Treasurer shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and except as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may otherwise provide, have general charge of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall cause to be kept accurate books of account. The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds, securities, and valuable documents of the Corporation. He or she shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. Any Assistant Treasurer shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.

 

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Section 4.8 Secretary and Assistant Secretaries . The Secretary shall record all the proceedings of the meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors (including committees of the Board) in books kept for that purpose. In his or her absence from any such meeting, a temporary secretary chosen at the meeting shall record the proceedings thereof. The Secretary shall have charge of the stock ledger (which may, however, be kept by any transfer or other agent of the Corporation). The Secretary shall have custody of the seal of the Corporation, and the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix it to any instrument requiring it, and, when so affixed, the seal may be attested by his or her signature or that of an Assistant Secretary. The Secretary shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary may perform his or her duties and responsibilities. Any Assistant Secretary shall have such powers and perform such duties as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time designate.

Section 4.9 Other Powers and Duties . Subject to these Bylaws and to such limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, the officers of the Corporation shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, as well as such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

ARTICLE 5

STOCK

Section 5.1 Form . Shares of the Corporation may, but need not, be represented by certificates. The Board of Directors may authorize the issue of some or all of the shares of the Corporation without certificates. Any such authorization will not affect shares already represented by certificates until they are surrendered to the Corporation. The rights and obligations of shareholders shall be identical whether or not their shares are represented by certificates. Certificates shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, if any, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Corporation. Any of or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue. The Corporation shall not have the power to issue a certificate in bearer form.

Section 5.2 Special Designation on Certificates . If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided , however , that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences, and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

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Section 5.3 Transfer of Stock . Upon surrender to the Corporation or the transfer agent for the Corporation of shares endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment signed by the holder of record or by such holder’s duly authorized attorney-in-fact, it shall be the duty of the Corporation, or its duly appointed transfer agent, to transfer such shares to the person entitled thereto and record the transaction upon its books.

Section 5.4 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates . The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

Section 5.5 Stock Transfer Agreements . The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

Section 5.6 Registered Owners . The Corporation (a) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner, (b) shall be entitled to hold liable for calls and assessments the person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and (c) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

 

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ARTICLE 6

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND OTHERS

Section 6.1 Right to Indemnification . Subject to the other provisions of this Article 6, each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved (including involvement as a witness) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (hereinafter, an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than permitted prior thereto), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA exercise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators; provided , however , that, except as provided in Section 6.2, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding initiated by such person only if such proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 6.1 shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advance of expenses”); provided , however , that, if and to the extent that the DGCL requires, an advance of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 6.1 or otherwise.

Section 6.2 Procedure for Indemnification . Any indemnification of a director or officer of the Corporation or advance of expenses under Section 6.1 shall be made promptly, and in any event within thirty (30) days (or, in the case of an advance of expenses, twenty (20) days), upon the written request of the director or officer. A request for indemnification may be made at any time following the final disposition of the proceeding. If a determination by the Corporation that the director or officer is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article 6 is required, and the Corporation fails to respond within sixty (60) days to a written request for indemnity, the Corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the Corporation denies a written request for indemnification or advance of expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is not made within thirty (30) days (or, in the case of an advance of expenses, twenty (20) days), the right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article 6 shall be enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such person’s costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such action shall also be indemnified by the Corporation. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the advance of expenses where the undertaking required pursuant to Section 6.1, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including the Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

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Section 6.3 Employees and Agents . The Corporation may, by action of the Board of Directors, provide indemnification to persons who are not covered by Section 6.1 and who are or were employees or agents of the Corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the Corporation as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, with the same or lesser scope and effect as the indemnification provided for directors and officers. The procedure for indemnification of other employees and agents for whom the Board of Directors has provided indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.3 shall be the same procedure set forth in Section 6.2 for directors and officers, unless otherwise set forth in the action of the Board of Directors providing indemnification for such other employees and agents.

Section 6.4 Service for Subsidiaries . Any person serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary shall be conclusively presumed to be serving in such capacity at the request of the Corporation.

Section 6.5 Reliance . Persons who after the date of the adoption of this provision become or remain directors of the Corporation or who, while a director or officer of the Corporation, become or remain a director, officer, employee or agent of a subsidiary, shall be conclusively presumed to have relied on the rights to indemnity, advance of expenses and other rights contained in this Article 6 in entering into or continuing such service. The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article 6 shall apply to claims made against an indemnitee arising out of acts or omissions which occurred or occur both prior and subsequent to the adoption hereof.

Section 6.6 Non-Exclusivity of Rights . The rights to indemnification and to the advance of expenses conferred in this Article 6 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under this Certificate of Incorporation or under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Section 6.7 Limitation on Indemnification . Subject to the requirements of Section 6.1 and the DGCL, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this Article 6 in connection with any proceeding (or any part of any proceeding):

(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;

(b) for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

(c) for any reimbursement of the Corporation by such person of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from the sale of securities of the Corporation, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Corporation pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Corporation of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such person of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements); or

 

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(d) if prohibited by applicable law.

Section 6.8 Insurance . The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on its own behalf and on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expenses, liability or loss under the DGCL.

Section 6.9 Contract Rights . The provisions of this Article 6 shall be deemed to be a contract right between the Corporation and each indemnitee who serves in any covered capacity at any time while this Article 6 and the relevant provisions of the DGCL or other applicable law are in effect, and any repeal or modification of this Article 6 or any such law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts or proceeding then existing.

Section 6.10 Merger or Consolidation . For purposes of this Article 6, reference to the “Corporation” shall not include any constituent corporation absorbed in a consolidation or merger with the Corporation unless specifically authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 6.11 Other Terms Defined . For purposes of this Article 6, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article 6.

ARTICLE 7

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1 Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 7.2 Seal . The Corporation may, but need not, have a corporate seal which may be altered at pleasure, and may use the same by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

Section 7.3 Waivers . A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder or director, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether given before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required to be given to such person. Neither the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver.

 

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Section 7.4 Interested Directors; Quorum . No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because the votes of such persons are counted for such purpose, if: (a) the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board or committee in good faith authorized the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum; or (b) the material facts as to the director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or (c) the contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders. Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.

Section 7.5 Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments . Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

Section 7.6 Construction; Definitions . Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes both a corporation and a natural person.

Section 7.7 Amendment of Bylaws . The Bylaws may be amended or repealed in the manner set forth in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 7.8 Forum for Adjudication of Disputes . To the fullest extent permitted by law, and unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for: (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought in the name or right of the Corporation or on its behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee, stockholder or other agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (3) any action arising or asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (4) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, including, without limitation, any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 7.8.

 

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Exhibit 31.1

Certifications

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, William F. Weissman, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (the “registrant”);

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 10, 2016   By:  

/s/ William F. Weissman

    William F. Weissman
    President and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Mardel A. Graffy, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (the “registrant”);

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 10, 2016   By:  

/s/ Mardel A. Graffy

    Mardel A. Graffy
    Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32.1

Certification Pursuant To Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,

18 U.S.C. Section 1350

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Rubicon Technology, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), each of the undersigned officers of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to his or her knowledge:

 

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

Date: May 10, 2016   By:  

/s/ William F. Weissman

    William F. Weissman
    President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: May 10, 2016   By:  

/s/ Mardel A. Graffy

    Mardel A. Graffy
    Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the registrant and will be retained by the registrant and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.