form10q.htm


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
Form 10-Q
 


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

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2008

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 000-30083


QUALSTAR CORPORATION

CALIFORNIA
 
95-3927330
(State of incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
 

3990-B Heritage Oak Court, Simi Valley, CA 93063
(805) 583-7744


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 þ     No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o     Accelerated filer o     Non-accelerated filer þ

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

Total shares of common stock without par value outstanding at March 31, 2008 is 12,253,117.
 


 
1

 

QUALSTAR CORPORATION
 
FORM 10-Q
 
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2008
 
INDEX


 
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.
 
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
 
7
Item 2.
13
Item 3.
19
Item 4.
19
     
 
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 6.
20
 
21

2


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QUALSTAR CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)


   
March 31,
2008
   
June 30,
2007
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Audited)
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 9,705     $ 7,697  
Marketable securities, short-term
    9,423       9,574  
Receivables, net of allowances of $111 and $170 at March 31, 2008, and June 30, 2007, respectively
    3,090       3,462  
Inventories, net
    5,870       5,928  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    521       576  
Prepaid income taxes
          137  
Total current assets
    28,609       27,374  
Property and equipment, net
    497       601  
Marketable securities, long-term
    14,221       15,994  
Other assets
    94       94  
Total assets
  $ 43,421     $ 44,063  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 1,008     $ 654  
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
    394       455  
Other accrued liabilities
    1,080       1,113  
Total current liabilities
    2,482       2,222  
Other long-term liabilities
    45        
Commitments and contingencies
               
Shareholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000 shares authorized; no shares issued
           
Common stock, no par value; 50,000 shares authorized, 12,253 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007
    18,676       18,593  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    273       (55 )
Retained earnings
    21,945       23,303  
Total shareholders’ equity
    40,894       41,841  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 43,421     $ 44,063  
 

See the accompanying notes to these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


QUALSTAR CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data)


   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
   
Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net revenues
  $ 5,171     $ 4,884     $ 16,552     $ 14,826  
Cost of goods sold
    3,385       3,546       11,097       10,552  
Gross profit
    1,786       1,338       5,455       4,274  
Operating expenses:
                               
Research and development
    772       846       2,270       2,352  
Sales and marketing
    810       659       2,409       2,310  
General and administrative
    904       764       2,561       2,320  
Total operating expenses
    2,486       2,269       7,240       6,982  
Loss from operations
    (700 )     (931 )     (1,785 )     (2,708 )
Investment income
    378       312       1,215       1,064  
Loss before income taxes
    (322 )     (619 )     (570 )     (1,644 )
Provision for income taxes
          48       17       48  
Net loss
  $ (322 )   $ (667 )   $ (587 )   $ (1,692 )
Loss per share:
                               
Basic and Diluted
  $ (0.03 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.14 )
Shares used to compute loss per share:
                               
Basic and Diluted
    12,253       12,253       12,253       12,253  
                                 
Cash dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.06     $ 0.00     $ 0.06     $ 0.00  


See the accompanying notes to these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


QUALSTAR CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited) (In thousands)


   
Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net loss
  $ (587 )   $ (1,692 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
               
Share based compensation
    83       53  
Loss on marketable securities
          50  
Depreciation and amortization
    217       324  
Provision for bad debts and returns, net of recoveries
    2       36  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Receivables, net
    370       (386 )
Inventories, net
    58       971  
Prepaid and other assets
    55       (97 )
Prepaid income taxes
    137       40  
Accounts payable
    354       367  
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
    (61 )     (124 )
Other accrued liabilities
    (24 )     (273 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    604       (731 )
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements
    (113 )     (18 )
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
    21,484       12,660  
Purchases of marketable securities
    (19,232 )     (9,006 )
Net cash provided by investing activities
    2,139       3,636  
                 
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Cash dividends on common shares
    (735 )      
Net cash used in financing activities
    (735 )      
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    2,008       2,905  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    7,697       6,845  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 9,705     $ 9,750  
                 
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
               
Income taxes paid
  $ 7     $ 7  


See the accompanying notes to these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


QUALSTAR CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2008

(Unaudited) (In thousands)

               
Accumulated
             
               
Other
             
   
Common Stock
   
Comprehensive
   
Retained
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Loss
   
Earnings
   
Total
 
Balance at July 1, 2007
    12,253     $ 18,593     $ (55 )   $ 23,303     $ 41,841  
Share based compensation
          83                   83  
Cash dividends on common shares
                      (735 )     (735 )
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle (FIN48)
                      (36 )     (36 )
Net loss
                      (587 ) )     (587 )
Change in unrealized losses on investments
                328             328  
Comprehensive loss
                            (259 )
Balance at March 31, 2008
    12,253     $ 18,676     $ 273     $ 21,945     $ 40,894  
 

See the accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


QUALSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)


Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

  Basis of Presentation
 
In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, including balance sheets and related interim statements of operations, cash flows, and stockholders’ equity, include all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring items, which are necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. Examples include estimates of loss contingencies, product life cycles and inventory obsolescence, bad debts, sales returns, share based compensation forfeiture rates, the potential outcome of future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns, and determining when investment impairments are other-than-temporary. Actual results and outcomes may differ from management’s estimates and assumptions.

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The information included in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Qualstar Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.
 
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Qualstar and its wholly owned subsidiary, Qualstar Sales and Service Corporation. All significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated.

  Note 2 - Loss Per Share
 
Qualstar calculates loss per share in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” Basic earnings per share has been computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted loss per share has been computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average common shares outstanding plus dilutive securities or other contracts to issue common stock as if these securities were exercised or converted to common stock.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the three and Nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007:
   
In Thousands
(Except per share amounts)
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
   
Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net loss (a)
  $ (322 )   $ (667 )   $ (587 )   $ (1,692 )
Weighted average outstanding shares of common stock (b)
    12,253       12,253       12,253       12,253  
Dilutive potential common shares from employee stock options
                       
Common stock and common stock equivalents (c)
    12,253       12,253       12,253       12,253  
Loss per share:
                               
Basic net loss per share (a)/(b)
  $ (0.03 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.14 )
Diluted net loss per share (a)/(c)
  $ (0.03 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.14 )

7


QUALSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- (Continued)

(Unaudited)


Stock options are excluded for the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007 from the computation of diluted loss per share as the effect would have been antidilutive.

Note 3 - Marketable Securities
 
Marketable securities consist primarily of high-quality U.S. corporate securities and U.S. federal government and state government debt securities. These securities are classified in one of three categories: trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Held-to-maturity securities are securities that Qualstar has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. All other securities not included in trading or held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale. All of Qualstar’s marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale at March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007.

Available-for-sale securities are recorded at market value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related income tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses for securities classified as available-for-sale are included in earnings when the underlying securities are sold and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.

Note 4 - Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market. Inventory is comprised as follows (in thousands):

   
March 31,
2008
   
June 30,
2007
 
Raw materials, net
  $ 5,228     $ 5,234  
Finished goods
    642       694  
    $ 5,870     $ 5,928  

Note 5 – Warranty Obligations
 
The Company follows the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 45 (“FIN 45”), Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of the Indebtedness of Others, which clarifies the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, relating to a guarantor’s accounting for disclosures for certain guarantees. FIN 45 requires enhanced disclosures, among other things, for certain guarantees, including warranty accruals. Qualstar does not issue third party guarantees, as defined, and therefore only the disclosure provisions of FIN 45 apply.

Activity in the liability for product warranty for the periods presented were as follows (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended March 31, 2008
   
Nine Months Ended
March 31, 2008
 
Beginning balance
  $ 184     $ 174  
Cost of warranty claims
    (20 )     (55 )
Accruals for product warranties
    19       64  
Ending balance
  $ 183     $ 183  


Note 6 - Comprehensive Loss
 
     For the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, comprehensive loss amounted to approximately $259,000 and $1,351,000, respectively. The difference between net loss and comprehensive loss relates to the changes in the unrealized losses or gains the Company recorded for its available-for-sale securities.
 
8

 
Note 7 - Legal Proceedings
 
     We are from time to time involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. At this time, we are not aware of any pending or threatened litigation against us that we expect will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity or operating results. Legal claims are inherently uncertain, however, and it is possible that the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity and/or operating results could be adversely affected in the future by legal proceedings.

9


QUALSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- (Continued)

(Unaudited))


Note 8 - Income Taxes
 
 On July 1, 2007, the Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, which provides a financial statement recognition threshold and measurement attribute for a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Under FIN 48, we may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and income tax disclosures.

Adopting FIN 48 had the following impact on our financial statements: increased long-term liabilities by $45,000, and reduced our retained earnings by $36,000. In addition, $144,000 was recorded as a FIN 48 contingent liability and offset against our net deferred tax assets.  As of July 1, 2007, we had $3.3 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits offset by a full valuation allowance.  Thus, future changes in the unrecognized tax benefit will have no impact on our effective tax rate due to the existence of the valuation allowance. Our policy is to include interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense, but is not significant at March 31, 2008.  The Company reasonably estimates that the unrecognized tax benefit will not change significantly within the next twelve months.  The Company files its tax returns by the laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates.  The Company’s federal tax returns after 2002 and California tax returns after 2003 are still subject to examination.  Various state jurisdictions tax years remain open to examination as well, though the Company believes any additional assessment will be immaterial to its consolidated financial statements.

Note 9 - Segment Information
 
     SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. This standard requires segmentation based on our internal organization and reporting of revenue and operating income based upon internal accounting methods. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Our chief operating decision maker is our Chief Executive Officer. Our two segments are Tape Libraries and Power Supplies. The two segments discussed in this analysis are presented in the way we internally manage and monitor performance. Our financial reporting systems present various data for management to operate the business, including internal profit and loss statements prepared on a basis consistent with U.S. GAAP. The tape library business has dominated our operations, thus, our operations and reporting have been set up to accommodate a single segment and attribute all revenues and expenses to the tape library side, with the power supply business being an ancillary part of overall operations. As the power supply segment grew in the last two years to represent greater than 10% of combined revenues, a framework for internal resource allocations has been implemented for the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007. Certain assets are tracked separately by the power supplies segment, and all others are recorded in the tape library segment for internal reporting presentations. Cash is not segregated between the two segments, but retained by the library segment.

The types of products and services provided by each segment are summarized below:

Tape Libraries — We design, develop, manufacture and sell automated magnetic tape libraries used to store, retrieve and manage electronic data primarily in network computing environments. Tape libraries consist of cartridge tape drives, tape cartridges and robotics to move the cartridges from their storage locations to the tape drives under software control. Our tape libraries provide data storage solutions for organizations requiring backup, recovery and archival storage of critical data.

Power Supplies — We design, manufacture, and sell small, open frame, high efficiency switching power supplies. These power supplies are used to convert AC line voltage to DC voltages for use in a wide variety of electronic equipment such as telecommunications equipment, machine tools, routers, switches, wireless systems and gaming devices.

10


QUALSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- (Continued)

(Unaudited)


Segment revenue, loss before taxes and total assets were as follows (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
Revenue
               
Tape Libraries:
               
Product
  $ 3,457     $ 3,502     $ 11,788     $ 10,253  
Service
    641       588       1,921       2,126  
Total Tape Libraries
    4,098       4,090       13,709       12,379  
Power Supplies
    1,073       794       2,843       2,447  
Consolidated Revenue
  $ 5,171     $ 4,884     $ 16,552     $ 14,826  


 
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2008
 
2007
 
2008
 
2007
 
Income (Loss) before Taxes
                 
Tape Libraries
  $ (440 )   $ (637 )   $ (748 )   $ (1,726 )
Power Supplies
    118       18       178       82  
Consolidated Loss before Taxes
  $ (322 )   $ (619 )   $ (570 )   $ (1,644 )


 
March 31
 
June 30
 
 
2008
 
2007
 
Total Assets
       
Tape Libraries
  $ 42,408     $ 43,228  
Power Supplies
    1,013       835  
Consolidated Assets
  $ 43,421     $ 44,063  


Note 10 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

11


QUALSTAR CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- (Continued)

(Unaudited)


     SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in September 2006, defines fair value and provides guidance on measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosure requirements associated with fair value. SFAS 157 is effective for our fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

     In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 gives us the irrevocable option to carry many financial assets and liabilities at fair values, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. SFAS No. 159 is effective for us beginning July 1, 2008, although early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 159 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

12


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


Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q concerning the future business, operating results and financial condition of Qualstar, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements inherently are subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which we cannot predict or quantify. Our actual results may differ materially from the results projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 in “ITEM 1 Business,” “Item 1A Risk Factors,” and in “ITEM 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” You generally can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “may,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” or “continues,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of events or circumstances in the future.

OVERVIEW
 
We design, develop, manufacture and sell automated magnetic tape libraries used to store, retrieve and manage electronic data primarily in network computing environments. We currently offer tape libraries for two popular tape drive technologies including LTO (Linear Tape-Open tape format) and AIT (Advanced Intelligent Tape).  We have discontinued sales of libraries with SAIT (Super Advanced Intelligent Tape), and DLT (Digital Linear Tape) tape drives due to declining demand for those tape drive technologies.

We have developed a network of value added resellers who specialize in delivering complete storage solutions to end users. End users of our products range from small businesses requiring simple automated backup solutions to large organizations needing complex storage management solutions. We also sell our products to original equipment manufacturers that incorporate our products with theirs, which they sell as a complete system or solution. We assist our customers with marketing and technical support.

We also design, develop, manufacture and sell small high-efficiency open-frame switching power supplies for original equipment manufacturers of telecommunications equipment, servers, routers, switches, RAIDs, and other equipment. Our power supplies are sold under the N2Power brand name and private label brand names through independent sales representatives and distributors. The primary customers are original equipment manufacturers and contract manufacturers.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
 
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to customer promotional offers, sales returns, bad debts, inventories, warranty costs, investments, share based compensation, and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

13


Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, shipment has occurred or services have been rendered, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured (less estimated returns, for which provision is made at the time of sale) in accordance with SAB 104, Revenue Recognition. For product sales, title and risk of loss transfer to the customer when the product leaves our dock in Simi Valley, California, or another shipping location designated by us. Customers are allowed to return the product within thirty days of shipment if the product does not meet specifications.

We record an allowance for estimated sales returns based on past experience and current knowledge of our customer base. Our experience has been such that only a very small percentage of libraries are returned. Should our experience change, however, we may require additional allowances for sales returns.

Revenues from technical support services and other services are recognized at the time services are performed. Revenues from service contracts entered into with third party service providers are recognized at the time of sale, net of costs.

Marketable Securities
 
All of Qualstar’s marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale as it is possible that some securities will be sold prior to maturity.  Available-for-sale securities are recorded at market value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related income tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses for securities classified as available-for-sale are included in earnings when the underlying securities are sold and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
We estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts based on an assessment of the collectibility of specific accounts and the overall condition of accounts receivable. In evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts, we analyze specific trade receivables, historical bad debts, customer credits, customer credit-worthiness and changes in customers’ payment terms and patterns. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make additional payments, then we may need to make additional allowances. Likewise, if we determine that we could realize more of our receivables in the future than previously estimated, we would adjust the allowance to increase income in the period we made this determination.

Inventory Valuation
 
We record inventories at the lower of cost or market value. We assess the value of our inventories periodically based upon numerous factors including expected product or material demand, current market conditions, technological obsolescence, current cost and net realizable value. If necessary, we write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence, potential shrinkage, or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If technology changes more rapidly than expected, or market conditions become less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.

Warranty Obligations
 
We provide for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. We engage in extensive product quality programs and processes, including active monitoring and evaluation of product failure rates, material usage and estimation of service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. However, should actual product failure rates, material usage, or service delivery costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required. Historically our warranty costs have not been significant.

Share-Based Compensation
 
Share-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with SFAS 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine fair value of the award at the date of grant and recognize compensation expense over the vesting period. The inputs we use for the model require the use of judgment, estimates and assumptions regarding the expected volatility of the stock, the expected term the average employee will hold the option prior to the date of exercise, and the amount of share-based awards that are expected to be forfeited. Changes in these inputs and assumptions could occur and actual results could differ from these estimates, and our results of operations could be materially impacted.

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Accounting for Income Taxes

We adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN 48) in the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. See Note 8 – Income Taxes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for further discussion.

We estimate our tax liability based on current tax laws in the statutory jurisdictions in which we operate. These estimates include judgments about deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes, as well as about the realization of deferred tax assets.

We maintain a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty surrounding the timing of realizing the benefits of net deferred tax assets in future years. We have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for such a valuation allowance. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, the valuation allowance would be decreased accordingly.

We may periodically undergo examinations by the federal and state regulatory authorities and the Internal Revenue Service. We may be assessed additional taxes and/or penalties contingent on the outcome of these examinations. Our previous examinations have not resulted in any unfavorable or significant assessments.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The following table sets forth certain financial data, as a percentage of net revenues, for the periods indicated:

   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
   
Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of goods sold
    65.5       72.6       67.0       71.2  
Gross profit
    34.5       27.4       33.0       28.8  
Operating expenses:
                               
Research and development
    14.9       17.3       13.7       15.9  
Sales and marketing
    15.7       13.5       14.6       15.6  
General and administrative
    17.5       15.6       15.5       15.6  
Total operating expenses
    48.1       46.4       43.8       47.1  
Loss from operations
    (13.6 )     (19.0 )     (10.8 )     (18.3 )
Investment income
    7.3       6.4       7.3       7.2  
Loss before income taxes
    (6.3 )     (12.6 )     (3.5 )     (11.1 )
Provision for income taxes
    0.0       1.0       0.1       0.3  
Net loss
    (6.3 ) %     (13.6 ) %     (3.6 ) %     (11.4 ) %

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We have two operating segments for financial reporting purposes:  tape libraries and power supplies, as discussed in Note 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this report. The following table summarizes our revenue by major product line and by operating segment:

   
Three Months
Ended
March 31
   
Nine Months Ended
March 31
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Tape Library revenues:
                       
TLS
    31.4 %     41.5 %     32.4 %     37.0 %
RLS
    7.6       7.7       9.8       8.2  
XLS
    4.4       5.1       6.7       5.3  
      43.4       54.3       48.9       50.5  
Other revenues:
                               
Power Supplies
    20.8       16.3       17.2       16.5  
Service
    12.4       12.0       11.6       14.4  
Media
    17.7       12.6       16.6       13.2  
Miscellaneous
    5.7       4.8       5.7       5.4  
      100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %


Three Months Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2007
 
Net Revenue. Net revenues increased to $5.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $4.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $0.3 million, or 5.9%. No single customer accounted for more than ten percent of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007.

Segment Revenue. Revenues reported for the segments shown below are presented on a basis consistent with U.S. GAAP. Revenues reported in Note 9 - Segment Information, in Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this report, are presented in accordance with SFAS 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.
 
Tape Libraries - Net revenues were comparable at $4.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007. No single customer accounted for more than ten percent of tape library revenues for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007.

Power Supplies - Net revenues increased to $1,073,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $794,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $279,000, or 35.1%. The increase in revenues is attributed to growth in both sales to contract manufacturers and distribution sales. Two customers on a standalone basis accounted for 21.6% and 16.2%, respectively, or 37.8% in the aggregate, of power supply revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2008. One customer on a standalone basis accounted for 36.0% of power supply revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

Gross Profit. Gross profit represents the difference between our net revenues and cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold consists primarily of purchased parts, direct and indirect labor costs, rent, technical support costs, depreciation of plant and equipment, utilities, and packaging costs. Gross profit increased to $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase of $0.5 million, or 33.5%, is primarily due to increased revenue, a change in product mix and efficiencies achieved in material and labor management.

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Research and Development. Research and development expenses consist of engineering salaries, benefits, outside consultant fees, and purchased parts and supplies used in development activities. Research and development expenses decreased to $772,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $846,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The decrease of $74,000, or 8.7% was primarily attributed to lower consulting, independent software vendor and miscellaneous engineering expenses.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of employee salaries and benefits, sales commissions, trade show costs, advertising and travel related expenses. Sales and marketing expenses increased to $810,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $659,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase of $151,000, or 22.9% is primarily attributed to an increase in commissions, advertising and promotion and travel expenses.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses include employee salaries and benefits and professional service fees. General and administrative expenses increased to $904,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $764,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase of $140,000, or 18.3% is primarily attributed to Sarbanes Oxley compliance efforts.

Investment Income. Investment income increased to $378,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008 from $312,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase of $66,000, or 21.2% is primarily attributed to interest income received from a franchise tax refund during the quarter ended March 31, 2008. In addition, we did not realize any losses on the sale of securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, as compared to a $50K realized loss on the sale of securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. We did not record a provision or benefit for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2008.  We expensed various state income tax payments totalling $7,000 and recorded an additional $41,000 reserve for the three months ended March 31, 2007 relating to the franchise tax audit of fiscal years 2001 through 2003.


Nine Months Ended March 31, 2008 Compared to Nine Months Ended March 31, 2007
 
Net Revenue. Net revenues increased to $16.6 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 from $14.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $1.7 million, or 11.6%. No single customer accounted for more than ten percent of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007.

Segment Revenue. Revenues reported for the segments shown below are presented on a basis consistent with U.S. GAAP. Revenues reported in Note 9 - Segment Information, in Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this report, are presented in accordance with SFAS 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.
 
Tape Libraries - Net revenues increased to $13.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 from $12.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $1.3 million, or 10.7%. The increase in revenues is attributed to higher revenues from our XLS and RLS tape libraries, and media and miscellaneous revenues, partially offset by lower revenues from our TLS tape libraries and service revenues. No single customer accounted for more than ten percent of tape library revenues for the nine-month periods ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007.

Power Supplies - Net revenues increased to $2.8 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 from $2.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2007, an increase of $0.4 million, or 16.2%. The increase in revenues is attributed to growth in both sales to contract manufacturers and distribution sales. Two customers on a standalone basis accounted for 21.2% and 15.0%, respectively, or 36.2% in the aggregate,  of power supply revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2008.  Two customers on a standalone basis accounted for 31.4% and 11.9%, respectively, or 43.3% in the aggregate, of power supply revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2007.

Gross Profit. Gross profit increased to $5.5 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 from $4.3 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2007. The increase of $1.2 million, or 27.6%, is primarily due to increased revenue, a change in product mix and efficiencies achieved in material and labor management.

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Research and Development. Research and development expenses remained comparable at $2.3 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses increased to $2.4 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 from $2.3 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2007. The increase of $0.1 million, or 4.3% is primarily due to increased commissions and travel expenses, partially offset by the closure of our United Kingdom office.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased to $2.6 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 from $2.3 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2007. The increase of $0.3 million, or 10.4% is primarily due to increased accounting consulting expenses attributed to Sarbanes Oxley compliance efforts and compensation expense partially offset by lower depreciation and amortization and bad debts expense.

Investment Income. Investment income increased to $1.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 from $1.1 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2007. The increase of $0.1 million, or 14.2% is primarily due to maturities of older securities reinvested into higher yielding short-term securities and interest income received from a franchise tax refund during the quarter ended March 31, 2008.  In addition, we did not realize any losses on the sale of securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, as compared to a $50K realized loss on the sale of securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2007.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. We recorded a provision for income taxes of $17,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 relating to state income taxes paid during the three months ended September 30, 2007 and interest expense accrued as part of our liability resulting from our adoption on July 1, 2007 of FIN48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109.  See Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this report for a further discussion of FIN48.  We expensed various state income tax payments totalling $7,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2007 and recorded an additional $41,000 reserve for the nine months ended March 31, 2007 relating to franchise tax audits of fiscal years 2001 through 2003.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Cash provided by operating activities was $604,000 in the nine months ended March 31, 2008, primarily attributed to a decrease in receivables and prepaid income taxes, and an increase in accounts payable, partially offset by the year to date net loss. Cash used in operating activities was $781,000 in the nine months ended March 31, 2007, primarily attributed to the net loss for the quarter and an increase in receivables, a decrease in accrued payroll and related liabilities, and a decrease in other accrued liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in inventories and an increase in accounts payable.

Cash provided by investing activities was $2.1 million in the nine months ended March 31, 2008, primarily attributed to proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, partially offset by purchases of marketable securities and the purchase of property and equipment. Cash provided by investing activities was $3.7 million in the nine months ended March 31, 2007, primarily attributed to proceeds from the sale of marketable securities, partially offset by purchases of marketable securities.

Cash used in financing activities was $735,000 attributed to cash dividends paid on common shares.  Cash was not used in or provided by financing activities during the nine months ended March 31, 2007.

As of March 31, 2008, we had $9.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and $23.6 million in marketable securities. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flows from our operating activities, plus funds available from the sale of our marketable securities, will be sufficient to fund our working capital and capital expenditure needs for at least the next 12 months. We may utilize cash to invest in businesses, products or technologies that we believe are strategic. We regularly evaluate other companies and technologies for possible investment by us. In addition, we have made and may in the future make investments in companies with whom we have identified potential synergies. However, we have no present commitments or agreements with respect to any material acquisition of other businesses or technologies.

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ITEM 3. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We develop products in the United States and sell them worldwide. As a result, our financial results could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in foreign markets. As all sales are currently made in U.S. dollars, a strengthening of the U.S. dollar could make our products less competitive in foreign markets. Our interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates, particularly since the majority of our investments are in short-term instruments. We have no outstanding debt nor do we utilize derivative financial instruments. Therefore, no quantitative tabular disclosures are required.


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Qualstar’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2008, pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures 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 Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We did not make any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1A.   Risk Factors

There have been no significant changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.

ITEM 4.      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

The following matters were voted upon at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held on March 25, 2008:

1. The following persons were elected as directors to serve a one year term expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2009 or until their successors are elected and qualified:

   
Number of Votes Cast
 
Name
 
For
   
Authority
 
         
Withheld
 
William J. Gervais
    8,909,996       1,700,479  
Richard A. Nelson
    8,909,996       1,700,479  
Stanley W. Corker
    10,502,819       107,656  
Carl W. Gromada
    10,524,924       85,551  
Robert A. Meyer
    10,502,819       107,656  
Robert E. Rich
    8,909,996       1,700,479  

2. To approve the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008. Votes for were 10,521,012; votes against were 39,612; and votes abstained were 49,851.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Index
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


   
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
     
     
Dated: May 14, 2008
 
By: /s/  WILLIAM J. GERVAIS
   
William J. Gervais
   
Chief Executive Officer,
   
President and Director
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
   
By: /s/  ANDREW A. FARINA
   
Andrew A. Farina
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
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