Pharma-bio Serv Inc (PBSV) SEC Quarterly Report (10-Q) for Q1 2016

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

ORGANIZATION

Pharma-Bio Serv, Inc. ("Pharma-Bio") is a Delaware corporation organized on January 14, 2004. Pharma-Bio is the parent company of Pharma-Bio Serv PR, Inc. ("Pharma-PR"), Pharma Serv, Inc. ("Pharma-Serv"), both Puerto Rico corporations, Pharma-Bio Serv US, Inc. ("Pharma-US"), a Delaware corporation, Pharma-Bio Serv Validation & Compliance Limited ("Pharma-IR"), an Irish corporation, Pharma-Bio Serv SL ("Pharma-Spain"), a Spanish limited liability company, and Pharma-Bio Serv Brasil Servicos de Consultoria Ltda. ("Pharma-Brazil"), a Brazilian limited liability company. Pharma-Bio, Pharma-PR, Pharma Serv, Pharma-US, Pharma-IR, Pharma-Spain and Pharma-Brazil are collectively referred to as the "Company." The Company operates in Puerto Rico, the United States, Ireland, Spain and Brazil under the name of Pharma-Bio Serv and is engaged in providing technical compliance consulting service, and microbiological and chemical laboratory testing services primarily to the pharmaceutical, chemical, medical device and biotechnology industries.

Pharma-Brazil is a wholly owned subsidiary, which was organized in Brazil in April 2015. As of January 31, 2016, this subsidiary was in development stage and has not incurred significant revenues or expenses.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of October 31, 2015 is derived from audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The results of operations for the three months ended January 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of expected results for the full 2016 fiscal year.

The accompanying financial data as of January 31, 2016, and for the three-month period ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 has been prepared by us, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally contained in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes contained in our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015.

Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Accounting standards have established a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument's categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Accounting standards have established three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Marketable securities available-for-sale consist of U.S. Treasury securities and an obligation from the Puerto Rico Government Development Bank valued using quoted market prices in active markets. Accordingly, these securities are categorized in Level 1.

The carrying value of the Company's financial instruments (excluding marketable securities and obligations under capital leases), cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are considered reasonable estimates of fair value due to their liquidity or short-term nature. Management believes, based on current rates, that the fair value of its obligations under capital leases approximates the carrying amount.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is primarily derived from: (1) time and materials contracts (representing approximately 83% of total revenues), which is recognized by applying the proportional performance model, whereby revenue is recognized as performance occurs, (2) short-term fixed-fee contracts or "not to exceed" contracts (representing approximately 1% of total revenues), which revenue is recognized similarly, except that certain milestones also have to be reached before revenue is recognized, and (3) laboratory testing revenue (representing approximately 16% of total revenues) is mainly recognized as the testing is completed and certified (normally within days of sample receipt from the customer). If the Company determines that a contract will result in a loss, the Company recognizes the estimated loss in the period in which such determination is made.

Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash equivalents include investments in a money market obligations trust that is registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Marketable Securities

We consider our marketable security investment portfolio and marketable equity investments as available-for-sale and, accordingly, these investments are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses generally recorded in other comprehensive income; whereas realized gains and losses are included in earnings and determined based on the specific identification method.

We review our available-for-sale securities for other-than-temporary declines in fair value below their cost basis on a quarterly basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the cost basis of an asset may not be materially recoverable. This evaluation is based on a number of factors including, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than our cost basis and adverse conditions specifically related to the security including any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at their estimated realizable value. Accounts are deemed past due when payment has not been received within the stated time period. The Company's policy is to review individual past due amounts periodically and write off amounts for which all collection efforts are deemed to have been exhausted. Due to the nature of the Company's customers, bad debts are mainly accounted for using the direct write-off method whereby an expense is recognized only when a specific account is determined to be uncollectible. The effect of using this method approximates that of the allowance method.

Income Taxes

The Company follows an asset and liability approach method of accounting for income taxes. This method measures deferred income taxes by applying enacted statutory rates in effect at the balance sheet date to the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts on the financial statements. The resulting deferred tax assets or liabilities are adjusted to reflect changes in tax laws as they occur. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company follows guidance from the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") related to Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, which includes a two-step approach to recognizing, de-recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. As of January 31, 2016, the Company had no significant uncertain tax positions that would be reduced as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations.

Property and Equipment

Owned property and equipment, and leasehold improvements are stated at cost. Vehicles under capital leases are stated at the lower of fair market value or net present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the leases.

Depreciation and amortization of owned assets are provided for, when placed in service, in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated service lives, using straight-line basis. Assets under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or initial lease term. Major renewals and betterments that extend the life of the assets are capitalized, while expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred. As of January 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, the accumulated depreciation and amortization amounted to $1,754,607 and $1,791,202, respectively.

The Company evaluates for impairment its long-lived assets to be held and used, and long-lived assets to be disposed of, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Based on management estimates, no impairment of the operating properties was present.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the consolidated financial statements based on the fair value of the awards granted. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which generally represents the vesting period, and includes an estimate of awards that will be forfeited. The Company calculates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model at the grant date, while for restricted stock units the fair market value of the units is determined by Company's share market value at grant date. Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation are reflected as cash flows from financing activities rather than cash flows from operating activities. The Company has not recognized such cash flows from financing activities since there has been no tax benefit related to the stock-based compensation.

Income Per Share of Common Stock

Basic income per share of common stock is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted income per share includes the dilution of common stock equivalents, which include principally shares that may be issued upon the exercise of warrants, stock option and restricted stock unit awards.

The diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding were calculated using the treasury stock method for the respective periods.

Foreign Operations

The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is its local currency. The assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period. The cumulative translation effect for subsidiaries using a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar is included as a cumulative translation adjustment in stockholders' equity and as a component of comprehensive income.

The Company's intercompany accounts are typically denominated in the functional currency of the foreign subsidiary. Gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of intercompany receivables that the Company considers to be of a long-term investment nature are recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment in stockholders' equity and as a component of comprehensive income, while gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of intercompany receivables from those international subsidiaries for which the Company anticipates settlement in the foreseeable future are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. The net gains and losses recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income were not significant for the periods presented.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the filing date of this report. The Company has determined that there are no events occurring in this period that required disclosure or adjustment.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the January 31, 2015 condensed consolidated financial statements to conform them to the January 31, 2016 condensed consolidated financial statements presentation. Such reclassifications do not affect net income as previously reported.

Recently issued and adopted accounting standards

Recent issued FASB guidance and Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Staff Accounting Bulletins have either been implemented, are not applicable to the Company, or will have limited effects upon the Company's implementation.

NOTE B – MARKETABLE SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values of available-for-sale securities by type of security were as follows as of January 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015:

At January 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, the above marketable securities included a 5.4% Puerto Rico Commonwealth Government Development Bank Bond in the amount of $95,000, purchased at par and maturing in August 2019.

The fair values of available-for-sale securities by classification in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows as of January 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015:

Cash and cash equivalents in the table above exclude cash in banks of approximately $10.0 million and $10.4 million as of January 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, respectively.

The primary objectives of the Company's investment portfolio are liquidity and safety of principal. Investments are made with the objective of achieving the highest rate of return consistent with these two objectives. Our investment policy limits investments to certain types of debt and money market instruments issued by institutions primarily with investment grade credit ratings and places restrictions on maturities and concentration by type and issuer.

NOTE C - INCOME TAXES

In June 2011, Pharma-Bio, Pharma-PR and Pharma-Serv obtained a Grant of Industrial Tax Exemption pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in Act No. 73 of May 28, 2008 ("the Grant") issued by the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company ("PRIDCO"). The Grant was effective as of November 1, 2009 and covers a fifteen year period. The Grant provides relief on various Puerto Rico taxes, including income tax, with certain limitations, for most of the activities carried on within Puerto Rico, including those that are for services to parties located outside of Puerto Rico. Industrial Development Income ("IDI") covered under the Grant are subject to a fixed income tax rate of 4%. In addition, IDI earnings distributions accumulated since November 1, 2009 are totally exempt from Puerto Rico earnings distribution tax.

Puerto Rico operations not covered in the exempt activities of the Grant are subject to Puerto Rico income tax at a maximum tax rate of 39% as provided by the 1994 Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, as amended. The operations carried out in the United States by the Company and its subsidiary are taxed in the United States at a maximum regular federal income tax rate of 35%.

Distribution of earnings by the Puerto Rican subsidiaries to its parent are taxed at the federal level, however, the parent is able to receive a credit for the taxes paid by the subsidiary on its operations in Puerto Rico, to the extent of the federal taxes that result from those earnings. As a result, the income tax expense of the Company, under its present corporate structure, would normally be the Puerto Rico taxes on operations in Puerto Rico, federal taxes on operations in the United States, plus the earnings distribution tax in Puerto Rico from dividends paid to the Puerto Rican subsidiaries' parent, and the parent's federal income tax, if any, incurred upon the subsidiary's earnings distribution.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income.

The Company has not recognized deferred income taxes on undistributed earnings of its Puerto Rican subsidiaries, since such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely. If the earnings were distributed in the form of dividends, the Company would be subject to Puerto Rico earnings distribution tax and United States federal income tax, as applicable.

Pharma-Spain and Pharma-IR have unused operating losses which result in a potential deferred tax asset. However, an allowance has been provided covering the total amount of such balance since it is uncertain whether the net operating losses can be used to offset future taxable income before their expiration dates. Realization of future tax benefits related to a deferred tax asset is dependent on many factors, including the company's ability to generate taxable income. Accordingly, the income tax benefit will be recognized when realization is determined to be more probable than not. These net operating losses are available to offset future taxable income in Pharma-Spain through 2029 and 2030, and indefinitely for Pharma-IR.

The statutory income tax rate differs from the effective rate, mainly due to the effect of the Puerto Rico Act 73 Tax Grant over income tax expense, and income tax permanent differences between financial and tax books income.

The Company files income tax returns in the United States (federal and various states jurisdictions), Puerto Rico, Ireland, Spain and Brazil. The 2012 (2011 for Puerto Rico) through 2015 tax years are open and may be subject to potential examination in one or more jurisdictions. Currently, the Company has no federal, state, Puerto Rico or foreign income tax examination.

NOTE D – WARRANTS

On December 2014, the Company entered into an Agreement with a firm for providing (i) business development and (ii) mergers and acquisition services to the Company. Pursuant to the Agreement terms, the Company issued warrants for the purchase of 1,000,000 common shares at an exercise price of $1.80 per share. The warrants contain provisions for the partial vesting of the common shares at different dates within eighteen months after the execution of the Agreement. Also, under certain circumstances the Agreement may be terminated, accordingly a portion of the underlying common shares of the warrants may be cancelled and/or forfeited depending on the date of termination. As of January 31, 2016, 911,110 of the underlying common shares of the warrants were fully vested. The warrants expire on December 1, 2019.

NOTE E – CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS

On June 13, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to two million shares of its outstanding common stock. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be at the discretion of the Company, subject to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and related rules. The program does not oblige the Company to repurchase any shares and it may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time and for any reason. No shares will be repurchased directly from directors or officers of the Company. As of January 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, pursuant to the program, a total of 196,652 and 165,524 shares of the Company's common stock were purchased for an aggregate amount of $215,804 and $186,819, respectively.

NOTE F – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following data shows the amounts used in the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share.

For the three-month periods ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, warrants and options for the purchase of shares of common stock for a total of 1,000,000 and 160,000 shares, respectively, were not considered in computing diluted earnings per share because their effects were antidilutive.

NOTE G - CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company domestic cash and cash equivalents consist of cash deposits in FDIC insured banks (substantially covered by FDIC insurance by the spread of deposits in multiple FDIC insured banks), a money market obligations trust registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and U.S. Treasury securities with maturities of three months or less. In the foreign markets we serve, we also maintain cash deposits in foreign banks, which tend to be not significant and have no specific insurance. No losses have been experienced or are expected on these accounts.

Accounts receivable and revenues

Management deems all of its accounts receivable to be fully collectible, and, as such, does not maintain any allowances for uncollectible receivables.

The Company's revenues, and the related receivables, are concentrated in the pharmaceutical industry in Puerto Rico, the United States, Ireland, Spain and Brazil. Although a few customers represent a significant source of revenue, the Company's functions are not a continuous process, accordingly, the client base for which the services are typically rendered, on a project-by-project basis, changes regularly.

The Company provided a substantial portion of its services to four customers, which accounted for 10% or more of its revenues in either of the three-month periods ended January 31, 2016 and 2015. During the three months ended January 31, 2016, revenues from these customers were 10.4%, 13.5%, 11.0% and 2.4%, or a total of 37.3%, as compared to the percentages for the same period last year of 12.5%, 0.0%, 10.0% and 12.5%, or a total of 35.0%, respectively. At January 31, 2016, amounts due from these customers represented 32.8% of the Company's total accounts receivable balance.

The information related to major customers in the above paragraph is based on revenues earned from said customers at the segment level because in management's opinion contracts by segments are totally independent of each other, and therefore such information is more meaningful to the reader. These revenues pertain to four global groups of affiliated companies. During the three months ended January 31, 2016, aggregate revenues from these global groups of affiliated companies were 15.2%, 13.5%, 11.0% and 2.4%, or a total of 42.1%, as compared to the same period last year for 25.1%, 0.0%, 10.0% and 12.5%, or a total of 47.6%, respectively. At January 31, 2016 amounts due from these global groups of affiliated companies represented 34.8% of total accounts receivable balance.

NOTE H - SEGMENT DISCLOSURES

The Company's segments are based on the organizational structure for which financial results are regularly evaluated by the Company's senior executive management to determine resource allocation and assess performance. Each reportable segment is managed by its own management team and reports to executive management. The Company has four reportable segments: (i) Puerto Rico technical compliance consulting, (ii) United States technical compliance consulting, (iii) Europe technical compliance consulting, and (iv) a Puerto Rico microbiological and chemical laboratory testing division ("Lab"). These reportable segments provide services primarily to the pharmaceutical, chemical, medical device and biotechnology industries in their respective markets.

The following table presents information about the reported revenue from services and earnings from operations of the Company for the three month periods ended in January 31, 2016 and 2015. There is no intersegment revenue for the mentioned periods. Corporate expenses that support the operating units have been allocated to the segments. Asset information by reportable segment is not presented, since the Company does not produce such information internally, nor does it use such data to manage its business.

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

The following discussion of our results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, reference should be made to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, and related Management's Discussion and Analysis appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2015. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements. For a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ from results discussed in the forward-looking statements, see "Forward Looking Statements" below and the "Risk Factors" section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2015.

Overview

We are a compliance and technology transfer services consulting firm with a laboratory testing facility with headquarters in Puerto Rico, servicing the Puerto Rico, United States, Europe and Brazil markets. The compliance consulting service sector in those markets consists of local compliance and validation consulting firms, United States dedicated validation and compliance consulting firms and large publicly traded and private domestic and foreign engineering and consulting firms. We provide a broad range of compliance related consulting services. We also provide microbiological testing services and chemical testing services through our laboratory testing facility ("Lab") in Puerto Rico. We also provide technical training/seminars, which services are not currently significant to our operating results. We market our services to pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology, medical devices, cosmetics and food industries, and allied products companies in Puerto Rico, the United States, Europe and Brazil. Our consulting team includes experienced engineering and life science professionals, former quality assurance managers and directors, and professionals with bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in health sciences and engineering.

We actively operate in Puerto Rico, the United States, Ireland, Spain and Brazil and pursue to further expand these markets by strengthening our business development infrastructure and by constantly realigning our business strategies as new opportunities and challenges arise.

We market our services with an active presence in industry trade shows, professional conventions, industry publications and company provided seminars to the industry. Our senior management is also actively involved in the marketing process, especially in marketing to major accounts. Our senior management and staff also concentrate on developing new business opportunities and focus on the larger customer accounts (by number of consultants or dollar volume) and responding to prospective customers' requests for proposals.

While our core business is FDA and international agencies regulatory compliance related services, we feel that our clients are in need of other services that we can provide and allow us to present the company as a global solution provider with a portfolio of integrated services that will bring value added solutions to our customers. Accordingly, our portfolio of services include a laboratory testing facility and a training center that provides seminars/training to the industry.

The Lab incorporates the latest technology and test methodologies meeting pharmacopoeia industry standards and regulations. It currently offers services to our core industries already serviced as well as the cosmetic and food industries.

We also provide technical seminars/training that incorporate the latest regulatory trends and standards as well as other related areas. A network of leading industry professional experts in their field, which include resources of our own, provide these seminars/training to the industry through our "Pharma Serv Academy" division. These services are provided in the markets we currently serve, as well as others, and position our Company as a key leader in the industry.

During the year ended October 31, 2015, the Company started the development of a new Puerto Rico based Calibrations Services Division that will develop and operate a central metrology/calibration laboratory and provide lab and field calibration, verification and qualification of equipment and installations, readiness audits, heating/ventilation and air conditioning ("HVAC") and clean room qualification and related services. The Company signed a three-year strategic collaboration agreement with a Spain-based company specializing in calibrations, validation, HVAC and clean room qualification services to assist the Company in the development process.

In April 2015, we registered in Brazil our wholly owned subsidiary, Pharma-Brazil, with the intention to provide consulting services to this market. As of January 31, 2016, this subsidiary was in development stage and has not incurred significant revenues or expenses.

On December 2014, the Company entered into an Agreement with a firm to provide (i) mergers and acquisition, and (ii) business development services to the Company. These services are aimed to improve and assist the expansion of our market reach and customer base, primarily to the United States consulting business.

In line with the strategy to further penetrate the United States and Puerto Rico markets, we submit annually for renewal the certification as a "minority-controlled company" as defined by the National Minority Supplier Development Council and Growth Initiative ("NMSDC"). This certification allows us to participate in corporate diversity programs available from various potential customers in the United States and Puerto Rico.

The Company holds a tax grant issued by the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company ("PRIDCO"), which provides relief on various Puerto Rico taxes, including income tax, with certain limitations, for most of the activities carried on within Puerto Rico, including those that are for services to parties located outside of Puerto Rico.

The following table sets forth information as to our revenue for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, by geographic regions (dollars in thousands).

For the three months ended January 31, 2016, net revenues for the Company were $4.9 million, a decrease of $1 million, or 17%, when compared to the same period last year. This decline is mainly attributable to a $0.7, $0.5 and $0.2 million revenue decrease in the Puerto Rico, United States and Europe consulting markets, respectively, partially offset by a gain in the Puerto Rico Lab of approximately $0.3 million. An increase in gross margin of 6.9 percentage points, compared to the same period last year, was attained because of (i) the Lab's absorption of fixed costs due to the increase of testing volume, and (ii) the favorable improvement in consulting projects gross margin, which offset the effects of the dollar aggregate gross margin loss attributable to the loss of revenue. Other Company divisions sustained minor revenue gains/losses or remained constant, when compared to the same period last year. Selling, general and administrative expenses remained constant. These factors resulted in our three months ended January 31, 2016 net income being approximately $0.4 million, an increase of $0.1 million, when compared with the same period last year. (See "Results of Operations" below.)

Weak economies where we do business and worldwide industry consolidations will continue to be unfavorable factors going forward. These factors, in addition to the Puerto Rico government financial crisis, the impact on the industry, if any, of the U.S. health care reform (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) and Puerto Rico Act 154-2010 which imposes temporary excise taxes to the industry we serve, remain as industry uncertainties that might adversely affect our future performance. We believe that our future profitability and liquidity will be highly dependent on the effect the global economy, changes in tax laws and worldwide lifescience manufacturing industry consolidations will have over our operations, and our ability to seek service opportunities and adapt to the industry trends.

We are constantly realigning our business strategies to grow our business. As such, the Company's management understands that planned infrastructure investments on human capital, new markets, and Lab facilities and equipment during fiscal year 2016 will provide sustainable growth to the Company in future years. For the year ended October 31, 2016, the Company intends to invest approximately (i) $1.7 million on new business development positions on consulting targeted new markets, and (ii) $2.0 million for the expansion of our Puerto Rico Lab facilities, openings of a Lab facility in Spain and the Calibrations division facility in Puerto Rico. The Company's working capital will be used to fund these investments.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our statements of operations for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, (dollars in thousands) and as a percentage of revenue:

Revenues . For the three months ended January 31, 2016, net revenues for the Company were $4.9 million, a decrease of $1 million when compared to the same period last year. The revenue decrease is mainly attributable to a decline in projects in the Puerto Rico, United States and Europe consulting markets of $0.7, $0.5 and $0.2 million, respectively, partially offset by a gain in the Puerto Rico Lab operation of approximately $0.3 million. Other Company divisions sustained minor revenue gains/losses or remained constant, when compared to the same period last year.

A significant portion of the revenues for the European market is attributable to one customer located in Ireland. Most of the European revenue decline is attributable to the loss of project headcount within this Ireland customer.

Cost of Services; gross margin . Gross margin for the three months ended January 31, 2016 increased 6.9 percentage points when compared to the same period last year.

The increase in gross margin is mainly attributable to the increase of 4.1 percentage points in the Lab gross margin, while consulting services accounted for the remaining gain. The increase in the Lab testing volume with its related favorable effect over fixed costs absorption, and the favorable improvement in consulting projects gross margin, were the main drivers for the increase in gross margin.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses . Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended in January 31, 2016 were approximately $1.4 million, which remained constant when compared to the same period last year.

Income Taxes Expense . The income tax expense is a function of segments with taxable income before tax, and the effective tax rate attained after considering the effect of the Puerto Rico Act 73 Tax Grant.

Net Income. Our net income for three months ended January 31, 2016 was approximately $0.4 million, an increase of $0.1 million when compared with the same period last year. Our net income variance, when compared to the same period last year, is mainly attributable to the slight increase in gross margin and the effect of the effective income tax rates (including Puerto Rico favorable tax grants) over income before tax.

For the three months ended January 31, 2016, earnings per common share for both, basic and diluted, were $0.015, an increase of $0.002 and $0.003, respectively, when compared to the same period last year. The increase is mainly attributable to the increase in net income.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including planned capital expenditures. As of January 31, 2016, the Company had approximately $21 million in working capital.

On June 13, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to two million shares of its common stock (the "Company Stock Repurchase Program"). As of January 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, the Company repurchased 196,652 and 165,524 shares of its common stock, respectively.

Our primary cash needs consist of the payment of compensation to our consulting team, overhead expenses, and statutory taxes. Additionally, we may use cash for the repurchase of our common stock under the Company Stock Repurchase Program, capital expenditures and business development expenses (as described above).  Management believes that based on the current level of working capital, operations and cash flows from operations, and the collectability of high quality customer receivables will be sufficient to fund anticipated expenses and satisfy other possible long-term contractual commitments for the next twelve months.

To the extent that we pursue possible opportunities to expand our operations, either by acquisition or by the establishment of operations in a new locale, we will incur additional overhead, and there may be a delay between the period we commence operations and our generation of net cash flow from operations.

While uncertainties relating to the current local and global economic condition, competition, the industries and geographical regions served by us and other regulatory matters exist within the consulting services industry, as described above, management is not aware of any trends or events likely to have a material adverse effect on liquidity or its financial statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We were not involved in any significant off-balance sheet arrangement during the three months ended January 31, 2016.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There were no material changes during the three months ended January 31, 2016 to the critical accounting policies reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015.

New Accounting Pronouncements

There were no new accounting standards issued since our filing of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, which could have a significant effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Forward-Looking Statements

Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects, and the prevailing market price and performance of our common stock, may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including the matters discussed below. Certain statements and information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as other written or oral statements made from time to time by us or by our authorized executive officers on our behalf, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include all statements other than those made solely with respect to historical fact and identified by words such as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "intends" and similar expressions, but such words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. We intend for our forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we set forth this statement and these risk factors in order to comply with such safe harbor provisions. You should note that our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or when made and we undertake no duty or obligation to update or revise our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Although we believe that the expectations, plans, intentions and projections reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors that our stockholders and prospective investors should consider include the following:

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure 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 our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Based on an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our last fiscal quarter identified in connection with that evaluation that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II– OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

From time to time, we may be a party to legal proceedings incidental to our business. We do not believe that there are any proceedings threatened or pending against us, which, if determined adversely to us, would have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations and cash flows.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

(c) The following table provides information about purchases by the Company of its shares of common stock during the three month period ended January 31, 2016:

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

-------

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.