Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stockholders' Equity and Stock Compensation

v3.6.0.2
Stockholders' Equity and Stock Compensation
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity and Stock Compensation

NOTE 6 – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 50 million shares of Common Stock and 1 million shares of preferred stock, $.0005 par value (“Preferred Stock”).

 

Preferred Stock

 

On June 16, 2015, our stockholders approved the change our state of incorporation from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware pursuant to a plan of conversion (“Conversion Plan”) and the filing of a certificate of incorporation in the State of Delaware. The Preferred Stock authorized under our certificate of incorporation may be issued from time to time in one or more series. As of December 31, 2016, no shares of Preferred Stock have been issued. Our board of directors has the full authority permitted by law to establish, without further stockholder approval, one or more series and the number of shares constituting each such series and to fix by resolution voting powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any. Subject to the limitation on the total number of shares of Preferred Stock that we have authority to issue under our certificate of incorporation, the board of directors is also authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series, subsequent to the issue of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then-outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series is so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease will resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. We may amend from time to time our certificate of incorporation and bylaws to increase the number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock or to make other changes or additions.

 

Stockholder Rights Plan

 

On September 8, 1998, our Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of Common Stock Purchase Rights (each individually, a “Right” and collectively, the “Rights”) payable to the stockholders of record on September 25, 1998, thereby creating a Stockholder Rights Plan (the “Rights Agreement”). The Rights Agreement was subsequently amended effective each of (i) May 23, 2008, (ii) August 18, 2009, (iii) June 2014 and (iv) January 6, 2017. The Rights Agreement, as amended and restated, provides that each Right entitles the stockholder of record to purchase from the Company that number of common shares of Common Stock having a combined market value equal to two times the Rights exercise price of $45. The Rights are not exercisable until the distribution date, which will be the earlier of a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons has acquired 15% or more of the outstanding common shares of Common Stock, or the announcement of an intention by a similarly constituted party to make a tender or exchange offer resulting in the ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding common shares of Common Stock (such person, the “acquirer”). The Rights Agreement, as amended and restated, allows for an exemption for Ted Karkus, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, to acquire up to 20% of our Common Stock without our Board of Directors declaring a dividend distribution.

 

The dividend has the effect of giving the stockholder a 50% discount on the share’s current market value for exercising such right. In the event of a cashless exercise of the Right, and the acquirer has acquired less than 50% beneficial ownership of the Company, a stockholder may exchange one Right for one common share of the Company. The Rights Agreement, as amended and restated, includes a provision pursuant to which our Board of Directors may exempt from the provisions of the Rights Agreement an offer for all outstanding shares of our Common Stock that the directors determine to be fair and not inadequate and to otherwise be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, after receiving advice from one or more investment banking firms. The expiration date of the Rights Agreement, as amended, is June 18, 2024.

 

2014 Equity Line of Credit

 

On May 28, 2014, we entered into an equity line of credit agreement (such arrangement, the “2014 Equity Line”) with Dutchess whereby Dutchess committed to purchase, subject to certain restrictions and conditions, up to 3,000,000 shares of our Common Stock, over a period of 36 months from the effectiveness of the registration statement registering the resale of shares purchased by Dutchess pursuant to the Investment Agreement. On May 29, 2014, we filed a registration statement with the SEC to register for sale up to 3,000,000 shares of our Common Stock and the registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on June 4, 2014.

 

During the period June 4, 2014 through September 30, 2014, we sold an aggregate of 2,561,520 shares of our Common Stock to Dutchess under and pursuant to the 2014 Equity Line and we derived net proceeds of $3.7 million. In June 2015, we sold an aggregate of 438,480 shares of our Common Stock to Dutchess under and pursuant to the 2014 Equity Line and we derived net proceeds of $524,000. The sales of the shares under the 2014 Equity Line were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) (or Regulation D promulgated thereunder). At June 30, 2015, there were no shares of our Common Stock available for sale under the terms of the 2014 Equity Line. As a consequence of the utilization of the 2014 Equity Line, on July 23, 2015 we filed a post-effective amendment to the underlying registration statement for the 2014 Equity Line to terminate the registration statement.

 

2015 Equity Line of Credit

 

On July 30, 2015, we entered into a new equity line of credit agreement (such arrangement, the “2015 Equity Line”) with Dutchess. Pursuant to the 2015 Equity Line, Dutchess committed to purchase, subject to certain restrictions and conditions, up to 3,200,000 shares of our Common Stock, over a period of 36 months from the effectiveness of the registration statement registering the resale of shares purchased by Dutchess pursuant to the Investment Agreement. On August 4, 2015, we filed a registration statement for the underlying shares of the 2015 Equity Line with the SEC and the registration statement was declared effective by the SEC on August 21, 2015.

 

We may, at our discretion, draw on the 2015 Equity Line from time to time, as and when we determine appropriate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the 2015 Equity Line. The maximum number of shares that we are entitled to put to Dutchess in any one draw down notice shall not exceed 500,000 shares with a purchase price calculated in accordance with the 2015 Equity Line. We may deliver a notice for a subsequent put from time to time, following the one day pricing period for the prior put.

 

The purchase price is set at ninety-five percent (95%) of the volume weighted average price (VWAP) of the Common Stock during the one trading day immediately following our put notice. We have the right to withdraw all or any portion of any put, except that portion of the put that has already been sold to a third party, including any portion of a put that is below the minimum acceptable price set forth on the put notice, before the closing. In the event Dutchess receives more than a five percent (5%) return on the net sales for a specific put, Dutchess must remit such excess proceeds to us; however, in the event Dutchess receives less than a five percent (5%) return on the net sales for a specific put, Dutchess has the right to deduct from the proceeds of the put amount on the applicable closing date so Dutchess’s return will equal five percent (5%).

 

There are put restrictions applied on days between the draw down notice date and the closing date with respect to a particular put. During such time, we are entitled to deliver another draw down notice. In addition, Dutchess is not obligated to purchase shares if Dutchess’ total number of shares beneficially held at that time would exceed 4.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock as determined in accordance with Rule 13d-1(j) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In addition, we are not permitted to draw on the facility unless there is an effective registration statement to cover the resale of the shares.

 

During the period from August 21, 2015 through December 31, 2015, we sold an aggregate of 750,000 shares of our Common Stock to Dutchess under and pursuant to the 2015 Equity Line and we derived net proceeds of $1.0 million. The sales of the shares under the 2015 Equity Line were deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance upon Section 4(2) (or Regulation D promulgated thereunder). At December 31, 2016 we have 2,450,000 shares of our Common Stock available for sale to Dutchess, at our discretion, under the terms of the 2015 Equity Line and covered pursuant to a registration statement.

 

The 2010 Equity Compensation Plan

 

On May 5, 2010, our stockholders approved the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan which was subsequently amended, restated and approved by stockholders on April 24, 2011, and further amended and approved by stockholders on May 6, 2013, and further amended and approved by stockholders on May 24, 2016 (the “2010 Plan”). The 2010 Plan, as amended on May 24, increased the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the 2010 Plan by 700,000 to an aggregate equal to 3.2 million shares. At December 31, 2016, there were 1,699,000 options outstanding under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan (see “Stock Options” below).

 

Stock Options and Warrants Fair Value

 

All of our employees, including employees who are officers or members of the Board are eligible to participate in the 2010 Plan. Consultants and advisors who perform services for us are also eligible to participate in the 2010 Plan. For Fiscal 2016 and 2015, there were no options granted under the 2010 Plan. For Fiscal 2015, we issued 51,000 Warrants pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreements for the Notes (see Note 5). For Fiscal 2016 and 2014, there were no warrants issued. For Fiscal 2014 we granted, 147,500 options, to employees to acquire our Common Stock pursuant to the terms of 2010 Plan. Presented below is a summary of the terms of the grant of options and Warrants:

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015     2014  
Number of options granted     -       -       147,500  
Number of Warrants granted     -       51,000       -  
Vesting period     -       none       none  
Maximum term of option or Warrants from date of grant     -       3 years       7 years  
Exercise price per share     -     $ 1.35     $ 1.39  
Weighted average fair value per share of options and                        
Warrants granted during the year     -     $ 0.26     $ 0.59  

 

We used the Black-Scholes option pricing model during Fiscal 2015 and 2014 to determine the fair value of the stock options and Warrants at the date of grant. Based upon our limited historical experience, we determined the expected term of the stock option grants to be a range between 2.5 to 6.5 years, calculated using the “simplified” method in accordance with the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 110. We use the “simplified” method since our historical data does not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term.

 

Presented below is a summary of assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock options and Warrants at the date of grant:

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015     2014  
Expected option or Warrant life     -       3 years       3.5 years  
Weighted average risk free rate     -       0.88 %     0.10 %
Dividend yield     -       0 %     0 %
Expected volatility     -       26.42 %     52.43 %

 

The fair value of the stock options and Warrants at the time of the grant in Fiscal 2015 and 2014 was $14,000 and $87,000, respectively. For Fiscal 2015 and 2014, stock options and Warrants granted were not subject to a vesting period. Additionally, the remaining vesting period for options originally issued in Fiscal 2010 of 200,000 was accelerated to be fully vested at December 31, 2014. The aggregate fair value of $217,000 for each of the stock options granted in Fiscal 2014 and the accelerated vesting period of previously issued options of $255,000 were charged to operations in Fiscal 2014. For Fiscal 2016, 2015 and 2014, we charged to operations $1,000, $135,000 and $472,000, respectively, for share-based compensation expense for the aggregate fair value of the vested stock options earned.

 

Stock Options

 

At December 31, 2016, all 1,699,000 of the options granted under the 2010 Equity Compensation Plan were vested. At December 31, 2016, there are 733,659 options available for grant to purchase shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the terms of the 2010 Plan.

 

A summary of the status of our stock options granted pursuant the 2010 Plan as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and changes during the years then ended is presented below (in thousands, except per share data):

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
    2016     2015     2014  
          Weighted Average           Weighted Average           Weighted Average  
    Shares     Exercise Price     Shares     Exercise Price     Shares     Exercise Price  
Options outstanding - beginning of year     1,713     $ 1.21       1,740     $ 1.40       1,638     $ 1.60  
Granted             -       -               148       1.39  
Exercised     -       -                       -       -  
Cancelled     (14 )     1.44       (27 )     13.50       (46 )     9.50  
Options outstanding - end of year     1,699     $ 1.20       1,713     $ 1.21       1,740     $ 1.40  
                                                 
Options granted and subject to future vesting     -     $ -       4     $ 1.48       263     $ 1.54  
                                                 
Exercisable, at end of year     1,699               1,709               1,477          
Available for grant     734               20               20          

 

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable at December 31, 2016 (in thousands, except remaining life and per share data):

 

    Options Outstanding and Exercisable  
Range of Exercise Prices   Number
Outstanding
    Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
    Weighted Average
Exercise Price Per
Share
 
$0.87 - $1.17     1,130       1.1     $ 1.02  
$1.36 - $1.65     569       3.2     $ 1.57  
Total     1,699             $ 1.37  

 

The aggregate intrinsic value of (i) options outstanding, (ii) options outstanding and expected to vest in the future and (iii) options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016 was $1.2 million, zero and $1.2 million, respectively.

 

Stock Option Exercises

 

There were no stock options exercised in Fiscal 2016, 2015 or 2014.

 

Stock Grants and Other Issuances

 

In December 2014, we issued 300,000 shares of our Common Stock valued at $1.31 per share for an aggregate of $393,000, as payment for a portion of the litigation costs incurred prior to December 31, 2014 related to the Settlement Agreement (defined below). The 300,000 shares of our Common Stock were issued pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, by virtue of Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and by virtue of Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act.

 

In December 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted Mr. Karkus 100,000 shares of Common Stock under the 2010 Plan valued at $139,000 as payment for a portion of his Fiscal 2014 bonus.

 

The 2010 Directors Equity Compensation Plan

 

On May 5, 2010, our stockholders approved the 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan which was subsequently amended and approved by stockholders on May 6, 2013 (the “2010 Directors’ Plan). A primary purpose of the 2010 Directors’ Plan is to provide us with the ability to pay all or a portion of the fees of Directors in restricted stock instead of cash. The 2010 Directors’ Plan provides that the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the 2010 Directors’ Plan is equal to 425,000 shares. We did not grant shares to Directors in Fiscal 2016 or 2015 for director compensation. In Fiscal 2014 we granted 28,327 shares of our Common Stock valued at $41,000, for director compensation. At December 31, 2016, there are 147,808 shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the terms of the 2010 Directors’ Equity Compensation Plan.

 

Treasury Stock Acquired Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement

 

Effective September 4, 2014, we consummated a definitive, global Settlement Agreement (“Settlement Agreement”) resolving all of our litigation with certain of the Company’s former managers and with certain stockholders. The cases that have been settled include ProPhase Labs, Inc. v. Quigley, et al., Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Civ. A. No. 2010-08227; ProPhase Labs, Inc. v. Quigley, et al., Court of Common Pleas of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Civ. A. No. 2011-09815; the appeal filed by the plaintiff in the matter Quigley v. ProPhase Labs. Inc.’s Officers and Directors, el al, Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, December Term, 2011, No. 111200409; together with certain ancillary litigation.

 

The Settlement Agreement amicably resolved these matters and provided, in part, that the parties adverse to the Company in the two Bucks County cases (i) returned to the Company 3,896,764 shares of the Company’s Common Stock for which they were listed as the record owners to the Company; and (ii) paid $440,000 to the Company. In addition, the Company paid $500,000 to the benefit of one of the defendants and $37,000 to a third party, to defray certain costs and expenses associated with the Settlement Agreement. Exclusive of legal related costs, the payments received and the payments made pursuant to the Settlement Agreement resulted in a net charge to administrative expense of $97,000 for Fiscal 2014. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the parties also agreed to (i) a mutual release of all claims, (ii) a standstill agreement whereby, for a period of ten years, the adverse parties will not acquire Company shares, and (iii) the dismissal of all pending litigation involving the Company, its directors and affiliates on the one hand, and the other parties.

 

The 3,896,764 shares of Common Stock received pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement were recorded as treasury stock and as an additional contribution to our additional paid-in capital, valued at $5.1 million, or $1.31 per share, representing the fair value of the shares at September 4, 2014.