Attached files

file filename
EX-32 - EXHIBIT 32 - AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.ex32-63017.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.ex312-63017.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.ex311-63017.htm

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017
or
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number: 001-16391
Axon Enterprise, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
86-0741227
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
17800 North 85th Street
Scottsdale, Arizona
 
85255
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(480) 991-0797
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
 
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨ 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of July 31, 2017 was 52,833,429.
 



AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
28,038

 
$
40,651

Short-term investments
33,796

 
48,415

Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance of $590 and $443 as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
45,428

 
39,466

Inventory
60,743

 
34,841

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
22,949

 
13,858

Total current assets
190,954

 
177,231

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $34,569 and $37,799 as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
29,603

 
24,004

Deferred income tax assets, net
20,264

 
19,515

Intangible assets, net
19,334

 
15,218

Goodwill
13,183

 
10,442

Long-term investments

 
234

Long-term accounts and notes receivable, net of current portion
27,791

 
17,602

Other assets
15,182

 
13,917

Total assets
$
316,311

 
$
278,163

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
17,993

 
$
10,736

Accrued liabilities
19,879

 
18,248

Current portion of deferred revenue
52,562

 
45,137

Customer deposits
2,221

 
2,148

Current portion of business acquisition contingent consideration
1,720

 
1,690

Other current liabilities
469

 
80

Total current liabilities
94,844

 
78,039

Deferred revenue, net of current portion
47,608

 
40,054

Liability for unrecognized tax benefits
2,179

 
1,896

Long-term deferred compensation
3,655

 
3,362

Business acquisition contingent consideration, net of current portion
2,689

 
1,635

Other long-term liabilities
1,875

 
2,289

Total liabilities
152,850

 
127,275

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

 

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.00001 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016

 

Common stock, $0.00001 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 52,808,919 and 52,325,251 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
1

 
1

Additional paid-in capital
194,221

 
187,656

Treasury stock at cost, 20,220,227 shares as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016
(155,947
)
 
(155,947
)
Retained earnings
124,834

 
118,275

Accumulated other comprehensive income
352

 
903

Total stockholders’ equity
163,461

 
150,888

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
316,311

 
$
278,163

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

3


AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net sales
$
79,643

 
$
58,756

 
$
158,885

 
$
114,286

Cost of products sold and services delivered
34,006

 
21,457

 
64,578

 
40,085

Gross margin
45,637

 
37,299

 
94,307

 
74,201

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales, general and administrative
31,824

 
24,379

 
62,681

 
49,212

Research and development
12,989

 
6,710

 
25,452

 
13,637

Total operating expenses
44,813

 
31,089

 
88,133

 
62,849

Income from operations
824

 
6,210

 
6,174

 
11,352

Interest and other income (expense), net
1,684

 
(123
)
 
1,890

 
(5
)
Income before provision for income taxes
2,508

 
6,087

 
8,064

 
11,347

Provision for income taxes
232

 
2,437

 
1,208

 
4,234

Net income
$
2,276

 
$
3,650

 
$
6,856

 
$
7,113

Net income per common and common equivalent shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.04

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.13

 
$
0.13

Diluted
$
0.04

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.13

 
$
0.13

Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
52,736

 
52,480

 
52,578

 
53,087

Diluted
53,770

 
53,289

 
53,723

 
53,890

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income
$
2,276

 
$
3,650

 
$
6,856

 
$
7,113

Foreign currency translation adjustments
(716
)
 
25

 
(551
)
 
259

Comprehensive income
$
1,560

 
$
3,675

 
$
6,305

 
$
7,372


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


4


AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
6,856

 
$
7,113

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
3,400

 
1,843

Purchase accounting adjustments to goodwill

 
349

Loss on inventory nonmonetary exchanges

 
90

Gain on disposal of property and equipment, net

 
(17
)
Loss on disposal of intangible assets

 
14

Bond premium amortization
427

 
712

Stock-based compensation
7,423

 
4,526

Deferred income taxes
(1,458
)
 
(1,445
)
Unrecognized tax benefits
282

 
193

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 
(88
)
Change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts and notes receivable
(4,500
)
 
(3,211
)
Inventory
(25,768
)
 
(6,748
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(21,484
)
 
(14,657
)
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities
7,474

 
5,078

Deferred revenue
14,829

 
15,812

Customer deposits
73

 
772

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(12,446
)
 
10,336

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchases of investments
(19,950
)
 
(28,667
)
Proceeds from call / maturity of investments
34,377

 
32,429

Purchases of property and equipment
(5,741
)
 
(1,964
)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment

 
33

Purchases of intangible assets
(170
)
 
(185
)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(6,479
)
 

Net cash provided by investing activities
2,037

 
1,646

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Repurchase of common stock

 
(33,746
)
Proceeds from options exercised
1,241

 
222

Payroll tax payments for net-settled stock awards
(2,572
)
 
(1,036
)
Payments on capital lease obligation
(16
)
 
(19
)
Payments on notes payable

 
(29
)
Tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 
88

Net cash used in financing activities
(1,347
)
 
(34,520
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(857
)
 
318

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(12,613
)
 
(22,220
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
40,651

 
59,526

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
28,038

 
$
37,306

Supplemental disclosure:
 
 
 
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds
$
9,934

 
$
8,271

Non-cash transactions
 
 
 
Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
1,351

 
$
90

Contingent consideration related to business combinations
$
1,026

 
$

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

5

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Axon Enterprise, Inc. (“Axon” or the “Company”), formerly known as TASER International, Inc., is a developer and manufacturer of advanced conducted electrical weapons (“CEWs”) designed for use by law enforcement, military, corrections, private security personnel, and by private individuals for personal defense. In addition, the Company has developed full technology solutions for the capture, storage and management of video/audio evidence as well as other tactical capabilities for use in law enforcement. The Company sells its products worldwide through its direct sales force, distribution partners, online store and third-party resellers. The Company was incorporated in Arizona in September 1993, and reincorporated in Delaware in January 2001. The Company’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Company’s software development unit facility is located in Seattle, Washington. Axon Public Safety BV, formerly known as TASER International BV, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, serves as the Company's international headquarters, and is located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Axon Public Safety BV wholly owns two subsidiaries, Axon Public Safety U.K. LTD and Axon Public Safety AU, that serve as direct sales operations in the United Kingdom and Australia, respectively. The Company also sells to certain international markets through a wholly owned subsidiary, Axon Public Safety Germany SE. In 2015, the Company formed Axon Public Safety Canada, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, to facilitate transactions for its products and services with new and existing customers located in Canada.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits have been eliminated.
a. Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information related to the Company’s organization, significant accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”) has been condensed or omitted. The accounting policies followed in the preparation of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those followed in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all material adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented and the presentations and disclosures herein are adequate when read in conjunction with the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year (or any other period). Significant estimates and assumptions in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include:
 
product warranty reserves,
inventory valuation,
revenue recognition allocated in multiple-deliverable contracts or arrangements,
valuation of goodwill, intangibles and long-lived assets,
recognition, measurement and valuation of current and deferred income taxes,
fair value of stock awards issued and the estimated vesting period for performance-based stock awards, and
recognition and measurement of contingencies and accrued litigation expense.
Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
b. Segment Information
The Company is comprised of two reportable segments: the manufacture and sale of CEWs, accessories and other products and services (the “TASER Weapons” segment); and the software and sensors business, which includes the TASER Cam, Axon cameras and related accessories, Evidence.com, and the Axon Artificial Intelligence team ("Axon AI") (collectively, the “Software and Sensors” segment). Reportable segments are determined based on discrete financial information reviewed by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer who is the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”) for the Company. The Company organizes and reviews operations based on products and services, and currently there are no operating segments that are aggregated. The Company performs an annual analysis of its reportable segments. Additional information related to the Company’s business segments is summarized in Note 14.

6

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


c. Geographic Information and Major Customers

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, net sales by geographic area were as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
United States
$
66,200

 
83.1
%
 
$
52,219

 
88.9
%
 
$
130,952

 
82.4
%
 
$
94,687

 
82.9
%
Other Countries
13,443

 
16.9

 
6,537

 
11.1

 
27,933

 
17.6

 
19,599

 
17.1

Total
$
79,643

 
100.0
%
 
$
58,756

 
100.0
%
 
$
158,885

 
100.0
%
 
$
114,286

 
100.0
%

Sales to customers outside of the U.S. are typically denominated in U.S. dollars, and are attributed to each country based on the shipping address of the distributor or customer. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, no individual country outside the U.S. represented more than 10% of net sales. Individual sales transactions in the international market are generally larger and occur more intermittently than in the domestic market due to the profile of the Company's customers.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, no customer represented more than 10% of total net sales. At June 30, 2017, there was an outstanding customer balance from one unaffiliated customer that comprised 10.8% of the aggregate accounts receivable balance. At December 31, 2016, the Company had a trade receivable from one unaffiliated customer comprising 14.5% of the aggregate accounts receivable balance.
d. Income per Common Share
Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock units. The dilutive effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, an increase in the fair market value of the Company’s common stock can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially dilutive securities.
The calculation of the weighted average number of shares outstanding and earnings per share are as follows (in thousands except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
2,276

 
$
3,650

 
$
6,856

 
$
7,113

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
52,736

 
52,480

 
52,578

 
53,087

Dilutive effect of stock-based awards
1,034

 
809

 
1,145

 
803

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
53,770

 
53,289

 
53,723

 
53,890

Anti-dilutive stock-based awards excluded
544

 
369

 
690

 
520

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.04

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.13

 
$
0.13

Diluted
$
0.04

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.13

 
$
0.13

e. Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue and Accounts and Notes Receivable
The Company derives revenue from two primary sources: (1) the sale of physical products, including CEWs, Axon cameras, corresponding hardware extended warranties, and related accessories such as Axon docks, cartridges and batteries, among others, and (2) subscription to the Company's Evidence.com digital evidence management software as a service ("SaaS") (including data storage fees and other ancillary services), which includes varying levels of support. To a lesser extent, the Company also recognizes training and other professional services revenue. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, title has transferred, the price is fixed and collectability is reasonably assured.

7

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


Contractual arrangements may contain explicit customer acceptance provisions, and under such arrangements, the Company defers recognition of revenue until formal customer acceptance is received. Extended warranty revenue, SaaS revenue and related data storage revenue are recognized ratably over the term of the contract beginning on the commencement date of each contract.
Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units and revenue is allocated using the relative selling price method based upon vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") of selling price or third-party evidence of the selling prices if vendor-specific objective evidence of selling prices does not exist. If neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence exists, management uses its best estimate of selling price. The majority of the Company’s allocations of arrangement consideration under multiple element arrangements are performed utilizing prices charged to customers for deliverables when sold separately. The Company’s multiple element arrangements may include future CEWs and/or Axon devices to be delivered at defined points within a multi-year contract, and in those arrangements, the Company allocates total arrangement consideration over the life of the multi-year contract to future deliverables using management’s best estimate of selling price. The Company has not utilized third party evidence of selling price.
The Company offers the right to purchase extended warranties that include additional services and coverage beyond the standard limited warranty for certain products. Revenue for extended warranty purchases is deferred at the time of sale and recognized over the warranty period commencing on the date of sale. Extended warranties range from one to five years.
Evidence.com and Axon cameras and related accessories have stand-alone value to the customer and are sometimes sold separately, but in most instances are sold together. In these instances, customers typically purchase and pay for the equipment and one year of Evidence.com in advance. Additional years of service are generally billed annually over a specified service term, which has typically ranged from one to five years. Generally, the Company recognizes revenue for the Axon equipment at the time of the sale consistent with the discussion of multiple deliverable arrangements above. Revenue for Evidence.com is deferred at the time of the sale and recognized over the service period. At times the Company subsidizes the cost of Axon devices provided to customers to secure long-term Evidence.com service contracts. In such circumstances, revenue related to the Axon devices recognized at the time of delivery is limited to the amount collected from the customer that is not contingent upon the delivery of future Evidence.com services. The Company recognizes the remaining allocated revenue related to subsidized Axon devices over the remaining period it provides the contracted Evidence.com services.
In 2012, the Company introduced a program, the TASER Assurance Program (“TAP”) whereby a customer purchasing a product and joining the program will have the right to trade-in the original product for a new product of the same or like model in the future. Upon joining TAP, customers also receive an extended warranty for the initial products purchased and spare inventory. Under this program the customer generally pays additional annual installments over the contract period, generally three to five years. The Company records consideration received related to the future product purchase as deferred revenue until all revenue recognition criteria are met, which is generally when the new product is delivered. Consideration related to future product purchases is determined at the inception of the arrangement using management’s best estimate of selling price. Management’s estimate is principally based on the current selling price for such products, with due evaluation of the impact of any expected product and pricing changes, which have historically had an immaterial influence on management’s best estimate of selling price.
In 2015, The Company introduced the Officer Safety Plan (“OSP”) whereby a customer enters into a five-year Evidence.com subscription that includes all of its standard advanced features along with unlimited storage. The OSP also includes a service plan that includes upgrades of (i) the Axon devices every 2.5 years and (ii) a TASER CEW at any point within the contract period. Upon entering into the OSP, customers also receive extended warranties on the Axon and CEW devices upon delivery to cover the contract periods as well as spare inventory units. Under this program the customer generally makes an initial purchase of Axon cameras and related accessories, and CEWs at inception along with annual installments for services and future hardware deliverables over the contract period. The Company records consideration received related to the future purchase as deferred revenue until all revenue recognition criteria are met, which is generally when the products or services are delivered.
In 2016, the Company introduced the TASER 60 Plan ("TASER 60") whereby a customer typically enters into a five year CEW installment purchase arrangement. The TASER 60 plan also includes extended warranties on the CEW devices upon delivery covering the contract periods as well as on-site spares, holsters and cartridges. Generally, the Company recognizes revenue for the amount allocated to the CEW at the time of sale for the amount of the customer receivable, net of imputed interest, and the amount allocated to the extended warranty is recognized over five years.

8

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


In 2017, the Company introduced new subscription programs that allow for agencies to purchase the Company's training and duty cartridges over a five-year term whereby the customer would make five equal annual installments. The Company offers two tiers under this program; the basic and unlimited plan. The Axon Basic Cartridge Plan entitles customers to a fixed number of training and duty cartridges as well as a fixed number battery replacements over the contractual term, while the Axon Unlimited Cartridge Plan entitles customers to a fixed number of training cartridges and unlimited duty cartridges and replacement batteries. Generally, the Company accounts for these arrangements as stand-ready obligations, and recognizes revenue ratably over the contract period.
Sales tax collected on sales is netted against government remittances and thus, recorded on a net basis. Training and professional service revenues are recorded as the services are provided.
Deferred revenue consists of payments received in advance related to products and services for which the criteria for revenue recognition have not yet been met. Deferred revenue that will be recognized during the succeeding twelve month period is recorded as current deferred revenue and the remaining portion is recorded as long-term. Deferred revenue does not include future revenue from multi-year contracts for which no invoice has yet been created. Generally, customers are billed in annual installments. See Note 6 for further disclosures about the Company’s deferred revenue.
Sales are typically made on credit, and the Company generally does not require collateral. Management performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition, and maintains an allowance for estimated potential losses. Uncollectible accounts are charged to expense when deemed uncollectible, and accounts and notes receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. This allowance represents management’s best use of estimates, and is based on judgment after considering a number of factors, including third-party credit reports, actual payment history, cash discounts, customer-specific financial information and broader market and economic trends and conditions.
f. Standard Warranties
The Company warranties its CEWs, Axon cameras and certain related accessories from manufacturing defects on a limited basis for a period of one year after purchase and, thereafter, will replace any defective unit for a fee. Estimated costs for the standard warranty are charged to cost of products sold and services delivered when revenue is recorded for the related product. Future warranty costs are estimated based on historical data related to returns and warranty costs on a quarterly basis and this rate is applied to current product sales. Historically, reserve amounts have been increased if management becomes aware of a component failure or other issue that could result in larger than anticipated returns from customers. The accrued warranty liability expense is reviewed quarterly to verify that it sufficiently reflects the remaining warranty obligations based on the anticipated expenditures over the balance of the warranty obligation period, and adjustments are made when actual warranty claim experience differs from estimates. Costs related to extended warranties are charged to cost of products sold and services delivered when incurred. The reserve for warranty returns is included in accrued liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. 
Changes in the Company’s estimated product warranty liabilities were as follows (in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Balance, beginning of period
$
780

 
$
314

Utilization of accrual
(120
)
 
(49
)
Warranty expense (recoveries)
(96
)
 
520

Balance, end of period
$
564

 
$
785

g. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company uses the fair value framework that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques for measuring financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis and for non-financial assets and liabilities when these items are re-measured. Fair value is considered to be the exchange price in an orderly transaction between market participants, to sell an asset or transfer a liability at the measurement date. The hierarchy below lists three levels of fair value based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. The Company categorizes each of its fair value measurements in one of these three levels based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:
 

9

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


Level 1 – Valuation techniques in which all significant inputs are unadjusted quoted prices from active markets for assets or liabilities that are identical to the assets or liabilities being measured.
Level 2 – Valuation techniques in which significant inputs include quoted prices from active markets for assets or liabilities that are similar to the assets or liabilities being measured and/or quoted prices for assets or liabilities that are identical or similar to the assets or liabilities being measured from markets that are not active. Also, model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets are Level 2 valuation techniques.
Level 3 – Valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are valuation technique inputs that reflect the Company's own assumptions about inputs that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
The Company has cash equivalents and investments, which at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were comprised of money market funds, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, and certificates of deposits. See additional disclosure regarding the fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents and investments in Note 2. Included in the balance of Other assets as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $3.6 million and $3.2 million, respectively, related to corporate-owned life insurance policies which are used to fund the Company’s deferred compensation plan. The Company determines the fair value of its insurance contracts by obtaining the cash surrender value of the contracts from the issuer, a Level 2 valuation technique.
The Company’s financial instruments also include accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable, notes payable and accrued liabilities. Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, their fair values approximate their carrying values on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
h. Valuation of Goodwill, Intangibles and Long-lived Assets
Management evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful life of long-lived assets and identifiable intangible assets, excluding goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of these assets may not be recoverable. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to, a change in the product mix, a change in the way products are created, produced or delivered, or a significant change in the way products are branded and marketed. In performing the review for recoverability, management estimates the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. The amount of the impairment loss, if impairment exists, is calculated based on the excess of the carrying amounts of the assets over their estimated fair value computed using discounted cash flows.
The Company does not amortize goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives, rather such assets are required to be tested for impairment at least annually or sooner whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. The Company performs its goodwill and intangible asset impairment tests in the fourth quarter of each year.
i. Recently Issued Accounting Guidance
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 requires entities to recognize revenue through the application of a five-step model, which includes identification of the contract, identification of the performance obligations, determination of the transaction price, allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations and recognition of revenue as the entity satisfies the performance obligations. Subsequently, the FASB issued the following accounting standard updates related to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers:
ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net) in March 2016. ASU 2016-08 does not change the core principle of revenue recognition in Topic 606 but clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations.
ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing in April 2016. ASU 2016-10 does not change the core principle of revenue recognition in Topic 606 but clarifies the implementation guidance on identifying performance obligations and its licensing.
ASUs 2016-12 and 2016-20, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, and Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, respectively, issued in May and December 2016, respectively. These ASUs do not change the core principle of revenue

10

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


recognition in Topic 606 but clarify the implementation guidance on a few narrow areas and add some practical expedients to the guidance.
The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company's internal implementation team has completed the initial evaluation of the new standard, and is now working on the implementation of new technology systems and internal controls necessary to adopt the new guidance effective January 1, 2018. The Company's election of the full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective application is dependent on system readiness and the analysis necessary to meet the requirements under ASU 2014-09.
While the Company's assessment is not finalized, it believes the areas most significantly impacted will be contracts with significantly discounted hardware, the timing of recognition of contracts containing software licenses and post-contract customer support, and the treatment of incremental costs of obtaining contracts with customers. However, due to the complexity of certain customer contracts, the actual revenue recognition treatment required under the new standard will be dependent on contract-specific terms, and may vary in some instances from the recognition discussed below.
Currently, for bundled arrangements containing Evidence.com services where the Company has provided significantly discounted or free of charge hardware, the Company recognizes the revenue allocated to the hardware in excess of the invoiced amount over the contractual term. Under ASU 2014-09, the Company anticipates being able to generally recognize revenue upon shipment which represents the point in time when the risks and rewards pass to the customer.
Currently, for sales of the Company's Axon Commander software product containing post-contract customer support ("PCS"), because the Company does not have sufficient VSOE to allocate the fee to the separate elements, the entire arrangement fee is recognized ratably over the support period term. Under the new standard, the Company expects to recognize the full amount of revenue attributable to the software license predominately at the time the software is delivered to the customer, while the amount of PCS will be recognized ratably over the support term.
Currently, the Company has an established policy to capitalize direct incremental costs of obtaining long-term customer contracts within the Software and Sensors segment as assets and recognize them as expense over the contractual term as the goods and services are delivered to the customer. The new guidance specifies that all incremental costs of obtaining customer contracts and direct costs of fulfilling our contracts with customers should be deferred and recognized over the contract period or expected customer life. The Company will modify its policy to defer all direct and incremental costs related to all customer contracts within both the Software and Sensors and TASER Weapons segments.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330). The amendments require that an entity should measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2017 and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) in order to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 requires that a lessee should recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2018 (including interim periods within that year) using a modified retrospective approach and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends Accounting Standards Codification (Topic 718), Compensation – Stock Compensation. ASU 2016-09 impacts several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2017, which required the following changes to the presentation of the Company's financial statements:
Excess tax benefits or deficiencies for share-based payments are now recorded as a discrete item in the period shares vest or stock options are exercised as an adjustment to income tax expense or benefit rather than additional paid-in capital. This change was applied prospectively as of January 1, 2017. The Company did not have any excess tax benefits that were not previously recognized as of January 1, 2017.

11

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


As of January 1, 2017, the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding was changed prospectively to no longer include excess tax benefits as assumed proceeds. This change resulted in recording an increased number of dilutive shares, but did not have a material impact on the Company's current year diluted earnings per share;
Cash flows related to excess tax benefits or deficiencies are included as an operating activity rather than as a financing activity. The Company adopted this change prospectively.
Cash paid to taxing authorities when withholding shares from an employee's vesting or exercise of equity-based compensation awards for tax-withholding purposes is now considered a repurchase of the Company's equity instruments and is classified as cash used in financing activities. The Company already classifies these transactions as a financing activity, and as such, there was no impact upon adoption.
The Company has made the election to account for forfeitures when they occur rather than estimating forfeitures. The Company adopted this change on a modified retrospective basis, which resulted in an increase to additional paid-in capital and decrease to retained earnings of $0.5 million as of December 31, 2016.
 
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, which amends ASC 326. The new guidance differs from existing GAAP wherein previous standards generally delayed recognition of credit losses until the loss was probable. ASU 2016-13 eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold and, instead, reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. The use of forecasted information is intended to incorporate more timely information in the estimate of expected credit loss. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within that fiscal year, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. ASU 2016-15 eliminates the diversity in practice related to the classification of certain cash receipts and payments. ASU 2016-15 designates the appropriate cash flow classification, including requirements to allocate certain components of these cash receipts and payments among operating, investing and financing activities. ASU 2016-15 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within that fiscal year, and early adoption is permitted. The retrospective transition method, requiring adjustment to all comparative periods presented, is required unless it is impracticable for some of the amendments, in which case those amendments would be prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. ASU 2016-16 requires an entity to recognize income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. This removes the exception to postpone recognition until the asset has been sold to an outside party. ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2017 using a modified retrospective approach, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash (Topic 230), which amends the existing guidance relating to the treatment of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows.  ASU 2016-18 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within that fiscal year, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) to provide a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of acquired assets and activities is a business. ASU 2017-01 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within that year and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) which simplifies the goodwill impairment test by eliminating Step 2 of the quantitative assessment and should reduce the cost and complexity of evaluating goodwill for impairment. Under the amended guidance, when a quantitative assessment is required, an entity will perform a goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge will be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of recorded goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within

12

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


that fiscal year, and early adoption is permitted. The Company's early adoption on January 1, 2017 did not have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 708), which provides guidance on determining which changes to the terms and conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to apply modification accounting under Topic 708. ASU 2017-09 is effective for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2017 using a prospective approach, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
j. Reclassification of Prior Year Presentation
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the reported results of operations.
2. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
The following tables summarize the Company's cash, cash equivalents, and held-to-maturity investments at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):
 
As of June 30, 2017
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Short-Term Investments
 
Long-Term Investments
Cash
$
27,029

 
$

 
$

 
$
27,029

 
$
27,029

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 1:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
1,009

 

 

 
1,009

 
1,009

 

 

Corporate bonds
31,030

 

 
(35
)
 
30,995

 

 
31,030

 

Subtotal
32,039

 

 
(35
)
 
32,004

 
1,009

 
31,030

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and municipal obligations
2,517

 

 
(1
)
 
2,516

 

 
2,517

 

Certificates of deposit
249

 

 

 
249

 

 
249

 

Subtotal
2,766

 

 
(1
)
 
2,765

 

 
2,766

 

Total
$
61,834

 
$

 
$
(36
)
 
$
61,798

 
$
28,038

 
$
33,796

 
$



13

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


 
As of December 31, 2016
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Short-Term Investments
 
Long-Term Investments
Cash
$
32,802

 
$

 
$

 
$
32,802

 
$
32,802

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 1:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
7,849

 

 

 
7,849

 
7,849

 

 

Corporate bonds
33,379

 

 
(57
)
 
33,322

 

 
33,379

 

Subtotal
41,228

 

 
(57
)
 
41,171

 
7,849

 
33,379

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and municipal obligations
14,477

 

 
(10
)
 
14,467

 

 
14,243

 
234

Certificates of deposit
793

 

 

 
793

 

 
793

 

Subtotal
15,270

 

 
(10
)
 
15,260

 

 
15,036

 
234

Total
$
89,300

 
$

 
$
(67
)
 
$
89,233

 
$
40,651

 
$
48,415

 
$
234

The Company believes the unrealized losses on the Company’s investments are due to interest rate fluctuations. As these investments are either short-term in nature, are expected to be redeemed at par value, and/or because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments to maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other than temporarily impaired at June 30, 2017.
3. Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost of raw materials which approximates the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method and includes allocations of manufacturing labor and overhead. Provisions are made to reduce excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventories to their net realizable value. Inventories consisted of the following at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):
 
2017
 
2016
Raw materials
$
32,852

 
$
18,002

Finished goods
27,891

 
16,839

Total inventory
$
60,743

 
$
34,841

4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2017 were as follows (in thousands):
Balance, beginning of period
$
10,442

Goodwill acquired
2,681

Foreign currency translation adjustment
60

Balance, end of period
$
13,183



14

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


Intangible assets (other than goodwill) consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Useful
Life
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
Amortized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domain names
5-10 years
 
$
3,161

 
$
(276
)
 
$
2,885

 
$
3,161

 
$
(125
)
 
$
3,036

Issued patents
4-15 years
 
1,976

 
(842
)
 
1,134

 
1,942

 
(780
)
 
1,162

Issued trademarks
3-11 years
 
674

 
(357
)
 
317

 
655

 
(320
)
 
335

Customer relationships
4-8 years
 
947

 
(324
)
 
623

 
914

 
(240
)
 
674

Non-compete agreements
3-4 years
 
450

 
(286
)
 
164

 
465

 
(236
)
 
229

Developed technology
3-7 years
 
14,480

 
(2,330
)
 
12,150

 
8,661

 
(824
)
 
7,837

Total amortized
 
 
21,688

 
(4,415
)
 
17,273

 
15,798

 
(2,525
)
 
13,273

Not amortized:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TASER trademark
 
 
900

 
 
 
900

 
900

 
 
 
900

Patents and trademarks pending
 
 
1,161

 
 
 
1,161

 
1,045

 
 
 
1,045

Total not amortized
 
 
2,061

 
 
 
2,061

 
1,945

 
 
 
1,945

Total intangible assets
 
 
$
23,749

 
$
(4,415
)
 
$
19,334

 
$
17,743

 
$
(2,525
)
 
$
15,218

Amortization expense relative to intangible assets for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $1.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively. Amortization expense relative to intangible assets for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was $0.2 million and $0.5 million, respectively. Estimated amortization for intangible assets with definitive lives for the remaining six months of 2017, the next five years ended December 31, and thereafter, is as follows (in thousands):
2017 (remaining six months)
$
2,031

2018
4,051

2019
3,928

2020
2,460

2021
2,325

2022
726

Thereafter
1,752

Total
$
17,273

5. Other Long-Term Assets

Other long-term assets consisted of the following at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):
 
2017
 
2016
Cash surrender value of corporate-owned life insurance policies
$
3,633

 
$
3,240

Prepaid commissions (i)
6,063

 
5,302

Restricted cash (ii)
3,322

 
3,317

Prepaid expenses, deposits and other (iii)
2,164

 
2,058

Total other long-term assets
$
15,182

 
$
13,917

(i) Prepaid commissions represent customer acquisition costs to secure long-term contracts. The Company capitalizes incremental and direct costs related to a specific contract and recognizes as expense over the term of the contract.

15

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


(ii) As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, restricted cash primarily consisted of $2.7 million of sales proceeds related to a long-term contract with a specific customer. These proceeds are held in escrow until certain billing milestones are achieved, and then specified amounts are transferred to the Company's operating accounts. Restricted cash at each period end also included $0.6 million related to a performance guarantee related to an international customer sales contract.
(iii) Included in long-term assets as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $1.8 million of funds deposited in escrow related to contingent consideration in connection with a business combination (see Note 15). The funds will be held in escrow and released to selling shareholders if certain conditions are subsequently met. If the conditions are not met, the funds will be released back to the Company.
6. Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Current
 
Long-Term
 
Total
 
Current
 
Long-Term
 
Total
Warranty:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TASER Weapons
$
9,630

 
$
17,346

 
$
26,976

 
$
9,980

 
$
17,319

 
$
27,299

Software and Sensors
5,484

 
4,255

 
9,739

 
3,979

 
2,926

 
6,905

 
15,114

 
21,601

 
36,715

 
13,959

 
20,245

 
34,204

Hardware:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TASER Weapons
3,114

 
9,764

 
12,878

 
1,702

 
4,390

 
6,092

Software and Sensors
9,908

 
11,905

 
21,813

 
9,850

 
11,205

 
21,055

 
13,022

 
21,669

 
34,691

 
11,552

 
15,595

 
27,147

Software and Sensors Services
24,426

 
4,338

 
28,764

 
19,626

 
4,214

 
23,840

Total
$
52,562

 
$
47,608

 
$
100,170

 
$
45,137

 
$
40,054

 
$
85,191


 
June 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Current
 
Long-Term
 
Total
 
Current
 
Long-Term
 
Total
TASER Weapons
$
12,744

 
$
27,110

 
$
39,854

 
$
11,682

 
$
21,709

 
$
33,391

Software and Sensors
39,818

 
20,498

 
60,316

 
33,455

 
18,345

 
51,800

Total
$
52,562

 
$
47,608

 
$
100,170

 
$
45,137

 
$
40,054

 
$
85,191

7. Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands):
 
2017
 
2016
Accrued salaries, benefits and bonus
$
5,649

 
$
6,474

Accrued professional, consulting and lobbying
2,181

 
3,673

Accrued warranty expense
564

 
780

Accrued income and other taxes
3,756

 
4,581

Other accrued liabilities
7,729

 
2,740

Accrued liabilities
$
19,879

 
$
18,248


16

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


8. Income Taxes

Deferred Tax Assets
Net deferred income tax assets at June 30, 2017, include capitalized research and development costs, research and development tax credits, non-qualified stock-based compensation expense, deferred warranty revenue, warranty and inventory reserves, accrued vacation, and other items, partially offset by accelerated depreciation expense and intangible amortization that is not tax deductible. The Company’s total net deferred tax assets at June 30, 2017 were $20.3 million.
In preparing the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, management assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be realized from future taxable income. In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred income tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including its operating results, ongoing tax planning and forecasts of future taxable income on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. A valuation allowance is established if it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management exercises significant judgment in determining its provisions for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities, and its future taxable income for purposes of assessing its ability to utilize any future tax benefit from its deferred tax assets.
Although management believes that its tax estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax determination involves significant judgments that could become subject to audit by tax authorities in the ordinary course of business. As of each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact management’s view with regard to future realization of deferred tax assets. As of June 30, 2017, the Company continues to demonstrate three-year cumulative pre-tax income in the U.S. federal and Arizona tax jurisdictions; however, the Company's Arizona R&D Tax Credits start to expire in 2018 with a significant tranche with a gross value of $1.2 million expiring if not used by the end of 2019. It appears that that the Company’s long term investments, which impact short term profits, will likely result in some of the R&D credits expiring before they are utilized. Therefore, management has concluded that it is more likely than not that a portion of the Company’s deferred tax assets will not be realized and has established a valuation allowance.
The Company has completed research and development (“R&D”) tax credit studies which identified approximately $15.6 million in tax credits for federal, Arizona and California income tax purposes related to the 2003 through 2017 tax years. Management has made the determination that it is more likely than not that the full benefit of the R&D tax credit will not be sustained on examination and recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $4.3 million as of June 30, 2017. In addition, management accrued approximately $0.1 million for estimated uncertain tax positions related to certain state income tax liabilities as of June 30, 2017. The Company does not expect a significant increase or decrease in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months. Should the total unrecognized tax benefit of $4.4 million be recognized, the Company’s effective tax rate would be favorably impacted. Approximately $1.6 million of the unrecognized tax benefit associated with research and development credits has been netted against the research and development credit deferred tax asset.

Effective Tax Rate
The Company’s overall effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2017, after discrete period adjustments, was 15.0%. Before discrete adjustments, the tax rate was 42.2%, which is more than the statutory rate primarily due to the impact of non-deductible losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, state taxes and non-deductible expenses for items such as Subpart F income, meals and entertainment and lobbying fees, partially offset by the domestic production activities and research and development tax credit deductions. The effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by foreign losses for which the Company is not expected to receive a tax benefit. This was offset by the favorable impact of a $1.4 million discrete tax benefit associated with windfalls related to stock-based compensation for restricted stock units that vested or stock options that were exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2017.
9. Stockholders’ Equity

In May 2016, the Company’s stockholders approved a new stock incentive plan authorizing an additional 2.0 million shares, plus remaining available shares under a prior plan, for issuance under the new plan. Combined with the legacy stock incentive plans, there are approximately 1.6 million shares available for grant as of June 30, 2017.
Performance-based stock awards
The Company has issued performance-based stock options and performance-based restricted stock units ("RSUs"), the

17

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


vesting of which is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria related to the operating performance of the Company, as well as successful and timely development and market acceptance of future product introductions. In addition, certain of the performance RSUs have additional service-based vesting requirements subsequent to the achievement of the performance criteria. Compensation expense is recognized over the implicit service period (the longer of the period the performance condition is expected to be achieved or the required service period) based on management’s estimate of the probability of the performance criteria being satisfied, adjusted at each balance sheet date.
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes RSU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2017 (number of units and aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):
 
Number
of
Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
Units outstanding, beginning of year
1,330

 
$
20.40

 
 
Granted
989

 
25.17

 
 
Released
(350
)
 
18.68

 
 
Forfeited
(46
)
 
23.56

 
 
Units outstanding, end of period
1,923

 
23.08

 
$
48,344

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the period, which was $25.14 per share, multiplied by the number of RSUs outstanding. As of June 30, 2017, there was $36.6 million in unrecognized compensation costs related to RSUs under the Company's stock plans. The Company expects to recognize the cost related to the RSUs over a weighted average period of 2.95 years. RSUs are released when vesting requirements are met.
During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company granted approximately 0.1 million performance-based RSUs, which are included in the table above. As of June 30, 2017, the performance criteria had not been met for any the 0.2 million performance-based RSUs outstanding. Certain of the performance-based RSUs granted in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 contain provisions whereby the amount of RSUs that ultimately vest is dependent upon the level of achievement of performance metrics. The amount of RSUs included in the table above related to such grants is the target level, which is the Company's best estimate of the amount of RSUs that will vest. The maximum additional number of performance-based RSUs that could be earned is 0.2 million, which are not included in the table above.
Certain RSUs that vested in the six months ended June 30, 2017 were net-share settled such that the Company withheld shares with value equivalent to the employees’ minimum statutory obligation for the applicable income and other employment taxes, and remitted the cash to the appropriate taxing authorities. Total shares withheld were approximately 0.1 million and had a value of approximately $2.6 million on their respective vesting dates as determined by the Company’s closing stock price. Payments for the employees’ tax obligations are reflected as a financing activity within the statement of cash flows. These net-share settlements had the effect of share repurchases by the Company as they reduced the amount of shares that would have otherwise been issued as a result of the vesting.

18

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


Stock Option Activity
The following table summarizes stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2017 (number of units and aggregate intrinsic value in thousands):
 
Number
of
Options
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding, beginning of year
1,008

 
$
5.40

 
 
 
 
Granted

 

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(168
)
 
7.38

 
 
 
 
Expired / terminated
(6
)
 
10.07

 
 
 
 
Options outstanding, end of period
834

 
4.98

 
1.93
 
$
16,813

Options exercisable, end of period
805

 
4.99

 
1.93
 
16,214

Options expected to vest, end of period
25

 
4.75

 
1.48
 
510

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the underlying stock option awards and the closing market price of the Company's common stock of $25.14 on June 30, 2017. The intrinsic value of options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $2.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, total options outstanding includes approximately 0.2 million performance-based stock options, of which 29,350 were unvested and of those, 25,000 are expected to vest.
Stock-based Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation cost for RSUs is measured based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation cost over the requisite service period of an award on a straight-line basis for time-based RSUs and on a graded basis for RSUs that are contingent on the achievement of performance conditions. The following table summarizes the composition of stock stock-based compensation for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Cost of products sold and services delivered
$
155

 
$
70

 
$
234

 
$
170

Sales, general and administrative expenses
2,155

 
1,459

 
4,183

 
2,849

Research and development expenses
1,666

 
777

 
3,006

 
1,507

Total stock-based compensation
$
3,976

 
$
2,306

 
$
7,423

 
$
4,526

Stock Repurchase Plan
In February 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $50.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock subject to stock market conditions and corporate considerations. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, no common shares were purchased under the program. During the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company purchased, under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, approximately 1.3 million common shares for a total cost of approximately $24.8 million, or a weighted average cost of $18.92 per share. The weighted average cost includes the average price paid per share of $18.89, plus applicable administrative costs for the transaction. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company purchased, under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, approximately 1.8 million common shares for a total cost of approximately $33.8 million, or a weighted average cost of $18.90 per share. The weighted average cost includes the average price paid per share of $18.87, plus applicable administrative costs for the transaction. As of June 30, 2017, $16.2 million remains available under the plan for future purchases. The Company suspended its 10b5-1 plan, and any future purchases will be discretionary.

19

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


10. Line of Credit
The Company has a $10.0 million revolving line of credit with a domestic bank. At both June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no borrowings under the line. As of June 30, 2017, the Company had letters of credit outstanding of approximately $2.7 million under the facility and available borrowing of approximately $7.3 million. The line is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company, and bears interest at varying rates (currently LIBOR plus 1.75% or Prime less 0.50%). The line requires monthly payments of interest only on outstanding balances. The line of credit matured on July 31, 2017, which was subsequently extended for 90-day term. The Company is currently evaluating its credit needs and anticipates entering into a longer term arrangement prior to the October 31, 2017 maturity date. The Company’s agreement with the bank requires it to comply with certain financial and other covenants including maintenance of a maximum leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The leverage ratio (ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth) can be no greater than 1:1, and the fixed charge coverage ratio can be no less than 1.25:1, based upon a trailing twelve-month period. At June 30, 2017, the Company’s leverage ratio was 1.17:1 and its fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.65:1. The Company's violation of the leverage ratio requirement was waived by the bank as of June 30, 2017.
11. Commitments and Contingencies
Product Litigation
The Company is currently named as a defendant in seven lawsuits in which the plaintiffs allege either wrongful death or personal injury in situations in which a TASER CEW was used (or present) by law enforcement officers in connection with arrests or during training exercises. While the facts vary from case to case, the product liability claims are typically based on an alleged product defect resulting in injury or death, usually involving a failure to warn, and the plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages. The information throughout this note is current through the date of these financial statements.
As a general rule, it is the Company’s policy not to settle suspect injury or death cases. Exceptions are sometimes made where the settlement is strategically beneficial to the Company. Also, on occasion, the Company’s insurance company has settled such lawsuits over the Company’s objection where the risk is over the Company’s liability insurance deductibles. Due to the confidentiality of the Company's litigation strategy and the confidentiality agreements that are executed in the event of a settlement, the Company does not identify or comment on which specific lawsuits have been settled or the amount of any settlement.
In 2009, the Company implemented new risk management strategies, including revisions to product warnings and training to better protect both the Company and its customers from litigation based on ‘failure to warn’ theories - which comprise the vast majority of the cases against the Company. These risk management strategies have been highly effective in reducing the rate and exposure from litigation post-2009. From the third quarter of 2011 to the second quarter of 2017, product liability cases have been reduced from 55 active to seven active cases.
Management believes that pre-2009 cases have a different risk profile than cases which have occurred since the risk management procedures were introduced in 2009. Therefore, the Company necessarily treats certain pre-2009 cases as exceptions to the Company’s general no settlement policy in order to reduce caseload, legal costs and liability exposure. The Company intends to continue its successful practice of aggressively defending and generally not settling litigation except in very limited and unusual circumstances as described above.
With respect to each of the pending lawsuits, the following table lists the name of plaintiff, the date the Company was served with process, the jurisdiction in which the case is pending, the type of claim and the status of the matter.
Plaintiff
  
Month
Served
  
Jurisdiction
  
Claim Type
  
Status
Derbyshire
  
Nov-09
  
Ontario, Canada Superior Court of Justice
  
Officer Injury
  
Discovery Phase. Trial scheduled for October 14, 2019.
Shymko
  
Dec-10
  
The Queen's Bench, Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba
  
Wrongful Death
  
Pleading Phase
Ramsey
  
Jan-12
  
12th Judicial Circuit Court, Broward County, FL
  
Wrongful Death
  
Discovery Phase
Bennett
 
Sep-15
 
11th Judicial Circuit Court, Miami-Dade County, FL
 
Wrongful Death
 
Discovery Phase. Trial scheduled for June 18, 2018.
Suarez
 
Sep-16
 
US District Court, Southern District of Florida
 
Wrongful Death
 
Discovery Phase. Trial scheduled for September 3, 2018.
Masters
 
Nov-16
 
US District Court, Western District of Missouri
 
Wrongful Death
 
Discovery Phase. Trial scheduled for October 9, 2018.
Taylor
 
Mar-17
 
US District Court, Southern District of Texas
 
Officer Injury
 
Discovery Phase

20

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)



There are no product litigation matters in which the Company is involved that are currently on appeal, but the judgment entered resulting from the court granting the Company’s motion for dismissal of the Digital Ally, Inc. ("Digital Ally") litigation for antitrust claims is on appeal as noted in the following table.
Plaintiff
  
Month
Served
  
Jurisdiction
  
Claim Type
  
Status
Digital Ally
  
Feb-17
  
US District Court, District of Kansas
  
Antitrust Claims
  
Discovery Phase
The following cases were dismissed or judgment entered during the second quarter of 2017 and through the date of these financial statements.
Plaintiff
  
Month
Served
  
Jurisdiction
  
Claim Type
  
Status
Firman
  
Apr-12
  
Ontario, Canada Superior Court of Justice
  
Wrongful Death
  
Dismissed
Shrock
  
Sep-14
 
San Bernardino County Superior Court, CA
  
Wrongful Death
  
Dismissed
The claims, and in some instances the defense, of each of these lawsuits have been submitted to the Company’s insurance carriers that maintained insurance coverage during the applicable periods. The Company continues to maintain product liability insurance coverage with varying limits and deductibles. The following table provides information regarding the Company’s product liability insurance. Remaining insurance coverage is based on information received from the Company’s insurance provider (in millions).
Policy Year
 
Policy
Start
Date
 
Policy
End
Date
 
Insurance
Coverage
 
Deductible
Amount
 
Defense
Costs
Covered
 
Remaining
Insurance
Coverage
 
Active Cases and Cases on
Appeal
2009
 
12/15/2008
 
12/15/2009
 
$
10.0

 
$
1.0

 
N
 
$
10.0

 
Derbyshire
2010
 
12/15/2009
 
12/15/2010
 
10.0

 
1.0

 
N
 
10.0

 
Shymko
2011
 
12/15/2010
 
12/15/2011
 
10.0

 
1.0

 
N
 
10.0

 
n/a
Jan-Jun 2012
 
12/15/2011
 
6/25/2012
 
7.0

 
1.0

 
N
 
7.0

 
Ramsey
Jul-Dec 2012
 
6/25/2012
 
12/15/2012
 
12.0

 
1.0

 
N
 
12.0

 
n/a
2013
 
12/15/2012
 
12/15/2013
 
12.0

 
1.0

 
N
 
12.0

 
n/a
2014
 
12/15/2013
 
12/15/2014
 
11.0

 
4.0

 
N
 
11.0

 
n/a
2015
 
12/15/2014
 
12/15/2015
 
10.0

 
5.0

 
N
 
10.0

 
Bennett
2016
 
12/15/2015
 
12/15/2016
 
10.0

 
5.0

 
N
 
10.0

 
Suarez, Masters
2017
 
12/15/2016
 
12/15/2017
 
10.0

 
5.0

 
N
 
10.0

 
Taylor

Other Litigation
Phazzer Patent Infringement Litigation
In November 2015, the Company filed a complaint against Phazzer Electronics Inc. ("Phazzer") and Sang Min International Co. Ltd. ("Sang Min") for patent infringement, trademark infringement and false advertising. On July 21, 2017 the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida granted Axon’s Motion for Sanctions and for a Permanent Injunction against Florida-based Phazzer. The Court issued a broad permanent injunction against Phazzer banning sales of the infringing Phazzer Enforcer CEWs and dart cartridges. The injunction prohibits Phazzer and its officers, agents, employees, and anyone else acting in concert with them, from making, using, offering for sale, selling, distributing, importing or exporting Phazzer CEWs and associated cartridges. Phazzer is further enjoined from dumping its infringing inventory by “donating” CEWs to law enforcement, and from false advertising and comparison to TASER brand products. The Court also issued an award to Axon of compensatory and treble damages, and also an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. Both Phazzer and its U.S. distributors are barred from exporting CEWs or cartridges to fill foreign orders. The injunction also makes clear that nonparties who assist Phazzer in violating the injunction, including specifically Taiwanese CEW manufacturers Sang Min and Double Dragon Development and Trading Corporation, may be held in contempt of court.
In imposing severe sanctions against Phazzer, including an award of Axon’s attorneys’ fees and costs, the Court found that Phazzer “engaged in a pattern of bad faith conduct designed and intended to delay, stall, and increase the cost of this litigation,”

21

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


and that Phazzer repeatedly disregarded Court Orders thereby exhibiting “contemptuous”, “egregious”, “flagrant” and “intentional obstructionist behavior” resulting in willful “abuse [of] the judicial process.”
Axon’s patent (U.S. No. 7,234,262) at issue in the litigation (Case No. 6:16-cv-00366-PGB-KRS) relates to the CEW’s data recording of date and time of each trigger operation and duration of the stimulus. The Court found that patent was “valid, enforceable, and infringed by Phazzer.” The injunction will remain in effect until the patent expires, and includes any CEW or device not colorably different from the Phazzer Enforcer CEW.    
The Axon trademark that is the subject of the injunction is Federal Registration No. 4,423,789, relating to the non-functional shape of TASER CEW cartridges used to launch the darts. The Court found the trademark “valid and enforceable, not generic, functional, or merely descriptive, and infringed by Phazzer.” The permanent injunction covers all Phazzer CEW dart cartridges that are confusingly similar to, or not more than a colorable imitation of, TASER CEW cartridges, and includes Phazzer product numbers 1-DC15, 1-DC21, 1-DC25, 1-DC21-SIDT, 1-PB30, 1-PB8F, 1-PB15943, 1-RB30, 1-PA30, and 1-LOWIMPT2015.
The Court expressly found that Phazzer cartridges currently marketed and sold as compatible with TASER brand CEWs embody the protected appearance and constitute infringing products enjoined under its Order. Phazzer was also ordered by the Court “not [to] challenge or continue to challenge the validity or enforceability of the ‘789 Registration in any manner in any forum, including the USTPO.” Accordingly, Phazzer’s pending USPTO cancellation action, which was stayed while the litigation ran its course, will be dismissed.
Digital Ally Patent Litigation
In February 2016, the Company was served with a first amended complaint filed by Digital Ally in the Federal District Court for the District of Kansas alleging patent infringement, commercial bribery, contracts, combinations and conspiracies in restraint of trade and unfair or anti-competitive acts and practices. In March 2016, the Company was served with a second amended complaint with similar allegations. The second amended complaint seeks a judgment of infringement, monetary damages, a permanent injunction, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees and costs. The Company believes the second amended complaint is frivolous and the Company will vigorously defend this litigation. The Company’s motion to dismiss the claims involving commercial bribery, contracts, combinations and conspiracies in restraint of trade and unfair or anti-competitive acts and practices was granted on January 12, 2017 and judgment of dismissal was entered in the Company’s favor on April 14, 2017. Plaintiff filed an appeal on April 20, 2017 to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Company has filed four inter parte reviews ("IPRs") with the USPTO to invalidate Digital Ally’s patents and also has filed a motion to stay the litigation pending resolution of the inter parte reviews which motion was granted. On June 6, 2017, the USPTO rejected one of the IPRs that Axon filed against the ‘292 patent 8,781,292 but granted the second IPR, and invalidity proceedings have been instituted against that patent regarding its auto-activation camera technology on all asserted claims. On July 7, 2017 the USPTO rejected Axon’s IPR filed against the validity of Digital Ally's ‘452 patent, claim 10; however, this patent claim is being challenged in District Court based on fraud claims, invalidity claims and non-infringement claims filed by Axon. The USPTO has not yet ruled on the second IPR filed against the validity of Digital Ally’s ‘452 patent, claim 1. This litigation is in the discovery phase.
Antoine di Zazzo Arbitration
In April 2016, the Company was served with a notice of arbitration claim filed by Antoine di Zazzo, the Company’s former distributor in France, for commissions allegedly owed Mr. di Zazzo. The arbitration claim was filed with the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, France, and the amount that is claimed in controversy is approximately $0.6 million. The Company’s records reflect that all commissions that were due Mr. di Zazzo under his contract were paid or offered to him and the Company will vigorously defend this arbitration claim.
VieVu Commercial Litigation
In February 2017, the Company was served with a complaint filed by VieVu LLC ("VieVu") alleging tortious interference with a business expectancy. In March 2017, the Company filed a motion to dismiss which motion is pending. In February 2017, the Company filed complaints against VieVu LLC for unfair competition and false advertising in both the Superior Court of Arizona for Maricopa County as well as the California Superior Court for Santa Cruz County. The California complaint was served on VieVu and this litigation was voluntarily dismissed by Axon.

22

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


General
From time to time, the Company is notified that it may be a party to a lawsuit or that a claim is being made against it. It is the Company’s policy to not disclose the specifics of any claim or threatened lawsuit until the summons and complaint are actually served on the Company. After carefully assessing the claim, and assuming the Company determines that it is not at fault or it disagrees with the damages or relief demanded, the Company vigorously defends any lawsuit filed against the Company. In certain legal matters, the Company records a liability when losses are deemed probable and reasonably estimable. In evaluating matters for accrual and disclosure purposes, the Company takes into consideration factors such as our historical experience with matters of a similar nature, the specific facts and circumstances asserted, the likelihood of our prevailing, the availability of insurance, and the severity of any potential loss. The Company reevaluates and updates accruals as matters progress over time.
Based on the Company's assessment of outstanding litigation and claims as of June 30, 2017, the Company has determined that it is not reasonably possible that these lawsuits will individually, or in the aggregate, materially affect its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. However, the outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance that any expense, liability or damages that may ultimately result from the resolution of these matters will be covered by its insurance or will not be in excess of amounts recognized or provided by insurance coverage and will not have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition or cash flows.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Under certain circumstances, the Company uses letters of credit and surety bonds to guarantee its performance under various contracts, principally in connection with the installation and integration of its Axon cameras and related technologies. Certain of the Company's letters of credit contracts and surety bonds have stated expiration dates with others being released as the contractual performance terms are completed. At June 30, 2017, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $2.7 million that are expected to expire in May 2018. Additionally, the Company had approximately $5.7 million of outstanding surety bonds at June 30, 2017, with $1.0 million expiring in 2018, $2.4 million expiring in 2020, and the remaining $2.3 million expiring in 2021.
12. Related Party Transactions

The Company engages Dr. Mark Kroll, a member of the Board of Directors, to provide consulting services. The expenses related to these services were approximately $29,000 and $69,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $73,000 and $97,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had liabilities of approximately $16,000 and $12,000, respectively, related to these services.
The Company subscribes to a mobile collaboration software suite co-founded and managed by Bret Taylor, a member of the Company's Board of Directors. The cost to license this software is approximately $0.2 million per year, and as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the Company had $146,000 and $50,500, respectively, of prepaid costs related to the license subscription.
13. Employee Benefit Plans
The Company has a defined contribution profit sharing 401(k) plan for eligible employees, which is qualified under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Employees are entitled to make tax-deferred contributions of up to the maximum allowed by law of their eligible compensation.
The Company also has a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain executives, key employees and non-employee directors through which participants may elect to postpone the receipt and taxation of a portion of their compensation, including stock-based compensation, received from the Company. The non-qualified deferred compensation plan allows eligible participants to defer up to 80% of their base salary and up to 100% of other types of compensation. The plan also allows for matching and discretionary employer contributions. Employee deferrals are deemed 100% vested upon contribution. Distributions from the plan are made upon retirement, death, separation of service, specified date or upon the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency. Distributions can be paid in a variety of forms from lump sum to installments over a period of years. Participants in the plan are entitled to select from a wide variety of investments available under the plan and are allocated gains or losses based upon the performance of the investments selected by the participant. All gains or losses are allocated fully to plan participants and the Company does not guarantee a rate of return on deferred balances. Assets related to this plan consist of corporate-owned life insurance contracts and are included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Participants have no rights or claims with respect to any plan assets and any such assets are subject to the claims of the Company’s general creditors.

23


Contributions to the plans are made by both the employee and the Company. Company contributions to the 401(k) plan are based on the level of employee contributions and are immediately vested. The Company’s matching contributions to the 401(k) plan for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, were approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, and $1.3 million and $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company expects to make contributions to the non-qualified deferred compensation plan related to the three months ended June 30, 2017 of approximately $3,000. Future matching or profit sharing contributions to the plans are at the Company’s sole discretion.
14. Segment Data
The Company’s operations are comprised of two reportable segments: the manufacture and sale of CEWs, accessories and other products and services (the “TASER Weapons” segment); and the software and sensors business, which includes the TASER Cam, Axon cameras and related accessories, Evidence.com, and the Axon Artificial Intelligence team ("Axon AI") (collectively, the “Software and Sensors” segment). The Company includes only revenues and costs attributable to the Software and Sensors products in that segment. Included in Software and Sensors segment costs are: costs of sales for both products and services, overhead allocation based on direct labor, selling expense for the Software and Sensors sales team, product management expenses, trade shows and related expenses, and research and development for products included in the Software and Sensors segment. All other costs are included in the TASER Weapons segment. The CODM does not review assets by segment as part of the financial information provided; therefore, only limited asset information is provided in the following tables.
Information relative to the Company’s reportable segments is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
TASER
Weapons
 
Software and Sensors
 
Total
 
TASER
Weapons
 
Software and Sensors
 
Total
Product sales
$
53,016

 
$
13,859

 
$
66,875

 
$
45,536

 
$
8,331

 
$
53,867

Service revenue

 
12,768

 
12,768

 

 
4,889

 
4,889

Net sales
53,016

 
26,627

 
79,643

 
45,536

 
13,220

 
58,756

Cost of products sold
16,078

 
14,094

 
30,172

 
14,489

 
5,565

 
20,054

Cost of services delivered

 
3,834

 
3,834

 

 
1,403

 
1,403

Gross margin
36,938

 
8,699

 
45,637

 
31,047

 
6,252

 
37,299

Sales, general and administrative
17,492

 
14,332

 
31,824

 
14,684

 
9,695

 
24,379

Research and development
1,863

 
11,126

 
12,989

 
1,245

 
5,465

 
6,710

Income (loss) from operations
$
17,583

 
$
(16,759
)
 
$
824

 
$
15,118

 
$
(8,908
)
 
$
6,210

Purchase of property and equipment
$
2,641

 
$
757

 
$
3,398

 
$
594

 
$
90

 
$
684

Purchase of intangible assets
56

 
19

 
75

 
51

 
36

 
87

Depreciation and amortization
716

 
1,080

 
1,796

 
560

 
382

 
942



24

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
TASER
Weapons
 
Software and Sensors
 
Total
 
TASER
Weapons
 
Software and Sensors
 
Total
Product sales
$
110,687

 
$
23,679

 
$
134,366

 
$
91,370

 
$
13,172

 
$
104,542

Service revenue

 
24,519

 
24,519

 

 
9,744

 
9,744

Net sales
110,687

 
48,198

 
158,885

 
91,370

 
22,916

 
114,286

Cost of products sold
34,104

 
23,140

 
57,244

 
28,566

 
8,943

 
37,509

Cost of services delivered

 
7,334

 
7,334

 

 
2,576

 
2,576

Gross margin
76,583

 
17,724

 
94,307

 
62,804

 
11,397

 
74,201

Sales, general and administrative
34,708

 
27,973

 
62,681

 
29,956

 
19,256

 
49,212

Research and development
4,075

 
21,377

 
25,452

 
2,365

 
11,272

 
13,637

Income (loss) from operations
$
37,800

 
$
(31,626
)
 
$
6,174

 
$
30,483

 
$
(19,131
)
 
$
11,352

Purchase of property and equipment
$
3,574

 
$
2,167

 
$
5,741

 
$
1,665

 
$
299

 
$
1,964

Purchase of intangible assets
120

 
50

 
170

 
113

 
72

 
185

Purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets in connection with business acquisition

 
8,526

 
8,526

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization
1,557

 
1,843

 
3,400

 
1,132

 
711

 
1,843

15. Business Acquisitions
Axon Artificial Intelligence
On December 30, 2016, the Company acquired certain intellectual property from Fossil Group, Inc. and Fossil Vietnam, Limited Liability Company. This transaction, which was accounted for as a business combination under ASC 805, was part of the Company's efforts to expand on the Axon platform by transforming workflows using computer vision and natural language with machine learning techniques in order to analyze data and multimedia captured throughout the course of policing. Additionally, as part of the acquisition, a team of seven researchers and software engineers joined the Company as part of the newly established Axon AI team. The purchase price, totaling approximately $6.8 million, consisted of $3.5 million cash at close, and up to an additional $3.3 million of consideration contingent upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. As of June 30, 2017, no amounts were earned relative to the earn-out provisions.
The Company's purchase price allocation is preliminary and subject to revision as more detailed analyses are completed and additional information about fair value of assets become available.
The major classes of assets and liabilities to which the Company has allocated the purchase price, on a preliminary basis, were as follows (in thousands):
Developed technology
$
5,210

Goodwill
1,615

Total purchase price
$
6,825

The Company assigned the goodwill to the Software and Sensors segment. The acquired developed technology was assigned an amortization period of 5 years. Costs related to the acquisition were expensed as incurred and were considered insignificant.
Dextro, Inc.
On February 8, 2017, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Dextro, Inc. ("Dextro"), a Delaware corporation, for a total purchase price of $7.5 million. Dextro's technology provides one of the first computer-vision and deep learning systems to make the visual contents in video searchable in real time. This technology will allow law enforcement agencies and departments to have the ability to quickly isolate and analyze critical seconds of footage from massive amounts of video data. The technology acquired, along with the Dextro employees that joined the Company, will be key additions to the Axon AI team.

25

AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)


The purchase price of $7.5 million consisted primarily of cash, net of cash acquired, and contingent consideration of $1.0 million representing potential earn-outs to former stockholders based on predetermined future financial metrics. The Company also agreed to additional earn-out provisions totaling approximately $1.4 million based, in part, on predefined future financial metrics. The additional earn-outs were not included as part of the purchase price and will be expensed as compensation in the period earned. As of June 30, 2017, no amounts were earned relative to the earn-out provisions.
The major classes of assets and liabilities to which the Company has allocated the purchase price, on a preliminary basis, were as follows (in thousands):
Accounts receivable
$
12

Property and equipment
46

Developed technology
5,800

Goodwill
2,680

Deferred income tax liabilities, net
(1,051
)
Total purchase price
$
7,487

The Company has assigned the goodwill to the Software and Sensors segment. Identifiable definite lived intangible assets were assigned a total weighted average amortization period of 3.4 years. Dextro has been included in the Company's consolidated results of operations subsequent to the acquisition date. Pro forma results of operations for Dextro have not been presented because they are not material to the consolidated results of operations. In connection with the acquisition, the Company incurred and expensed costs of approximately $0.2 million, which included legal, accounting and other third-party expenses related to the transaction.
16. Subsequent Event
On July 1, 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with Breon Enterprises, Pty Ltd. ("Breon"), an Australian corporation and the Company's licensed distributor of TASER CEWs and Axon cameras and related accessories in Australia, Fiji, New Guinea and New Zealand. Upon execution of the agreement, and for consideration of $4.3 million, Breon's distribution rights would be terminated which is intended to help the Company expand its internal sales teams and grow its presence across the Australian region. The transaction will be accounted for in the third quarter of fiscal 2017.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following is a discussion of the Company’s financial condition as of June 30, 2017, and results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. The following discussion may be understood more fully by reference to the consolidated financial statements, notes to the consolidated financial statements, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
Certain statements contained in this report may be deemed to be forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor created thereby. Such forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things: our strategies relating to our Axon business; future income trends and our ability to realized deferred tax assets; our belief that customers will honor multi-year contracts despite the existence of appropriations (or similar) clauses; the sufficiency and availability of our liquid assets and capital resources; our litigation strategy, including the outcome of legal proceedings in which we are currently involved; that we may make further repurchases of our common stock; the expected expiration of outstanding letters of credit; our intention to reinvest earnings from foreign operations outside the United States; our intention to hold investments to maturity; that foreign sales and expenses may increase; the remediation of identified material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting; our estimated effective tax rate for full year 2017; that we may engage in currency hedging activities; and the impact of recently adopted and future accounting standards. We caution that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward looking statements herein. Such factors include, but are not limited to: market acceptance of our products; our dependence on sales of our TASER X26P and X2 CEWs; acceptance of our Evidence.com software as a service delivery model by our law enforcement customers; our ability to design, introduce and sell new products; delays in development schedules; rapid technological change and competition; product defects; breach of our security measures resulting

26


in unauthorized access to customer data; outages and disruptions relating to our Evidence.com service; budgetary and political constraints of prospects and customers; the length of our sales cycle and our ability to realize benefits from our marketing and selling efforts; our exposure to cancellations of government contracts due to appropriation clauses; changes in civil forfeiture laws; the long-term revenue recognition cycle for our SaaS Evidence.com product; our reliance on third party cloud-based storage providers; litigation risks resulting from alleged product-related injuries and media publicity concerning allegations of deaths occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative impact this publicity could have on sales; the outcome of pending or future litigation; our ability to protect our intellectual property as well as intellectual property infringement claims and relating litigation costs; challenges obtaining and enforcing our patent rights in foreign countries; risks of governmental regulations, including regulations of our products by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, regulation of our products as a "crime control" product by the Federal government, state and local government regulation and foreign regulation and the adverse effects that could result from our products being classified as firearms by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; regulatory and political challenges presented by international markets; the possibility that the United States may withdraw from or materially modify the North American Free Trade Agreement; the adverse effect of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union; our compliance with regulations governing the environment, including but not limited to, regulations within the European Union; regulations relating to voice, data and communications services; regulations relating to conflict minerals; our dependence on third party suppliers for key components of our products; component shortages; rising costs of raw materials and transportation relating to petroleum prices; that we may experience declines in gross margins due to a shift in product sales from CEWs to Axon devices; our ability to manage our growth and increase manufacturing production to meet demand; establishment and expansion of our direct and indirect distribution channels; our ability to pursue sales directly with customers; risks relating to acquisitions and joint ventures; goodwill impairment; catastrophic events; the adverse effects on our operations and financial results from foreign currency fluctuations; fluctuations in our effective tax rate; counter-party risks relating to cash balances held in excess of FDIC insurance limits; employee retention risks; volatility in our stock price; quarterly fluctuations in our operating results; and other factors identified in documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Overview

Axon Enterprise, Inc.’s (the “Company” or “Axon” or “we” or “our”) core mission is to protect life and to protect truth through technologies that make communities safer. We are the market leader in the development, manufacture and sale of conducted electrical weapons (“CEWs”) and other electronic weapons designed for use in law enforcement, military, corrections, private security and personal defense. To address challenges faced by law enforcement officers subsequent to post-incident, we have developed a fully integrated hardware and software solution to provide our law enforcement customers the capabilities to capture, store, manage, share and analyze video and other digital evidence.
Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
The following table presents data from our statements of operations as well as the percentage relationship to total net sales of items included in our statements of operations (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Net sales
$
79,643

 
100.0
%
 
$
58,756

 
100.0
 %
Cost of products sold and services delivered
34,006

 
42.7

 
21,457

 
36.5

Gross margin
45,637

 
57.3

 
37,299

 
63.5

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales, general and administrative
31,824

 
40.0

 
24,379

 
41.5

Research and development
12,989

 
16.3

 
6,710

 
11.4

Total operating expenses
44,813

 
56.3

 
31,089

 
52.9

Income from operations
824

 
1.0

 
6,210

 
10.6

Interest and other income (expense), net
1,684

 
2.1

 
(123
)
 
(0.2
)
Income before provision for income taxes
2,508

 
3.1

 
6,087

 
10.4

Provision for income taxes
232

 
0.3

 
2,437

 
4.1

Net income
$
2,276

 
2.9
%
 
$
3,650

 
6.2
 %

27


Net sales to the U.S. and other countries are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
United States
$
66,200

 
83.1
%
 
$
52,219

 
88.9
%
Other Countries
13,443

 
16.9

 
6,537

 
11.1

Total
$
79,643

 
100.0
%
 
$
58,756

 
100.0
%
Net Sales
Net sales by product line were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
TASER Weapons segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TASER X26P
$
16,235

 
20.4
%
 
$
14,538

 
24.7
%
 
$
1,697

 
11.7
 %
TASER X2
16,052

 
20.2

 
14,008

 
23.8

 
2,044

 
14.6

TASER Pulse and Bolt
801

 
1.0

 
1,055

 
1.8

 
(254
)
 
(24.1
)
Single cartridges
14,867

 
18.7

 
10,928

 
18.6

 
3,939

 
36.0

Extended warranties including TAP
2,991

 
3.8

 
2,306

 
3.9

 
685

 
29.7

Other
2,070

 
2.6

 
2,701

 
4.6

 
(631
)
 
(23.4
)
Total TASER Weapons segment
53,016

 
66.6

 
45,536

 
77.5

 
7,480

 
16.4

Software and Sensors segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


Axon Body
3,752

 
4.7

 
2,194

 
3.7

 
1,558

 
71.0

Axon Flex
3,851

 
4.8

 
1,521

 
2.6

 
2,330

 
153.2

Axon Dock
2,783

 
3.5

 
1,997

 
3.4

 
786

 
39.4

Evidence.com
12,756

 
16.0

 
4,887

 
8.3

 
7,869

 
161.0

TASER Cam
766

 
1.0

 
1,624

 
2.8

 
(858
)
 
(52.8
)
Extended warranties including TAP
1,619

 
2.0

 
776

 
1.3

 
843

 
108.6

Other
1,100

 
1.4

 
221

 
0.4

 
879

 
397.7

Total Software and Sensors segment
26,627

 
33.4

 
13,220

 
22.5

 
13,407

 
101.4

Total net sales
$
79,643

 
100.0
%
 
$
58,756

 
100.0
%
 
$
20,887

 
35.5

Net unit sales for TASER Weapons handles and other products and Software and Sensors segment products were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Unit
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
TASER X26P
18,198

 
16,559

 
1,639

 
9.9
 %
TASER X2
15,390

 
13,479

 
1,911

 
14.2

TASER Pulse and Bolt
2,347

 
3,020

 
(673
)
 
(22.3
)
Cartridges
579,282

 
414,828

 
164,454

 
39.6

Axon Flex
9,373

 
3,668

 
5,705

 
155.5

Axon Body
26,882

 
9,686

 
17,196

 
177.5

Axon Dock
8,269

 
3,402

 
4,867

 
143.1

TASER Cam
1,336

 
3,132

 
(1,796
)
 
(57.3
)
Net sales were $79.6 million and $58.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $20.9 million or 35.5%. International revenues were $13.4 million and $6.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $6.9 million or 105.6%.

28


Net sales for the TASER Weapons segment were $53.0 million and $45.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $7.5 million or 16.4%. The Company continues to experience increased purchases under its Officer Safety Plan and TASER 60 installment payment programs. During the first quarter of 2017, the Home Office of the U.K. government approved the Company's Smart Weapons for sale which resulted in increased weapons revenues within the U.K. of $0.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016. Additionally, the Company increased cartridge sales by $3.9 million to $14.9 million during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $10.9 million during 2016 which was primarily attributable to an increase in total weapons in the field.
Net sales for the Software and Sensors segment were $26.6 million and $13.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $13.4 million, or 101.4%. The overall increase in the Software and Sensors segment was driven by continued adoption of on-officer cameras and related technologies, including the Company's Evidence.com digital evidence management software suite. Revenue related to the Company's Axon cameras and docks increased approximately $4.7 million. The Company is continuing to enter into new contracts with domestic and international agencies seeking to deploy its technologies. Evidence.com revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2017 increased $7.9 million to $12.8 million as compared to the same period in 2016. This increase was primarily driven by a continued increase in active users on the Company's Evidence.com platform.
To gain more immediate feedback regarding activity for Axon camera products and Evidence.com services, we also review bookings for these products. We consider bookings to be a statistical measure defined as the sales price of orders (not invoiced sales), net of cancellations, placed in the relevant fiscal period, regardless of when the products or services ultimately will be provided. Some bookings will be invoiced in subsequent periods. Due to municipal government funding rules, certain of the future period amounts included in bookings are subject to budget appropriation or other contract cancellation clauses. Although the Company has entered into contracts for the delivery of products and services in the future and anticipates the contracts will be completed, if agencies do not appropriate funds in future year budgets, or enact a cancellation clause, revenue associated with these bookings may not ultimately be recognized, resulting in a future reduction to bookings. Bookings related to the Company's Software and Sensors segment, net of cancellations, were $81.9 million and $72.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $9.9 million, or 13.8%.
The chart below illustrates the Company's Software and Sensors segment quarterly bookings for each of the previous six fiscal quarters (in thousands):
tasrq12016_chart-50904a04.jpg
Cost of Products Sold and Services Delivered
Cost of products sold and services delivered was $34.0 million and $21.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $12.5 million, or 58.5%. As a percentage of net sales, cost of products sold and services delivered increased to 42.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 36.5% during the same period in 2016.
Within the TASER Weapons segment, cost of products sold increased to $16.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from $14.5 million for the same period in 2016, and decreased as a percentage of sales to 30.3% from 31.8%, respectively.

29


Within the Software and Sensors segment, cost of products sold and services delivered increased to $17.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from $7.0 million for the same period in 2016. Cost of products sold and services delivered as a percentage of sales increased to 67.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from 52.7% for the same period in 2016. The overall increase in costs was driven by higher sales volumes, with no significant changes in product costs experienced during the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016.
Gross Margin
Gross margin increased $8.3 million to $45.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $37.3 million for the same period in 2016. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 57.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 63.5% for the same period in 2016.
As a percentage of net sales, gross margin for the TASER Weapons segment was 69.7% compared to 68.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin for the Software and Sensors segment was 32.7% and 47.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Within the Software and Sensors segment, hardware gross margin was negative 1.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and and 33.2% for the same period in 2016, while the service margins were 70.0% and 71.3% during those same periods, respectively. The decrease in hardware margins was primarily attributable to higher discounting which resulted in a portion of the allocated value of the hardware to be recognized ratably over the contractual term, while the full value of the cost of goods sold is recognized when control is transfered to the customer. The decrease in service margins was primarily attributable to non-recurring expenses related to the Company's data migration to a new cloud-storage provider.
Sales, General and Administrative Expenses
Sales, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were comprised as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
$
13,783

 
$
9,327

 
$
4,456

 
47.8
%
Stock-based compensation
2,155

 
1,459

 
696

 
47.7

Professional, consulting and lobbying
4,919

 
4,861

 
58

 
1.2

Sales and marketing
4,450

 
3,520

 
930

 
26.4

Travel and meals
2,688

 
2,068

 
620

 
30.0

Other
3,829

 
3,144

 
685

 
21.8

Total sales, general and administrative expenses
$
31,824

 
$
24,379

 
$
7,445

 
30.5

Sales, general, and administrative as a percentage of net sales
40.0
%
 
41.5
%
 
 
 
 
SG&A expenses were $31.8 million and $24.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $7.4 million or 30.5%. As a percentage of total net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 40.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 41.5% for the same period in 2016.

30


SG&A by type and by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Dollar Change
 
Percent Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
TASER Weapons segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
$
6,993

 
22.0
%
 
$
5,150

 
21.1
%
 
$
1,843

 
35.8
 %
Stock-based compensation
1,432

 
4.5

 
863

 
3.5

 
569

 
65.9

Professional, consulting and lobbying
2,408

 
7.6

 
2,932

 
12.0

 
(524
)
 
(17.9
)
Sales and marketing
2,254

 
7.1

 
2,102

 
8.6

 
152

 
7.2

Travel and meals
1,245

 
3.9

 
964

 
4.0

 
281

 
29.1

Other
3,160

 
9.9

 
2,673

 
11.0

 
487

 
18.2

Total TASER Weapons segment
17,492

 
55.0

 
14,684

 
60.2

 
2,808

 
19.1

Software and Sensors segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
6,790

 
21.3

 
4,177

 
17.1

 
2,613

 
62.6

Stock-based compensation
723

 
2.3

 
596

 
2.4

 
127

 
21.3

Professional, consulting and lobbying
2,511

 
7.9

 
1,929

 
7.9

 
582

 
30.2

Sales and marketing
2,196

 
6.9

 
1,418

 
5.8

 
778

 
54.9

Travel and meals
1,443

 
4.5

 
1,104

 
4.5

 
339

 
30.7

Other
669

 
2.1

 
471

 
1.9

 
198

 
42.0

Total Software and Sensors segment
14,332

 
45.0

 
9,695

 
39.8

 
4,637

 
47.8

Total sales, general and administrative expenses
$
31,824

 
100.0
%
 
$
24,379

 
100.0
%
 
$
7,445

 
30.5

Within the TASER Weapons segment, SG&A increased $2.8 million, or 19.1%, to $17.5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $14.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016. Salaries, benefits and bonus along with stock-based compensation increased approximately $2.4 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016 as the Company continued to build its infrastructure to further facilitate growth while also increasing customer facing roles. Sales and marketing expenses for the TASER Weapons segment increased $0.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016 due to higher spending on advertising, promotions and trade shows partially offset by lower payments to outside distributors. Professional, consulting and lobbying expense decreased $0.5 million primarily due to lower patent and trademark related legal fees, and lower spending on lobbying and medical research services than those costs incurred during the three months ended June 30, 2016. Increases in other operating expenses was primarily attributable to the overall growth of the Company's operations.
Within the Software and Sensors segment, SG&A increased $4.6 million, or 47.8%, to $14.3 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $9.7 million for the same period in 2016. Salaries, benefits and bonus along with stock-based compensation increased approximately $2.7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 2016 as the Company continues to build its direct sales and support teams and corporate infrastructure to continue to scale the Software and Sensors segment. The increase in travel and meals of $0.3 million during this time period correlated with the increase in employees during the period. The Company continued its increased consulting efforts related to increasing awareness of its Software and Sensors products during the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 2016 which made up a portion of the increase in professional, consulting and lobbying expense. The Company also incurred higher accounting related fees primarily attributable to costs related to the implementation of the new revenue recognition guidance that the Company will adopt during fiscal year 2018.

31


Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses (“R&D”) expenses were comprised as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
$
7,028

 
$
3,851

 
$
3,177

 
82.5
%
Stock-based compensation
1,666

 
777

 
889

 
114.4

Professional and consulting
1,429

 
781

 
648

 
83.0

Travel and meals
423

 
301

 
122

 
40.5

Other
2,443

 
1,000

 
1,443

 
144.3

Total research and development expenses
$
12,989

 
$
6,710

 
$
6,279

 
93.6

Research and development as a percentage of net sales
16.3
%
 
11.4
%
 
 
 
 
R&D expenses were $13.0 million and $6.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $6.3 million, or 93.6%. As a percentage of net sales, R&D increased to 16.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 11.4% for the same period in 2016.
R&D by type and by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Dollar Change
 
Percent Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
TASER Weapons segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
$
742

 
5.7
%
 
$
419

 
6.2
%
 
$
323

 
77.1
 %
Stock-based compensation
129

 
1.0

 
142

 
2.1

 
(13
)
 
(9.2
)
Professional and consulting
324

 
2.5

 
156

 
2.3

 
168

 
107.7

Travel and meals
152

 
1.2

 
155

 
2.3

 
(3
)
 
(1.9
)
Other
516

 
4.0

 
373

 
5.6

 
143

 
38.3

Total TASER Weapons segment
1,863

 
14.3

 
1,245

 
18.6

 
618

 
49.6

Software and Sensors segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
6,286

 
48.4

 
$
3,432

 
51.1

 
2,854

 
83.2

Stock-based compensation
1,537

 
11.8

 
635

 
9.5

 
902

 
142.0

Professional and consulting
1,105

 
8.5

 
625

 
9.3

 
480

 
76.8

Travel and meals
271

 
2.1

 
146

 
2.2

 
125

 
85.6

Other
1,927

 
14.8

 
627

 
9.3

 
1,300

 
207.3

Total Software and Sensors segment:
11,126

 
85.7

 
5,465

 
81.4

 
5,661

 
103.6

Total research and development expenses
$
12,989

 
100.0
%
 
$
6,710

 
100.0
%
 
$
6,279

 
93.6

The Company's Software and Sensors segment was responsible for approximately 90% of the overall increase in R&D. The main increase in the TASER Weapons segment was approximately $0.3 million of salaries, benefits and bonus as the Company continues to invest in the development of new CEW related technologies including the newly announced Signal Sidearm. Of the $5.7 million increase in R&D for the Software and Sensors segment, $3.8 million related to salaries and benefits, inclusive of stock-based compensation. The Company remains focused on growing the Software and Sensors segment as it adds headcount and external resources to develop new products and services, including records management systems, to further advance its scalable cloud-connected device platform. Included in other R&D expenses for the Software and Services segment was $0.7 million of amortization of intangible assets related to acquired developed technology that was yet to be put into service. Additionally, the Company incurred higher consulting and professional fees primarily related to the development of new products in both of its segments.

32


Interest and Other Income (Expense)
Interest and other income (expense) was $1.7 million and $(0.1) million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the three months ended June 30, 2017, interest and other income amounts consisted primarily of investment interest income and interest income related to the Company's installment purchase programs offered to customers as well as foreign currency transaction adjustments. During the three months ended June 30, 2016, investment and interest income was more than offset by losses on foreign currency transaction adjustments.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income was $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017, which was an effective tax rate of 9.3%. Our estimated full year effective income tax rate for 2017, before discrete period adjustments, is approximately 42.2%, which is more than the statutory rate primarily due to the impact of non-deductible losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, state taxes and non-deductible expenses for items such as Subpart F income, meals and entertainment, and lobbying fees. The effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by foreign losses for which the Company is not expected to receive a tax benefit. This was offset by the favorable impact of a $0.4 million discrete tax benefit associated with windfalls related to stock-based compensation for restricted stock units that vested or stock options that were exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2017.
Net Income
Our net income decreased by $1.4 million to $2.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $3.7 million for the same period in 2016. Net income per basic and diluted share was $0.04 for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $0.07 per basic and diluted share for the same period in 2016.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
The following table presents data from our statements of operations as well as the percentage relationship to total net sales of items included in our statements of operations (dollars in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Net sales
$
158,885

 
100.0
%
 
$
114,286

 
100.0
 %
Cost of products sold and services delivered
64,578

 
40.6

 
40,085

 
35.1

Gross margin
94,307

 
59.4

 
74,201

 
64.9

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales, general and administrative
62,681

 
39.5

 
49,212

 
43.1

Research and development
25,452

 
16.0

 
13,637

 
11.9

Total operating expenses
88,133

 
55.5

 
62,849

 
55.0

Income from operations
6,174

 
3.9

 
11,352

 
9.9

Interest and other income (expense), net
1,890

 
1.2

 
(5
)
 

Income before provision for income taxes
8,064

 
5.1

 
11,347

 
9.9

Provision for income taxes
1,208

 
0.8

 
4,234

 
3.7

Net income
$
6,856

 
4.3
%
 
$
7,113

 
6.2
 %
Net sales to the U.S. and other countries are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
United States
$
130,952

 
82.4
%
 
$
94,687

 
82.9
%
Other Countries
27,933

 
17.6

 
19,599

 
17.1

Total
$
158,885

 
100.0
%
 
$
114,286

 
100.0
%


33


Net Sales
Net sales by product line were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
TASER Weapons segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TASER X26P
$
31,903

 
20.1
%
 
$
33,314

 
29.1
%
 
$
(1,411
)
 
(4.2
)%
TASER X2
35,038

 
22.1

 
23,622

 
20.7

 
11,416

 
48.3

TASER Pulse and Bolt
1,823

 
1.1

 
1,597

 
1.4

 
226

 
14.2

Single cartridges
31,531

 
19.8

 
23,115

 
20.2

 
8,416

 
36.4

Extended warranties including TAP
5,834

 
3.7

 
4,457

 
3.9

 
1,377

 
30.9

Other
4,558

 
2.9

 
5,265

 
4.6

 
(707
)
 
(13.4
)
Total TASER Weapons segment
110,687

 
69.7

 
91,370

 
79.9

 
19,317

 
21.1

Software and Sensors segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Axon Body
7,198

 
4.5

 
3,677

 
3.2

 
3,521

 
95.8

Axon Flex
5,326

 
3.4

 
2,443

 
2.1

 
2,883

 
118.0

Axon Dock
4,770

 
3.0

 
2,485

 
2.2

 
2,285

 
92.0

Evidence.com
24,498

 
15.4

 
9,477

 
8.3

 
15,021

 
158.5

TASER Cam
1,485

 
0.9

 
2,615

 
2.3

 
(1,130
)
 
(43.2
)
Extended warranties including TAP
3,037

 
1.9

 
1,419

 
1.2

 
1,618

 
114.0

Other
1,884

 
1.2

 
800

 
0.7

 
1,084

 
135.5

Total Software and Sensors segment
48,198

 
30.3

 
22,916

 
20.1

 
25,282

 
110.3

Total net sales
$
158,885

 
100.0
%
 
$
114,286

 
100.0
%
 
$
44,599

 
39.0

Net unit sales for TASER Weapons handles and other products and Software and Sensors segment products were as follows:
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Unit
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
TASER X26P
33,559

 
35,126

 
(1,567
)
 
(4.5
)%
TASER X2
32,527

 
22,216

 
10,311

 
46.4

TASER Pulse and Bolt
5,919

 
4,586

 
1,333

 
29.1

Cartridges
1,175,268

 
879,985

 
295,283

 
33.6

Axon Flex
12,474

 
6,065

 
6,409

 
105.7

Axon Body
47,195

 
15,884

 
31,311

 
197.1

Axon Dock
13,144

 
4,804

 
8,340

 
173.6

TASER Cam
2,675

 
5,137

 
(2,462
)
 
(47.9
)
Net sales were $158.9 million and $114.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $44.6 million or 39.0%. International revenues were $27.9 million and $19.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $8.3 million or 42.5%.
Net sales for the TASER Weapons segment were $110.7 million and $91.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $19.3 million or 21.1%. During the first quarter of 2017, the Home Office of the U.K. government approved the Company's Smart Weapons for sale which resulted in increased weapons revenues within the U.K. of $4.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016. The Company also experienced increased purchases under its Officer Safety Plan and TASER 60 installment payment programs. Additionally, the Company increased cartridge sales by $8.4 million to $31.5 million during the six months June 30, 2017 as compared to $23.1 million during the same period in 2016.

34


Net sales for the Software and Sensors segment were $48.2 million and $22.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $25.3 million, or 110.3%. The overall increase in the Software and Sensors segment was driven by continued adoption of on-officer cameras and related technologies, including the Company's Evidence.com digital evidence management software suite. Revenue related to the Company's on-officer cameras and related accessories increased approximately $8.7 million. The Company is continuing to enter into new contracts with domestic and international agencies seeking to deploy its technologies. Evidence.com revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2017 increased $15.0 million to $24.5 million as compared to the same period in 2016. This increase was primarily driven by the continued increase in active users on the Company's Evidence.com platform.
Cost of Products Sold and Services Delivered
Cost of products sold and services delivered was $64.6 million and $40.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $24.5 million, or 61.1%. As a percentage of net sales, cost of products sold and services delivered increased to 40.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 35.1% during the same period in 2016.
Within the TASER Weapons segment, cost of products sold increased to $34.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 from $28.6 million in 2016, and decreased slightly as a percentage of sales to 30.8% from 31.3%, respectively.
Within the Software and Sensors segment, cost of products sold and services delivered increased to $30.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 from $11.5 million for the same period in 2016. Cost of products sold and services delivered as a percentage of sales increased to 63.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 from 50.3% for the same period in 2016. The overall increase in costs was driven by higher sales volumes, with no significant changes in product costs experienced during the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016.
Gross Margin
Gross margin increased $20.1 million to $94.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $74.2 million for 2016. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 59.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 64.9% for 2016.
As a percentage of net sales, gross margin for the TASER Weapons segment was 69.2% compared to 68.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin for the Software and Sensors segment was 36.8% and 49.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Within the Software and Sensors segment hardware gross margins were 2.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 32.1% for the same period in 2016, while the service margins were 70.1% and 73.6% during those same periods, respectively. The decrease in hardware margins was primarily attributable to higher discounting which resulted in a portion of the allocated value of the hardware to be recognized ratably over the contractual term, while the full value of the cost of goods sold is recognized when control is transfered to the customer. The decrease in service margins was primarily attributable to non-recurring expenses related to the Company's data migration to a new cloud-storage provider.

35


Sales, General and Administrative Expenses
Sales, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were comprised as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
$
27,859

 
$
19,001

 
$
8,858

 
46.6
 %
Stock-based compensation
4,183

 
2,849

 
1,334

 
46.8

Professional, consulting and lobbying
9,483

 
8,853

 
630

 
7.1

Sales and marketing
7,863

 
8,327

 
(464
)
 
(5.6
)
Travel and meals
5,360

 
4,087

 
1,273

 
31.1

Other
7,933

 
6,095

 
1,838

 
30.2

Total sales, general and administrative expenses
$
62,681

 
$
49,212

 
$
13,469

 
27.4

Sales, general, and administrative as a percentage of net sales
39.5
%
 
43.1
%
 
 
 
 
SG&A expenses were $62.7 million and $49.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $13.5 million or 27.4%. As a percentage of total net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 39.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 43.1% for the same period in 2016.
SG&A by type and by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Dollar Change
 
Percent Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
TASER Weapons segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
$
15,067

 
24.0
%
 
$
10,870

 
22.1
%
 
$
4,197

 
38.6
 %
Stock-based compensation
2,912

 
4.6

 
1,621

 
3.3

 
1,291

 
79.6

Professional, consulting and lobbying
4,260

 
6.8

 
5,890

 
12.0

 
(1,630
)
 
(27.7
)
Sales and marketing
3,510

 
5.6

 
4,770

 
9.7

 
(1,260
)
 
(26.4
)
Travel and meals
2,563

 
4.1

 
1,909

 
3.9

 
654

 
34.3

Other
6,396

 
10.2

 
4,896

 
9.9

 
1,500

 
30.6

Total TASER Weapons segment
34,708

 
55.4

 
29,956

 
60.9

 
4,752

 
15.9

Software and Sensors segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
12,792

 
20.4

 
8,131

 
16.5

 
4,661

 
57.3

Stock-based compensation
1,271

 
2.0

 
1,228

 
2.5

 
43

 
3.5

Professional, consulting and lobbying
5,223

 
8.3

 
2,963

 
6.0

 
2,260

 
76.3

Sales and marketing
4,353

 
6.9

 
3,557

 
7.2

 
796

 
22.4

Travel and meals
2,797

 
4.5

 
2,178

 
4.4

 
619

 
28.4

Other
1,537

 
2.5

 
1,199

 
2.4

 
338

 
28.2

Total Software and Sensors segment
27,973

 
44.6

 
19,256

 
39.1

 
8,717

 
45.3

Total sales, general and administrative expenses
$
62,681

 
100.0
%
 
$
49,212

 
100.0
%
 
$
13,469

 
27.4

Within the TASER Weapons segment, SG&A increased $4.8 million, or 15.9%, to $34.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $30.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Salaries, benefits and bonus along with stock-based compensation increased approximately $5.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 2016 as the Company continued to build its infrastructure to further facilitate growth while also increasing customer facing roles. Sales and marketing expenses for the TASER Weapons segment decreased $1.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 2016 attributed to lower total commissions related to a large international TASER weapons order in the first quarter of 2016 at a higher contractual commission rate. Professional, consulting and lobbying expense decreased $1.6 million primarily due to lower patent and trademark related legal fees and lower spend on lobbying services during the six months ended June 30, 2016. Increases in other operating expenses was primarily related to overall growth of the Company's operations.

36


Within the Software and Sensors segment, SG&A increased $8.7 million, or 45.3%, to $28.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $19.3 million for the same period in 2016. Salaries, benefits and bonus along with stock-based compensation increased approximately $4.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 2016 as the Company continues to build its direct sales and support teams and corporate infrastructure to continue to scale the Software and Sensors segment. The Company continued its increased consulting efforts related to increasing awareness of its Software and Sensors products during the six months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to 2016 which made up a majority of the $2.3 million increase in professional, consulting and lobbying expense. The Company also incurred higher accounting related fees primarily attributable to costs related to the implementation of the new revenue recognition guidance that the Company will adopt during fiscal year 2018.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses (“R&D”) expenses were comprised as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
$
14,184

 
$
7,701

 
$
6,483

 
84.2
%
Stock-based compensation
3,006

 
1,507

 
1,499

 
99.5

Professional and consulting
3,001

 
1,567

 
1,434

 
91.5

Travel and meals
725

 
492

 
233

 
47.4

Other
4,536

 
2,370

 
2,166

 
91.4

Total research and development expenses
$
25,452

 
$
13,637

 
$
11,815

 
86.6

Research and development as a percentage of net sales
16.0
%
 
11.9
%
 
 
 
 
R&D expenses were $25.5 million and $13.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, an increase of $11.8 million, or 86.6%. As a percentage of net sales, R&D increased to 16.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 from 11.9% for the same period in 2016.
R&D by type and by segment was as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Dollar Change
 
Percent Change
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
TASER Weapons segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
$
1,849

 
7.3
%
 
$
713

 
5.2
%
 
$
1,136

 
159.3
 %
Stock-based compensation
257

 
1.0

 
285

 
2.1

 
(28
)
 
(9.8
)
Professional and consulting
649

 
2.5

 
510

 
3.7

 
139

 
27.3

Travel and meals
255

 
1.0

 
192

 
1.4

 
63

 
32.8

Other
1,065

 
4.2

 
665

 
4.9

 
400

 
60.2

Total TASER Weapons segment
4,075

 
16.0

 
2,365

 
17.3

 
1,710

 
72.3

Software and Sensors segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, benefits and bonus
12,335

 
48.5

 
$
6,988

 
51.2

 
5,347

 
76.5

Stock-based compensation
2,749

 
10.8

 
1,222

 
9.0

 
1,527

 
125.0

Professional and consulting
2,352

 
9.2

 
1,057

 
7.8

 
1,295

 
122.5

Travel and meals
470

 
1.8

 
300

 
2.2

 
170

 
56.7

Other
3,471

 
13.6

 
1,705

 
12.5

 
1,766

 
103.6

Total Software and Sensors segment:
21,377

 
84.0

 
11,272

 
82.7

 
10,105

 
89.6

Total research and development expenses
$
25,452

 
100.0
%
 
$
13,637

 
100.0
%
 
$
11,815

 
86.6

The Company's Software and Sensors segment was responsible for approximately 86% of the overall increase in R&D. The main increase in the Weapons segment was approximately $1.1 million of salaries, benefits as the Company continues to invest in the development of new CEW related technologies including the newly announced Signal Sidearm. Of the $10.1 million increase in R&D for the Software and Sensors segment, $6.9 million related to salaries and benefits, inclusive of stock-based compensation.

37


The Company remains focused on growing the Software and Sensors segment as it adds headcount and external resources to develop new products and services, including records management systems, to further advance its scalable cloud-connected device platform. The Company also incurred higher consulting and professional fees primarily related to the development of new products in both of its segments.
Interest and Other Income (Expense)
Interest and other income (expense) was $1.9 million and $(5,000) for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During 2017, interest and other income amounts consisted primarily of investment interest income and interest income related to the Company's installment purchase programs offered to customers as well as foreign currency transaction adjustments. During 2016, investment and interest income was offset by losses on foreign currency transaction adjustments.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income was $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, which was an effective tax rate of 15.0%. Our estimated full year effective income tax rate for 2017, before discrete period adjustments, is approximately 42.2%, which is more than the statutory rate primarily due to the impact of non-deductible losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, state taxes and non-deductible expenses for items such as Subpart F income, meals and entertainment, and lobbying fees. The effective tax rate was unfavorably impacted by foreign losses for which the Company is not expected to receive a tax benefit. This was offset by the favorable impact of a $1.4 million discrete tax benefit associated with windfalls related to stock-based compensation for restricted stock units that vested or stock options that were exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2017.
Net Income
Our net income decreased by $0.3 million to $6.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $7.1 million for the same period in 2016. Net income per basic and diluted share was $0.13 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

38


Three Months Ended June 30, 2017 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Net Sales
Net sales by product line were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Dollar
Change
 
Percent
Change
TASER Weapons segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TASER X26P
$
16,235

 
20.4
%
 
$
15,668

 
19.8
%
 
$
567

 
3.6
 %
TASER X2
16,052

 
20.2

 
18,986

 
24.0

 
(2,934
)
 
(15.5
)
TASER Pulse and Bolt
801

 
1.0

 
1,022

 
1.3

 
(221
)
 
(21.6
)
Single cartridges
14,867

 
18.7

 
16,664

 
21.0

 
(1,797
)
 
(10.8
)
Extended warranties including TAP
2,991

 
3.8

 
2,843

 
3.6

 
148

 
5.2

Other
2,070

 
2.6

 
2,488

 
3.1

 
(418
)
 
(16.8
)
Total TASER Weapons segment
53,016

 
66.6

 
57,671

 
72.8

 
(4,655
)
 
(8.1
)
Software and Sensors segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Axon Body
3,752

 
4.7

 
3,446

 
4.3

 
306

 
8.9

Axon Flex
3,851

 
4.8

 
1,475

 
1.9

 
2,376

 
161.1

Axon Dock
2,783

 
3.5

 
1,987

 
2.5

 
796

 
40.1

Evidence.com
12,756

 
16.0

 
11,742

 
14.8

 
1,014

 
8.6

TASER Cam
766

 
1.0

 
719

 
0.9

 
47

 
6.5

Extended warranties including TAP
1,619

 
2.0

 
1,418

 
1.8

 
201

 
14.2

Other
1,100

 
1.4

 
784

 
1.0

 
316

 
40.3

Total Software and Sensors segment
26,627

 
33.4

 
21,571

 
27.2

 
5,056

 
23.4

Total net sales
$
79,643

 
100.0
%
 
$
79,242

 
100.0
%
 
$
401

 
0.5

Net unit sales for TASER Weapons handles and other products and Software and Sensors segment products were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Unit
Change
 
Percent
Change
TASER X26P
18,198

 
15,361

 
2,837

 
18.5
 %
TASER X2
15,390

 
17,137

 
(1,747
)
 
(10.2
)
TASER Pulse and Bolt
2,347

 
3,572

 
(1,225
)
 
(34.3
)
Cartridges
579,282

 
595,986

 
(16,704
)
 
(2.8
)
Axon Flex
9,373

 
3,101

 
6,272

 
202.3

Axon Body
26,882

 
20,313

 
6,569

 
32.3

Axon Dock
8,269

 
4,875

 
3,394

 
69.6

TASER Cam
1,336

 
1,339

 
(3
)
 
(0.2
)
Net sales were $79.6 million and $79.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively, an increase of $0.4 million or 0.5%. Net sales for the TASER Weapons segment were $53.0 million and $57.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively, a decrease of $4.7 million or 8.1%. International revenues were $13.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $14.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Individual sales transactions in the international market are generally larger and occur more intermittently than in the domestic market due to the profile of the Company's customers often causing unforeseen quarterly volatility.
Net sales for the Software and Sensors segment were $26.6 million and $21.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively, an increase of $5.1 million or 23.4%. The increase is partially attributable to the Flex 2 backlog being fulfilled during the three months ended June 30, 2017, along with higher Evidence.com revenues due to continued growth of users on the Company's platform.

39


Liquidity and Capital Resources
Summary
As of June 30, 2017, we had $61.8 million of cash, cash equivalents and investments, a decrease of $27.5 million from the end of 2016.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities (in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating activities
$
(12,446
)
 
$
10,336

Investing activities
2,037

 
1,646

Financing activities
(1,347
)
 
(34,520
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(857
)
 
318

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
$
(12,613
)
 
$
(22,220
)
Operating activities
Net cash used in operating activities in the first six months of 2017 of $12.4 million consisted of $6.9 million in net income impacted by the net increase of non-cash income statement items totaling $10.1 million and decrease of $29.4 million for the net change in operating assets and liabilities. Included in the non-cash items were $3.4 million in depreciation and amortization expense, $7.4 million in stock-based compensation expense and $0.4 million of bond premium amortization. These non-cash impacts were partially offset by deferred income tax expense of $1.5 million. Increases to operating cash flows consisted of increased accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities of $7.5 million, which reduced the amount of cash used during the period, along with increased deferred revenue of $14.8 million. The increase in deferred revenue was primarily driven by continued sales growth of products and services within the Company's Software and Sensors segment that are typically invoiced in advance, and recognized over the duration of the contract period as hardware and services are delivered. Of the increase in deferred revenue, $7.5 million resulted from increased hardware deferred revenue along with increased deferred warranty revenue of $2.5 million, and increased services, including Evidence.com subscriptions, of $4.9 million. Cash used in operations was also impacted by various other operating items, with the most significant component related to increased inventory of $25.8 million in anticipation of the Company's national field trial offer for body cameras as well as increased sales throughout the remainder of 2017. Additionally, the Company had increased prepaid expenses and other assets of $21.5 million which was primarily driven by increased long-term accounts receivable of $10.2 million related to the Company's Officer Safety Plan and TASER 60 purchase programs, a $3.2 million increase in customer receivables related to value added taxes passed on to customers which was attributable to higher TASER weapons sales in the U.K., $1.0 million of increased prepaid commissions which are paid for when a contract is booked, and subsequently amortized over the contractual period, and $0.8 million of increased prepaid wages and benefits that will be recognized over the employees' explicit service period. Cash from operations also decreased due to increases in accounts and notes receivable of $4.5 million driven by higher sales.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of 2016 of $10.3 million consisted of $7.1 million in net income impacted by the net increase of non-cash income statement items totaling $6.2 million and decrease of $3.0 million for the net change in operating assets and liabilities. Included in the non-cash items were $1.8 million in depreciation and amortization expense, $4.5 million in stock-based compensation expense and $0.7 million of bond premium amortization. These non-cash impacts were partially offset by deferred income tax expense of $1.4 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities resulted in a net decrease to cash provided by operating activities of $3.0 million. The most significant component of this decrease related to increases in prepaid expenses and other assets of $14.7 million. This increase was primarily driven by $3.6 million of restricted cash related to a customer contract requiring certain contractual payments to be deposited in escrow, increases in long-term receivables of $3.2 million related to the Company's Officer Safety Plan and TASER 60 purchase programs, a $2.6 million increase in income taxes receivable, increased prepaid commissions of $1.5 million related to higher sales, and $1.0 million related to increases in prepaid software licenses and related maintenance arrangements. Cash from operations also decreased due to increases in accounts and notes receivable of $3.2 million driven by higher sales and increases in inventory of $6.7 million as the Company continues to invest in anticipation of higher future sales. These decreases were partially offset by increases in accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities of $5.1 million along with increases in deferred revenue and customer deposits of $15.8 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Of the increase in deferred revenue, $10.1 million resulted from increased hardware deferred revenue

40


along with increased deferred warranty revenue of $3.9 million, and increased Axon Services, including Evidence.com subscriptions, of $1.6 million, with the remaining $0.2 million made up primarily of deferred training revenue.

Investing activities
We generated $2.0 million from investing activities during the first six months of 2017. Maturities and calls of investments, net of purchases, were $14.4 million, which was partially offset by the Company's investment of $5.9 million in the purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets and its $6.5 million investment related to the acquisition of Dextro, Inc.
We generated $1.6 million from investing activities during the first six months of 2016. Maturities and calls of investments, net or purchases, were $3.8 million. The Company invested $2.1 million in the purchase of property and equipment and intangible assets which partially offset the increase related to net investment activity.

Financing activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $1.3 million during the first six months of 2017. During the first six months of 2017, the Company paid payroll taxes of $2.6 million on behalf of employees who net-settled stock awards during the period which was offset by proceeds from options exercised of $1.2 million.
Net cash used in financing activities was $34.5 million during the first six months of 2016. During the first six months of 2016, the Company repurchased $33.8 million of the Company's common stock, reflecting a weighted average cost of $18.90 per share, inclusive of applicable administrative costs for the transactions. Additionally, the Company paid payroll taxes of $1.0 million on behalf of employees who net-settled stock awards during the period.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our most significant sources of liquidity continue to be funds generated by operating activities and available cash and cash equivalents. In addition, our $10.0 million revolving credit facility is available for additional working capital needs or investment opportunities. Under the terms of the line of credit, available borrowings are reduced by outstanding letters of credit. The line is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company, and bears interest at varying rates, currently LIBOR plus 1.75% or Prime less 0.50%. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no borrowings under the line. As of June 30, 2017, we had letters of credit outstanding of $2.7 million, leaving the net amount available for borrowing of approximately $7.3 million. The line of credit matured on July 31, 2017, which was subsequently extended for 90-day term. The Company is currently evaluating its credit needs and anticipates entering into a longer term arrangement prior to the October 31, 2017 maturity date.
Our agreement with the bank requires us to comply with certain financial and other covenants including maintenance of a maximum leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. The leverage ratio (ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth) can be no greater than 1:1, and the fixed charge coverage ratio can be no less than 1.25:1, based upon a trailing twelve-month period. At June 30, 2017, the Company’s leverage ratio was 1.17:1 and its fixed charge coverage ratio was 2.65:1. The Company's violation of the leverage ratio requirement was waived by the bank as of June 30, 2017.
Based on our strong balance sheet at June 30, 2017, we believe financing will be available, both through our existing credit line and possible additional financing. However, there is no assurance that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
We believe funds generated from our expected results of operations, as well as available cash and investments, will be sufficient to finance our operations and strategic initiatives for the remainder of 2017 and the foreseeable future. From time to time, our board of directors considers repurchases of our common stock. Further repurchases of our common stock may take place on the open market, may be financed with available cash and are subject to board authorization as well as market and business conditions.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The discussion of off-balance sheet arrangements in Note 11 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in PART I, ITEM I of this Form 10-Q is incorporated by reference herein. 

41


Critical Accounting Estimates
We have identified the following accounting estimates as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. While we don’t believe that a change in these estimates is reasonably likely, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ from these estimates. The effect of these estimates on our business operations is discussed below.
Product Warranties
The Company warranties its CEWs, Axon cameras and Axon Docks from manufacturing defects on a limited basis for a period of one year after purchase and, thereafter, will replace any defective unit for a fee. Estimated costs for our standard warranty are charged to cost of products sold and services delivered when revenue is recorded for the related product. We estimate future warranty costs based on historical data related to returns and warranty costs on a quarterly basis and apply this rate to current product anticipated returns from our customers. We have also historically increased our reserve amount if we become aware of a component failure that could result in larger than anticipated returns from our customers. The accrued warranty liability is reviewed quarterly to evaluate whether it sufficiently reflects the remaining warranty obligations based on the anticipated expenditures over the balance of the warranty obligation period, and adjustments are made when actual warranty claim experience differs from estimates. As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our reserve for warranty returns was approximately $0.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Warranty expense (recoveries) for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 was $(0.1) million and $0.5 million, respectively. The decrease in warranty reserve and related expense as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was primarily driven by the release of initial reserves related to the launch of the Axon Body 2 on-officer body camera. The Company experienced lower warranty claims than initially expected and, as such, has adjusted the warranty reserve to better reflect actual warranty claims. As the Company continues investing in the development of new technologies, it will continue to assess the adequacy of its warranty reserve related to inherent uncertainties with new product offerings.
Revenue related to separately-priced extended warranties is recorded as deferred revenue at its contractual amount and subsequently recognized in net sales on a straight-line basis over the delivery period. Costs related to extended warranties are charged to cost of products sold and services delivered when incurred.
Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost determined using the weighted average cost of raw materials, which approximates the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, and an allocation of manufacturing labor and overhead costs. The allocation of manufacturing labor and overhead costs includes management’s judgments of what constitutes normal capacity of our production facilities and a determination of what costs are considered to be abnormal fixed production costs, which are expensed as current period charges. Provisions are made to reduce excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventories to their net realizable value. These provisions are based on our best estimates after considering historical demand, projected future demand, inventory purchase commitments, industry and market trends and conditions and other factors. As the Company phases out previous generations of its CEWs and body-worn cameras and related technologies, and slows or ceases production of these products, the finished goods and related raw materials may become excess or obsolete.
During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded provisions for excess and obsolete inventory of approximately $1.0 million compared to $0.7 million during the same period in 2016. No specific product or product lines made up a meaningful portion of the overall increase. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company began phasing out certain previous generations of its CEWs, the TASER M26 and TASER C2 models, which made up a portion of the amounts recorded as provisions to excess and obsolete inventory. The remaining increase for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was driven by analyses looking at projected sales data for existing products and making corresponding adjustments to state inventories at their lower of cost and net realizable value.
Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue and Accounts and Notes Receivable
We derive our revenue from two primary sources: (1) the sale of physical products, including CEWs, Axon cameras, corresponding hardware extended warranties, and related accessories such as Axon docks, cartridges and batteries, among others and (2) subscription to our Evidence.com digital evidence management SaaS (including data storage fees and other ancillary services), which includes varying levels of support. To a lesser extent, we also recognize training and other revenue. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, title has transferred, the price is fixed and collectability is reasonably assured. Contractual arrangements may contain explicit customer acceptance provisions, and under such arrangements, the Company defers recognition of revenue until formal customer acceptance

42


is received. Extended warranty revenue, SaaS revenue and related data storage revenue are recognized ratably over the term of the contract beginning on the commencement date of each contract.
Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units and revenue is allocated using the relative selling price method based upon vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price or third-party evidence of the selling prices if vendor-specific objective evidence of selling prices does not exist. If neither vendor-specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence exists, management uses its best estimate of selling price. The majority of the Company’s allocations of arrangement consideration under multiple element arrangements are performed utilizing prices charged to customers for deliverables when sold separately. The Company’s multiple element arrangements may include future CEWs and/or Axon devices to be delivered at defined points within a multi-year contract, and in those arrangements, the Company allocates total arrangement consideration over the life of the multi-year contract to future deliverables using management’s best estimate of selling price. The Company has not utilized third party evidence of selling price.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the composition of revenue recognized from arrangements containing multiple elements and those not containing multiple elements was as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
TASER Weapons
 
Software and Sensors
 
Total
 
TASER Weapons
 
Software and Sensors
 
Total
Arrangements with multiple elements
$
9,784

 
18.5
%
 
$
25,063

 
94.1
%
 
$
34,847

 
43.8
%
 
$
7,094

 
15.6
%
 
$
10,709

 
81.0
%
 
$
17,803

 
30.3
%
Arrangements without multiple elements
43,232

 
81.5

 
1,564

 
5.9

 
44,796

 
56.2

 
38,442

 
84.4

 
2,511

 
19.0

 
40,953

 
69.7

Total
$
53,016

 
100.0
%
 
$
26,627

 
100.0
%
 
$
79,643

 
100.0
%
 
$
45,536

 
100.0
%
 
$
13,220

 
100.0
%
 
$
58,756

 
100.0
%
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2016
 
TASER Weapons
 
Software and Sensors
 
Total
 
TASER Weapons
 
Software and Sensors
 
Total
Arrangements with multiple elements
$
23,723

 
21.4
%
 
$
44,577

 
92.5
%
 
$
68,300

 
43.0
%
 
$
11,192

 
12.2
%
 
$
18,186

 
79.4
%
 
$
29,378

 
25.7
%
Arrangements without multiple elements
86,964

 
78.6

 
3,621

 
7.5

 
90,585

 
57.0

 
80,178

 
87.8

 
4,730

 
20.6

 
84,908

 
74.3

Total
$
110,687

 
100.0
%
 
$
48,198

 
100.0
%
 
$
158,885

 
100.0
%
 
$
91,370

 
100.0
%
 
$
22,916

 
100.0
%
 
$
114,286

 
100.0
%
Evidence.com, Axon cameras and related accessories are sometimes sold separately, but in most instances are sold together. In these instances, customers typically purchase and pay for the equipment and one year of Evidence.com in advance. Additional years of service are generally billed annually over a specified service term, which has typically ranged from one to five years. Axon equipment represents a deliverable that is provided to the customer at the time of sale, while Evidence.com services are provided over the specified term of the contract. Generally, the Company recognizes revenue for the Axon equipment at the time of the sale consistent with the discussion of multiple deliverable arrangements above. Revenue for Evidence.com is deferred at the time of the sale and recognized over the service period. At times the Company subsidizes the cost of Axon devices provided to customers to secure long-term Evidence.com service contracts. In such circumstances, revenue related to the Axon devices recognized at the time of delivery is limited to the amount collected from the customer that is not contingent upon the delivery of future Evidence.com services. The Company recognizes the remaining allocated revenue related to subsidized Axon devices over the remaining period it provides the contracted Evidence.com services.
Deferred revenue consists of payments received in advance related to products and services for which the criteria for revenue recognition have not yet been met. Deferred revenue that will be recognized during the succeeding twelve month period is recorded as current deferred revenue and the remaining portion is recorded as long-term. Deferred revenue does not include future revenue from multi-year contracts for which no invoice has yet been created. We generally bill customers in annual installments.
Sales are typically made on credit and we generally do not require collateral. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and maintain an allowance for estimated potential losses. Uncollectible accounts are written off when deemed uncollectible, and accounts and notes receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. This allowance represents our best estimate and is based on our judgment after considering a number of factors including third-party credit reports, actual payment history, customer-specific financial information and broader market and economic trends and conditions. In the event that actual uncollectible amounts differ from our estimates, additional expense could be necessary.

43


Valuation of Goodwill, Intangibles and Long-lived Assets
The recoverability of the goodwill is evaluated and tested for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter or more often, if and when circumstances indicate that goodwill may not be recoverable. Finite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets are amortized over their useful lives. We evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful life of long-lived assets and intangible assets may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of these assets, including intangible assets with indefinite lives, may not be recoverable.
Circumstances that might indicate long-lived assets might not be recoverable could include, but are not limited to, a change in the product mix, a change in the way products are created, produced or delivered, or a significant change in the way our products are branded and marketed. When performing a review for recoverability, we estimate the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. The amount of the impairment loss, if impairment exists, is calculated based on the excess of the carrying amounts of the assets over their estimated fair value computed using discounted cash flows.
Income Taxes
We recognize federal, state and foreign current tax liabilities or assets based on our estimate of taxes payable or refundable in the current fiscal year by tax jurisdiction. We also recognize federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets or liabilities, as appropriate, for our estimate of future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carry forwards.
We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such positions are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. Management must also assess whether uncertain tax positions as filed could result in the recognition of a liability for possible interest and penalties if any. We have completed research and development tax credit studies which identified approximately $15.6 million in tax credits for federal, Arizona and California income tax purposes related to the 2003 through 2017 tax years. Management determined that it was more likely than not that the full benefit of the research and development tax credit would not be sustained on examination and accordingly, has established a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $4.3 million as of June 30, 2017. In addition, we established a $0.1 million liability related to uncertain tax positions for certain state income tax liabilities, for a total unrecognized tax benefit at June 30, 2017 of $4.4 million. Approximately $1.6 million of the unrecognized tax benefit associated with research and development credits has been netted against the research and development credit deferred tax asset. Our estimates are based on the information available to us at the time we prepare the income tax provision. Our income tax returns are subject to audit by federal, state, and local governments, generally years after the returns are filed. These returns could be subject to material adjustments or differing interpretations of the tax laws.
Our calculation of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on certain estimates and judgments and involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Our estimates of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities may change based, in part, on added certainty or finality to an anticipated outcome, changes in accounting or tax laws in the U.S. and overseas, or changes in other facts or circumstances. In addition, we recognize liabilities for potential U.S. tax contingencies based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes may be due. If we determine that payment of these amounts is unnecessary, or if the recorded tax liability is less than our current assessment, we may be required to recognize an income tax benefit, or additional income tax expense, respectively, in our consolidated financial statements.
In preparing our consolidated financial statements, management assesses the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized from future taxable income. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred income tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including operating results, ongoing tax planning and forecasts of future taxable income on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. A valuation allowance is established if we determine that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Although management believes that its tax estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax determination involves significant judgments that could become subject to audit by tax authorities in the ordinary course of business. As of June 30, 2017, the Company would need to generate approximately $54.5 million of pre-tax book income in the U.S. in order to realize the net deferred tax assets for which a benefit has been recorded. This estimate considers the reversal of approximately $16.4 million of taxable temporary differences, which produce $6.1 million of deferred tax liabilities. The Company has $4.3 million of state net operating losses (“NOLs”) which expire at various dates between 2029 and 2037. The Company also has federal NOLs of $2.2 million which expire in 2035 through 2036, and are subject to limitation under IRC Section 382. The Company has $7.0 million of Arizona R&D credits carrying forward, which expire at various dates between 2018 and 2032. In Australia, the UK, Canada, and Germany, the Company has $1.5 million, $5.2 million, $0.7 million, and $1.1 million of NOLs, respectively, which expire at various dates or may be carried forward indefinitely.

44


We anticipate the Company’s future income to continue to trend upward from our 2017 results, with sufficient pre-tax book income to realize a large portion of our deferred tax assets. As such, we have not recorded a valuation allowance on our U.S. deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2017, with the exception of a reserve of approximately $4.4 million that has been recorded due to specific income projections in years in which certain tax assets are set to expire. As of June 30, 2017, the Company has cumulative losses in Australia, the UK, Canada, and Germany, which limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence, such as projections for future growth. On the basis of this evaluation, a full valuation allowance has been recorded for these jurisdictions. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as projections for growth.
We consider the earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs and our specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of the deferred tax liability, if any, related to investments in those foreign subsidiaries. If we decide to repatriate the foreign earnings, we would need to adjust our income tax provision in the period we determined that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside the United States.
Stock-Based Compensation
We have historically granted stock-based compensation to key employees and non-employee directors as a means of attracting and retaining quality personnel. We have historically utilized restricted stock units and stock options; however, no stock options have been issued since 2011. The fair value of restricted stock units is estimated as the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. We estimate the fair value of granted stock options by using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating the length of time employees will retain their stock options before exercising them (expected term), the estimated volatility of our common stock price over the expected term and the number of options that will ultimately not vest (forfeitures). The expense for both restricted stock units and stock options is recorded over the life of the grant, and forfeitures are recognized when they occur.
We have granted a total of approximately 1.8 million performance-based awards (options and restricted stock units) of which approximately 0.5 million are outstanding as of June 30, 2017, the vesting of which is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria including the successful development and market acceptance of future product introductions as well as our future sales targets and operating performance. These awards will vest and compensation expense will be recognized based on management’s best estimate of the probability of the performance criteria being satisfied using the most currently available projections of future product adoption and operating performance, adjusted at each balance sheet date. Changes in the subjective and probability-based assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amount recognized in our statements of operations.
Contingencies and Accrued Litigation Expense
We are subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business, including product-related litigation. We consider the likelihood of loss or impairment of an asset or the incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss in determining loss contingencies. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether such accruals should be adjusted and whether new accruals are required. Refer to Note 11 of our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We typically invest in a limited number of financial instruments, consisting principally of investments in money market accounts, certificates of deposit and corporate and municipal bonds with a typical long-term debt rating of “AA” or better by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, denominated in U.S. dollars. All of our cash equivalents and investments are treated as “held-to-maturity.” Investments in fixed-rate interest-earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk as their market value may be adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates. As a result, we may suffer losses in principal if we sell securities that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates. However, because we classify our debt securities as “held-to-maturity” based on our intent and ability to hold these instruments to maturity, no gains or losses are recognized due to changes in interest rates. These securities are reported at amortized cost. Based on investment positions as of June 30, 2017, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase across all maturities would result in a $0.1 million incremental decline in the fair market value of the portfolio. Such losses would only be realized if the Company sold the investments prior to maturity.

45


Additionally, we have access to a $10.0 million line of credit borrowing facility which bears interest at varying rates, currently at LIBOR plus 1.75% or Prime less 0.50%. Under the terms of the line of credit, available borrowings are reduced by outstanding letters of credit, which totaled $2.7 million at June 30, 2017. At June 30, 2017, there was no amount outstanding under the line of credit and the available borrowing under the line of credit was approximately $7.3 million. We have not borrowed any funds under the line of credit since its inception; however; should we need to do so in the future, such borrowings could be subject to adverse or favorable changes in the underlying interest rate.
Exchange Rate Risk
Our results of operations and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, in each case compared to the U.S. Dollar, related to transactions by our foreign subsidiaries. To date, we have not engaged in any currency hedging activities, although we may do so in the future. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates could harm our business in the future.
The majority of our sales to international customers are transacted in U.S. dollars and therefore, are not subject to exchange rate fluctuations on these transactions. However, the cost of our products to our customers increases when the U.S. dollar strengthens against their local currency, and the Company may have more sales and expenses denominated in foreign currencies during the remainder of 2017 which would increase its foreign exchange rate risk.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are responsible for the evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and year ended December 31, 2016, we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. A material weakness is defined as a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Specifically, during the quarter ended March 31, 2017, we identified a material weakness over accounting for income taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we identified material weaknesses in our internal controls over revenue recognition, cost of goods sold and services delivered and the reporting of deferred revenue. Further, we identified material weaknesses in our account reconciliations and monitoring processes. These material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting resulted from a breakdown in the operation of identified preventative and detective controls which led to the Company not initially recording some transactions correctly.
These material weaknesses arose during a period where the timing of the Company’s financial close and reporting process had been adversely impacted by the continued growth in both the volume and complexity of our business transactions. To remediate the material weaknesses described above, we are working to design and implement new controls and procedures to properly ensure transactions are identified and recorded timely and accurately.
Specifically:
we have added and will continue to add staff to support the growing operations of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2016 and the six months ended June 30, 2017, we have added additional resources to our revenue, tax and general accounting teams to ensure that we have the knowledge and resources to properly account for transactions in accordance with GAAP.
we have implemented and are continuing to implement additional internal reporting procedures, including those designed to add depth to our detailed review processes of revenue transactions and related accounting for deferred revenue and cost of goods sold and services delivered;

46


we have implemented and are continuing to implement additional system controls that would help prevent data entry errors of transactional information within the Company’s general ledger system, as well as adding and refining existing system reports that would help isolate outliers within the Company’s transactional data for further review; and
we have improved and are continuing to improve communication and coordination among our finance and accounting departments and we have expanded cross-functional involvement and input into period-end accruals.
The material weakness will not be considered remediated until the applicable remedial controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively. We expect that the remediation of these deficiencies will be completed prior to the end of fiscal year 2017. As remediation has not yet been completed, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of June 30, 2017 at a level that provides reasonable assurance as of the last day of the period covered by this report.
Change in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Except as noted above, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2017, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


47


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The discussion of legal proceedings in Note 11 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in PART I, ITEM 1 of this Form 10-Q is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, under the heading “Risk Factors,” which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially, adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. Except as discussed blow, there has been no material change in our risk factors as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Unanticipated changes in our effective tax rate and additional tax liabilities may impact our operating results
Additionally, with the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the new guidance requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded in the consolidated statements of operations when stock awards vest or are settled and as discrete items on the tax rate in the period in which they occur. As a result, for interim reporting purposes, the new standard requires us to exclude the excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies from the annual estimated tax rate and not to forecast the potential impact to the rate. This could cause us to experience an effective tax rate significantly different from previous periods or our current expectations, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.

48


Item 6. Exhibits
3.1
 
Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Axon Enterprise, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K, filed on April 5, 2017)
3.2
 
Amendment to Bylaws of Axon Enterprise, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Form 8-K, filed on April 5, 2017)
31.1*
 
Principal Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
31.2*
 
Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a)
32**
 
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*    Filed herewith
**    Furnished herewith



 



49


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.
 
 
 
 
 
 
AXON ENTERPRISE, INC.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 9, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ PATRICK W. SMITH
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 9, 2017
By:
 
/s/ JAWAD A. AHSAN
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial and
 
 
 
 
Accounting Officer)


50