UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549





FORM 10-Q





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




For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011





[   ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934




Commission File Number 0-16106




Clearfield, Inc.


(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)





Minnesota
41-1347235(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)





5480 Nathan Lane North, Suite 120, Plymouth, Minnesota 55442


(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)





(763) 476-6866


(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) 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.




[ X ] YES    [  ]  NO




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§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      [  ]  NO




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a “large accelerated filer,” an “accelerated filer,” a “non-accelerated filer” or a “smaller reporting company” (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).




Large accelerated filer [  ]   Accelerated filer [  ]   Non-accelerated filer [  ]   Smaller Reporting Company [ X ]




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).




[  ]  YES     [ X ] NO




Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.




Class:
Outstanding at April 29, 2011Common stock, par value $.01
12,065,501





CLEARFIELD, INC.


FORM 10-Q


TABLE OF CONTENTS








PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
8ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
12ITEM  4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
12PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
12ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
12ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
12ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
12ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
12ITEM 4. [REMOVED AND RESERVED]
13ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
13ITEM 6. Exhibits
13SIGNATURES
13








PARTI.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION





ITEM1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





CLEARFIELD, INC.


CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS


UNAUDITED





March 31, 2011


September 30, 2010AssetsCurrent AssetsCash and cash equivalents

$
7,399,767


$
5,285,719Short-term investments


2,550,000



1,764,868Accounts receivable, net


2,982,733



3,244,379Inventories


1,813,708



1,512,306Assets held for sale


639,160



-Other current assets


259,626



129,079Total current assets


15,644,994



11,936,351Property, plant and equipment, net


611,380



1,273,107Other AssetsLong-term investments


1,984,163



3,236,163Goodwill


2,570,511



2,570,511Deferred taxes –long term


2,103,151



2,145,362Other


176,368



176,368Patents


23,099



23,099Total other assets


6,857,292



8,151,503Total Assets

$
23,113,666


$
21,360,961Liabilities and Shareholders’ EquityCurrent LiabilitiesAccounts payable


1,402,957



1,188,261Accrued compensation


1,125,262



765,181Accrued expenses


55,399



82,867Total current liabilities


2,583,618



2,036,309Deferred rent


71,119



78,585Total Liabilities


2,654,737



2,114,894Shareholders’ EquityUndesignated shares, 4,999,500 authorized shares; no shares issued and outstanding


-



-Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized 500 shares; no shares outstanding


-



-Common stock, authorized 50,000,000, $.01 par value; 12,053,192 and 12,015,331, shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010


120,532



120,153Additional paid-in capital


52,767,872



52,589,034Accumulated deficit


(32,429,475
)


(33,463,120
)Total Shareholders’ Equity


20,458,929



19,246,067Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

$
23,113,666


$
21,360,961








SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1


CLEARFIELD, INC.


CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


UNAUDITED





Three Months Ended March 31


Six Months Ended March 312011


2010


2011


2010Revenues

$
7,119,564


$
4,724,766


$
14,366,233


$
9,667,433Cost of sales


4,225,825



2,991,390



8,506,541



6,232,349Gross profit


2,893,739



1,733,376



5,859,692



3,435,084Operating expensesSelling, general and administrative


2,368,299



1,864,722



4,827,618



3,754,337Income (loss) from operations


525,440



(131,346
)


1,032,074



(319,253
)Other income (expense)Interest income


26,953



37,578



56,461



75,634Interest expense


-



(236
)


-



(820
)Other income


15,000



9,837



15,500



24,35241,953



47,179



71,961



99,166Income (loss)  before income taxes


567,393



(84,167
)


1,104,035



(220,087
)Income tax expense


34,906



24,203



70,390



47,964Net income  (loss)

$
532,487


$
(108,370
)

$
1,033,645


$
(268,051
)Net income (loss) per share:Basic

$
0.04


$
(.01
)

$
0.09


$
(0.02
)Diluted

$
0.04


$
(.01
)

$
0.08


$
(0.02
)Weighted average shares outstanding:Basic


12,047,962



11,991,544



12,033,468



11,984,238Diluted


12,757,259



11,991,544



12,693,443



11,984,238




SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


2


CLEARFIELD, INC.


CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


UNAUDITED





Six Months Ended March 31,2011


2010Cash flow from operating activitiesNet income (loss)

$
1,033,645


$
(268,051
)Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:Depreciation and amortization


190,341



236,597Deferred taxes


42,211



44,490Stock based compensation


119,894



81,283Changes in operating assets and liabilities:Accounts receivable, net


261,646



677,026Inventories


(301,402
)


(169,408
)Prepaid expenses and other


(130,547
)


(111,055
)Accounts payable and accrued expenses


539,843



(890,418
)Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities


1,755,631



(399,536
)Cash flows from investing activitiesPurchases of property and equipment


(167,774
)


(234,180
)Patent additions






(10,811
)Purchase of investments


(160,659
)


(1,836,000
)Proceeds from maturities of investments


627,527



1,755,000Net cash provided by (used) investing activities


299,094



(325,991
)Cash flows from financing activitiesRepayment of long-term debt


-



(33,081
)Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan


37,722



-Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options


21,601



22,437Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities


59,323



(10,644
)Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


2,114,048



(736,171
)Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period


5,285,719



4,731,735Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$
7,399,767


$
3,995,564




SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


3


NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





Note 1.  Basis of Presentation




The accompanying condensed financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared by the Company in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Pursuant to these rules and regulations, certain financial information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements have been condensed or omitted.  However, in the opinion of management, the financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the interim periods presented. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year or for any other interim period, due to variability in customer purchasing patterns and seasonal, operating and other factors. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010.




In preparation of the Company’s financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.





Note 2.  Net Income (Loss) Per Share




Basic net income per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted EPS equals net income divided by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus all additional common stock equivalents, such as stock options, when dilutive.




Three Months Ended March 31,


Six Months Ended March 31,2011


2010


2011


2010Net income (loss) per common share — basic:Net income (loss)

$
532,487


$
(108,370
)

$
1,033,645


$
(268,051
)Weighted average shares outstanding basic


12,047,962



11,991,544



12,033,468



11,984,238Net income (loss) per common share

$
0.04


$
(0.01
)

$
0.09


$
(0.02
)Net income (loss) per common share — dilutedNet income (loss)

$
532,487


$
(108,370
)

$
1,033,645


$
(268,051
)Weighted average shares outstanding


12,047,962



11,991,544



12,033,468



11,984,238Dilutive impact of common stock equivalents outstanding


709,297



-



659,975



-Weighted average shares outstanding— diluted


12,757,259



11,991,544



12,693,443



11,984,238Net income (loss) per common share — diluted

$
0.04


$
(0.01
)

$
0.08


$
(0.02
)




4


Note  3. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments





The Company currently invests its excess cash in money market accounts and bank certificates of deposit (CDs) that are fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) with a term of not more than three years. CDs with original maturities of more than three months are reported as held-to-maturity investments. These investments in CDs are classified as held to maturity and are carried at cost. The maturity dates of our CDs at March 31, 2011 are as follows:




Less than one year

$
2,550,0001-3 years


1,984,163Total

$
4,534,163




Note 4.  Stock Based Compensation





The Company recorded $119,900 of compensation expense related to current and past option grants, restricted stock grants and the Company’s 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (for which the first contribution period was July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010)  for the six-month period ended March 31, 2011.  The Company recorded $81,283 of compensation expense related to current and past option grants for the six-month period ended March 31, 2010.  This expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense.  There was no tax benefit from recording this non-cash expense.  As of March 31, 2011, $359,172 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.69 years.




We used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the weighted average fair value of options during the six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.




During the six month period ended March 31, 2011, the Company granted key employees incentive stock options and granted non-employee directors non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 17,500 shares of common stock with a contractual term of 6 years, vesting terms between one and three years, a weighted average exercise price of $4.67 and a fair value of $3.29 per share.




During the six month period ended March 31, 2010, the Company granted key employees incentive stock options to purchase an aggregate of 85,000 shares of common stock with a contractual term of 7 years, a three year vesting term and an exercise price of $3.30 with a fair value of $1.96 per share.




The weighted-average fair values at the grant date for options issued during the six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were $3.29 and $1.95, respectively. This fair value was estimated at grant date using the weighted-average assumptions listed below.




Six months ended March 31,2011


2010Dividend yield


0
%


0
%Expected volatility


79.17
%


68.36
%Average risk-free interest rate


2.04
%


2.44
%Expected life

6 years


5-6 yearsVesting period

1-3 years


1-3 years







During the six month period ended March 31, 2011, employees exercised stock options totaling 21,764 shares, resulting in $21,601 proceeds to the Company.




The expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for a period approximating the expected life. The expected life represents the period of time that options are expected to be outstanding after their grant date. The risk-free interest rate reflects the interest rate at grant date on zero-coupon U.S. governmental bonds having a remaining life similar to the expected option term.




5


Employee Stock Purchase Plan




Clearfield, Inc. 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) adopted on February 25, 2010, allows participating employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a discount through payroll deductions. The ESPP is available to all employees subject to certain eligibility requirements. Terms of the ESPP provide that participating employees may purchase the Company’s common stock on a voluntary after-tax basis. Employees may purchase the Company’s common stock at a price that is no less than the lower of 85% of the fair market value of one share of common stock at the beginning or end of each stock purchase period or phase. The ESPP is carried out in six-month phases, with phases beginning on January 1 and July 1 of each calendar year. For the first contribution phase that ended on December 31, 2010, employees purchased 17,710 shares at a price of $2.13 per share. After the employee purchase on December 31, 2010, 282,290 shares of common stock were available for future purchase under the ESPP.




Note 5.  Inventories





Inventories consist of the following as of:




March 31, 2011


September 30, 2010Raw materials

$
1,544,366


$
1,289,869Work-in-progress


28,947



26,233Finished goods


240,395



196,204$
1,813,708


$
1,512,306




Note 6.  Assets held for sale





The Company has been in the process of evaluating other uses for its Aberdeen, South Dakota facility for over a year.  The Company has not occupied the facility since fiscal year 2006. Previously it was determined that it was unlikely that a sale of the building would occur within twelve months and the facility was not classified as assets held for sale for accounting purposes.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company received and accepted a purchase offer for the facility and therefore the Company has classified the Aberdeen building and land as assets held for sale within the balance sheet.  Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of their carrying value or estimated fair value less costs to sell.  At March 31, 2011, land of $56,195 and buildings, net of accumulated depreciation of $582,965  have been reclassified from Property, plant and equipment to assets held for sale within current assets on the balance sheet.




Note 7.  Major Customer Concentration




Two customers, Power & Telephone Supply Company (Power & Tel), and MTS Systems Corporation (MTS), comprised approximately 33% and 32% of total sales for the six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Power & Tel, who serves as a reseller of our product to a range of Tier 2 and Tier 3 Telco carriers as well as cable service operators, accounted for 25% and 21% for the corresponding periods.  MTS, who purchases contract manufacturing services from Clearfield for its copper connectivity requirements, accounted for 8% and 11% of revenues for the corresponding respective periods.





At March 31, 2011, two customers accounted for 42% of accounts receivable.  Calix, a broadband communications equipment supplier, accounted for 31%, and Power & Tel accounted for 11%.  At March 31, 2010, Power & Tel and MTS accounted for 16% and 11% of accounts receivable, respectively.





MTS purchases our product through its standard form of purchase order with pricing established by a schedule that is in effect from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011. Power & Tel and Calix purchase our product through a standard form of purchase order.




6


Note 8. Goodwill and Patents




The Company analyzes its goodwill testing for impairment annually or at an interim period when events occur.  The result of the analysis performed in the fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2010 did not indicate an impairment of goodwill.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, there were no triggering events that indicate potential impairment exists.





The Company capitalizes legal costs incurred to obtain patents. Once accepted by either the U.S. Patent Office or the equivalent office of a foreign country, these legal costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining estimated lives, not exceeding 17 years. The Company currently has three patents pending with the U.S. Patent Office and in foreign countries.




Note 9. Income Taxes




We recorded a provision for income taxes of $35,000 and $24,000, for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 respectively.  Our tax provision includes estimated current federal alternative minimum taxes and state franchise taxes, but is primarily related to deferred tax expense related to book and income tax basis difference in goodwill on prior asset acquisitions.  Our year-to-date net change in valuation allowance is $399,000.   This change consists of $422,000 of tax benefit as a result of a reduction in valuation allowance after considering current financial condition and potential future taxable income.  This reduction is partially offset by a $23,000 increase  in valuation  allowance from the current year AMT tax credit generated as its utilization does not meet the “more likely than not” approach as required by ASC 740.





As of September 30, 2010 the Company had U.S. federal and state net operating loss (NOL) carry-forwards of approximately $30,289,000 and $23,033,000, respectively, which expire in fiscal years 2020 to 2028. In fiscal 2009, the Company completed an Internal Revenue Code Section 382 analysis of the loss carry-forwards and determined that all of its loss carry-forwards were utilizable and not restricted under Section 382.





Deferred taxes recognize the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of the assets and liabilities recorded for financial statement purposes and these amounts measured in accordance with tax laws. The Company’s realization of net operating loss carry-forward and other deferred tax temporary differences is contingent upon future taxable earnings. The Company reviewed its deferred tax asset for expected utilization using a “more likely than not” approach as required by ASC 740 by assessing the available positive and negative factors surrounding its recoverability.





Our future taxable income was evaluated based primarily on anticipated operating results from fiscal years 2011 through 2013.  We determined that projecting operating results beyond 2013 involves substantial uncertainty and we discounted forecasts beyond 2013 as a basis to support our deferred tax assets.  Based upon the assessment of all available evidence, the Company reversed a portion of its valuation allowance for the year ended September 30, 2010 in an amount in which the tax benefit generated offsets the tax provision to be realized from current year estimated taxable income. At September 30, 2010 the Company has a valuation allowance of approximately $10 million against its remaining deferred tax assets. We will continue to assess the assumptions we used to determine the amount of our valuation allowance and may adjust the valuation allowance in future periods based on changes in assumptions of estimated future taxable income and other factors. If the valuation allowance is reduced, we would record an income tax benefit in the period in which that determination is made. If the valuation allowance is increased, we would record additional income tax expense. For the six months ended March 31, 2011, the Company has reduced its valuation allowance by approximately $399,000.  For the six months ended March 31, 2010, the Company did not reduce its valuation allowance given year-to-date losses incurred.





As of March 31, 2011, we do not have any unrecognized tax benefits.  It is our practice to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  We do not expect any material changes in our unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months.




Note 10.  Related Party Transactions




On June 28, 2007, we sold all of our interest in our Indian subsidiary to an entity controlled by Anil K. Jain, our former chief executive officer, on terms deemed by the independent directors to be fair and reasonable to the Company.  The purchase price of $500,000 was payable over five years and was fully secured by pledges of Clearfield, Inc. stock and Dr. Jain’s payments under his separation agreement, as well as by a guarantee from Dr. Jain. The note was paid in full June 23, 2010 in the amount of $400,000.




7


Note 11.  Accounting Pronouncements




New Accounting Pronouncements




In April 2009, the FASB issued ASC No. 820-10-35, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Subsequent Measurement, which discusses the provisions related to the determination of fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. Based on the guidance in ASC No. 820-10-35, if an entity determines that the level of activity for an asset or liability has significantly decreased and that a transaction is not orderly, further analysis of transactions or quoted prices is needed, and a significant adjustment to the transaction or quoted prices may be necessary to estimate fair value. The guidance in ASC No. 820-10-35 is to be applied prospectively and is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. Our adoption of this guidance had no impact on our financial statements.





In June 2009, the FASB issued new standards on variable interest entities (VIE), as codified in 810-10, which requires an entity to perform a qualitative analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest gives it a controlling financial interest in a VIE. This analysis identifies a primary beneficiary of a VIE as the entity that has both of the following characteristics: i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and ii) the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company would also be required to complete ongoing reassessments of the primary beneficiary of a VIE and this new accounting policy is effective October 1, 2010. The Company does not currently have any VIE and therefore this standard did not have a material effect on the financial statements.




ITEM2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS




The statements contained in this Report on Form 10-Q that are not purely historical are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements relate to future events and typically address the Company’s expected future business and financial performance. Words such as  “plan,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “project,” “target,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could” and other words and terms of similar meaning, typically identify these forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements because of the factors identified in and incorporated by reference from Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010, as well as in other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be considered an integral part of Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”  All forward-looking statements included herein are made as the date of this Quarterly Report as Form 10-Q and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.




The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations as of and for the three and six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes in Item 1 of this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010.




OVERVIEW




General




Clearfield, Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells telecommunications equipment. The Company provides a suite of modular, highly-configurable passive connectivity solutions to telecommunications service providers, as well as commercial and industrial original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). The Company has successfully





8


established itself as a value-added supplier to its target market of independent telephone companies and cable television operators as well as OEMs who value a high level of engineering services as part of their procurement process. Clearfield has expanded its product offerings and broadened its customer base during the last five years.





Clearfield offers a broad range of telecommunications equipment and products including the design and manufacture of standard and custom connectivity products such as fiber distribution systems, optical components, Outside Plant (“OSP”) cabinets, and fiber and copper cable assemblies that serve the communication service provider including Fiber-to-the-Premises (“FTTP”), large enterprise, and OEM markets. Clearfield maintains a range of engineering and technical knowledge in-house that works closely with customers to develop, customize and enhance products from design through production. Products are produced at Clearfield’s plant in Plymouth, Minnesota with support from a network of domestic and global manufacturing partners. Clearfield specializes in producing these products on both a quick-turn and scheduled delivery basis. Key to our business is strong acceptance of Clearfield’s proprietary FieldSmartTM Fiber Management Platform product line within broadband service providers deploying FTTP networks.





RESULTS OF OPERATIONS




THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 VS. THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010




Revenues for the second fiscal quarter of 2011 ended March 31, 2011 were $7,120,000, an increase of 51% or approximately $2,395,000 from revenue of $4,725,000, for the second fiscal quarter of 2010. Revenue growth was experienced from existing clients as well as from the development of new accounts. The Company experienced gains from within Tier 3 Carriers, as well as from an emerging presence associated with Tier 2 Carriers who have a national footprint. In addition to its direct sales efforts, the Company achieved increasing revenues from a broad range of emerging sales channels, including revenues derived from two-tier distributor arrangements and from private label agreements. These gains were throughout the product line, with the most significant increase within optical component technologies. In addition to a strengthening economic environment, revenues were positively affected by early stage deployments associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus funds). Operating results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for future quarters or the entire year, due to variability in customer purchasing patterns and seasonal, operating and other factors.





Gross margin improved to 40.6% from 36.7% for comparable second quarters of fiscal 2011 and 2010. Gross profit increased from $1,733,000 for the second quarter of fiscal quarter of 2010 to $2,894,000 for the second fiscal quarter of 2011, an increase of 67% or $1,160,000. The year-over-year gain is the result of enhanced collaboration with our global suppliers resulting in lower purchased product costs, product mix that favors Clearfield value-added features and continual improvements in our manufacturing processes, which together have resulted in greater manufacturing efficiency and absorption of factory overhead associated with the higher production volumes.





Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 27% or $504,000 from $1,865,000 for the second quarter of 2010 to $2,368,000 for the second fiscal quarter of 2011. This increase is composed of annual compensation adjustments, increases in staff primarily in the sales department, and an increase in commission and performance compensation accruals associated with the higher level of revenues.





Income from operations for the second quarter of 2011 was $525,000 compared to a loss of $131,000 for 2010, an improvement of $657,000 or 500%. This improvement is attributable to increased revenue and improved gross margin.





Interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was $30,000 compared to $38,000 for the comparable period for fiscal 2010. Interest rates have continued to decline resulting in lower returns. The Company invests its excess cash in FDIC-backed bank certificates of deposit.





There was no interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to $236 for the comparable period for fiscal 2010. Interest for 2010 was attributable to financing associated with the enterprise information system which has been subsequently paid in full.





Other income consists of $15,000 and $10,000 for the quarters ended March 31 of 2011 and 2010, respectively. This is attributable to rental income from our Aberdeen, SD facility.





9


Income tax expense was $35,000 and $24,000 for the quarters ended March 31 of 2011 and 2010, respectively. Tax expenses related to goodwill were $21,000 and $22,000 respectively for the corresponding quarters. The balance was for various states income and franchise taxes as well as alternative minimum tax (AMT).





The Company’s net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 ended March 31, 2011 was $533,000, or $0.04 basic and diluted share. For the second quarter of fiscal 2010 ended March 31, 2010 the Company reported a net loss of $108,000, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share.




SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011 VS. SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010




Revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2011 were $14,366,000, an increase of 49% or approximately $4,699,000 from revenue of $9,667,000, for the first six months of fiscal 2010.  Revenue growth was experienced from existing clients as well as from the development of new accounts. The Company experienced gains from within Tier 3 Carriers, as well as from an emerging presence associated with Tier 2 Carriers who have a national footprint. In addition to its direct sales efforts, the Company achieved increasing revenues from a broad range of emerging sales channels, including revenues derived from two-tier distributor arrangements and from private label agreements. These gains were throughout the product line, with the most significant increase within optical component technologies. In addition to a strengthening economic environment, revenues were positively affected by early stage deployments associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus funds). Operating results for the first two quarters of fiscal year 2011 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for future quarters or the entire year, due to variability in customer purchasing patterns and seasonal, operating and other factors.





Gross margin improved to 40.8 % from 35.5% for comparable first six months of fiscal 2011 and 2010. Gross profit increased from $3,435,000 to $5,860,000 for 2011, an increase of 71% or $2,425,000. The year-over-year gain is the result of enhanced collaboration with our global suppliers resulting in lower purchased product costs, product mix that favors Clearfield value-added features and continual improvements in our manufacturing processes, which translate into greater manufacturing efficiency and absorption of factory overhead associated with the higher production volumes.





Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 29% or $1,073,000 from $3,754,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2010 to $4,828,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2011. This increase is composed of annual compensation adjustments, increases in staff primarily in the sales department, and an increase in commission and performance compensation accruals associated with the higher level of revenue





Income from operations for the first six months of fiscal 2011 was $1,032,000 compared to a loss of $319,000 for fiscal 2010, an improvement of $1,351,000 or 423%. This improvement is attributable to increased revenue and improved gross margin.





Interest income for the six months ended March 31, 2011 decreased $19,000, or 25%, to $56,000 compared to $76,000 for the comparable period for fiscal 2010. Interest rates have continued to decline resulting in lower returns. The Company invests its excess cash in FDIC backed bank certificates of deposit.





There was no interest expense for the six months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $820 for the comparable period for fiscal 2010. Interest for 2010 was attributable to financing associated with the enterprise information system installed during 2007 and 2008.





Other income consists of $15,500 for the first six months of fiscal 2011 and $24,000 for the six month period ended March 31, 2010.  This is attributable to rental income from our Aberdeen, South Dakota facility.





Income tax expense was $70,000 and $48,000 for the first six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Tax expenses related to goodwill were $42,000 and $44,000 respectively for the corresponding six-month period. The balance was for various states income and franchise taxes as well as alternative minimum tax (AMT).





The Company’s net income for the first six months of fiscal 2011 ended March 31, 2011 was $1,034,000, or $0.09 per basic and $.08 per diluted share. The Company’s net loss for the first six months of fiscal 2010 ended March 31, 2010 was $268,000, or $0.02 basic and diluted share.




10


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES




As of March 31, 2011, our principal source of liquidity was our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Those sources total $9,950,000 at March 31, 2011 compared to $7,051,000 at September 30, 2010.  Our long term-investments are invested in bank certificates of deposit (CD) that are backed by the FDIC and in bank money market accounts also backed by the FDIC. The Company expects to fund operations with its working capital, which is the combination of existing cash and cash equivalent cash flow from operations, accounts receivable and inventory.  The Company intends to use its cash assets primarily for its continued organic growth.  Additionally, the Company may use some available cash for potential future strategic initiatives or alliances.  We believe our cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2011, along with cash flow from future operations, will be sufficient to fund our working capital and capital resources needs for the next 12 months.




Operating Activities




Net cash generated from operating activities for the six months ended March 31, 2011 totaled $1,756,000. This was primarily due to our net income of $1,034,000, depreciation of $190,000, deferred taxes of $42,000, stock based compensation of $120,000, and accounts payable of $540,000. This was offset by an increase in inventories of $301,000 and prepaid expenses of $131,000 an increase in accounts receivable of $262,000.




Net cash used in operations for the six months ended March 31, 2010 totaled $400,000. This was primarily due to net loss of $268,000, an increase in inventories of $169,000, and decreases in accounts payable and prepaid expenses totaling $1,001,000.  This was offset by a decrease in accounts receivable of $677,000, depreciation of $237,000, deferred taxes of $44,000 and stock based compensation of $81,000.




Investing Activities




We invest our excess cash in money market accounts and bank CDs in denominations across numerous banks so that they are guaranteed under the FDIC. We believe we obtain a competitive rate of return given the economic climate along with the security provided by the FDIC. During the six month period ended March 31, 2011 we used cash to purchase $161,000 of securities and received $628,000 on CDs that matured.  Purchases of capital equipment and information technology equipment consumed $168,000 of cash.




During the six-month period ended March 31, 2010 we utilized cash to purchase $1,836,000 of securities and received $1,755,000 on CDs that have matured.  Purchases of capital equipment, primarily information technology equipment and software, and patents consumed $245,000 of cash during the six month period ended March 31, 2010.




Financing Activities




For the six-month period ended March 31, 2011 we received $ 38,000 from employees’ participation and purchase of stock through our ESPP and $22,000 from the issuance of stock as a result of employees exercising options.




For the six month period ended March 31, 2010 we used a net of $33,000 for scheduled debt principal payments principally associated with the financing of our IT systems and received $22,000 from the issuance of stock as a result of employees exercising options.




At March 31, 2011, Clearfield had no debt and $11,934,000 in cash and investments, up $1,647,000 from $10,287,000 from fiscal year end September 30, 2010.




CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES




Management utilizes its technical knowledge, cumulative business experience, judgment and other factors in the selection and application of the Company’s accounting policies. The accounting policies considered by





11


management to be the most critical to the presentation of the financial statements because they require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgments include revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, accruals for uncertain tax positions, and impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets.




These accounting policies are described in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010.  Management made no changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies during the quarter ended March 31, 2011.




In applying its critical accounting policies, management reassesses its estimates each reporting period based on available information. Changes in these estimates did not have a significant impact on earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.




RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS




There are no new accounting pronouncements that have a material effect on the financial statements.




ITEM3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK




Not applicable.




ITEM4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES




Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures





Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report these disclosure controls and procedures were effective.





Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting





There were no changes  to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.





PARTII. OTHER INFORMATION





ITEM1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS




The Company is exposed to a number of asserted and unasserted legal claims encountered in the ordinary course of business.  Although the outcome of any such legal action cannot be predicted, management believes that there are no pending legal proceedings against or involving the Company for which the outcome is likely to have a material adverse effect upon its financial position or results of operations.





ITEM1A.  RISK FACTORS





The most significant risk factors applicable to the Company are described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.




12


ITEM2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS




None.




ITEM3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES




None.




ITEM4. [REMOVED AND RESERVED]






ITEM5. OTHER INFORMATION




None.




ITEM6. EXHIBITS




Exhibit 10.1.1– Amendment dated as of September 1, 2010, to Lease Agreement dated May 31, 2006 between Bass Lake Realty, LLC and Clearfield, Inc.




Exhibit 31.1 – Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a0 and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act




Exhibit 31.2 – Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act





Exhibit 32.1 – Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350




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.









CLEARFIELD, INC.








April 29, 2011

/s/ Cheryl P. BeranekBy: Cheryl P. Beranek

Its:  President and Chief Executive Officer(Principal Executive Officer)/s/ Daniel HerzogBy:  Daniel Herzog

Its:  Chief Financial Officer(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)








13