Edgar Filing: INTERLINK ELECTRONICS INC

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004

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

For the transition period from to

Commission File No. 0-21858

INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware		77-0056625
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

546 Flynn Road
Camarillo, California		93012
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(805) 484-8855

(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 x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

Shares of Common Stock Outstanding, at November 3, 2004: 13,447,245

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PAR VALUE)


	December 31, 2003			September 30, 2004
				(Unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6,061		$	19,034
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $670 and $134 at 2003 and 2004, respectively		9,123			9,199
Inventories		8,638			11,494
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		253			211

Total current assets		24,075			39,938

Property and equipment, net		1,270			1,279
Patents and trademarks, less accumulated amortization of $1,109 and $1,130 at 2003 and 2004, respectively		177			249
Other assets		60			134

Total assets	$	25,582		$	41,600

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	706		$	620
Accounts payable		2,630			3,762
Accrued payroll and related expenses		590			861
Other accrued expenses		130			89

Total current liabilities		4,056			5,332

Long-term debt, net of current portion		1,010			645
Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $5.00 par value (100 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding)		—			—
Common stock, $0.00001 par value (50,000 shares authorized, 11,155 and 13,367 shares issued and outstanding at 2003 and 2004, respectively)		31,668			46,646
Due from stockholders		(520	)		(434	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(391	)		(419	)
Accumulated deficit		(10,241	)		(10,170	)

Total stockholders’ equity		20,516			35,623

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	25,582		$	41,600

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

INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


	Three Month Period Ended September 30,						Nine Month Period Ended September 30,
	2003			2004			2003			2004
Revenues	$	7,848		$	9,442		$	22,326		$	26,034
Costs of revenues		4,563			5,986			12,985			16,076

Gross profit		3,285			3,456			9,341			9,958

Operating expenses:
Product development and research		828			1,169			2,564			3,075
Selling, general and administrative		2,177			2,610			6,241			6,799

Total operating expenses		3,005			3,779			8,805			9,874

Operating income		280			(323	)		536			84

Other income (expense):
Interest income (expense), net		(6	)		(6	)		(18	)		(37	)
Other income (expense)		—			(9	)		195			25

Total other income (expense)		(6	)		(15	)		177			(12	)

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes		274			(338	)		713			72
Provision (benefit) for income tax expense		36			(16	)		54			1

Net income (loss)	$	238		$	(322	)	$	659		$	71

Earnings (loss) per share – basic	$	.02		$	(.03	)	$	.07		$	.01
Earnings (loss) per share – diluted	$	.02		$	(.03	)	$	.06		$	.01

Weighted average shares – basic		10,599			11,622			10,062			11,436
Weighted average shares – diluted		11,643			12,875			11,065			12,805

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

INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(IN THOUSANDS)


	Nine Month Period Ended Sept. 30,
	2003			2004
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	659		$	71
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts receivable		46			(30	)
Provision for excess inventories		—			(649	)
Depreciation and amortization		533			417
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(3,051	)		(46	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		14			42
Inventories		(1,641	)		(2,207	)
Other assets		4			(74	)
Accounts payable		(37	)		1,132
Accrued payroll and other accrued expenses		(344	)		230

Net cash used in operating activities		(3,817	)		(1,114	)

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(279	)		(405	)
Costs of patents and trademarks		—			(93	)

Net cash used in investing activities		(279	)		(498	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on debt		(474	)		(451	)
Net proceeds from public stock offering		—			13,168
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options		2,521			1,810
Repayments received from shareholders		279			86

Net cash provided by financing activities		2,326			14,613

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(20	)		(28	)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(1,790	)		12,973

Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period		7,906			6,061

End of period	$	6,116		$	19,034

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	55		$	64
Income taxes paid	$	1		$	1

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

INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 and 2004 (UNAUDITED)

1. Basis of Presentation of Interim Financial Data

The financial information as of September 30, 2004, and for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2004 included in this report, is unaudited. Such information, however, reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods. The interim statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

2. Significant Accounting Policies – Reserve for Estimated Product Returns

While not an explicit part of the terms and conditions of product sales, the Company does, on a discretionary basis, grant product exchanges for its distribution and reseller customers in its branded business communications market for similar products of equal value if these exchanges meet certain other criteria. The Company records provisions for the estimated amounts of products to be returned in such exchanges through adjustments to revenues and cost of revenues. The Company estimates future product returns based on recent return history, inventory status and product “sell-through” statistics received from its major distributors, discussions regarding product sales activity with its major reseller customers, and current industry product and technology trends.

3. Earnings Per Share

For all periods presented, per share information was computed pursuant to provisions of the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The computation of earnings per share—basic is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Earnings per share—diluted also includes the effect of common shares contingently issuable from options and warrants in periods in which they have a dilutive effect.

Common stock equivalents are calculated using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the proceeds from the assumed conversion of options and warrants are used to repurchase outstanding shares using the average market price for the period.

The following table contains information necessary to calculate earnings per share (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2003	2004	2003	2004
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic	10,599	11,622	10,062	11,436
Effect of dilutive securities (employee stock options)	1,044	1,253	1,003	1,369

Weighted average shares – diluted	11,643	12,875	11,065	12,805

4. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table provides the data required to calculate comprehensive income (loss) in thousands:


	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2002	$	(837	)
Translation adjustment		(20	)	$	(20	)
Net income		—			659

Balance at September 30, 2003	$	(857	)	$	639

Balance at December 31, 2003	$	(391	)
Translation adjustment		(28	)	$	(28	)
Net income		—			71

Balance at September 30, 2004	$	(419	)	$	43

5. Segment Information

The Company has four business segments: (i) business communications; (ii) home entertainment; (iii) e-transactions; and (iv) specialty components. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”; however, the Company evaluates performance based on revenue and gross profit. The Company does not allocate any other income, expenses or assets to these segments nor does it track revenue by product. Reportable segment information for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004 is as follows (in thousands):


Nine Months Ended:	Business Communications		Home Entertainment		E-Transactions		Specialty Components		Total
September 30, 2003
Revenue	$	14,789	$	1,898	$	2,145	$	3,494	$	22,326
Gross profit		4,983		886		1,184		2,288		9,341
September 30, 2004
Revenue	$	15,418	$	2,650	$	4,241	$	3,725	$	26,034
Gross profit		4,575		960		2,152		2,271		9,958

6. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):


	December 31, 2003		September 30, 2004
Raw material	$	3,991	$	5,607
Work in process		867		1,112
Finished goods		3,780		4,775

Total inventories	$	8,638	$	11,494

7. Common Stock Offering

In September of 2004, the Company completed a public stock offering of 1.75 million shares of common stock at an offering price of $8.25 per share before an approximate 6% underwriting discount and other offering expenses. The net amount recorded by the Company was approximately $13,168,000.

8. Stock Options

Under the terms of the Company’s 1996 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), officers and key employees may be granted non-qualified or incentive stock options and outside directors and independent contractors of the Company may be granted non-qualified stock options. The aggregate number of shares which may be issued under the Plan is 6,500,000. Options are granted at fair market value on the date of grant and generally vest ratably over 36 months and have a five-year term but terminate earlier if employment is terminated. As of September 30, 2004, approximately 6,268,000 options have been granted (3,811,000 are outstanding and 2,457,000 have been exercised, forfeited or expired) and there were 232,000 options available for grant.

Activity for the first nine months of 2004 under the Plan is summarized as follows (in thousands, except per share data):


	Options		Wgt. avg. Exercise Price
Outstanding - beginning of period	3,416		$	4.66
Granted	965			9.46
Exercised	(462	)		3.92
Forfeited or expired	(108	)		5.35

Outstanding - end of period	3,811			5.95

Exercisable - end of period	2,529			4.76

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding under the Plan as of September 30, 2004 (in thousands, except contractual life and exercise price per share data):


Exercise Price Per Share		# of Options Outstanding	Months Remaining On Contractual Life	Options Exercisable	Options Un- exercisable
	$ 2.40	558	25	558	0
	2.70	45	45	23	22
	2.94	474	41	474	0
	3.04	50	36	34	16
	3.08	21	1	21	0
	3.30	10	41	5	5
	3.54	4	29	3	1
	4.30	14	39	8	6
	4.42	317	27	298	19
	5.50	13	1	13	0
	5.51	80	19	80	0
	5.65	17	45	5	12
	6.45	465	50	142	323
	6.87	742	17	742	0
	7.54	35	48	12	23
	9.40	920	56	102	818
	10.60	46	54	9	37

	Total	3,811		2,529	1,282

The weighted average fair value at the date of grant for stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004 was $1.65 and $5.08 per option, respectively. The fair value of options at the date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted average assumptions:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2003		2004
Expected life (years)	4		4
Interest rate	3.0	%	3.0	%
Volatility	63	%	69	%
Dividend yield	0	%	0	%

The Company applies Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and related interpretations in accounting for the Plan. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the Plan. Had compensation cost for the Plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant dates for awards under the Plan consistent with the method of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” the Company would have recorded stock-based compensation expense as follows (in thousands except per share data):


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2003			2004
Net income – as reported	$	659		$	71
Stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects		—			—
Total stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects		(4,179	)		(1,914	)

Net loss – pro forma	$	(3,520	)	$	(1,843	)

Basic earnings (loss) per share – as reported	$	.07		$	.01
– pro forma		(.35	)		(.16	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share – as reported	$	.06		$	.01
– pro forma		(.32	)		(.14	)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

We develop, manufacture, market and sell intuitive interface devices and components for a variety of business and home applications. We generate revenues from the sale of our hardware products, such as force sensing resistor (“FSR”) sensors, FSR-based subassemblies and complete advanced input device products. To a lesser extent, we derive revenue from the sale of software combined with our hardware. Depending on the application, this software may be internally developed or purchased from software partners.

We record our revenue in four different market segments: business communications (wireless intuitive input device products addressing the presentation market); home entertainment (wireless intuitive input device and sensor products addressing the advanced TV viewing and home video game markets); e-transactions (input devices for the electronic signature markets); and specialty components (custom FSR-based sensors, subassemblies and complete products for a variety of vertical markets). We have addressed our specialty components market since our inception in 1985. Our other three markets have evolved out of our specialty components market. We have addressed our business communications market as a separate market since 1994, our e-transactions market since 1999 and our home entertainment market since 2000. The relative revenue and gross profit contributions of each of these segments is provided below in Business Segment Overview – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004.

Cost of revenues includes material, assembly, labor in the U.S. and contract labor in China, manufacturing overhead at our U.S. facility and our China logistics center, software licensing and quality assurance costs.

Analysis of Quarterly Results

Unaudited revenues, gross profit, net income (loss) and basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are shown in the following table for each of the nine most recent quarters (in thousands except for per share data):


	Sept. 30, 2002		Dec. 31, 2002			March 31, 2003		June 30, 2003		Sept. 30, 2003		Dec. 31, 2003		March 31, 2004		June 30, 2004		Sept. 30, 2004
Revenues	$	6,629	$	6,978		$	7,002	$	7,476	$	7,848	$	8,716	$	8,434	$	8,158	$	9,442
Gross profit	$	2,701	$	474		$	2,930	$	3,126	$	3,285	$	3,339	$	3,352	$	3,150	$	3,456
Net income (loss)	$	40	$	(3,572	)	$	240	$	181	$	238	$	407	$	317	$	76	$	(322	)
Earnings (loss) per shares – basic		—	$	(.37	)	$	.02	$	.02	$	.02	$	.02	$	.03	$	.01	$	(.03	)
Earnings (loss) per share – diluted		—	$	(.37	)	$	.02	$	.02	$	.02	$	.03	$	.03	$	.01	$	(.03	)

Since the beginning of 2002, our revenues have shown a steady rate of growth due to a general improvement in the global economic climate and a broadening in the market for business presentation devices and the introduction of comparable products for consumer use. Other significant contributing factors have been sales of components for use in Microsoft’s Xbox game controller and increases, particularly in 2003, in sales in our e-transactions market.

Gross profits generally trended with revenues during the periods shown except in the fourth quarter of 2002. In that quarter we recorded a $2.3 million write-off of obsolete inventory. The write-off resulted from a material reduction in our internal forecasts for future customer demand based on downward adjustments in forecast information received from our customers as well as negative industry and worldwide economic forecasts received from outside sources. The write-off related to raw material, work-in-process and finished goods for OEM remote controls purchased or produced in anticipation of Japanese OEM business communications orders. Approximately 75% of these written-off inventories have been destroyed or sold for nominal amounts to salvage brokers and the remainder is maintained in our warehouses at a zero book value.

Earnings have shown more quarter-to-quarter fluctuations than revenues but have generally trended upward as revenues have increased, except in the fourth quarter of 2002 when we recorded a substantial inventory write-off. In 2003, earnings resumed and generally trended upward during the year. In the first nine months of 2004, earnings are down 89% as compared to the first nine months of 2003 due to higher product development and marketing costs associated with new products and technologies and incremental costs related to the initial implementation costs of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

In 2002, operations were essentially cash flow break-even to marginally positive. Operations again consumed significant cash in the first three quarters of 2003 to fund the working capital requirements of our growth in the branded business communications market. Operations were slightly cash flow positive in the fourth quarter of 2003 and for the first nine months of 2004 we recorded a negative cash flow of approximately $1.1 million.

In September of 2004, we completed a public stock offering of 1.75 million shares of common stock with gross proceeds of $14.4 million before underwriting discounts and other offering expenses.

While we have generated profitable results in recent periods, history has proven that we are vulnerable to the effects of macroeconomic trends. The reader should keep in mind that past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Current Opportunities and Challenges

A considerable portion of our effort is directed at emerging markets, such as our e-transactions market where our success depends on our ability to accurately forecast the nature, amount and timing of market requirements in an environment in which historical precedent is limited or non-existent. We rely on information generated by our internal staff and industry partners and on independent market studies for forecasts of market demand in our focus areas, but these studies are themselves based on limited empirical data. An inaccurate forecast of market demand in any of our core market areas would impact our short-term performance and could impact our competitive position and, therefore, our long-term performance.

Our quarterly results are often affected by volatility in orders for a particular product. For example, sales of sensors for the Microsoft Xbox constitute a significant source of revenue, but are substantially dependent on Xbox sales that we cannot control or accurately forecast. Similarly, sales to large institutions of our e-transactions products typically come in relatively large orders that can be one-time events or can occur at widely dispersed intervals.

Other factors that could cause our estimates to be wrong or could result in trends that are not apparent from our financial statements are described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

Management faces the constant challenge of balancing its investment in new technology, product development and marketing initiatives against the objective of steady earnings growth. A decision to make a significant investment in a new technology, product or marketing effort may have a short-to-medium term negative impact on earnings even if the investment proves to be justified. Because we intend to pursue a growth strategy, it is probable that we will make investments in new business opportunities that will increase operating costs, decrease margins and negatively impact earnings until the investment produces significant revenue growth.

We expect to use cash in the future to support growth through the purchase of new technologies or businesses and through internal technology, product and market development efforts. We expect to generate cash from existing operations and, depending on actual cash requirements, may seek to obtain cash from commercial borrowing and/or additional sales of securities.

Business Segment Overview – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared To Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

Three months and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2004 revenue and gross profit by market segment are shown in the following table:


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2003					Three Months Ended September 30, 2004					Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003					Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
Market Segment	$000’s			Percent of Total Sales		$000’s			Percent of Total Sales		$000’s			Percent of Total Sales		$000’s			Percent of Total Sales
Business Communications:
- Revenue	$	5,238		67	%	$	5,402		57	%	$	14,789		66	%	$	15,418		59	%
- Gross Profit		1,590					1,590					4,983					4,575
- Gross Profit % of Segment Revenue		30	%				29	%				34	%				30	%

Home Entertainment:
- Revenue	$	928		12	%	$	1,427		15	%	$	1,898		8	%	$	2,650		10	%
- Gross Profit		437					424					886					960
- Gross Profit % of Segment Revenue		47	%				30	%				47	%				36	%

E-Transactions:
- Revenue	$	591		7	%	$	1,131		12	%	$	2,145		10	%	$	4,241		16	%
- Gross Profit		328					571					1,184					2,152
- Gross Profit % of Segment Revenue		55	%				50	%				55	%				51	%

Specialty Components:
- Revenue	$	1,091		14	%	$	1,482		16	%	$	3,494		16	%	$	3,725		15	%
- Gross Profit		710					871					2,288					2,271
- Gross Profit % of Segment Revenue		65	%				59	%				65	%				61	%

All Segments:
- Revenue	$	7,848		100	%	$	9,442		100	%	$	22,326		100	%	$	26,034		100	%
- Gross Profit		3,285					3,456					9,341					9,958
- Gross Profit %		42	%				37	%				42	%				38	%

Business Communications

In our business communications segment, we sell wireless remote controls on an OEM basis to the leading manufacturers of presentation projectors. We also sell Interlink-branded wireless remote controls and keyboards direct to computer products retailers, corporate resellers and distributors. In the first nine months of 2004, OEM revenues comprised approximately 75% of business communications revenues as compared to 61% in the same period of 2003.

Overall, business communications revenues for the third quarter and first nine months of 2004 increased 3% and 5%, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2003. For the first nine months of 2004, OEM revenues grew 27% as compared to the first nine months of 2003, reflecting an approximate 59% growth in units coupled with an approximate 20% decline in average selling prices. (OEM average selling prices range from $2-$30.) The growth in OEM units is consistent with the growth in the presentation projector market. The OEM average selling price decline is reflective of competitive price pressure affecting the industry as a whole. Revenues from branded products, which had average selling prices of approximately $26-$200 (before special price reductions) dropped 32% in the same period comparison. The branded unit volume decline results from our decision to de-emphasize sales to large retail outlets such as CompUSA and Fry’s Electronics. Such sales constituted approximately 18% of our branded business communications revenues in the first nine months of 2003 as compared to approximately 11% in the first nine months of 2004. Due to the poor profitability (revenues less cost of sales and sales, marketing and administration costs) of this sub-channel for Interlink, we chose to de-emphasize this sub-channel by reducing the allocation of sales and marketing resources to this area. However, we will continue to support the existing customers and do not expect material product returns or bad debts associated with this change in the 2004 period.

Business communications gross profit margin declined to 29% in the third quarter and to 30% in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to 30% and 34%, respectively, in the same periods of 2003 due to the increased percentage of lower margin OEM business in the 2004 period.

Home Entertainment

In our home entertainment segment, we sell remote controls on an OEM basis to manufacturers of advanced TV viewing devices (including projectors sold for TV viewing) and FSR sensors to Microsoft for integration into their Xbox game controller. Revenues related to the Xbox program accounted for approximately 58% of our home entertainment revenues in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to approximately 95% in the first nine months of 2003. We recently entered into an agreement to supply remote input devices to a major OEM for control of advanced viewing devices. Under the agreement, we expect to provide remote controls to the contract manufacturers of plasma displays for this OEM. Initial shipments commenced late in the third quarter of 2004 and will continue to build over subsequent quarters. Based on estimates of its requirements provided by the OEM and agreed price terms, our revenue from the sale of these remote controls would exceed $10 million in the first eighteen months of shipments. However, as with many contracts of this nature, the OEM is not required to cause its plasma display suppliers to purchase any minimum number of remote controls or to adhere to the schedule on which its estimates are based. There is therefore no assurance that the amount or timing of actual revenues will conform to these estimates.

In the third quarter of 2004, home entertainment revenues recorded a 54% increase over third quarter of 2003 and a 40% increase for the first nine months of 2004 as compared to the same period of 2003 due primarily to increased shipment of remote controls for advanced viewing device applications.

Home entertainment gross profit margin declined to 30% in the third quarter and to 36% in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to 47% for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 due primarily to increased sales of lower margin remote controls for advanced viewing device applications.

E-Transactions

In our e-transactions segment, we sell electronic signature capture devices and, depending on the customer requirement, signature-capture software. We offer annual software maintenance agreements and hardware upgrade programs to our existing customers; however, historically we have not recorded significant revenues from those types of sales.

In the third quarter of 2004, e-transaction revenues increased 91% over the same period of 2003 due primarily to a greater number of customers. For the first nine months of 2004, e-transaction revenues increased 98% from the first nine months of 2003 due primarily to sales of ePad products to Wells Fargo and DealerTrack.

E-transaction gross profit margin declined to 50% in the third quarter and to 51% in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to 55% for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 due to lower pricing associated with higher volume customer projects.

Specialty Components

In our specialty components segment, we sell custom FSR’s and FSR-based subassemblies to many customers in several vertical markets, such as medical devices, industrial input and military input products. Beginning in the third quarter of 2004, we also began selling components incorporating our MicroNav technologies.

Specialty components revenues for the third quarter and first nine months of 2004 increased 36% and 7% respectively, from the same periods of 2003 due to initial sales related to our MicroNav technology.

Specialty component gross profit margin declined to 59% and 61% in the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, respectively, from 65% in the same periods of 2003 due to a lower mix of higher margin medical device related revenues in the 2004 period.

Operating Expenses

Product development and research costs include internal engineering labor, contract engineering and outside processing costs for the design and development of our OEM and branded designs and products and the research of our technologies. For the third quarter and first nine months of 2004, our product development and research costs increased 41% and 20%, respectively, as compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2003 due to new product and technology development in our business communication and e-transaction segments. As a percentage of revenues, product development and research costs increased to 12% in the first nine months of 2004 from 11% in the first nine months of 2003 due to the reasons stated above.

Sales, general and administrative costs (“SG&A”) include sales, marketing, accounting and administrative labor, sales commissions, advertising, general marketing, branded business communications channel marketing and travel and entertainment costs. For the third quarter of 2004, SG&A increased 21% over the third quarter of 2003 due to increased marketing costs associated with new products and implementation costs associated with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. For the first nine months of 2004, SG&A increased 9% over the first nine months of 2003 due to the reasons stated above.

Total other income declined to a $12,000 net expense in the first nine months of 2004 versus $177,000 net other income in the first nine months of 2003 due to a one-time gain related to a legal settlement with a supplier that occurred in the first quarter of 2003.

We have approximately $32 million in net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) for U.S. federal tax purposes. Current accounting standards place significant weight on a history of recent cumulative losses

in determining whether or not a valuation allowance is necessary against the deferred tax asset related to these NOL carryforwards. Forecasts of future taxable income are not considered sufficient positive evidence to outweigh a history of losses. The net income generated in 2003 and in the first nine months of 2004 is not necessarily indicative of future results. Therefore, we have maintained the full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets as of September 30, 2004. The Company’s federal net operating loss carryforwards are not impacted and can continue to be utilized for up to 19 years.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working capital increased to $34.6 million at September 30, 2004 from $20.0 million at the end of 2003 due primarily to the public stock offering net proceeds of $13.2 million and the $1.8 million realized from employee stock option exercises.

Operations consumed cash of $1.1 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to a negative cash flow of $3.8 million in the same period of 2003. The cash flow improvement is due primarily to a reduction in our average accounts receivable balances related to the de-emphasis of our business communications branded retail channel sales focus and higher vendor accounts payable balances.

We spent $405,000 in the first nine months of 2004 and $279,000 in the first nine months of 2003 to purchase additional manufacturing and computer equipment.

We made payments on long-term debt of $451,000 in the first nine months of 2004 and $474,000 in the first nine months of 2003. Net proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options were $1.8 million in the first nine months of 2004 and $2.5 million in the first nine months of 2003.

We currently have modest commitments for capital expenditures and no material purchase obligations. Our long-term debt and operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2003, the last fiscal year-end date, are as follows (in thousands):


	Total		Less Than One Year		1-3 Years
Long-term debt obligations	$	1,716	$	706	$	1,010
Operating lease obligations		92		73		19

Total	$	1,808	$	779	$	1,029

These amounts may increase as we pursue our growth strategy but the amount of any such growth will depend on the particular requirements of any growth commitment, the availability and attractiveness of equity capital arrangements are our general liquidity position.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve substantial risks and uncertainties and which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical information and may include the words “expects”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, “intends”, “estimates”, “continue” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, items discussed under the headings “Overview”, “Current Opportunities and Challenges” and “Business Segment Overview – Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004.” Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly release or update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, management evaluates estimates, including those related to the valuation of inventory and the allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 101, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements”, as amended by SAB No. 101A, SAB No. 101B and SAB No. 104. SAB No. 101 requires that four basic criteria must be met before revenue can be recognized: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered; (3) the fee is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured. Determination of criteria (3) and (4) require management’s judgments regarding the fixed nature of the fee charged for services rendered and products delivered and the collectibility of those fees. To satisfy the criteria, we: (1) input orders based upon receipt of a customer purchase order; (2) record revenue upon shipment of goods and when risk of loss and title has transferred; (3) confirm pricing through the customer purchase order; and (4) validate creditworthiness through past payment history, credit agency reports and other financial data. Other than through warranty rights, our customers do not have explicit or implicit rights of return. Should changes in conditions cause management to determine the revenue recognition criteria are not met for certain future transactions, such as a determination that collectibility was not reasonably assured, revenue recognized for any reporting period could be adversely affected.

Reserve for Estimated Product Returns. While not an explicit part of our terms and conditions of product sales, we do, on a discretionary basis, grant product exchanges for our distribution and reseller customers in our branded business communications market for similar products of equal value if these exchanges meet certain other criteria. We estimate future product returns based on recent return history, inventory status and product “sell-through” statistics received from our major distributors, discussions regarding product sales activity with our major reseller customers, and current industry product and technology trends. Management judgment is required in evaluating the relative significance of the aforementioned data and in the determination of the estimated value of the returns reserve. If actual returns are greater than management’s estimate then revenues in the subsequent period will be adversely affected.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Our accounts receivable are unsecured, and we are at risk to the extent such amounts become uncollectible. We continually monitor individual account receivable balances, and provide for an allowance of doubtful accounts at the time collection may become questionable based on payment performance or age of the receivable and other factors related to the customer’s ability to pay.

Inventory Reserve. At each balance sheet date, we evaluate our ending inventories for excess quantities and obsolescence. This evaluation includes analyses of forecast sales levels by product and historical demand. We write off inventories that are considered obsolete. Remaining inventory balances are adjusted to approximate the lower of our cost or market value and result in a new cost basis in such inventory until sold. If future demand or market conditions are less favorable than our projections, additional inventory write-down may be required, and would be reflected in cost of sales in the period the revision is made.

Provision for Income Tax. As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our actual current tax

exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our balance sheet. We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we must establish a valuation reserve. To the extent we establish a reserve or increase this reserve in a period, we must include an expense within the tax provision in the statements of operations.

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, deferred tax asset and liabilities and any valuation reserve recorded against our net deferred tax assets. Management continually evaluates its deferred tax asset as to whether it is likely that the deferred tax asset will be realized.

We first achieved profitable operations in 1995. Because of net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards available both for our U.S.-based and Japan-based operations, we did not accrue income tax expense until 1999. In that year, due to the expiration or full utilization of NOL carryforwards in California and Japan, we began to record a provision for income tax expense in those jurisdictions. By the end of 2000, we also began to accrue an income tax benefit related to our federal NOL carryforwards to be used in future periods. However, in mid-2001, we began to record quarterly tax losses and suspended any further recognition of NOL carryforward tax benefits. In fourth quarter 2002 and for the 2003 year, based on historical and prospective evidence, we concluded that we did not have sufficient evidence to be able to recognize our NOL carryforward benefits as assets and thus we recognized a valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset balance. Assuring that we maintain profitable operations in 2004, we will reevaluate our deferred tax asset balance and may reduce or eliminate the valuation allowance.

As of December 31, 2003, we had net operating loss carryforwards for federal, state and foreign income tax purposes of $31,676,000, $11,282,000 and $1,084,000, respectively, which are available to offset future taxable income in those jurisdictions through 2022.

Foreign Exchange Exposure. We have established relationships with most of the major OEMs in the business communications market. Many of these OEMs are based in Japan and approximately 22% and 33% of our revenues for the first nine months of 2003 and 2004, respectively, came from Japanese customers. Revenues from these customers are denominated in Japanese yen and as a result we are subject to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate. We use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge this exposure. We use revenue forecasts from our Japanese subsidiary to determine the amount of our forward contracts to purchase and we attempt to enter into these contracts when we believe the yen value is relatively strong against the U.S. dollar. To the extent that our revenue forecast may be inaccurate or the timing of forecasting the yen’s strength is wrong, our actual hedge gains or losses may not necessarily correlate with the effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations on our revenues. We mark these contracts to market value and the gain or loss from these contracts is recorded in business communications revenue. These hedge transactions are classified as economic hedges and do not qualify for hedge accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards. In addition, because our Japanese subsidiary’s functional currency is the yen, the translation of the net assets of that subsidiary into the consolidated results will fluctuate with the yen/dollar exchange rate.

The following table illustrates the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on our yen-denominated revenues and the effectiveness of our foreign currency hedging activity (in thousands).


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2003			2004			2003			2004
Increase (decrease) in revenues resulting from foreign currency fluctuations	$	189		$	(53	)	$	187		$	(116	)
Hedging gains (losses)		(170	)		67			(133	)		127

Net revenue impact	$	19		$	14		$	54		$	11

We calculate the “increase (decrease) in revenues resulting from foreign currency fluctuations” by calculating the U.S. dollar equivalent of our yen-denominated revenues using the yen/dollar exchange rate at the beginning of the period. The resulting product is compared to our yen-denominated revenues converted to U.S. dollars according to GAAP and the difference is shown in the table above.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 (“SAB No. 104”), “Revenue Recognition,” which codifies, revises and rescinds certain sections of SAB No. 101, “Revenue Recognition,” in order to make this interpretive guidance consistent with current authoritative accounting and auditing guidance and SEC rules and regulations. The changes noted in SAB No. 104 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position or consolidated cash flows.

In December 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46R”) (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an interpretation of accounting Research Bulletin No. 51 (“ARB 51”), which addresses how a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling interest in an entity through means other than voting rights and accordingly should consolidate the entity. FIN 46R replaces FASB Interpretation No. 46 (“FIN 46”), which was issued in January 2003. Before concluding that it is appropriate to apply the ARB 51 voting interest consolidation model to an entity, an enterprise must first determine that the entity is not a variable interest entity. As of the effective date of FIN 46R, an enterprise must evaluate its involvement with all entities or legal structures created before February 1, 2003, to determine whether consolidation requirements of FIN 46R apply to those entities. There is no grandfathering of existing entities. Public companies must apply either FIN 46 or FIN 46R immediately to entities created after December 15, 2003 and no later than the end of the first reporting period that ends after March 15, 2004 to entities considered to be special purpose entities. The adoption of FIN 46R had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Item 3. Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk - Our Japanese subsidiary, Interlink Electronics K.K., generally makes sales and collects its accounts receivable in Japanese yen. To hedge these revenues against future movements in exchange rates, we purchase foreign exchange forward contracts. Gains or losses on the forward contracts are then offset by gains or losses on the underlying revenue exposure and consequently a sudden or significant change of foreign exchange rates would not have a material impact on net income or cash flows to the extent future revenues are protected by forward currency contracts. These contracts, however, typically have a six-month duration. Thus, yen/dollar fluctuations lasting more than six months will have an impact on our revenues. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2004, we entered into foreign currency exchange contracts in the normal course of business to manage our exposure against foreign currency fluctuations on revenues denominated in foreign currencies. The principal objective of such contracts is to minimize the risks and costs associated with financial and global operating activities. We do not utilize financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. The fair value of foreign currency exchange contracts is estimated by obtaining quotes from bankers. At September 30, 2004, we had foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding with a notional value of $1.8 million. During the first nine months of 2004, we recognized $127,000 of gains on foreign currency exchange contracts which is reflected in revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Our hedging policies are designed to offset the effect of a yen devaluation on our revenues; thus, a hypothetical 10% devaluation of the yen would reduce our yen denominated revenues by 10%; but our theoretical hedging gains would offset that effect, for a period of time.

Interest Rate Exposure – Based on our overall interest rate exposure at September 30, 2004, a hypothetical 10% change in interest rates applied to our outstanding debt as of September 30, 2004, would have no material impact on earnings or cash flows over a one-year period.

Item 4. Controls And Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in alerting them to material information that is required to be included in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item

4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

On June 22, 2004 at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the holders of our outstanding common stock took the actions described below. At April 23, 2003, the record date, 11,374,578 shares of common stock were outstanding and eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.


1.	By the voted indicated below, the stockholders re-elected Mr. Eugene F. Hovanec to the Company’s Board of Directors to serve for a three-year term:

	For Eugene F. Hovanec

	For	Withheld
	10,342,996	231,452

Other directors whose term of office as director continued after the meeting were John Buckett, II, Merritt M. Lutz, George Gu and E. Michael Thoben, III.


2.	By the vote indicated below, the stockholders approved the proposed amendments to the Company’s 1996 Stock Incentive Plan.

	For	Against	Abstain	Broker Non-Votes
	3,000,348	1,775,467	222,927	5,575,706

Item 6. Exhibits


3.1		Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000).

3.2		Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000).

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Registrant Pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Registrant Pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Registrant Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Registrant Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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.


		INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.

DATE: November 12, 2004		/s/ Paul D. Meyer
		Paul D. Meyer
		Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report:


Exhibit Number		Description
3.1		Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000).

3.2		Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000).

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Registrant Pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Registrant Pursuant to SEC Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Registrant Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Registrant Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.