SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 11-K
(Mark One)
[X]
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003 |
OR
[ ]
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 000-19720
A. Full title of plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
ABAXIS TAX DEFERRAL SAVINGS PLAN
B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
Abaxis, Inc.
Abaxis Tax Deferral
Savings Plan
Financial Statements
December 31, 2003 and 2002
ABAXIS TAX DEFERRAL
SAVINGS PLAN
Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules
December 31, 2003 and 2002
Table of Contents
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1 | ||||||||
Financial Statements: |
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2 | ||||||||
3 | ||||||||
4 | ||||||||
9 | ||||||||
EXHIBIT 23.1 |
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS REPORT
To the Participants and
Plan Administrator of the
Abaxis Tax Deferral
Savings Plan
We have audited the financial statements of the Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and for the years then ended, as listed in the accompanying table of contents. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plans management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by the Plans management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedules, as listed in the accompanying table of contents, are presented for the purpose of additional analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements but are supplementary information required by the Department of Labors Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedules are the responsibility of the Plans management. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.
MOHLER, NIXON & WILLIAMS
Accountancy Corporation
Campbell, California
May 28, 2004
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ABAXIS TAX DEFERRAL
SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
December 31, | ||||||||
2003 |
2002 |
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Assets: |
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Investments, at fair value |
$ | 3,717,416 | $ | 1,814,011 | ||||
Participant loans |
4,045 | 5,450 | ||||||
Assets held for investment purposes |
3,721,461 | 1,819,461 | ||||||
Employers contribution receivable |
| 25,713 | ||||||
Net assets available for benefits |
$ | 3,721,461 | $ | 1,845,174 | ||||
See notes to financial statements.
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ABAXIS TAX DEFERRAL
SAVINGS PLAN
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
Years ended | ||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||
2003 |
2002 |
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Additions to net assets attributed to: |
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Investment income: |
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Dividends and interest |
$ | 290 | $ | 2,687 | ||||
Net realized and unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) in fair value of investments |
1,497,049 | (389,154 | ) | |||||
1,497,339 | (386,467 | ) | ||||||
Contributions: |
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Participants |
506,932 | 445,329 | ||||||
Employers |
157,225 | 123,431 | ||||||
664,157 | 568,760 | |||||||
Total additions |
2,161,496 | 182,293 | ||||||
Deductions from net assets attributed to: |
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Withdrawals and distributions |
265,334 | 166,212 | ||||||
Administrative expenses |
19,875 | 13,445 | ||||||
Total deductions |
285,209 | 179,657 | ||||||
Net increase in net assets |
1,876,287 | 2,636 | ||||||
Net assets available for benefits: |
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Beginning of year |
1,845,174 | 1,842,538 | ||||||
End of year |
$ | 3,721,461 | $ | 1,845,174 | ||||
See notes to financial statements.
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ABAXIS TAX DEFERRAL
SAVINGS PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2003 AND 2002
NOTE 1 - THE PLAN AND ITS SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General - The following description of the Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan (the Plan) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan document for a more complete description of the Plans provisions.
The Plan is a defined contribution plan containing a cash or deferred arrangement described in Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan was established on December 1, 1990 by Abaxis, Inc. (the Company) to provide benefits to eligible employees, as defined in the Plan document. The Plan is currently designed to be qualified the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), as amended.
Administration - The Company has appointed an Administrative Committee (the Committee) to manage the operation and administration of the Plan. The Company has contracted with a third-party administrator to process and maintain the records of participant data and, effective April 2002, with Security Trust Company (STC) to act as the trustee and custodian of Plan assets (Note 6). Prior to April 2002, the Company had contracted with Charles Schwab to act as the trustee and custodian. Substantially all expenses incurred for administering the Plan are paid by the Plan.
Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Basis of accounting - The financial statements of the Plan are prepared on the accrual method of accounting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Forfeited accounts - Forfeited nonvested accounts will be used to reduce future employer contributions.
Investments - Investments of the Plan are held by STC and invested based solely upon instructions received from participants.
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The Plans investments in mutual funds and the Companys common stock are valued at fair value as of the last day of the Plan year, as measured by quoted market prices. Participant loans are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
Income taxes - The Plan has been amended since receiving a favorable determination letter dated October 22, 2002. The Company believes that the Plan is operated in accordance with, and qualifies under, the applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and related state statutes, and that the trust, which forms a part of the Plan, is exempt from federal income and state franchise taxes.
Risks and uncertainties - The Plan provides for various investment options in any combination of investment securities offered by the Plan. In addition, Company common stock is included in the Plan. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market fluctuations and credit risks. Due to the risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in market values, interest rate or other factors in the near term would materially affect participants account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits and the statements of changes in net assets available for benefits.
NOTE 2 - RELATED PARTY AND PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS
The employers discretionary matching contribution is invested in the Companys common stock. Participants may contribute to the Company common stock fund and may transfer funds from the Company common stock fund to other Plan investment options.
Aggregate investment in Company common stock at December 31, 2003 and 2002 was as follows:
Date |
Number of shares |
Fair value |
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2003 |
77,985 | $ | 1,410,749 | |||||
2002 |
66,293 | $ | 262,520 |
NOTE 3 - PARTICIPATION AND BENEFITS
Participant contributions - Participants may elect to have the Company contribute a percentage of their eligible pre-tax compensation, not to exceed the amount allowable under current income tax regulations. Participants who elect to have the Company contribute a portion of their compensation to the Plan agree to accept an equivalent reduction in taxable compensation. Contributions withheld are invested in accordance with the participants direction.
Participants are also allowed to make rollover contributions of amounts received from other tax-qualified employer-sponsored retirement plans. Such contributions are deposited in the appropriate investment funds in accordance with the participants direction and the Plans provisions.
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Employer contributions - The Company may make discretionary matching contributions and a discretionary profit sharing contribution as defined in the Plan and as approved by the Board of Directors. In 2003 and 2002, the Company matched 50% of each eligible participants contribution up to a maximum of 2.5% of the participants compensation on a quarterly basis. No discretionary profit sharing contribution has been made in 2003 and 2002.
Vesting - Participants are immediately vested in their contributions. Participants are fully vested in the employers matching contributions and discretionary profit sharing contribution allocated to their account after four years and six years of credited service, respectively.
Participant accounts - Each participants account is credited with the participants contribution, Plan earnings or losses and an allocation of the Companys contribution, if any. Allocation of the Companys contribution is based on participant contributions and compensation, as defined in the Plan.
Payment of benefits - Upon termination, the participants or beneficiaries may receive their total benefits in a lump sum amount equal to the value of the participants vested interest in their account. The Plan allows for the automatic lump sum distribution of participant vested account balances that do not exceed $5,000.
Loans to participants - The Plan allows participants to borrow not less than $1,000 and up to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their vested account balance. The loans are secured by the participants vested balance. Such loans bear interest at 2% above the prime rate and must be repaid to the Plan within a five-year period, unless the loan is used for the purchase of a principal residence, in which case it must be repaid within 15 years. The specific terms and conditions of such loans are established by the Committee. Outstanding loans at December 31, 2003 carry an interest rate of 6.75%.
NOTE 4 - NONEXEMPT TRANSACTIONS
Certain contributions of approximately $744 and $83 made by participants in 2003 and 2002, respectively, were not deposited with the Plan custodian on a timely basis. As a consequence of the delay in the deposit of the participants contributions, these contributions are considered, by the United States Department of Labor, as prohibited transactions under ERISA. The Company deposited the contributions with the Plan trustee by January 2004.
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NOTE 5 - INVESTMENTS
The following table presents the fair values of investments and investment funds that include 5% or more of the Plans net assets at December 31:
2003 |
2002 |
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Abaxis, Inc. Common Stock Fund |
$ | 1,410,749 | $ | 262,520 | ||||
Munder Index 500 Fund |
323,892 | 117,418 | ||||||
Metlife Stable Value Fund |
310,267 | 321,346 | ||||||
Strong Government Securities Fund |
288,116 | 250,369 | ||||||
American Funds Growth Fund R4 |
275,636 | |||||||
Davis New York Venture Fund |
267,333 | 97,509 | ||||||
Artisan Mid Cap Fund |
243,703 | |||||||
Weitz Partners Value Fund |
198,459 | 156,003 | ||||||
Janus Mercury Fund |
| 212,218 | ||||||
RS Emerging Growth Fund |
| 191,776 | ||||||
Janus Worldwide Fund |
| 103,748 | ||||||
Other funds individually less than 5%
of net assets |
403,306 | 106,554 | ||||||
Assets held for investment purposes |
$ | 3,721,461 | $ | 1,819,461 | ||||
The Plans investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) in value as follows for the years ended December 31:
2003 |
2002 |
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Common stock |
$ | 1,097,160 | ($ | 88,644 | ) | |||
Mutual funds |
399,889 | (300,510 | ) | |||||
$ | 1,497,049 | ($ | 389,154 | ) | ||||
NOTE 6 - PLAN TERMINATION OR MODIFICATION
The Company intends to continue the Plan indefinitely for the benefit of its participants; however, it reserves the right to terminate or modify the Plan at any time by resolution of its Board of Directors and subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event the Plan is terminated in the future, participants would become fully vested in their accounts.
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NOTE 7 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In January 2004, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company acquired the assets and operations of STC and replaced STC as the custodian of the Plan. Effective February 2004, the Company contracted with Charles Schwab Trust Company to act as Plan custodian and trustee.
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ABAXIS TAX DEFERRAL
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EIN: 77-0213001 | |
SAVINGS PLAN
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PLAN #001 |
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4i - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
DECEMBER 31, 2003
Identity of issue, borrower, | Description of investment including maturity date, | Current | ||||||
lessor or similar party |
rate of interest, collateral, par or maturity value |
value |
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* |
Abaxis, Inc. | Common stock | $ | 1,410,749 | ||||
Munder Index 500 Fund | Mutual fund | 323,892 | ||||||
Metlife Stable Value Fund | Mutual fund | 310,267 | ||||||
Strong Government Securities Fund | Mutual fund | 288,116 | ||||||
American Funds Growth Fund R4 | Mutual fund | 275,636 | ||||||
Davis New York Venture Fund | Mutual fund | 267,333 | ||||||
Artisan Mid Cap Fund | Mutual fund | 243,703 | ||||||
Weitz Partners Value Fund | Mutual fund | 198,459 | ||||||
Drefus Premier Intl Value A Fund | Mutual fund | 180,167 | ||||||
First Eagle So Gen Overseas Fund | Mutual fund | 149,604 | ||||||
Royce Low Priced Stock Fund | Mutual fund | 52,308 | ||||||
Schwab Retirement Money Market Fund | Money Market | 1,588 | ||||||
* |
Cash | Cash | 15,594 | |||||
* |
Participant loans | Interest rate of 6.75% | 4,045 | |||||
Total | $ | 3,721,461 | ||||||
* Party-in-interest
ABAXIS TAX DEFERRAL
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EIN: 77-0213001 | |
SAVINGS PLAN
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PLAN #001 |
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4d - SCHEDULE OF NONEXEMPT TRANSACTIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003
Identity of party involved |
Relationship |
Description |
Amount |
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Abaxis, Inc. |
Plan Sponsor | Late deposits | $ | 744 | ||||||||
SIGNATURES
THE PLAN. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan Administrative Committee has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
ABAXIS TAX DEFERRAL SAVINGS PLAN |
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By: | /s/ Alberto Santa Ines | |||
Date: June 28, 2004 | ||||
Alberto Santa Ines Member of Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan Administrative Committee, as Plan Administrator |
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By: | /s/ Zara Thomas | |||
Zara Thomas | ||||
Member of Abaxis Tax Deferral Savings Plan Administrative Committee, as Plan Administrator |
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