This report contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "except," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither the Company, nor any other person, assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to conform such statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company which attempt to advise interested parties of the factors which affect our business, including without limitation the disclosures made under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," under the caption "Risk Factors," and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2022 and other reports and filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.





Critical Accounting Policies

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventory reserves, earn-out liabilities, and contingencies on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be appropriate 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.





Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined using the weighted average cost method of accounting. Certain items in inventory may be considered obsolete or excess and, as such, we periodically review our inventories for excess and slow moving items and make provisions as necessary to properly reflect inventory value. Because inventories have, during the past few years, represented up to one-fourth of our total assets, any reduction in the value of our inventories would require us to take write-offs that would affect our net worth and future earnings.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon our assessment of various factors. We consider historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balance, credit quality of our customers, current economic conditions and other factors that may affect a customer's ability to pay.

Long-Lived Assets Including Goodwill

We assess property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, which are considered definite-lived assets, for impairment. Definite-lived assets are reviewed when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We measure recoverability of these assets by comparing the carrying amounts to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If property and equipment and intangible assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair market value.

We amortize our intangible assets with definite useful lives over their estimated useful lives and review these assets for impairment.

We test our goodwill and trademarks and indefinite-lived assets for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate these assets may be impaired. These events or circumstances require significant judgment and could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition and sale or disposition of all or a portion of a division. This analysis requires significant judgments, including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of growth for our business, estimation of the useful life over which cash flows will occur, and determination of our weighted average cost of capital.


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Income Taxes

We record a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates as of the date of the financial statements that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets are expected to be realized or settled. We record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is believed more likely than not to be realized.

The calculation of the tax provision involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of GAAP and complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with management's expectations could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results.





Stock-based Compensation

We use the Black-Scholes model to value the stock option grants. This valuation is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of inputs which involve significant judgments and estimates. These inputs include the expected term of employee stock options, the expected volatility of the stock price, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends.





Overview

RF Industries, Ltd. (together with subsidiaries, the "Company", "we", "us", or "our") is a national manufacturer and marketer of interconnect products and systems, including high-performance components such as RF connectors and adapters, dividers, directional couplers and filters, coaxial cables, data cables, wire harnesses, fiber optic cables, custom cabling, energy-efficient cooling systems and integrated small cell enclosures. Through our manufacturing and production facilities, we provide a wide selection of interconnect products and solutions primarily to telecommunications carriers and equipment manufacturers, wireless and network infrastructure carriers and manufacturers and to various original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") in several market segments. We also design, engineer, manufacture and sell energy-efficient cooling systems and integrated small cell solutions and related components.

We operate through two reporting segments: (i) the RF Connector and Cable Assembly ("RF Connector") segment, and (ii) the Custom Cabling Manufacturing and Assembly ("Custom Cabling") segment. The RF Connector segment primarily designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a broad range of RF connector, adapter, coupler, divider, and cable products, including coaxial passives and cable assemblies that are used in telecommunications and information technology, OEM markets and other end markets. The Custom Cabling segment designs, manufactures, markets and distributes custom copper and fiber cable assemblies, complex hybrid fiber optic and power solution cables, electromechanical wiring harnesses, wiring harnesses for a broad range of applications in a diverse set of end markets, energy-efficient cooling systems for wireless base stations and remote equipment shelters and custom designed, pole-ready 4G and 5G small cell integrated enclosures.

For the three months ended January 31, 2023, approximately half of our revenues were generated from the Custom Cabling segment from the sale of fiber optics cable, copper cabling, custom patch cord assemblies, and wiring harnesses, which collectively accounted for 51% of the Company's total sales. Revenues from the RF Connector segment were generated from the sales of RF connector products and cable assemblies and accounted for 49% of total sales for the three months ended January 31, 2023. The RF Connector segment mostly sells standardized products regularly used by customers and, therefore, has a more stable revenue stream. On the other hand, the Custom Cabling segment mostly designs, manufactures, and sells customized cabling and wireless-related equipment under larger purchase orders. Accordingly, the Custom Cabling segment is more dependent upon larger orders, and its revenues are therefore, more volatile than the revenues of the RF Connector segment.

We recently moved into new corporate headquarters located at 16868 Via Del Campo Court, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92127. Our phone number remains (858) 549-6340.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, we have been able to fund our liquidity and other capital requirements from funds we generated from operations. On March 1, 2022, we acquired Microlab. In connection with the purchase of Microlab, we entered into the Credit Facility and borrowed the full $17 million amount available under the Term Loan. As of the date of this report, we have not borrowed any amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility. We believe that our existing assets and the cash we expect to generate from operations (including those of Microlab) and from our current backlog of unfulfilled orders, will be sufficient to fund our liquidity needs during the next 12 months from the date of this filing based on the following:

As of January 31, 2023, we had a total of $3.8 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to a total of $4.5 million of cash and cash equivalents as of October 31, 2022. As of January 31, 2023, we had working capital of $25.1 million and a current ratio of approximately 2.5:1 with current assets of $41.8 million and current liabilities of $16.7 million. On March 1, 2022, we used $7.3 million of our cash to fund a portion of the purchase price paid to acquire Microlab. Nevertheless, we believe that the amount of cash remaining, plus the amount available to us under the Revolving Credit Facility, will be sufficient to fund our anticipated liquidity needs.


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As of January 31, 2023, we had $24.5 million of backlog, compared to $27.8 million as of October 31, 2022. The decrease in backlog relates primarily to shipments made against orders for our hybrid fiber cables. Since purchase orders are submitted from customers based on the timing of their requirements, our ability to predict orders in future periods or trends in future periods is limited. Furthermore, purchase orders may be subject to cancellation from customers, although we have not historically experienced material cancellations of purchase orders.

In the three months ended January 31, 2023, we generated $0.9 million of cash in our operating activities. This net inflow of cash is primarily related to an increase in other current assets of $2.7 million, the increase in deferred revenue of $1.1 million, the collections of accounts receivable of $0.8 million, $0.5 million from depreciation and amortization, and $0.2 million from stock-based compensation expense. The cash usage was primarily due to accrued expenses of $3.2 million, payments made to our accounts payable $0.8 million and our net loss of $1.2 million. The cash generated by other current assets represents $2.7 million which primarily consists of $1.5 million of reimbursement for tenant improvements and $1.2 million received from ERC.

During the three months ended January 31, 2023, we also spent $1.1 million on capital expenditures, and $0.6 million in Term Loan payments. The cash used in operating activities and the amounts spent on capital expenditures were partially offset by $0.1 million of proceeds that we received from the exercise of stock options.

Our goal to expand and grow our business both organically and through acquisitions may require material additional capital equipment. In the past, we have purchased all additional equipment, or financed some of our equipment and furnishings requirements through capital leases. At this time, we have not identified any additional capital equipment purchases that would require significant additional leasing or capital expenditures during the next 12 months. We also believe that based on our current financial condition, our current backlog of unfulfilled orders and our anticipated future operations, we would be able to finance our expansion, if necessary.

From time to time, we may undertake acquisitions of other companies or product lines in order to diversify our product and solutions offerings and customer base. Conversely, we may undertake the disposition of a division or product line due to changes in our business strategy or market conditions. Acquisitions may require the outlay of cash, which may reduce our liquidity and capital resources while dispositions may increase our cash position, liquidity and capital resources. Since our goal is to continue to expand our operations and accelerate our growth through future acquisitions, we may use some of our current capital resources to fund any acquisitions we may undertake in the future.





Results of Operations

Three Months Ended January 31, 2023 vs. Three Months Ended January 31, 2022

Net sales for the three months ended January 31, 2023 (the "fiscal 2023 quarter") increased by 8.4%, or $1.4 million, to $18.3 million as compared to the three months ended January 31, 2022 (the "fiscal 2022 quarter"). Net sales for the fiscal 2023 quarter at the Custom Cabling segment decreased by $3.7 million, or 28.5%, to $9.3 million, compared to $13.0 million in the fiscal 2022 quarter. The decrease was primarily the result of decreases in sales to customers in the Tier-1 wireless carrier ecosystem related to our small cell products and systems and our hybrid fiber cables compared to the prior year first quarter. Net sales for the fiscal 2023 quarter at the RF Connector segment increased by $5.2 million, or 130.9%, to $9.1 million as compared to $3.9 million in the fiscal 2022 quarter, primarily due to the addition of Microlab which accounted for $5.1 million in sales.

Gross profit for the fiscal 2023 quarter increased by $1.0 million to $5.1 million due to the increase in net sales, and gross margins increased to 27.7% of sales compared to 24.1% of sales in the fiscal 2022 quarter. This is primarily driven by the addition of Microlab.

Engineering expenses increased by $0.5 million to $1.0 million in the fiscal 2023 quarter compared to $0.5 million in the fiscal 2022 quarter primarily due to the addition of Microlab which accounted for $0.3 million of the increase. We also incurred additional engineering expenses during the quarter related to the engineering efforts associated with our integrated systems products. Engineering expenses represent costs incurred relating to the ongoing research and development of current and new products.

Selling and general expenses increased by $1.3 million to $5.3 million (28.9% of sales) compared to $4.0 million (23.6% of sales) in the first quarter last year primarily due to Microlab expenses of $1.3 million. We also incurred a one-time expense related to severance of $50,000 and additional rent expense of $444,000 (of which $387,000 was non-cash) related to lease accounting in the fiscal 2023 quarter.

For the fiscal 2023 quarter, the Custom Cabling segment had a pretax loss of $921,000 while the RF Connector segment had pretax income of $246,000, as compared to $314,000 income and $56,000 of income, respectively, for the comparable first quarter last year. The increase in the pretax net income at the RF Connector segment was primarily due to the acquisition of Microlab. The decrease in pretax income at the Custom Cabling segment was due primarily to the decrease in sales of hybrid fiber cables to a tier-1 wireless customer and a decrease in sales of small cell products and systems to customers in the Tier-1 wireless ecosystem.





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The benefit for income taxes was 12% and 22% of loss before income taxes for the fiscal 2023 quarter and the fiscal 2022 quarter, respectively. The change in the effective tax rate from the fiscal 2022 quarter to fiscal 2023 quarter was primarily driven by the disproportionate impact of various permanent book-tax differences with respect to our forecasted book income or loss in each period.

For the fiscal 2023 quarter, net loss was $1.2 million and fully diluted loss per share was $0.11 per share, compared to a net loss of $277,000 and fully diluted loss per share of $0.03 per share for the fiscal 2022 quarter. For the fiscal 2023 quarter, the diluted weighted average shares outstanding was 10,222,540 as compared to 10,067,186 for the fiscal 2022 quarter.

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