Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Nature of Operations

v3.19.2
Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Nature of Operations
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Nature of Operations  
Note 1. Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Nature of Operations

Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Lightbridge Corporation and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, including a summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies, have been condensed or omitted from these statements pursuant to such rules and regulations and, accordingly, they do not include all the information and notes necessary for comprehensive consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

In the opinion of the management of the Company, all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the three and six-month periods have been made. Results for the interim period presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that might be expected for the entire fiscal year. When used in these notes, the terms “Lightbridge”, "Company,” "we,” "us" or "our" mean Lightbridge Corporation and all entities included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company was formed on October 6, 2006, when Thorium Power, Ltd., which was incorporated in the state of Nevada on February 2, 1999, merged with Thorium Power, Inc., (“TPI”), which was incorporated in the state of Delaware on January 8, 1992. On September 29, 2009, the Company changed its name from Thorium Power, Ltd. to Lightbridge Corporation and began its focus on developing and commercializing metallic nuclear fuels. We are a nuclear fuel technology Company developing and commercializing next generation nuclear fuel technology.

 

Liquidity

 

The Company has adopted Accounting Standards Codification, (“ASC”), 205-40, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. This guidance amended the existing requirements for disclosing information about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and explicitly requires management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related disclosure in certain circumstances. The following information reflects the results of management’s assessment, plans, and conclusion of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

 

At June 30, 2019, the Company had approximately $21.0 million in cash and had a working capital surplus of approximately $21.2 million. The Company believes that its current financial resources, as of the date of the issuance of these financial statements, are sufficient to fund its current 12 month operating budget, alleviating the substantial doubt raised by our historical operating results and satisfying our estimated liquidity needs 12 months from the issuance of these financial statements.

 

The Company has expended substantial funds on its research and development activities to date and currently expects to continue this spending through its equity contributions to its joint venture company, Enfission, LLC. The Company’s net cash used in operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2019 was approximately $2.9 million, and the Company will have continued negative cash flows for the foreseeable future. Net losses incurred for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 amounted toapproximately $6.4 million and $8.2 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2019, the Company has an accumulated deficit of approximately $109.9 million, representative of recurring losses since inception. The Company has incurred recurring losses since inception because it is a development stage nuclear fuel development company. The Company expects to continue to incur losses due to futurecosts and expenses related to the Company’s research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses.

 

The amount of cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet as of the date of this filing is approximately $21 million. The Company also may consider other plans to fund operations including: (1) raising additional capital through equity issuances, debt financings or from other sources; (2) additional funding through new relationships to help fund future research and development costs (e.g., potentialfuture Department of Energy (DOE) funding); and (3) other capital raises. The Company may issue securities, including common stock, preferred stock, and stock purchase contracts through private placement transactions or registered public offerings, pursuant to its registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on March 15, 2018 and declared effective on March 23, 2018. There can be no assurance as to the availability or terms upon which financing and capital might be available. The Company’s future liquidity needs, and ability to address those needs, will largely be determined by the success of the development of its nuclear fuel, key nuclear development and regulatory events and its business decisions in the future.

 

Equity Method Investment – Enfission, LLC - Joint Venture with Framatome Inc.

 

In January 2018, Lightbridge and Framatome Inc., a subsidiary of Framatome SAS (formerly part of AREVA SAS), finalized and launched Enfission, LLC (“Enfission”), a 50-50 joint venture company, to develop, license, and sell nuclear fuel assemblies based on Lightbridge-designed metallic fuel technology and other advanced nuclear fuel intellectual property. Framatome SAS and Framatome Inc. (collectively “Framatome”) is a global leader in designing, building, servicing, and fueling reactor fleet and advancing nuclear energy and is majority owned by Électricité de France, the world’s largest owner and operator of nuclear power plants. Lightbridge and Framatome began joint fuel development and regulatory licensing work under previously signed agreements initiated in March 2016. The joint venture Enfission is a Delaware-based limited liability company that was formed on January 24, 2018.

 

Management has determined that its investment in Enfission should be accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, an investee company’s accounts are not reflected within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of operations; however, the Company’s share of the losses of the investee company is reported in the “Equity in loss from joint venture” line item in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, and the Company’s carrying value in an equity method investee company is reported in the “Investment in joint venture” or “Investee losses in excess of investment” line item in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

The Company allocates income or loss utilizing the hypothetical liquidation book value (“HLBV”) method, based on the change in each JV member’s claim on the net assets of the JV’s operating agreement at period end after adjusting for any distributions or contributions made during such period. The Company uses this method because of the difference between the distribution rights and priorities set forth in the Enfission operating agreement and what is reflected by the underlying percentage ownership interests of the Joint Venture.

 

We evaluate on a quarterly basis, whether our investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting, has an other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”). An OTTI occurs when the estimated fair value of an investment is below the carrying value and the difference is determined not likely to be recoverable. This evaluation requires significant judgment regarding, but not limited to, the severity and duration of the impairment; the ability and intent to hold the security until recovery; financial condition, liquidity, and near-term prospects of the issuer; specific events; and other factors.

 

Basis of Consolidation

 

These condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lightbridge, a Nevada corporation, and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, TPI, a Delaware corporation and Lightbridge International Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. These wholly-owned subsidiaries are inactive. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

As of January 24, 2018, the Company owns a 50% interest in Enfission – accounted for using the equity method of accounting (see Note 3. Investment in Joint Venture / Investee Losses in Excess of Investment). Enfission is deemed to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) under the VIE model of consolidation because it currently does not have sufficient funds to finance its operations and will require significant additional equity or subordinated debt financing. The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of the VIE since it does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s performance.

 

In determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary and whether it has the right to receive benefits or the obligation to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the VIE, the Company evaluates all its economic interests in the entity, regardless of form. This evaluation considers all relevant factors of the entity’s structure including the entity’s capital structure, contractual rights to earnings (losses) as well as other contractual arrangements that have potential to be economically significant. Although the Company has the obligation to absorb the losses as of this reporting period, it has concluded that it is not the primary beneficiary since the major decision making for all significant economic activities require the approval of both the Company and Framatome. The significant economic activities identified were financing activities; research and development activities; licensing activities; manufacturing of fuel assembly product activities; and marketing and sales activities. The evaluation of each of these factors in reaching a conclusion about the potential significance of our economic interests and control is a matter that requires the exercise of professional judgment.

 

Certain Risks, Uncertainties and Concentrations

 

The Company is an early stage company and will need additional funding by way of strategic alliances, government grants, further offerings of equity securities, an offering of debt securities, or a financing through a bank in order to support the remaining research and development activities required to further enhance and complete the development of our fuel products to a commercial stage.

 

The Company participates in a government-regulated industry. Our operating results are affected by a wide variety of factors including decreases in the use or public favor of nuclear power, the need for additional research and development of our metallic fuel, our joint venture operations within Enfission, and our ability to protect our intellectual property. Due to these factors and potentially other factors, we may experience substantial period-to-period fluctuations in our future operating results. Potentially, a loss of a key officer, key management, and other personnel could impair our ability to successfully execute our business strategy, particularly when these individuals have acquired specialized knowledge and skills with respect to nuclear power and our operations.

 

Our future operations and earnings may depend on the results of the Company’s operations outside the United States, including some of its research and development activities. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully continue to conduct such operations, and a failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s research and development activities, financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Also, the success of the Company’s operations will be subject to other numerous contingencies, some of which are beyond management’s control. These contingencies include general and regional economic conditions, competition, changes in government regulations and support for nuclear power, changes in accounting and taxation standards, inability to achieve overall long-term goals, future impairment charges, and global or regional catastrophic events. The Company may be subject to various additional political, economic, and other uncertainties.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company may at times invest its excess cash in savings accounts and US Treasury Bills. It classifies all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of three months or less from date of purchase as cash equivalents and all highly liquid investments with stated maturities of greater than three months as marketable securities. The Company holds cash balances in excess of the federally insured limits of $250,000. It deems this credit risk not to be significant as cash is held by three prominent financial institutions in 2019 and 2018. The Company buys and holds short-term US Treasury Bills from Treasury Direct to maturity. US Treasury Bills totaled approximately $10.0 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The remaining $11.0 million and $14.6 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, are on deposit with three notable financial institutions with substantially all of the $11.0 million and $14.6 million with one financial institution. Total cash and cash equivalents held, as reported on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, totaled approximately $21.0 million and $24.6 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 

Beneficial Conversion Feature of Convertible Preferred Stock

 

The Company accounts for the beneficial conversion feature on its convertible preferred stock in accordance with ASC 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options. The Beneficial Conversion Feature (“BCF”) of convertible preferred stock is normally characterized as the convertible portion or feature that provides a rate of conversion that is below market value or in-the-money when issued. The Company records a BCF related to the issuance of convertible preferred stock when issued. Beneficial conversion features that are contingent upon the occurrence of a future event are recorded when the contingency is resolved.

 

To determine the effective conversion price, the Company first allocates the proceeds received to the convertible preferred stock and then uses those allocated proceeds to determine the effective conversion price. If the convertible instrument is issued in a basket transaction (i.e. issued along with other freestanding financial instruments), the proceeds should first be allocated to the various instruments in the basket. The intrinsic value of the conversion option should be measured using the effective conversion price for the convertible preferred stock on the proceeds allocated to that instrument. The effective conversion price represents proceeds allocable to the convertible preferred stock divided by the number of shares into which it is convertible. The effective conversion price is then compared to the per share fair value of the underlying common shares on the commitment date. The accounting for a BCF requires that the BCF be recognized by allocating the intrinsic value of the conversion option to additional paid-in capital, resulting in a discount on the convertible preferred stock. This discount should be accreted from the date on which the BCF is first recognized through the earliest conversion date for instruments that do not have a stated redemption date. The intrinsic value of the BCF is recognized as a deemed dividend on convertible preferred stock over a period specified in the guidance. In the case of both the Series A and Series B preferred shares, the holders of the shares had the right to convert beginning at the date of issuance with the result that the accretion of the related BCF was recognized immediately at issuance.

 

When the Company’s preferred stock has dividends that are paid-in-kind (“PIK”) (i.e. the holder is paid in additional shares or liquidation/dividend rights), and either (1) neither the Company nor the holder has the option for the dividend to be paid in cash, or (2) the PIK amounts do not accrue to the holder if the instrument is converted prior to the PIK amount otherwise being accrued or due, additional BCF is recognized as dividends accrue to the extent that the per share fair value of the underlying common shares at the commitment date exceeds the conversion price.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

Compensation Stock Compensation — In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2018-07 allows companies to account for nonemployee awards in the same manner as employee awards. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company elected the early adoption of this ASU on July 1, 2018. The adoption of ASU 2018-07 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Leases — In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 amends existing lease accounting guidance and requires recognition of most lease arrangements on the balance sheet. The adoption of this standard did notresult in the Company recognizing a right-of-use asset representing its rights to use the underlying asset for the lease term with an offsetting lease liability. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard does not currently have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements —This ASU represents changes in various Subtopics to clarify, correct errors, or make minor improvements. The amendments are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice. Subtopics impacted by this ASU that are relevant to the Company include Subtopic 220-10 Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income-Overall, Subtopic 718-740 Compensation — Stock Compensation-Income Taxes, Subtopic 805-740 Business Combinations — Income Taxes, and Subtopic 820-10 Fair Value Measurement-Overall. Many of the amendments within this ASU do not require transition and are effective upon issuance. However, some are not effective until fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments within this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements or the related footnote disclosures.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – To Be Adopted

 

Intangibles, Goodwill and Other — In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, ASU 2017-04 eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, ASU 2017-04 requires an entity to perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 also eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, the same impairment assessment applies to all reporting units. An entity is required to disclose the amount of goodwill allocated to each reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount of net assets. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt ASU 2017-04 commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company does not believe this standard will have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements or the related footnote disclosures.

 

ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure FrameworkChanges to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement — This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, including the removal, modification to, and addition of certain disclosure requirements. This ASU will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. The majority of the disclosure changes are to be applied on a prospective basis. This ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company’s fair value disclosures and no future impact is expected to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company does not believe that other standards, which have been issued but are not yet effective, will have a significant impact on its financial statements.