Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

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

v3.5.0.2
Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Nature of Operations
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Basis of Presentation, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Nature of Operations [Text Block]

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 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, 2015, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

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 month 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 "Company,” "we,” "us" or "our" mean Lightbridge Corporation and all entities included in our consolidated financial statements.

The Company was formed on October 6, 2006, when Thorium Power, Ltd. merged with Thorium Power, Inc., (“TPI”), which had been formed in the State of Delaware on January 8, 1992. On September 29, 2009, we changed our name from Thorium Power, Ltd. to Lightbridge Corporation (subsequently referred to as “we” or the “Company”). We are engaged in two operating business segments: our Technology Business Segment and our Consulting Business Segment (see Note 11-Business Segment Results).

Liquidity

We have incurred recurring losses since inception and expect to continue to incur losses as a result of costs and expenses related to our research and continued development of our nuclear fuel and our corporate general and administrative expenses. Our limited capital resources and operations to date have been funded through sales of our equity securities. As of June 30, 2016, we had working capital of approximately $0.4 million, cash and restricted cash of approximately $1.5 million, stockholders’ equity of approximately $1.1 million and an accumulated deficit of approximately $76 million. As of December 31, 2015, we had working capital of approximately $0.1 million, cash and restricted cash of approximately $0.9 million, stockholders’ deficit of approximately $1.5 million and an accumulated deficit of approximately $74 million. On August 2, 2016, we closed on our offering of $2.8 million of our Convertible Series A Preferred Stock (see note 10). We have also entered into an option agreement with Aspire Capital Fund, LLC that will give us an option until December 31, 2019 to enter in two equity line agreements for a combined total of $20 million (see note 13).

In the event that we are unable to generate sufficient cash from our operating activities or raise additional funds, we may be required to delay, reduce or severely curtail our operations or otherwise impede our on-going business efforts, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and long-term prospects. The Company expects to seek to obtain additional funding through future equity issuances. There can be no assurance as to the availability or terms upon which such financing and capital might be available.

Reverse Stock Split

Effective July 20, 2016, we conducted a one for five reverse stock-split of our issued and outstanding common stock and have retroactively adjusted our common shares outstanding, options and warrants amounts outstanding. We have presented our share data for and as of all periods presented on this basis. As a result, the number of common shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2016 decreased from 23,999,386 shares to 4,799,906 shares. The number of common shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 decreased from 18,628,957 shares to 3,725,819 shares. Our authorized capital of 500,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, each with a par value of $0.001, was changed to 100,000,000 shares of common stock authorized and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized with a par value of $0.001. The par value was not adjusted as a result of the one for five reverse stock split.

Technology Business Segment

Our primary business segment, based on future revenue potential, is to develop and commercialize innovative, proprietary nuclear fuel designs which we expect will significantly enhance the nuclear power industry’s economics due to higher power output and improve safety margins.

We are currently focusing our development efforts primarily on the metallic fuel with a power uprate of up to 10% and a 24 -month operating cycle in existing Westinghouse-type four-loop pressurized water reactors. Those reactors represent the largest segment of our global target market. Our metallic fuel could also be adapted for use in other types of water-cooled commercial power reactors, such as boiling water reactors, CANDU heavy water reactors, as well as water-cooled small modular reactors.

On January 12, 2016, we announced entry into an initial services agreement with BWXT Nuclear Energy, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of BWX Technologies, Inc., to evaluate the ability to fabricate and prepare a preliminary plan for fabrication of Lightbridge-designed partial length nuclear fuel samples at BWXT facilities in the United States.

On March 14, 2016, we entered into a joint development agreement (“JD”) with AREVA NP (“AREVA”) to develop a joint business plan to evaluate the technical, economic, and strategic feasibility and desirability of the parties’ forming one or more joint venture companies to further develop, manufacture, and commercialize the Company’s metallic nuclear fuel technology. The JD agreement includes a statement of work whereby the Company is expected to pay a total of approximately $141,000 toward the total cost of work to be performed as part of the Joint Evaluation Project Plan by placing a work release or purchase order with AREVA. The total amount is due and payable by the Company as follows: 40% of the total amount due upon the effective date of the signing of the JD; 30% of the total amount due upon the delivery of an intermediate report by AREVA and the remaining 30% due upon the delivery of the final report to the Company. The initial 40% payment due of approximately $58,000 has been paid to AREVA as of June 30, 2016.

On June 6, 2016 we announced that we received a key patent covering our metallic nuclear fuel rod design in Canada and also received our key patent in China following the notice of allowance publicly disclosed in May 2016.

On July 5, 2016 we announced that we received a Notice of Allowance for a key patent covering our metallic nuclear fuel rod design from the European Patent Office. The patent is expected to be issued during the third quarter of 2016. Lightbridge will seek patent validation in key countries in the EU region, including France, the UK, Sweden, and other key countries that already have a significant amount of nuclear generating capacity.

Consulting Business Segment

Our business model expanded with the establishment of a consulting business segment in 2007, through which we provide consulting and strategic advisory services to companies and governments planning to create or expand electricity generation capabilities using nuclear power plants. On August 1, 2008, we signed separate consulting services agreements with two government entities: Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (“ENEC”) formed by Abu Dhabi, one of the member Emirates of the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”), and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (“FANR”) formed by the government of the UAE. Under these two original agreements, we have provided consulting and strategic advisory services over a contract term of five years starting from June 23, 2008. The FANR contract has been extended to December 31, 2016. The FANR contract can continue to be extended upon agreement by both parties.

Accounting Policies and Recent Pronouncements

Basis of Consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lightbridge, a Nevada corporation, and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, TPI, a Delaware corporation, Lightbridge International Holding LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and our foreign branch offices.

All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. We registered a branch office in the United Kingdom in 2008 called Lightbridge Advisors Limited (inactive) and we also established a branch office in Moscow, Russia, in July 2009, both of which are wholly owned by Lightbridge International Holding LLC at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. These branch offices will be closed in 2016. Translation gains and losses for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 were not significant.

Use of Estimates and Assumptions

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 disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant Estimates

These accompanying consolidated financial statements include some amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments. The most significant estimates relate to valuation of stock grants and stock options, derivative liability for the stock purchase warrants, the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, and various contingent liabilities. It is reasonably possible that these above-mentioned estimates and others may be adjusted as more current information becomes available, and any adjustment could be significant in future reporting periods. It is also reasonably possible that the actual grant date value of the stock options vested might have been materially different than the estimated value.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, note payable and a derivative warrant liability. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received in an asset sale or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between unaffiliated market participants. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized based on whether the inputs are observable in the market and the degree that the inputs are observable. The categorization of financial instruments within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value of the derivative warrant liabilities were determined based on “Level 3” inputs. See Note 9-Warrant Liability for more information on the Level 3 inputs and valuation of the derivative warrant liability and Note 12 – Fair Value Measurements for more information on fair value measurements.

Certain Risks, Uncertainties and Concentrations

We are an early stage company and will likely need additional funding by way of strategic alliances, 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. Currently, we are working on consulting revenue opportunities with the overall goal of increasing our profitability and cash flow.

We participate 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 ability of our technology to safeguard the production of nuclear power and our ability to safeguard our patents and intellectual property from competitors. Due to these 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 currently depend on the results of the Company’s operations outside the United States. 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 regulations, changes in accounting and taxation standards, inability to achieve overall long-term goals, future impairment charges and global or regional catastrophic events. Because the Company is dependent on its international operations for almost all its revenue, the Company may be subject to various additional political, economic, and other uncertainties.

Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are primarily derived from revenues earned from customers located in the Middle East. We perform ongoing evaluations to determine customer credit and we limit the amount of credit we extend, but generally we do not require collateral from our customers. We maintain reserves for estimated credit losses if necessary, however, no reserve has been set up at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, as we expect to collect all of our outstanding receivables. Accounts receivable from two customers constituted approximately 99% and 77% of the total accounts receivable at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Approximately 6% and 22% of the total revenues reported for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were from the ENEC and FANR contracts. Contracts with one other utility customer in the United States constituted approximately 43% and 57% of total revenues reported for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 and contracts with one other customer constituted 50% and 21% for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015. Approximately 63% and 50% of the total accounts payable at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, is a payable to one vendor and approximately 21% of the total accounts payable at June 30, 2016 was from one other vendor.

Revenue Recognition

Consulting Business Segment

At the present time, we derive all of our revenue from our consulting business segment on a time and expense basis as provided, by offering consulting services to governments outside the United States planning to create or expand electricity generation capabilities using nuclear power plants. Our fee structure for each client engagement is dependent on a number of variables, including the size of the client, the complexity, the level of the opportunity for us to improve the client’s electrical generation capabilities using nuclear power plants, and other factors. The accounting policy we use to recognize revenue depends on the terms and conditions of the specific contract.

Revenues from the Executive Affairs Authority (“EAA”) of Abu Dhabi, one of the member Emirates of the UAE, and the related entities, ENEC and FANR, are billed on a time and expense basis.

We recognize revenue in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin or SAB, No. 104, “Revenue Recognition.” We recognize revenue when all of the following conditions are met:

(1)

There is persuasive evidence of an arrangement;

(2)

The service has been provided to the customer;

(3)

The collection of the fees is reasonably assured; and

(4)

The amount of fees to be paid by the customer is fixed or determinable.

Certain customer arrangements require evaluation of the criteria outlined in the accounting standards for reporting revenue “Gross as a Principal Versus Net as an Agent” in determining whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of revenue and related costs, or the net amount earned as agent fees. Generally, when we are primarily obligated in a transaction, revenue is recorded on a gross basis.

Other factors that we consider in determining whether to recognize revenue on a gross versus net basis include our assumption of credit risk, latitude in establishing prices, our determination of service specifications, and our involvement in the provision of services. We have determined, based on the credit risk that we bear for collecting consulting fees, travel costs, and other reimbursable costs from our customers, that in 2016 and 2015 we acted as a principal, and therefore we are recognizing as revenue all travel costs and other reimbursable costs billed to our customers.

Cost of consulting services includes labor, travel expenses, stock-based compensation and other related consulting costs.

Technology Business Segment

Once our nuclear fuel designs have advanced to a commercially usable stage by a fuel fabricator and/or nuclear plant owner/operator, we will seek to license our technology to them or to major government contractors working for the applicable government. We expect that our revenue from these license fees will be recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of the related license term.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

We may at times invest our excess cash in money market mutual funds. We classify 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. We hold cash balances in excess of the federally insured limits of $250,000 with one prominent financial institution. We deem this credit risk not to be significant as our cash is held by a major prominent financial institution. Total cash and cash equivalents held in checking accounts, as reported on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, totaled approximately $1.5 million and $0.6 million at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Restricted cash represents cash being held by the same prominent financial institution that is being used as collateral for our corporate credit cards and letters of credit to secure contingent obligations under the sub-lease and our ACH transactions. The total balance of our restricted cash at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was approximately $0.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Trade Accounts Receivable

We record accounts receivable at the invoiced amount and we do not charge interest. We review the accounts receivable by amounts due from customers which are past due, to identify specific customers with known disputes or collectability issues. In determining the amount of the reserve, we make judgments about the creditworthiness of significant customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. We will also maintain a sales allowance to reserve for potential credits issued to customers. We will determine the amount of the reserve based on historical credits issued.

There was no provision for doubtful accounts or a sales allowance recorded at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, as we have not experienced any bad debts from any of our customers or issued significant credits to customers.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of our international branches is the local currency. We translate the financial statements of these branches to U.S. dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, and average rates of exchange for revenues, costs, and expenses. The translation gains/losses for our branch office in Russia were not significant for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

Patents and Legal Costs

Patents are stated on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at cost. Patent costs consist primarily of legal fees and application costs for filing and pursuing patent applications. The costs of the patents, once placed in service, will be amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives or the remaining legal lives of the patents, whichever is shorter. The amortization periods for our patents can range between 17 and 20 years if placed into service at the beginning of their legal lives. Our patents have not been placed in service for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

Legal costs are expensed as incurred except for legal costs to file for patent protection, which are capitalized and reported as patents on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets of the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the sum of expected undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. The amount of impairment is measured as the difference between the asset’s estimated fair value and its book value. The Company did not consider it necessary to record any impairment charges for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

Research, Development and Related Expenses

These costs from our technology business segment are charged to operations in the period incurred and are shown on a separate line on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Stock Warrants

The Company accounts for stock warrants as either equity instruments or derivative liabilities depending on the specific terms of the warrant agreement. Stock warrants are accounted for as a derivative in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”) if the stock warrants contain terms that could potentially require “net cash settlement” and therefore, do not meet the scope exception for treatment as a derivative. Warrant instruments that could potentially require “net cash settlement” in the absence of express language precluding such settlement are initially classified as derivative liabilities at their estimated fair values, regardless of the likelihood that such instruments will ever be settled in cash. The Company will continue to classify the fair value of the warrants that contain “net cash settlement” as a liability until the warrants are exercised, expire or are amended in a way that would no longer require these warrants to be classified as a liability. For additional discussion of our warrants, see Note 9 - Warrant Liability.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company follows subtopic 450-20 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification to report accounting for contingencies. Certain conditions may exist as of the date the consolidated financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to the Company but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company assesses such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment.

If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability would be accrued in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, and an estimate of the range of possible losses, if determinable and material, would be disclosed.

Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the guarantees would be disclosed. The Company’s legal costs associated with contingent liabilities are recorded to expense as incurred.

Stock-Based Compensation

The stock-based compensation expense incurred by Lightbridge for employees and directors in connection with its equity incentive plan is based on the employee model of ASC 718, and the fair value of the options is measured at the grant date. Under ASC 718 employee is defined as, “An individual over whom the grantor of a share-based compensation award exercises or has the right to exercise sufficient control to establish an employer-employee relationship based on common law as illustrated in case law and currently under U.S. Tax Regulations.” Our advisory board members and consultants do not meet the employer-employee relationship as defined by the IRS and therefore are accounted for under ASC 505-50.

ASC 505-50-30-11 (previously EITF 96-18) further provides that an issuer shall measure the fair value of the equity instruments in these transactions using the stock price and other measurement assumptions as of the earlier of the following dates, referred to as the measurement date:

  i.

The date at which a commitment for performance by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached (a performance commitment); and

     
  ii.

The date at which the counterparty’s performance is complete.

We have elected to use the Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options on the measurement date of the grant. Restricted stock units are measured based on the fair values of the underlying stock on the measurement date of the grant. Shares that are issued to officers on the exercise dates of their stock options may be issued net of the minimum statutory withholding requirements to be paid by us on behalf of our employees. As a result, the actual number of shares issued will be fewer than the actual number of shares exercised under the stock option. We recognize stock-based compensation using the straight-line method over the requisite service period.

Segment Reporting

We use the “management approach” in determining reportable operating segments. The management approach considers the internal organization and reporting used by our chief decision makers for making operating decisions and assessing performance, as the source for determining our reportable segments. We have determined that we have two operating segments as defined by the FASB accounting pronouncement, “ Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”. As discussed above, our two reporting business segments are our technology business and our consulting services business (see Note 11 - Business Segment Results).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Stock Compensation - In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which will simplify the income tax consequences, accounting for forfeitures and classification on the Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows. This standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. This new pronouncement is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Principal versus Agent Considerations - In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Principal versus Agent Considerations” (“ASU 2016-08”). ASU 2016-08 clarifies implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations in ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently assessing the impact ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2016-08 will have on the Company, but it is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Leases – In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 which amends existing lease accounting guidance, and requires recognition of most lease arrangements on the balance sheet. The adoption of this standard will result 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 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of the adoption of this accounting pronouncement to its consolidated financial statements.

Deferred Taxes - During November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes. This ASU requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified on a net basis as non-current in a statement of financial position. Adoption of this ASU did not have an effect on our deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Consolidation — In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis”. This will improve certain areas of consolidation guidance for reporting organizations that are required to evaluate whether to consolidate certain legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures. ASU 2015-02 simplified and improves Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) by: eliminating the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership, eliminating the indefinite deferral of FASB Statement No. 167, thereby reducing the number of Variable Interest Entity (VIE) consolidation models from four to two (including the limited partnership consolidation model), and clarifying when fees paid to a decision maker should be a factor to include in the consolidation of VIEs. ASU 2015-02 will be effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has evaluated the potential impact of the adoption of this guidance on its financial statements and it currently has no impact.

Going Concern — In August 2014, FASB issued guidance that requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The updated accounting guidance will be effective for the Company on December 31, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. The Company will evaluate the going concern considerations in this guidance upon adoption.

Revenue Recognition — In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers that will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, (early adoption is permitted but not sooner than the annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016). The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the revenue recognition provisions in this guidance upon adoption.

The Company does not expect the adoption of any recent accounting pronouncements to have a material impact on its financial statements.