Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) contains information intended to help provide an understanding of our financial condition and other related matters, including our liquidity, capital resources and results of operations. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
The following MD&A generally focuses on the operating results and year-over-year comparisons between fiscal years 2025 and 2024. Discussion of fiscal year 2024 results and year-over-year comparisons between fiscal years 2024 and 2023 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on January 10, 2025.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Hurco Companies, Inc. is an international, industrial technology company operating in a single segment. We design, manufacture, and sell computerized (i.e., CNC) machine tools, consisting primarily of vertical machining centers (mills) and turning centers (lathes), to companies in the metal cutting industry through a worldwide sales, service, and distribution network. Although most of our computer control systems and software products are proprietary, they predominantly use industry standard personal computer components. Our computer control systems and software products are primarily sold as integral components of our computerized machine tool products. We also provide machine tool components, automation integration equipment and solutions for job shops, software options, control upgrades, accessories, and replacement parts for our products, as well as customer service, training, and applications support.
The following overview is intended to provide a brief explanation of the principal factors that have contributed to our recent financial performance. This overview is intended to be read in conjunction with the more detailed information included in our financial statements, and notes thereto, that appear elsewhere in this report.
34
The market for machine tools is international in scope. We have both significant foreign sales and significant foreign manufacturing operations. During fiscal year 2025, approximately 51% of our revenues were attributable to customers in Europe, where we typically sell more of our higher-performance, higher-priced VMX series machines. Additionally, approximately 11% of our revenues were attributable to customers in the Asia Pacific region, where we encounter greater pricing pressures.
During a time of global uncertainty and lower sales volumes experienced recently, we have turned our attention to adjusting overhead expenses and operating expenses to help minimize the impact of the lower volumes of sales on operating income. We implemented cost reductions in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, adjusted and managed inventories (excluding the impact of foreign currency) and suspended our regular quarterly cash dividend . We used that cashflow to manage our capital allocation strategies to continue investing in new technologies, product development, and necessary capital expenditures to maximize cashflows without incurring any significant indebtedness as we continue to seek new acquisitions and other growth opportunities. The cyclicality of our business requires that we exercise discipline in managing through unexpected changes in the markets and industries in which we operate. We believe that our long history of profitability and the strength of our balance sheet can provide us with stability to manage through these business cycles and we rely on our past experience in making measured decisions for the long-term success of our business.
We have three CNC machine tool brands in our product portfolio. Hurco is the technology innovation brand for customers who want to increase productivity and profitability by selecting a brand with the latest software and motion technology. Milltronics is the value-based brand for shops that want easy-to-use machines at competitive prices. The Takumi brand is for customers that need very high speed, high efficiency performance, such as that required in the production, die and mold, aerospace, and medical industries. Takumi machines are equipped with industry standard controls instead of the proprietary controls found on Hurco and Milltronics machines. These three brands of CNC machine tools are responsible for the vast majority of our revenue. However, we have added other non-Hurco branded products to our product portfolio that have contributed product diversity and market penetration opportunity. These non-Hurco branded products are sold by our wholly-owned distributors and are comprised primarily of other general-purpose vertical milling centers and lathes, laser cutting machines, CNC grinders, compact horizontal machines, metal cutting saws, and CNC Swiss lathes. ProCobots is our wholly-owned subsidiary that provides automation solutions. In addition, through our wholly-owned subsidiary in Italy, LCM Precision Technologies S.r.l. (“LCM”), we produce high value machine tool components and accessories.
We principally sell our products through approximately 160 independent agents and distributors throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Although some distributors carry competitive products, we are the primary line for the majority of our distributors globally. We also have our own direct sales and service organizations in China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and certain parts of the United States , which are among the world's principal machine tool consuming markets. The vast majority of our machine tools are manufactured and assembled to our specifications primarily by our wholly-owned subsidiary in Taiwan, HML. Components to support our SRT line of five-axis machining centers, such as the direct-drive spindle, swivel head, and rotary table, are manufactured by our wholly-owned subsidiary in Italy, LCM.
35
Our sales to foreign customers are denominated, and payments by those customers are made, in the prevailing currencies in the countries in which those customers are located (primarily the Euro, Pound Sterling, and Chinese Yuan). Our product costs are incurred and paid primarily in the New Taiwan Dollar and the U.S. dollar. Changes in currency exchange rates may have a material effect on our operating results and consolidated financial statements as reported under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. For example, when the U.S. dollar weakens in value relative to a foreign currency, sales made, and expenses incurred, in that currency when translated to U.S. dollars for reporting in our financial statements, are higher than would be the case when the U.S. dollar is stronger. In the comparison of our period-to-period results, we discuss the effect of currency translation on those results, which reflect translation to U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing during the period covered by those financial statements.
Our high levels of foreign manufacturing and sales also expose us to cash flow risks due to fluctuating currency exchange rates. We seek to mitigate those risks through the use of derivative instruments – principally foreign currency forward exchange contracts.
Results of Operations
The following table presents, for the fiscal years indicated, selected items from the Consolidated Statements of Operations expressed as a percentage of our worldwide sales and service fees and the year-to-year percentage changes in the dollar amounts of those items.
Percentage of Revenues
Year-to-Year % Change
2025
2024
2023
Increase/Decrease
’25 vs. ’24
’24 vs. ’23
Sales and service fees
100
%
100
%
100
%
(4)
%
(18)
%
Gross profit
18
%
20
%
25
%
(13)
%
(33)
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
24
%
25
%
22
%
(6)
%
(7)
%
Operating income (loss)
(6)
%
(4)
%
3
%
24
%
(225)
%
Net income (loss)
(8)
%
(9)
%
2
%
(9)
%
(478)
%
Fiscal Year 2025 Compared to Fiscal Year 2024
Sales and Service Fees. Sales and service fees for fiscal year 2025 were $178.6 million, a decrease of $8.0 million, or 4%, compared to fiscal year 2024, and included a favorable currency impact of $2.0 million, or 1%, when translating foreign sales to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes.
Net Sales and Service Fees by Geographic Region
The following table sets forth net sales and service fees by geographic region for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2025 and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
Fiscal Year Ended October 31,
Increase/Decrease
2025
2024
Amount
%
Americas
$
68,604
38
%
$
72,317
39
%
$
(3,713)
(5)
%
Europe
90,863
51
%
94,919
51
%
(4,056)
(4)
%
Asia Pacific
19,087
11
%
19,348
10
%
(261)
(1)
%
Total
$
178,554
100
%
$
186,584
100
%
$
(8,030)
(4)
%
36
Sales in the Americas for fiscal year 2025 decreased by 5%, compared to fiscal year 2024, primarily due to a change in mix of machine model shipments in the fourth quarter. The decrease in sales was attributable to decreased shipments of Hurco 5-axis vertical machines and entry-level Hurco and Milltronics 3-axis machines, partially offset by increased sales of higher-performance Hurco 3-axis vertical machines and multi-axis lathes. Even though the mix of machine model shipments in fiscal year 2025 produced lower sales in dollars compared to the prior year, the overall volume of machine shipments in the Americas increased from fiscal 2024 to fiscal 2025.
European sales for fiscal year 2025 decreased by 4%, compared to fiscal year 2024, and included a favorable currency impact of 2%, when translating foreign sales to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. The year-over-year decrease in European sales was primarily attributable to a decreased volume of shipments of Hurco 5-axis vertical machines and entry-level Hurco 3-axis machines in Germany and France, and of electro-mechanical components and accessories manufactured by LCM, partially offset by an increased volume of shipments of Hurco machines in the United Kingdom.
Asian Pacific sales for fiscal year 2025 decreased by 1%, compared to fiscal year 2024, and included an unfavorable currency impact of less than 1%, when translating foreign sales to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. The decrease in Asian Pacific sales in fiscal year 2025 was primarily due to a decrease in sales of Hurco machines in India and China, partially offset by increased sales of Takumi machines in the Asian Pacific region.
Net Sales and Service Fees by Product Category
The following table sets forth net sales and service fees by product group and services for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2025 and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
Fiscal Year Ended October 31,
Increase/Decrease
2025
2024
Amount
%
Computerized Machine Tools
$
142,259
80
%
$
147,561
79
%
$
(5,302)
(4)
%
Computer Control Systems and Software †
2,416
1
%
2,447
1
%
(31)
(1)
%
Service Parts
25,095
14
%
27,628
15
%
(2,533)
(9)
%
Service Fees
8,784
5
%
8,948
5
%
(164)
(2)
%
Total
$
178,554
100
%
$
186,584
100
%
$
(8,030)
(4)
%
† Amounts shown do not include computer control systems and software sold as an integrated component of computerized machine tools.
Sales of computerized machine tools for fiscal year 2025 decreased by 4%, compared to fiscal year 2024, primarily due to a lower sales volume of higher-performance 5-axis machines in the Americas, France, India and Germany, and of electro-mechanical components and accessories manufactured by LCM, partially offset by an increased volume of shipments of Hurco machines in the United Kingdom and increased sales of Takumi machines in Asia Pacific . Sales of computer control systems and software for fiscal year 2025 decreased by 1%, compared to fiscal year 2024. Sales of service parts for fiscal year 2025 decreased by 9%, compared to fiscal year 2024, due mainly to a decreased volume of aftermarket sales of Hurco and Takumi parts in Europe and North America. Service fees decreased by 2% for fiscal year 2025, compared to fiscal year 2024, primarily due to decreased service of Hurco machines in the United Kingdom, France and North America, partially offset by increased service of Hurco and Takumi machines in Germany. During fiscal year 2025, sales for all product categories included a favorable currency impact of 1%, when translating foreign sales to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes.
37
Orders and Backlog . Orders for fiscal year 2025 were $171.3 million, a decrease of $27.0 million, or 14%, compared to fiscal year 2024, and included a favorable currency impact of $1.8 million, or less than 1%, when translating foreign orders to U.S. dollars. The following table sets forth new orders booked by geographic region for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2025, and 2024 (dollars in thousands):
Fiscal Year Ended October 31,
Increase/Decrease
2025
2024
Amount
%
Americas
$
69,148
40
%
$
76,711
39
%
$
(7,563)
(10)
%
Europe
81,569
48
%
99,633
50
%
(18,064)
(18)
%
Asia Pacific
20,573
12
%
21,958
11
%
(1,385)
(6)
%
Total
$
171,290
100
%
$
198,302
100
%
$
(27,012)
(14)
%
Orders in the Americas for fiscal year 2025 decreased by 10%, compared to fiscal year 2024. The decrease in orders was primarily due to a shift in customer demand from Hurco 5-axis vertical machines, Milltronics toolroom and 3-axis vertical machines, and non-Hurco branded machine tools sold by one of our wholly owned distributors to a higher volume of Hurco lathes and entry-level and higher-performance Hurco 3-axis vertical machines.
European orders for fiscal year 2025 decreased by 18%, compared to fiscal year 2024, and included a favorable currency impact of 2%, when translating foreign orders to U.S. dollars. The year-over-year decrease in orders was driven primarily by decreased customer demand for Hurco and Takumi machines in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, as well as decreased demand for electro-mechanical components and accessories manufactured by LCM.
Asian Pacific orders for fiscal year 2025 decreased by 6%, compared to fiscal year 2024, and included an unfavorable currency impact of less than 1% when translating foreign orders to U.S. dollars. The decrease in Asian Pacific orders was driven primarily by decreased customer demand for Hurco machines in China and India.
Backlog as of October 31, 2025 decreased to $34.3 million from $40.8 million as of October 31, 2024, primarily due to decreased customer demand for Hurco machines in the United Kingdom, as well as decreased demand for electro-mechanical components and accessories manufactured by LCM. We do not believe backlog is a useful measure of past performance or indicative of future performance. Backlog orders as of October 31, 2025 are expected to be fulfilled in fiscal year 2026.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for fiscal year 2025 was $33.0 million, or 18% of sales, compared to $37.7 million, or 20% of sales, for fiscal year 2024. The year-over-year decreases in both gross profit dollars and as a percentage of sales were primarily due to the lower overall sales volume of vertical milling machines and the change in mix and volume from higher-performance 5-axis machines to 3-axis machines in the Americas and Europe. Additionally, gross profit was negatively impacted by an increase in cost of goods sold as a result of tariffs on goods imported into the U.S. implemented in the second half of fiscal year 2025. The decrease in overall sales dollars and the increase in tariffs negatively impacted gross profit in dollars and percentage of sales, reducing the leverage of fixed costs, in comparison to fiscal year 2024.
38
Operating Expenses. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for fiscal year 2025 were $43.2 million, or 24% of sales, compared to $46.0 million, or 25% of sales, in fiscal year 2024, and included an unfavorable currency impact of $0.4 million, when translating foreign expenses to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. The year-over-year reduction in selling, general, and administrative expenses was primarily due to decreased tradeshow costs due to IMTS being in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 and additional global cost reductions that we have implemented over the last twelve months during the continued recessed period of sales.
Operating (Loss) Income. Operating loss for fiscal year 2025 was $10.3 million, or 6% of sales, compared to operating loss of $8.3 million, or 4% of sales, for fiscal year 2024. The year-over-year increase in operating loss was primarily due to lower overall sales volume of vertical milling machines and the change in mix and volume from higher-performance 5-axis machines to 3-axis machines in the Americas and Europe. Additionally, operating loss was negatively impacted by increased costs related to tariffs implemented in the second half of fiscal year 2025.
Other Expense, Net. Other expense, net for fiscal year 2025 increased by $0.5 million from fiscal year 2024, due mainly to an increase in foreign currency exchange losses.
Income Taxes . Income taxes expense for fiscal year 2025 was $2.9 million, compared to $6.8 million for fiscal year 2024. The year-over-year decrease in annual income tax expense was primarily due to an $8.4 million non-cash change in valuation allowance recorded in fiscal year 2024 on U.S. and China deferred tax assets, compared to a $4.8 million non-cash change in valuation allowance recorded in fiscal year 2025 on U.S., China, and certain Italian deferred tax assets. Additionally, income taxes were also impacted by a change in geographic mix of income and loss that includes jurisdictions with differing tax rates and discrete items related to unvested stock compensation. We have a $13.2 million full valuation allowance recorded against our U.S., Chinese and certain Italian deferred tax assets and we did not record a tax benefit for our net losses in these countries.
Net (Loss) Income. Net loss for fiscal year 2025 was $15.1 million, or $2.34 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $16.6 million, or $2.56 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2024. The year-over-year decrease in net loss was primarily due to a lower valuation allowance recorded against our U.S. deferred tax assets.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of October 31, 2025, we had cash and cash equivalents of $48.7 million, compared to $33.3 million as of October 31, 2024. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily a result of net cash provided by the reductions in inventories and accounts receivable . Approximately 21% of our $48.7 million of cash and cash equivalents is held in the U.S. The balance is attributable to our foreign operations and is held in the local currencies of our various foreign entities, subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. We do not believe that the indefinite reinvestment of these funds offshore impairs our ability to meet our domestic working capital needs.
Working capital as of October 31, 2025, was $173.1 million, compared to $180.8 million as of October 31, 2024. The decrease in working capital was primarily driven by decreases in inventories and accounts receivable, net, as well as increases in accounts payable and derivative liabilities, partially offset by an increase in cash and cash equivalents.
39
Inventories were $142.9 million as of October 31, 2025, compared to $153.0 million as of October 31, 2024, and included a favorable currency impact of $4.2 million, or 3%, when translating foreign inventories to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. Inventory turns as of October 31, 2025, remained the same at October 31, 2024 at 1.0.
Capital expenditures were $3.0 million in fiscal year 2025, compared to $2.9 million in fiscal year 2024. Capital expenditures for fiscal year 2025 were primarily for software development costs, purchases of factory equipment for production facilities, building and leasehold improvements, and purchases of general software and equipment for sales and service divisions. We funded these expenditures with cash flows from operations.
On January 6, 2023, we announced approval of a share repurchase program in an aggregate amount of up to $25.0 million and later extended this program through November 10, 2026. Repurchases under the program may be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions from time to time, subject to applicable laws, regulations and contractual provisions. During fiscal 2025, we repurchased $2.0 million, or 104,472 common shares, under this program. As of October 31, 2025, we had repurchased $5.3 million, or 259,620 common shares, under this program since inception, leaving $19.7 million available for future repurchases thereunder.
On June 14, 2024, we announced a suspension of our regular quarterly cash dividend as we seek to enhance our financial flexibility and improve our ability to manage market volatility while focusing on strengthening our balance sheet, reinvesting in our core business and research and development related to emerging technologies, and returning value to shareholders via the appropriate channels in both the near and long-term. Future dividends are subject to approval of our Board of Directors and will depend upon many factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, capital requirements, regulatory and contractual restrictions, our business strategy, and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors from time to time.
On December 31, 2018, we and our subsidiary Hurco B.V. entered into a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as the lender, which was subsequently amended on each of March 13, 2020, December 23, 2020, December 17, 2021, January 4, 2023, and December 19, 2023 (as amended, the “2018 Credit Agreement”). The 2018 Credit Agreement provided for an unsecured revolving credit and letter of credit facility in a maximum aggregate amount of $40.0 million. The 2018 Credit Agreement provided that the maximum amount of outstanding letters of credit at any one time could not exceed $10.0 million, the maximum amount of outstanding loans made to our subsidiary Hurco B.V. at any one time could not exceed $20.0 million, and the maximum amount of all outstanding loans denominated in alternative currencies at any one time could not exceed $20.0 million. The scheduled maturity date of the 2018 Credit Agreement was December 31, 2025, and on that date, the 2018 Credit Agreement terminated in accordance with its terms.
In March 2019, our wholly-owned subsidiaries in Taiwan, HML, and China, NHML, closed on uncommitted revolving credit facilities with maximum aggregate amounts of 150 million New Taiwan Dollars and 32.5 million Chinese Yuan, respectively. As uncommitted facilities, both the Taiwan and China credit facilities were subject to review and termination by the respective underlying lending institution from time to time. In February and December 2023, NHML and HML, respectively, renewed the above-referenced credit facilities on substantially similar terms and identical maximum aggregate limits.
40
As of October 31, 2025, our credit facilities consisted of a €1.5 million revolving credit facility in Germany, the 150 million New Taiwan Dollars Taiwan credit facility, the 32.5 million Chinese Yuan China credit facility and the $40.0 million revolving credit facility under the 2018 Credit Agreement. On December 31, 2025, the 150 million New Taiwan Dollars Taiwan credit facility, the 32.5 million Chinese Yuan China credit facility and the $40.0 million revolving credit facility under the 2018 Credit Agreement terminated in accordance with their terms.
We had no debt or borrowings outstanding under any of our credit facilities as of October 31, 2025, or December 31, 2025. As of October 31, 2025, we had an aggregate of approximately $51.2 million available for borrowing under our credit facilities and were in compliance with all covenants relating thereto.
On January 5, 2026, we entered into a credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as the lender (the “2026 Credit Agreement”). The 2026 Credit Agreement provides for a secured revolving credit and letter of credit facility in a maximum aggregate amount of $20.0 million. The 2026 Credit Agreement provides that the maximum amount of outstanding letters of credit at any one time may not exceed $10.0 million and the maximum amount of all outstanding loans denominated in alternative currencies at any one time may not exceed $20.0 million. Under the 2026 Credit Agreement, we are the borrower, and certain of our subsidiaries are guarantors. Our obligations under the 2026 Credit Agreement are secured by a security interest in substantially all of our personal property and substantially all of the personal property of each subsidiary guarantor. The scheduled maturity date of the 2026 Credit Agreement is December 31, 2026.
Borrowings under the 2026 Credit Agreement bear interest at floating rates based on, at our option, either (i) a rate based upon the SOFR, the Sterling Overnight Index Average Reference Rate, the Euro Interbank Offering Rate, or another alternative currency-based rate approved by the lender, depending on the term of the loan and the currency in which such loan is denominated, plus 2.50% per annum, or (ii) a base rate (which is the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the prime rate or (c) the one month SOFR-based rate plus 1.00%), plus 1.50% per annum. Outstanding letters of credit will carry an annual rate of 2.50%.
The 2026 Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default, including covenants (1) restricting us from making certain investments, loans, advances and acquisitions (but permitting us to make investments in subsidiaries of up to $10.0 million); (2) restricting us from making certain payments, including (a) cash dividends, except that we may pay cash dividends as long as immediately before and after giving effect to such payment, the sum of the unused amount of the commitments under the 2026 Credit Agreement plus our cash on hand is not less than $10.0 million, we are in pro forma compliance with the maximum consolidated leverage ratio covenant as described below, and we are not in default before and after giving effect to such dividend payments and (b) payments made to repurchase shares of our common stock, except that we may repurchase shares of our common stock as long as we are not in default before and after giving effect to such repurchases and the aggregate amount of payments made by us for all such repurchases during any fiscal year does not exceed $10.0 million; and (3) requiring that we maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio of total debt to EBITDA no greater than 2.00 to 1.00, with EBITDA defined as the greater of (i) consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed measurement period and (ii) $1.00. We may use the proceeds from advances under the 2026 Credit Agreement for general corporate purposes.
41
The maximum consolidated leverage ratio covenant effectively prohibits us from borrowing any amounts under the 2026 Credit Agreement when our consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed measurement period is negative. As of the date we entered into the 2026 Credit Agreement, and as of the date of the filing of this report, the most recently completed measurement period was our fiscal year ended October 31, 2025, during which our consolidated EBITDA was negative. In order to borrow in compliance with the maximum consolidated leverage ratio covenant set forth above, we are effectively prohibited from borrowing under the 2026 Credit Agreement until we have positive consolidated EBITDA for our most recently completed four fiscal quarters.
We also have an international cash pooling strategy that generally provides access to available cash deposits and credit facilities when needed in the U.S., Europe, or Asia Pacific.
We have borrowed only $1.6 million during the fiscal years ended 2015-2018 to fund start-up costs related to expansion in China and have not had any borrowings under any of our previous debt facilities at any other time over the previous ten fiscal years, even during prolonged recessionary industry cycles. While we are currently in the process of evaluating a longer-term global credit solution that aligns with our best interest, we believe our current cash on hand, expected cash flow from operations, access to cash pooling and our current credit facilities provide adequate liquidity to fund our global operations over the next twelve months and beyond, and allow us to remain committed to our strategic plan of product innovation, acquisitions, targeted penetration of developing markets, and a balanced capital allocation program.
We continue to receive and review information on businesses and assets for potential acquisition, including intellectual property assets that are available for purchase.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following is a table of contractual obligations and commitments as of October 31, 2025 (in thousands):
Payments Due by Period
More
Less than
than
Total
1 Year
1-3 Years
3-5 Years
5 Years
Operating leases
$
12,674
$
4,712
$
6,235
$
1,189
$
538
Accrued compensation benefits and other
6,437
509
38
—
5,890
Total
$
19,111
$
5,221
$
6,273
$
1,189
$
6,428
In addition to the contractual obligations and commitments disclosed above, we also have a variety of other obligations for the procurement of materials and services, none of which subject us to any material non-cancelable commitments. While some of these obligations arise under long-term supply agreements, we are not committed under these agreements to accept or pay for requirements that are not needed to meet our production needs. We have no material minimum purchase commitments or “take-or-pay” type agreements or arrangements. Unrecognized tax benefits, excluding any interest and penalties, were immaterial for fiscal year 2025 and have been excluded from the table above because we are unable to determine a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of future payment.
42
We expect capital spending in fiscal year 2026 to be approximately $4.5 million, which includes investments for software development, leasehold improvement, factory equipment, and general software and equipment for our manufacturing and sales facilities. We expect to fund these commitments with cash on hand and cash generated from operations.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
From time to time, our subsidiaries guarantee third party payment obligations in connection with the sale of machines to customers that use financing. We follow Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance for accounting for guarantees (codified in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 460). As of October 31, 2025, we had four outstanding third party payment guarantees totaling approximately $0.4 million. The terms of these guarantees are consistent with the underlying customer financing terms. Upon shipment of a machine, the customer assumes the risk of ownership. The customer does not obtain title, however, until the customer has paid for the machine. A retention of title clause allows us to recover the machine if the customer defaults on the financing. We accrue liabilities under these guarantees at fair value, which amounts are insignificant.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with those accounting principles requires us to make judgments and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our accounting policies are frequently evaluated as our judgment and estimates are based upon historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Our judgments and estimates have a significant effect on the financial statements because they result primarily from the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material to our financial condition and results of operations. Critical accounting estimates are those that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report, we believe the following discussion addresses our most critical accounting estimates, which involve significant subjectivity and judgment, and changes to such estimates or assumptions could have a material impact on our financial condition or operating results. Therefore, we consider an understanding of the variability and judgment required in making these estimates and assumptions to be critical in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results.
43
Income Taxes – We account for income taxes and the related accounts under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates in each jurisdiction in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. These deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, which is established when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We operate in multiple jurisdictions through wholly-owned subsidiaries, and our global structure is complex. Accordingly, the ultimate outcome with respect to taxes we may owe may differ from the amounts recognized. Our judgment regarding the realization of deferred tax assets may change due to future profitability and market conditions, change in U.S. or foreign tax laws, and other factors. These changes, if any, may require material adjustments to these deferred tax assets and an accompanying reduction or increase in net income. During fiscal years 2025 and 2024, we recorded non-cash valuation allowances of $4.8 million and $8.6 million, respectively, on our U.S. and China deferred tax assets and on our U.S., China and certain Italian deferred tax assets, respectively. Because we have a $13.2 million full valuation allowance recorded against our U.S., China and certain Italian deferred tax assets, we did not record a tax benefit for our net losses in these countries in either fiscal year 2025 or 2024.
Capitalized Software Development Costs – Costs incurred to develop computer software products and significant enhancements to software features of existing products are capitalized as required by FASB guidance relating to accounting for the costs of computer software to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed, and such capitalized costs are amortized over the estimated product life of the related software. The determination as to when in the product development cycle technological feasibility has been established, and the expected product life, require judgments and estimates by management and can be affected by technological developments, innovations by competitors, and changes in market conditions affecting demand. We periodically review the carrying values of these assets and make judgments as to ultimate realization considering the above-mentioned risk factors.