HACH CO
10-Q, 1997-09-16
LABORATORY ANALYTICAL INSTRUMENTS
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                                   FORM 10-Q
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



|X| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
 ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended August 2, 1997


Commission file number: 0-3947


                                  HACH COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware                                                          42-0704420
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State or other jurisdiction of                                (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                               Identification No.)



                    5600 Lindbergh Drive, Loveland, CO 80537
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)



                                 (970) 669-3050
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Registrant's telephone number including area code)



                                 Not applicable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Former name, former address, and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report)



     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ___ No X


     At September 16, 1997, the  Registrant  had 8,223,408  shares of its common
stock outstanding.

<PAGE>

Part I.  Financial Information

Item 1.  Financial Statements

         Summarized Financial Statements

     The  accompanying  Consolidated  Balance Sheet as of August 2, 1997 and the
Consolidated  Statements of Income and Retained  Earnings for the quarters ended
August 2, 1997 and July 27, 1996 and the  Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows
for the quarters ended August 2, 1997 and July 27, 1996 are unaudited;  however,
in the  opinion  of  management  all  adjustments  (consisting  only  of  normal
recurring accruals)  considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results
of such periods have been made. The results of operations for the quarters ended
August 2, 1997 and July 27, 1996 are not  necessarily  indicative of the results
of operations to be expected for the full year.

     The financial data included herein pursuant to Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X
has been subjected to a review by Coopers & Lybrand  L.L.P.  , the  Registrant's
independent accountants.



<PAGE>

                                HACH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
                           (Thousands of Dollars Except Share Data)
                                         (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                      QUARTER ENDED              QUARTER ENDED
                                                     August 2, 1997              July 27, 1996
                                                     --------------              -------------
<S>                                                    <C>                          <C>
Net sales                                                $   32,414                 $   28,910
Cost of sales                                                16,551                     14,747
                                                         ----------                 ----------
  Gross profit                                               15,863                     14,163
Selling, general and administrative expense                   8,886                      8,009
Research and development expense                              2,167                      1,954
                                                         ----------                 ----------
  Income from operations                                      4,810                      4,200
Interest income                                                 480                        350
Interest expense                                               (140)                        -
                                                         ----------                 ----------
  Income before income taxes                                  5,150                      4,550
Income tax expense                                            1,830                      1,590
                                                         ----------                 ----------
 Net income                                                   3,320                      2,960

Retained earnings, beginning of period                   $   76,944                 $   67,177
Cash dividends                                                 (493)                      (682)
                                                         ----------                 ----------
Retained earnings, end of period                         $   79,771                 $   69,455
                                                         ==========                 ==========
Net income per common share                              $     0.32                 $     0.26                                     
                                                         ----------                 ----------
Dividends per common share                               $     0.06                 $     0.06
                                                         ==========                 ==========
Weighted average shares outstanding                      10,499,230                 11,356,140
                                                         ==========                 ==========
</TABLE>


    The accompanying  notes are an integral part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.

<PAGE>

                                HACH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (Thousands of Dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   August 2, 1997               April 30, 1997
                                                   --------------               --------------
                                                     (Unaudited)

ASSETS

  Current assets:
<S>                                                    <C>                          <C>
    Cash and cash equivalents                          $    9,626                   $  14,575
    Marketable securities, held to maturity                 1,488                      19,100
    Accounts receivable, less reserves
      of $256 and $249, respectively                       17,505                      17,829
    Inventories                                            12,006                      11,798
    Deferred taxes and other current assets                 3,820                       4,416
                                                       ----------                   ---------
      Total current assets                                 44,445                      67,718

  Property, plant and equipment at cost:
    Buildings and improvements                             23,476                      23,404
    Machinery and equipment                                49,094                      46,555
                                                       ----------                   ---------
                                                           72,570                      69,959
    Less allowance for depreciation
      and amortization                                     43,621                      42,141
                                                       ----------                   ---------
                                                           28,949                      27,818
    Land                                                      984                         986                                 
                                                       ----------                   ---------
      Net property, plant and equipment                    29,933                      28,804

    Marketable securities, held to maturity                 1,638                       7,406
    Other assets                                            1,910                       1,652
                                                       ----------                   ---------
Total Assets                                           $   77,926                   $ 105,580
                                                       ==========                   =========
</TABLE>

The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.


<PAGE>

                                HACH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (Thousands of Dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  August 2, 1997               April 30, 1997
                                                  --------------               --------------
                                                    (Unaudited)

LIABILITIES

  Current liabilities:
<S>                                                   <C>                           <C>
      Accounts payable                                $    3,380                    $   4,044
      Accrued liabilities:
        Compensation                                         882                        1,082
        Compensated absences                               3,737                        3,655
        Profit sharing                                     1,731                        3,473
        Income taxes payable                               2,553                          753
        Other                                              1,767                        1,379
                                                      ----------                    ---------
          Total current liabilities                       14,050                       14,386

  Long term debt                                          30,000                          -
  Other long term liabilities                              2,096                        1,726
  Deferred income taxes                                    2,037                        2,179
                                                      ----------                    ---------
        Total liabilities                                 48,183                       18,291

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

  Common stock, $1 par value; authorized
    25,000,000 shares; issued 8,223,408 shares            11,623                       11,623
  Capital contributed in excess of par value                 519                          453
  Retained earnings                                       79,771                       76,944
  Cumulative currency translation adjustment                  54                          338
                                                      ----------                    ---------
                                                          91,967                       89,358
  Less: Shares held in treasury at cost:
           (3,399,545 at August 2, 1997 and
           254,356 at April 30, 1997)                    (62,224)                      (2,069)
                                                      ----------                    ---------
Total Stockholders' Equity                                29,743                       87,289
                                                      ----------                    ---------
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity            $   77,926                    $ 105,580
                                                      ==========                    =========
</TABLE>

    The accompanying  notes are an integral part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.

<PAGE>

                                     HACH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                         (Thousands of Dollars)
                                              (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           QUARTER ENDED        QUARTER ENDED
                                                          AUGUST 2, 1997        JULY 27, 1996
                                                          --------------        -------------
<S>                                                            <C>                   <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income                                                      $  3,320             $  2,960
Adjustments  to  reconcile   net  income  
  to  net  cash  provided  by  operating activities:
     Depreciation & amortization                                   1,573                1,462
     Provision for deferred income taxes                            (142)                  30
     Loss on disposal of property, plant & equipment                   3                    4
     (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable                      324               (1,181) 
     (Increase) decrease in inventories                             (208)                 273
     Decrease in prepaid expenses & other assets                     596                2,052
     (Decrease) in accounts payable                                 (664)                (287)                                    
     Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities                      698               (1,269)
                                                                --------             --------
Net cash provided by operating activities                          5,500                4,044

Cash flows from investing activities:
     Capital expenditures                                         (2,749)              (1,310)                             
     Purchases of investments held-to-maturity                    (2,079)              (2,496)
     Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments             25,459                3,440
     (Increase) in long-term assets                                 (258)                 (13)
                                                                --------             --------
Net cash used by investing activities                             20,373                 (379)
                                                                
Cash flows from financing activities:
     Dividends paid                                                 (493)                (682)    
     Proceeds from long-term borrowings                           30,000                   -
     Purchases of treasury stock                                 (60,257)                (206)
     Exercise of stock options                                       168                  156
                                                                --------             --------
Net cash used by financing activities                            (30,582)                (732)

Effects of exchange rate changes                                    (240)                (316)
                                                                --------             --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash & cash equivalents                (4,949)               2,617
                                                            
Cash & cash equivalents at the beginning of the period            14,575                8,487                   
                                                                --------             --------
Cash & cash equivalents at the end of the period                $  9,626             $ 11,104            
                                                                ========             ========

</TABLE>
     The accompanying  notes are an integral part of the consolidated  financial
statements.

<PAGE>

                          HACH COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)

1.       Financial Statements  

     The  consolidated  balance  sheet at August  2,  1997 and the  consolidated
statements of income and retained earnings, and consolidated  statements of cash
flows for the interim  periods ended August 2, 1997 and July 27, 1996, have been
prepared by the Company,  without  audit.  The April 30, 1997 balance  sheet was
derived from audited financial  statements and as presented does not include all
the disclosures  required by generally accepted  accounting  principles.  In the
opinion of management,  all  adjustments,  consisting  only of normal  recurring
accruals,  necessary  to present  fairly the  consolidated  financial  position,
results of operations and cash flows have been made. These financial  statements
include  forward  looking  information  as  defined  by the  Private  Securities
Litigation  Reform  Act of 1995 and  therefore  results  of  operations  for the
interim  periods are not necessarily  indicative of the operating  results for a
full year or of future operations.

     Certain  amounts in the financial  statements  for April 30, 1997 have been
reclassified to conform with the current periods presentation.

2.       Inventories

         The components of inventories are:
                                                   (Thousands of Dollars)
                                             August 2, 1997    April 30, 1997

         Raw materials and purchased parts        $  3,166         $   2,811
         Work-in-progress                            1,531             1,534
         Finished goods                              6,964             7,031
         Resale                                        345               422
                                                  --------          --------
                                                  $ 12,006          $ 11,798
                                                  ========          ========

3.       Income Taxes

     For both periods presented, the provision for income taxes is based upon an
expected  annual  effective  income tax rate. The rates utilized for the quarter
ended August 2, 1997 and July 27, 1996 were 35.5% and 34.9% respectively.

4.       Net Income Per Common Share

     Net income  per common  share is based on the  weighted  average  number of
shares  outstanding  during the period.  Common stock  equivalents do not have a
dilutive effect on the net income per common share.

5.       Capital Stock

     On July 8, 1997, the Company  repurchased  the entire block of Hach Company
common  stock which was owned by Lawter  International.  This stock  represented
approximately  28%  ownership in Hach  Company.  The  purchase of the  3,157,223
shares at $19.00 per share was financed with $30 million of cash on hand and $30
million in bank financing.
     On May 19, 1997,  the Board of  Directors  approved a proposal to amend the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation. The amendment, which was approved by the
Company's stockholders at its annual meeting on September 9, 1997, creates a new
class  of  stock  designated  as  Class A  Common  Stock.  The  Class A stock is
non-voting  except under certain limited  circumstances.  As a result of the new
class of stock, earnings per share would be $.16 and $.13 for the quarters ended
August 2, 1997 and July 27, 1996, respectively.

6.        Long-Term Debt

     During the first  quarter of 1998,  the  Company  entered  into a revolving
credit  agreement  with  Colorado  National  Bank.  Under the  Revolving  Credit
Agreement,  the Company may borrow up to $40,000,000 under a five-year unsecured
revolving  credit  facility,  which  matures on July 1, 2002.  The Agreement has
restrictions on amounts outstanding which consist of (i) $40,000,000 to June 30,
2000; (ii) $32,500,000 from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001; and (iii) $22,500,000
from July 1, 2001 to the  Revolving  Credit  Maturity  Date of July 1, 2002.  At
August 2, 1997 the Company had $30 million  outstanding.  The  Revolving  Credit
Agreement  allows the Company to borrow at interest rates that vary based on the
Banks Reference Rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), at the option
of the Company.  The interest  rate as of August 2, 1997, on the $30 million was
6.77%. The interest period for the loan is 90 days, which began on July 8, 1997.
The Company is also  required  to pay a nonuse fee of 12.5 or 25.0 basis  points
per annum, depending on certain financial ratios, on the average daily amount of
unused funds.
<PAGE>

     The Revolving  Credit  Agreement  contains  covenants and  provisions  that
restrict  among  other  things,  the  ability of the  Company  and its  material
subsidiaries to: (i) create liens on any of its property or assets or assign any
rights  to  security  interests  in  future  revenues;  (ii)  engage in sale and
leaseback transactions; (iii) engage in mergers, consolidations and sales of all
or substantially  all of their assets on a consolidated  basis;  (iv) enter into
agreements  restricting  dividends  and advances by the  subsidiaries;  and, (v)
engage in transactions  with  affiliates  other than those based on arm's-length
negotiations.  The  Revolving  Credit  Agreement  also limits the ability of the
Company and or subsidiaries to purchase  capital items,  incur  indebtedness or
issue preferred  stock. The Revolving Credit Agreement also requires the Company
to satisfy certain financial performance criteria.

     
7.        Recently Issued Financial Accounting Standards

     The  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  (FASB)  issued  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share," in February 1997.
This  statement,  which is required to be adopted in the third quarter of fiscal
year 1998,  establishes  standards  for computing  and  presenting  earnings per
share.  The FASB issued  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 129,
"Information  about Capital  Structure,"  also in February 1997. This statement,
which is  required  to be  adopted  in the third  quarter  of fiscal  year 1998,
establishes  standards  for  disclosing  information  about an entity's  capital
structure.  The FASB also issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
130, "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income," in June 1997. This statement,  which is
also  required  to be  adopted  in  the  third  quarter  of  fiscal  year  1998,
establishes  standards for reporting of comprehensive  income and its components
(such as revenues,  expenses,  gains and losses). The FASB also issued Statement
of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 131,  "Segments of an  Enterprise  and
Related  Information,"  in June 1997.  This  statement,  which is required to be
adopted in the third quarter of fiscal year 1998,  establishes standards for the
way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments
in annual  financial  statements  and  requires  that those  enterprises  report
selected  information  about  operating  segments in interim  financial  reports
issued to shareholders.  The Company believes that these statements will have no
material effect on the Company's financial statements.


Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
         and Results of Operation

Analysis of Financial Condition:

     The Company experienced  substantial change in its capital structure during
the  quarter  ended  August 2, 1997.  On July 8,  1997,  the  Company  purchased
3,157,223  shares of its common  stock from Lawter  International.  The purchase
price was  approximately  $60 million.  The Company used $30 million of existing
cash and $30 million of bank borrowings to finance the stock purchase.  The bank
borrowings provide for a revolving line of credit of up to $40 million.

     The Company monitors cash flow and capital  expenditures in great detail as
part of its total  budgeting  process.  During  fiscal  year 1998,  the  Company
expects to spend approximately  $10,000,000 on capital items. These expenditures
include  the  construction  of a 66,000  square foot  building at the  Loveland,
Colorado site, in addition to expenditures made for production equipment as well
as  computer  hardware  and  software  to  support  distribution,  research  and
development and administration.

     The Company intends to finance its capital  projects and dividend  payments
through existing cash and cash equivalents,  short-term  investments,  projected
cash flow from operations, and bank borrowings.


Results of  Operations:  Quarter  ended August 2, 1997 compared to quarter ended
July 27, 1996.

     The quarter ended August 2, 1997 contained four additional business days as
compared to the quarter ended July 27, 1996.

     Net sales increased 12.1% to $32,414,000  from  $28,910,000.  The Company's
domestic  sales  increased  12.5% while its  international  net sales  increased
11.5%.  Both  the  domestic  and  international  net  sales  increases  were due
primarily to unit volume  increases in most of the Company's major product lines
and the additional business days in the current quarter. Sales for the Company's
European subsidiary were adversely effected by a stronger U.S. dollar.

     Cost of sales increased 12.2% to $16,551,000 from  $14,747,000.  This item,
composed of material, labor and product overhead, increased primarily because of
unit volume  increases.  The gross profit percent  decreased to 48.9% from 49.0%
due to the mix of products sold and the additional  business days in the current
quarter.

     Selling,  general and administrative  expense increased 11.0% to $8,886,000
from $8,009,000. The increase was due to higher payroll and related expenses and
the additional business days in the current quarter.

     Research  and  development  expense  increased  10.9%  to  $2,167,000  from
$1,954,000.  The  increase  was due to an  increased  emphasis on  research  and
development  efforts and the  additional  business days in the current  quarter.
This increased research and development  spending will result in a number of new
products being introduced in fiscal year 1998.

     Interest income  increased to $480,000 from $350,000.  The increase was due
to higher average  investment  balances and higher interest rates in the current
period.

     Interest expense increased to $140,000. The increase was due to interest on
a long-term  loan used to repurchase  Hach Company  common stock owned by Lawter
International.

     The effective  income tax rate was 35.5% in the current period  compared to
34.9% in the prior year's first quarter.

<PAGE>

Part II. Other Information

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

         None

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

     On September 9, 1997, Hach Company held its annual meeting of stockholders.
At this  meeting,  the stock  holders  were  asked to  consider  and vote upon a
proposal  to amend  Article  Fourth of the  Company's  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation  to: (i) authorize a new class of common stock designated as Class
A Common  Stock,  $1.00 par value which would be  non-voting  (except in certain
limited circumstances); (ii) increase the number of authorized shares of capital
stock from  25,000,000 to 45,000,000  consisting of 25,000,000  shares of common
Stock and  20,000,000  Shares of Class A Common Stock;  and (iii)  establish the
rights, powers and limitations of the Class A Common Stock. A total of 7,614,652
votes were cast of which 7,351,060 were  affirmative,  251,995 were negative and
11,597 abstained.


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)      1.  Report of Independent Accountants.

         2.  Awareness Letter of Independent Accountants.

         3.  Financial Data Schedule.

(b) During the quarter ended August 2, 1997, the  Registrant  filed no report on
Form 8-K.




                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



                                  HACH COMPANY


September 16, 1997 
Date                  

By:  /s/ Bruce J. Hach
     ----------------------------------------------------
     Bruce J. Hach, President and Chief Operating Officer



September 16, 1997 
Date
                  
By:  /s/ Gary R. Dreher
     ----------------------------------------------------------
     Gary R. Dreher, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer





REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders and
Board of Directors of
Hach Company:


We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Hach Company and
Subsidiaries as of August 2, 1997, the related consolidated statements of income
and retained earnings and consolidated  statements of cash flow for the quarters
ended  August 2, 1997 and July 27,  1996.  These  financial  statements  are the
responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute of Certified  Public  Accountants.  A review of the interim  financial
information consists principally of applying analytical  procedures to financial
data and making  inquiries of persons  responsible  for financial and accounting
matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance
with  generally  accepted  auditing  standards,  the  objective  of which is the
expression of an opinion  regarding the financial  statements  taken as a whole.
Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material  modifications that should
be made to the  accompanying  financial  statements for them to be in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.


COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Denver, Colorado
September 9, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549


Re:      Hach Company and Subsidiaries
         Registration on Form S-8


Gentlemen:

We are aware that our report  dated  September  9, 1997 on our review of interim
financial  information  on Hach  Company and  Subsidiaries  for the three months
ended August 2, 1997, and included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the
three months then ended,  is  incorporated  by reference  into the  registration
statements  of Hach Company and  Subsidiaries  on Form S-8 (File No.  33-39019),
Form S-8 (File No. 33-90584), and Form S-8 (File No. 33-64793). Pursuant to Rule
436(c) under the Securities Act of 1933,  this report should not be considered a
part of the  registration  statements  prepared  or  certified  by us within the
meaning of Section 7 and 11 of that Act.


COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Denver, Colorado
September 12, 1997


WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ON
PAGES 3, 4 AND 5 OF THE  COMPANY'S  FORM 10-Q FOR THE  QUARTERLY  PERIOD  ENDING
AUGUST 2, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED  IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<NAME>                        HACH COMPANY             
<MULTIPLIER>                         1,000
       
<S>                    <C>    
<PERIOD-TYPE>          3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              APR-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                 MAY-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                   AUG-02-1997
<CASH>                               9,626 
<SECURITIES>                         1,488
<RECEIVABLES>                       17,754
<ALLOWANCES>                           249
<INVENTORY>                         12,006
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                    44,445
<PP&E>                              73,554
<DEPRECIATION>                      43,621
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                      77,926
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>               14,050
<BONDS>                                  0
                    0
                              0
<COMMON>                            11,623
<OTHER-SE>                          18,120
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>        77,926
<SALES>                             32,414
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                    32,414
<CGS>                               16,551
<TOTAL-COSTS>                       16,551
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                    11,053
<LOSS-PROVISION>                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                     140
<INCOME-PRETAX>                      5,150
<INCOME-TAX>                         1,830
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                  3,320
<DISCONTINUED>                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                          0
<CHANGES>                                0
<NET-INCOME>                         3,320
<EPS-PRIMARY>                          .32
<EPS-DILUTED>                          .32
        



</TABLE>


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