HIRSCH INTERNATIONAL CORP
10-Q, 1998-12-15
INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

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

     For the quarterly period ended October 31, 1998

                                       OR

     [ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

     For the transition period from _______________ to ________________.

     Commission File No.: 0-23434

                           HIRSCH INTERNATIONAL CORP.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      Delaware                                           11-2230715
(State or other jurisdiction                          (I.R.S. Employer
 of incorporation or organization)                     Identification No.)


                200 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, New York 11788
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (516) 436-7100


     Check 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 [x] No [ ]

     Indicate the number of shares  outstanding of each of the issuer's  classes
of common stock, as of December 11, 1998


                Class of                                 Number of
             Common Equity                                 Shares

             Class A Common Stock,                       6,815,180
               par value $.01

             Class B Common Stock,                       2,668,139
               par value $.01






<PAGE>




                   HIRSCH INTERNATIONAL CORP. and SUBSIDIARIES

                                    FORM 10-Q

                                      INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                                                          Page No.


Part I.  Financial Information


         Item 1.  Consolidated Financial Statements
<S>                                                                                       <C>    


                           Consolidated Balance Sheets - October 31, 1998
                           and January 31, 1998                                            3-4

                           Consolidated Statements of Income for the Nine and
                           Three Months Ended October 31, 1998 and 1997                      5

                           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine
                           Months Ended October 31, 1998 and 1997                          6-7

                           Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                     8-11

         Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                           Financial Condition and Results of Operations                 12-16



Part II.  Other Information                                                                 17

          Signatures                                                                        18

</TABLE>





                                                                 2

<PAGE>


     Part I - Financial Information

     Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements


                   HIRSCH INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                October 31,      January 31,
                                                    1998             1998
                                                -----------      -----------
                                                (Unaudited)

<S>                                              <C>             <C>
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

  Cash and Cash Equivalents                      $2,531,000       $2,956,000

  Accounts Receivable, Net                       31,026,000       34,427,000

  Net investment in sales-type leases,
   current portion (Note 7)                       2,168,000        2,180,000

  Inventories, net (Note 6)                      44,350,000       34,166,000

  Prepaid taxes                                     396,000              -

  Other current assets                            2,898,000        3,284,000
                                                 ----------       ----------

     Total current assets                        83,369,000       77,013,000
                                                 ----------       ----------

NET INVESTMENT IN SALES-TYPE LEASES,
 noncurrent portion (Note 7)                     11,968,000       12,055,000

EXCESS OF COST OVER NET ASSETS ACQUIRED,
 net of accumulated amortization of 
 approximately $2,517,000 and $1,581,000, 
 respectively (Note 4)                           15,164,000       15,979,000

PURCHASED TECHNOLOGIES, net of accumulated
 amortization of approximately $893,000
 and $749,000, respectively                         446,000          590,000

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net of
 accumulated depreciation and amortization        8,064,000        7,193,000

OTHER ASSETS                                      1,709,000        2,002,000
                                                  ---------        ---------

TOTAL ASSETS                                   $120,720,000     $114,832,000
                                               ============     ============
                    

</TABLE>


     See notes to consolidated financial statements.



                                        3

<PAGE>

                  HIRSCH INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                October 31,      January 31,
                                                    1998             1998
                                                -----------      -----------
                                                (Unaudited)
<S>                                                <C>             <C>   
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

  Trade acceptances payable                        $9,103,000      $15,286,000

  Accounts payable and accrued expenses            18,322,000       20,592,000

  Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 8)       252,000          231,000

  Income taxes payable                                      -          735,000  
                                                  -----------      -----------

      Total current liabilities                    27,677,000       36,844,000

LONG-TERM DEBT, less current 
   maturities (Note 8)                             15,202,000        1,421,000
                                                  -----------      -----------

      Total liabilities                            42,879,000       38,265,000
                                                  -----------      -----------
MINORITY INTEREST (Note 1)                          1,261,000          944,000
                                                  -----------      -----------

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Notes 2 and 3)

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; authorized:
   1,000,000 shares; issued: none                     -                  -

Class A common stock, $.01 par value; authorized:
   20,000,000 shares, outstanding: 6,815,000
   and 6,811,000 shares, respectively                 68,000           68,000

Class B common stock, $.01 par value; authorized:
   3,000,000 shares, outstanding: 2,668,000 shares    27,000           27,000

Additional paid-in capital                        41,397,000       41,377,000

Retained Earnings                                 35,916,000       34,151,000
                                                  ----------       ----------
                                                  77,408,000       75,623,000
Less: Treasury stock, at cost; 90,000 shares
   at October 31, 1998                               828,000            -
                                                  ----------       ----------
     Total stockholders' equity                   76,580,000       75,623,000
                                                  ----------       ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY      $120,720,000     $114,832,000
                                                  ==========      ===========

</TABLE>

     See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                        4

<PAGE>

                  HIRSCH INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                 NINE MONTHS ENDED             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                   October 31,                     October 31,
                                                1998           1997         1998             1997

<S>                                          <C>             <C>           <C>              <C>   
REVENUES:
Net Sales                                    $98,092,000     $115,392,000    $29,505,000    $37,266,000
Interest income related to sales-type leases   4,320,000        3,976,000      1,770,000      1,841,000
                                             -----------      -----------     ----------     ----------
        Total revenue                        102,412,000      119,368,000     31,275,000     39,107,000
                                             -----------      -----------     ----------     ----------
EXPENSES:
Cost of goods sold                            64,788,000       75,240,000     19,598,000     24,308,000
Selling, general and administrative expenses  32,648,000       29,597,000     10,041,000     10,623,000
Interest expense                               1,017,000          733,000        477,000        139,000
Other expense (income)                           337,000           (8,000)       125,000         (5,000)
                                              ----------      -----------     ----------     ----------
        Total expenses                        98,790,000      105,562,000     30,241,000     35,065,000
                                              ----------      -----------     ----------     ----------
INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME
 TAXES AND MINORITY INTEREST IN NET
 EARNINGS OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY           3,622,000       13,806,000      1,034,000      4,042,000

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                     1,540,000        5,862,000        440,000      1,713,000

MINORITY INTEREST IN NET EARNINGS
 OF CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY (Note 1)             317,000             -           188,000          -
                                              ----------       ----------      ---------     ----------
NET INCOME                                    $1,765,000       $7,944,000       $406,000     $2,329,000
                                              ==========       ==========      =========     ==========

EARNINGS PER SHARE:
Basic                                             $0.19            $0.90          $0.04         $0.25
Diluted                                           $0.19            $0.88          $0.04         $0.24
                                              ==========       ==========      =========     ==========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES
 IN THE CALCULATION OF EARNINGS
 PER SHARE (Note 2)
  Basic                                        9,420,000        8,778,000      9,392,000     9,464,000
                                              ==========       ==========      =========     =========
  Diluted                                      9,454,000        9,040,000      9,392,000     9,769,000
                                              ==========       ==========      =========     =========
</TABLE>


     See notes to consolidated financial statements.


                                       5


<PAGE>




                   HIRSCH INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                              Nine months ended
                                                                 October 31,
                                                             --------------------
                                                            1998              1997
                                                            ----              ----
<S>                                                        <C>            <C> 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 Net Income                                               $1,765,000    $7,944,000

 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
   cash used in operating activities:

  Depreciation and amortization                            2,771,000     2,165,000

  Provision for reserves                                     960,000       100,000

  Deferred income taxes                                     (127,000)          -

  Minority interest                                          317,000           -

 Changes in assets and liabilities:

  Accounts receivable                                       2,989,000  (19,732,000)

  Net investment in sales-type leases                        (341,000)  (2,677,000)

  Inventories                                             (11,521,000)  (8,687,000)

  Prepaid taxes                                              (396,000)        -

  Other assets                                                534,000     (555,000)

  Trade acceptances payable                                (6,183,000)    (692,000)

  Accounts payable and accrued expenses                    (2,391,000)   7,177,000

  Income taxes payable                                       (735,000)    (347,000)
                                                          ------------  ------------
       Net cash used in operating activities              (12,358,000) (15,304,000)
                                                          ------------  ------------
</TABLE>



  See notes to consolidated financial statements.






                                        6
<PAGE>

                   HIRSCH INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                              Nine months ended
                                                                  October 31,
                                                            1998             1997
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>    


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 Capital expenditures                                      (1,061,000)   (1,427,000)

 Acquisition of Equipment Connection, Inc.(Note 4)              -          (553,000)

 Sales of short-term investments                                -         2,583,000
                                                           -----------  ------------ 
       Net cash (used in) provided by 
          investing activities                             (1,061,000)      603,000
                                                           -----------  ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 Proceeds from bank financing                              21,000,000    11,729,000

 Repayments of long-term debt                              (7,198,000)  (25,800,000)

 Proceeds from public offering                                 -         24,315,000

 Purchase of treasury shares                                 (828,000)        -

 Issuance of stock and exercise of stock 
   options and warrants                                        20,000     1,111,000
                                                           -----------   -----------
   Net cash provided by financing activities               12,994,000    11,355,000
                                                           -----------   ----------- 
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                        (425,000)   (3,346,000)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD              2,956,000     7,865,000
                                                           -----------   ---------- 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD                   $2,531,000    $4,519,000
                                                           ===========   ==========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH
 FLOW INFORMATION:

 Interest Paid                                              $1,019,000     $741,000
                                                            ==========   ==========
 Income Taxes Paid                                          $2,828,000   $6,264,000
                                                            ==========   ==========

</TABLE>

  See notes to consolidated financial statements.





                                        7
<PAGE>



                   Hirsch International Corp. and Subsidiaries
                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
              Nine and Three Months Ended October 31, 1998 and 1997


     1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

     The accompanying  consolidated  financial statements as of and for the nine
and three month  periods ended October 31, 1998 and 1997 include the accounts of
Hirsch International Corp.  ("Hirsch"),  HAPL Leasing Co., Inc. ("HAPL"),  Pulse
Microsystems Ltd. ("Pulse"),  Hirsch Equipment  Connection,  Inc. ("HECI"),  and
Tajima USA, Inc. ("TUI") (collectively, the "Company").

     On January 6, 1998,  Tokai  Industrial  Sewing  Machine  Company  ("Tokai")
purchased a 45 percent  interest in TUI for $900,000.  For  financial  statement
purposes,  the assets,  liabilities and earnings of TUI are  consolidated in the
Company's  financial  statements.  Tokai's 45 percent  interest  in TUI has been
reported as minority interest in the Company's  Consolidated  Balance Sheets and
the earnings from January 6, 1998 have been reported as minority interest in the
Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.

     In the  opinion of  management,  the  accompanying  unaudited  consolidated
financial statements contain all the adjustments, consisting of normal accruals,
necessary to present  fairly the results of operations  for each of the nine and
three month periods ended October 31, 1998 and 1997,  the financial  position at
October 31,  1998 and cash flows for the nine month  periods  ended  October 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively. Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring
items. The consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in
conjunction  with the  Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ending January 31, 1998 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     The interim financial results are not necessarily indicative of the results
to be expected for the full year.


     2. Earnings Per Share

     The Company has adopted  Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 128 "Earnings
Per Share"  ("SFAS No.  128")  which  requires  dual  presentation  of basic and
diluted earnings per share on the face of the income  statement.  Basic earnings
per share are based on the  weighted  average  number of shares of common  stock
outstanding  during  the  period.  Diluted  earnings  per share are based on the
weighted  average number of shares of common stock and common stock  equivalents
(options and  warrants)  outstanding  during the period,  computed in accordance
with the treasury stock method.


     3. Secondary Public Offering

     On June 6, 1997,  the Company  consummated a secondary  public  offering of
Class A common stock (the  "Secondary  Offering").  The Company  sold  1,210,528
shares at  $20.00  per  share.  Another  750,022  shares  were  sold by  certain
stockholders  of the  Company  ("Selling  Stockholders').  On July 7, 1997,  the
underwriters  exercised  their  over-allotment  option to purchase an additional
294,082 shares of Class A common stock, 122,592 shares of which were sold by the
Company and 171,490  shares sold by the selling  stockholders.  Net  proceeds of
approximately  $24,300,000  were  received by the  Company  after  expenses  and
underwriting discount.

                                       8
<PAGE>

     4. Acquisition

     Acquisition  of  Equipment  Connection  - On March 26,  1997,  the  Company
acquired  all  of  the  assets  of  Equipment  Connection,   Inc.  ("ECI").  The
acquisition  was  accounted  for as a purchase  in  accordance  with  Accounting
Principles  Board  Opinion  No.  16,  "Business  Combinations"  ("APB  16") and,
accordingly,  the acquired assets and assumed  liabilities have been recorded at
their  estimated  fair  market  values at the date of  acquisition.  The cost in
excess  of fair  value of ECI is being  amortized  over a  10-year  period.  The
purchase  price was $805,000,  paid in the form of $605,000 in cash and $200,000
in the company's  Class A Common Stock.  Concurrent  with the  acquisition,  the
Company  entered  into  five-year  employment  contracts  with  ECI's two former
principals.

     5. Comprehensive Income

     Effective  February 1, 1998, the Company has adopted  Financial  Accounting
Standards  No. 130  "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income"  ("SFAS No.  130")  which
requires all items that are required to be recognized under accounting standards
as components of comprehensive  income be reported on the financial  statements.
Prior periods must also be restated,  as required.  The adoption of SFAS No. 130
has not  impacted  the  Company's  financial  statements  for the nine and three
months ended October 31, 1998 and 1997.


     6. Inventories, Net
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          October 31, 1998               January 31, 1998
<S>                                                       <C>                              <C>  
Machines.........................................            $38,038,000                    $29,613,000

Parts............................................              8,675,000                      6,808,000
                                                           -------------                  -------------

                                                              46,713,000                     36,421,000

Less:  Reserve...................................             (2,363,000)                    (2,255,000)
                                                           -------------                  -------------

Inventories, net..................................           $44,350,000                    $34,166,000
                                                           =============                  =============

</TABLE>

                                       9

<PAGE>

     7. Net Investment in Sales-Type Leases

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                          October 31, 1998               January 31, 1998
<S>                                                         <C>                             <C>   

Total minimum lease payments
  receivable.....................................            $11,578,000                    $13,051,000

Estimated residual value of leased property 
  (unguaranteed).................................              6,544,000                      5,224,000

Reserve for estimated uncollectible lease
  payments.......................................             (1,028,000)                      (588,000)

Less: Unearned income............................             (2,958,000)                    (3,452,000)
                                                          --------------                  -------------

Net investment...................................             14,136,000                     14,235,000

Less: Current portion............................             (2,168,000)                    (2,180,000)
                                                          --------------                  -------------

Non-current portion..............................            $11,968,000                    $12,055,000
                                                          ==============                  =============


</TABLE>


     8. Long-term Debt

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         October 31, 1998               January 31, 1998
<S>                                                         <C>                            <C>   
Revolving credit facility (A)...................            $14,000,000                    $     -

Mortgage (B)....................................              1,377,000                      1,549,000

Other...........................................                 77,000                        103,000
                                                           -------------                 -------------

Total...........................................             15,454,000                      1,652,000

Less: Current maturities........................               (252,000)                      (231,000)
                                                           -------------                --------------

Long-term maturities                                         $15,202,000                    $1,421,000
                                                           =============                ===============

</TABLE>


                                       10

<PAGE>
                                     
     (A) In September  1997 the Company  amended its existing  Revolving  Credit
Facility to provide for a $60,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility for Hirsch and a
$10,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility for HAPL (the "Facility"). The Facility is
for working capital loans,  letters of credit,  and deferred  payment letters of
credit and bear interest as defined in the Facility.  The terms of the Facility,
among other things,  restrict  additional  borrowings by the Company and require
the Company to maintain  certain minimum  tangible net worth,  quick asset ratio
and fixed charge  coverage  levels,  as defined.  The Facility  also  provides a
$20,000,000  sub-limit to finance acquisitions (as defined therein). In addition
to the working capital borrowings illustrated above, this Facility has been used
for  letters  of credit  and  deferred  payment  letters  of credit  aggregating
approximately $9,103,000 at October 31, 1998.

     (B) On  October  27,  1994,  Hirsch  entered  into a ten  year,  $2,295,000
mortgage   agreement  with  a  bank  (the  "Mortgage")  for  its  new  corporate
headquarters.  The Mortgage bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.8 percent and is
payable in equal monthly principal  installments of approximately  $19,000.  The
terms of the Mortgage, among other things, restrict additional borrowings by the
Company, and require the Company to maintain certain debt service coverage ratio
levels, as defined in the Mortgage. The obligation under the Mortgage is secured
by a lien on the premises and the related improvements thereon.






                                       11
<PAGE>

         MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


     The following discussion and analysis contains  forward-looking  statements
which involve risks and uncertainties. When used herein, the words "anticipate",
"believe", "estimate" and "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to the
Company  or  its  management  are  intended  to  identify  such  forward-looking
statements.  The Company's  actual results,  performance or  achievements  could
differ   materially   from  the  results   expressed  in  or  implied  by  these
forward-looking  statements.  Factors  that could  cause or  contribute  to such
differences should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety
by,  the  Company's  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  including  the  Notes
thereto.  Historical  results  are  not  necessarily  indicative  of  trends  in
operating  results for any future  period.  As used  herein,  "fiscal  year" and
"fiscal"  refers  to  the  applicable  fiscal  year  ending  January  31 of  the
applicable calendar year.


     Nine and Three  months  ended  October 31, 1998 as compared to the Nine and
Three months ended October 31, 1997

     Net Sales.  Net sales for the nine and three months ended  October 31, 1998
were $98,092,000 and $29,505,000,  a decrease of $17,300,000 and $7,761,000,  or
15.0% and 20.8%, compared to $115,392,000 and $37,266,000 for the nine and three
months ended  October 31, 1997.  The Company  believes that the reduction in the
sales level for the nine and three months ended October 31, 1998 is attributable
to a softening of demand for new large (six-head "DC" models through thirty-head
models)  machines.  In  addition,  there was a  significant  reduction  in sales
dollars  during  the  second  quarter  of fiscal  1999 as a result of the strong
dollar/yen exchange rate.

     The sale of new embroidery machinery represented approximately $74,609,000,
or 76.1% and $21,511,000,  or 72.9%, and $96,231,000,  or 83.4% and $32,731,000,
or 87.8%,  of net sales for the nine and three months ended October 31, 1998 and
1997, respectively. Small embroidery machines (one through six-head "FX" models)
and large embroidery  machines (six-head "DC" models through thirty-head models)
represented  approximately  $36,804,000  and  $37,805,000  and  $11,947,000  and
$9,564,000,  respectively of total embroidery  machine sales during the nine and
three months ended October 31, 1998 as compared to approximately $39,266,000 and
$56,965,000,  and $13,728,000  and  $19,003,000,  respectively  for the nine and
three months ended October 31, 1997, respectively.

     Revenue from the sale of the Company's computer hardware and software, used
machines,  parts, service,  application software and embroidery supplies for the
nine  and  three  months  ended  October  31,  1998   aggregated   approximately
$23,483,000  and  $7,994,000,  as compared to $19,161,000 and $4,535,000 for the
nine and three months ended October 31, 1997.

     Interest  income  related to  sales-type  leases.  HAPL's  interest  income
increased  8.7% and decreased 3.9% to $4,320,000 and $1,770,000 for the nine and
three months  ended  October 31, 1998 from  $3,976,000  and  $1,841,000  for the
comparable  periods of the prior year.  This nine month  increase is a result of
the continued expansion of HAPL's operations. Their diversified leasing programs
have resulted in a 31.4% and 55.5% increase in the percentage of equipment deals
leased to 45.2% and 41.2% of equipment sales for the nine and three month period
ended  October  31,  1998  from  34.4%  and  26.5% of  equipment  sales  for the
comparable  period of the prior year.  This is primarily  attributable to HAPL'S
increasing use of a limited liability recourse agreement  consummated with third
party funding source in the third quarter of fiscal 1998. This limited liability
recourse   agreement   provides  for  more  favorable  terms  than  non-recourse
agreements.

                                       12

<PAGE>

     Cost of Goods Sold.  For the nine and three months ended  October 31, 1998,
cost of goods sold decreased $10,452,000 and $4,710,000,  or 13.9% and 19.4%, to
$64,788,000  and $19,598,000  from  $75,240,000 and $24,308,000 for the nine and
three months ended October 31, 1997. Historically, the fluctuation of the dollar
against the yen has had a limited effect on new Tajima  equipment  gross margins
since currency  fluctuations are generally  reflected in pricing  adjustments in
order to maintain consistent gross margins on machine revenues.

     The  Company's  gross margin for the nine months ended October 31, 1998 has
remained  consistent as compared to the nine months ended October 31, 1997.  The
small decrease in the Company's  gross margin for the three months ended October
31, 1998 to 37.3% as compared to 37.8% for the three  months  ended  October 31,
1997 is  primarily  attributable  to an  increase  in sales  of used  embroidery
machines,  which typically yields lower gross margins than those obtained in the
sale of new embroidery machines.

     Selling,  General and Administrative ("SG&A") Expenses. For the nine months
ended  October  31,  1998 SG&A  expenses  increased  $3,051,000,  or  10.3%,  to
$32,648,000 from $29,597,000 for the nine months ended October 31, 1997. For the
three months ended October 31, 1998 SG&A expenses decreased  $582,000,  or 5.5%,
to  $10,041,000  from  $10,623,000  for the three months ended October 31, 1997.
SG&A  expenses  increased as a percentage of revenues to 31.9% and 32.1% for the
nine and three months  ended  October 31, 1998 from 24.8% and 27.2% for the nine
and three months ended October 31, 1997. The increase in SG&A as a percentage of
revenues for the nine and three months ended October 31, 1998 as compared to the
nine  and  three  months  October  31,1997  is  attributable  to  the  Company's
investment in its infrastructure to support anticipated sales levels. Based upon
the decrease in actual  results,  the Company has  developed  and  implemented a
cost-containment  plan.  The purpose of the plan is to reduce costs  through the
consolidation of our support and back office infrastructure and reduction of our
overhead. This will bring the Company's expenses more in line with revised sales
expectations.  The decrease in SG&A for the three months ended  October 31, 1998
as compared to the three  months  ended  October 31, 1997 is  reflective  of the
initiation of this cost-containment plan.

     Interest  Expense.  Interest  expense for the nine and three  months  ended
October  31, 1998  increased  $284,000  and  $338,000,  or 38.7% and 243.2%,  to
$1,017,000 and $477,000 from $733,000 and $139,000 for the nine and three months
ended  October 31,  1997.  This  increase  in interest  expense is the result of
working capital borrowings  outstanding  against the Company's  Revolving Credit
Facility during the nine and three months ended October 31, 1998.

     Provision  for income taxes.  The  provision for income taxes  reflected an
effective  tax rate of  approximately  42.5%  and  42.6%  for the nine and three
months  ended  October  31, 1998 as compared to 42.5% and 42.4% for the nine and
three months ended October 31, 1997. Differences from the federal statutory rate
consisted  primarily  of  provisions  for state  income taxes net of Federal tax
benefit.  The principal components of the deferred income tax assets result from
allowances and accruals which are not currently  deductible for tax purposes and
differences in amortization  periods between book and tax bases. The Company has
not  established any valuation  allowances  against these deferred tax assets as
management  believes it is more likely  than not that the Company  will  realize
these assets in the future based upon the  historical  profitable  operations of
the Company.

     Net Income. Net Income for the nine and three months ended October 31, 1998
decreased  $6,179,000  and  $1,923,000,  or 77.8% and 82.6%,  to $1,765,000  and
$406,000  from  $7,944,000  and  $2,329,000  for the nine and three months ended
October 31, 1997.  These decreases are attributable to the decrease in net sales
for the nine and three  months  ended  October 31, 1998 and the increase in SG&A
expenses for the nine months ended October 31, 1998.

  
                                     13
<PAGE>

     Liquidity and Capital Resources


     Operating Activities and Cash Flows

     The  Company's  working  capital  was  $55,692,000  at  October  31,  1998,
increasing  $15,523,000,  or 38.6%, from  $40,169,000,  at January 31, 1998. The
Company has financed its operations  principally  through long-term financing of
certain capital expenditures, the proceeds from Secondary Offerings completed in
June 1997 (See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and working
capital borrowings under its Revolving Line of Credit Agreement. The acquisition
of ECI was financed through  borrowings  against the Company's  Revolving Credit
Facility (See Note 8 of Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements)  although
this  borrowing  was  repaid  in June 1997  with the  proceeds  of the June 1997
Secondary Offering.

     During the nine and three months ended October 31, 1998, the Company's cash
and  cash  equivalents  decreased  by  $425,000  to  $2,531,000.   Net  cash  of
$12,358,000  was  used  in the  Company's  operating  activities.  Cash  used to
increase  inventory,  net  investment  in sales-type  leases and prepaid  taxes,
aggregating   approximately  $12,258,000  and  decreases  in  trade  acceptances
payable,  accounts  payable and accrued  expenses  and income  taxes  payable of
approximately $9,309,000 was offset by cash provided by decreases in the balance
of accounts  receivable and other assets aggregating  approximately  $3,523,000.
These changes resulted from expansion of the Company's  territories and lines of
business during fiscal year 1998 and the nine and three months ended October 31,
1998 and the increase in inventory resulting from the reduced sales levels.

     Cash  generated  from  operations  was  partially  used for the purchase of
approximately 90,000 shares of the Company's stock in the open market during the
nine months ended  October 31, 1998, at an average cost of  approximately  $9.20
per share.

     The Company  purchases foreign currency futures contracts to hedge specific
purchase  commitments.  Substantially all foreign currency purchases commitments
are matched with specific foreign currency futures contracts.  Consequently, the
company believes that no material foreign currency exchange risk exists relating
to  outstanding  trade  acceptances  payable.  The  cost of such  contracts  are
included in the cost of inventory.

     Revolving Credit Facility and Borrowings

     In September 1997 the Company's  Revolving Credit Facility (the "Facility")
was amended to increase the borrowing level from  $30,000,000 to $60,000,000 for
Hirsch  and  provide a  $10,000,000  Revolving  Credit  Facility  for HAPL.  The
Facility,  which now  includes a third bank,  is to be used for working  capital
loans,  letters  of credit  and  deferred  payment  letters  of credit  and bear
interest  as  defined  in the  Facility.  The  terms  of the  Facility  restrict
additional borrowings by the Company and require the Company to maintain certain
minimum  tangible net worth,  quick asset ratio and fixed charge coverage levels
as defined.  The  Facility  also  provides a  $20,000,000  sub-limit  to finance
acquisitions (as defined therein).  This Facility has also been used for letters
of credit  and  deferred  payment  letters of credit  aggregating  approximately
$9,103,000  at October 31, 1998.  During the nine months ended  October 31, 1998
the Company borrowed approximately  $21,000,000 as working capital loans against
the Facility, of which $14,000,000 was outstanding at October 31, 1998.

     HAPL sells  substantially  all of its leases to financial  institutions  on
either a non-recourse basis or a limited-liability recourse basis several months
after  the  commencement  of the  lease  term  thereby  reducing  its  financing
requirements.  HAPL Leasing,  which was fully  activated in May 1993, has closed
approximately  $182,364,000 in lease agreements as of October 31, 1998. To date,
approximately  $168,578,000,  or 92.4%, of the leases consummated have been sold
to third-party financial institutions.

     On January 27, 1994,  Hirsch entered into a ten year,  $2,295,000  Mortgage
agreement with a bank (the "Mortgage") for its new corporate  headquarters.  The
Mortgage  bears interest at a fixed rate of 8.8% and is payable in equal monthly
principal  installments of $19,125. The obligation under the Mortgage is secured
by a lien on the premises and the related improvements thereon.

                                       14
<PAGE>

     Future Capital Requirements

     The Company  believes  that the net proceeds  from the June 1997  Secondary
Offering (See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) its existing
cash and funds generated from operations,  together with its existing  revolving
credit  facility,  will be  sufficient  to meet its working  capital and capital
expenditure requirements and to finance planned growth.


     Year 2000 Compliance

     The Year 2000 issue exists because many computer  systems and  applications
use  two-digit  date  fields to  designate a year.  As the  century  date change
occurs, date sensitive systems may not be able to recognize the year 2000 or may
do so  incorrectly  as the year 1900.  This  inability  to recognize or properly
interpret the year 2000 may result in the incorrect  processing of financial and
operational information.

     The Company  has  established  a steering  committee  to address  Year 2000
issues,  including  senior  members of the  management  team,  which will report
regularly to the Board of  Directors.  The  committee has initiated a program to
upgrade its  internal  information  systems to address any Year 2000  compliance
issues.  This program includes a focus on internal policies,  methods and tools,
as well as inquiries of and coordination with customers and suppliers.

     The  Company  expects  its Year 2000  program to be  completed  on a timely
basis,   and  is  currently   implementing   new  computer   systems  that  will
substantially  insure that the  Company's  operating  systems are not subject to
Year 2000  transition  problems.  To the extent current systems that will not be
replaced have been determined to be  non-compliant,  the Company is working with
the suppliers of such systems to obtain upgrades  and/or  enhancements to insure
Year 2000 compliance.

     The  Company  has made a  thorough  review  of its  software  products  and
believes  that  its  current  products  are  Year  2000  compliant.  Many of the
Company's  customers may be,  however,  using earlier  versions of the Company's
software  products,  which  may not be Year  2000  compliant.  The  Company  has
initiated  programs to proactively notify such customers of the risks associated
with using these products and to actively encourage such customers to migrate to
the Company's current software products.

     Based upon the Company's current estimates, incremental out-of-pocket costs
of its Year 2000 program will aggregate approximately $200,000.  These costs are
expected to be incurred  primarily in fiscal year 2000 and consist  primarily of
remediation of and/or upgrades to existing computer hardware and software.  Such
costs  do not  include  internal  management  time  and the  deferral  of  other
projects,  the effects of which are not expected to be material to the Company's
results of operations  or financial  condition.  The  Company's  total Year 2000
project costs include the estimated costs and time associated with the impact of
third party Year 2000 issues based on presently available information.  However,
there can be no guarantee  that other  companies  upon which the Company  relies
will be able to timely address their Year 2000 compliance  issues.  A reasonable
worst  case  Year 2000  scenario  would be the  failure  of key  vendors  and/or
suppliers  to have  corrected  their  own Year 2000  issues  which  could  cause
disruption of the Company's operations, the effects of which may have an adverse
impact on the Company's results of operations.  The Company is in the process of
developing   contingency  plans  to  address  potential  worst  case  Year  2000
scenarios.  Such plans are expected to be substantially  completed by the end of
fiscal year 1999.

                                       15

<PAGE>

     Backlog and Inventory

     The ability of the Company to fill orders  quickly is an important  part of
its customer service strategy.  The embroidery machines held in inventory by the
Company are generally  shipped within a week from the date the customer's orders
are  received,  and as a result,  backlog is not  meaningful  as an indicator of
future sales.

     Inflation

     The Company  does not believe that  inflation  has had, or will have in the
foreseeable future, a material impact upon the Company's operating results.

                                       16

<PAGE>

     PART II-OTHER INFORMATION


     Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     None.

     Item 2. Changes in Securities

     None.

     Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     None.

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

     None.

     Item 5. Other Information

     None.

     Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     (a) Exhibits


     *3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant

     **3.2 Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant

     ***4.1 Specimen of Class A Common Stock Certificate

     ***4.2 Specimen of Class B Common Stock Certificate

     27.1 Financial Data Schedule

     (b) Reports on Form 8-K

     None.

 ----------------------

     *Incorporated  by reference from the  Registrant's  Form 10-Q filed for the
quarter ended July 31, 1997.

     **Incorporated  by reference from the Registrant's  Form 10-Q filed for the
quarter ended October, 31, 1997.

     ***Incorporated by reference from the Registrant's  Registration  Statement
on Form S-1, Registration Number 33-72618.



                                       17


<PAGE>


                                   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.


                                      HIRSCH INTERNATIONAL CORP.
                                       (Registrant)



                                      /s/ Henry Arnberg
                                      -------------------------------
                                      Henry Arnberg
                                      Chief Executive Officer and
                                      Acting Chief Financial Officer



Dated: December 15, 1998

                                       18


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                              5
<CIK>                                  0000915909
<NAME>                                 HIRSCH INTERNATIONAL CORP.
       
<S>                                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                          3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                      JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                         AUG-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                           OCT-31-1998
<CASH>                                                      2,531,000
<SECURITIES>                                                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                              34,598,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                               (3,572,000)
<INVENTORY>                                                44,350,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                           83,369,000
<PP&E>                                                     13,656,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                             (5,592,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                            120,720,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                      27,677,000
<BONDS>                                                             0
                                               0
                                                         0
<COMMON>                                                       95,000
<OTHER-SE>                                                 76,485,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                              120,720,000
<SALES>                                                    29,505,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                           31,275,000
<CGS>                                                      19,598,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                              29,639,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                              125,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                    0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                            477,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                             1,034,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                                  440,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                           406,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                     0
<CHANGES>                                                           0
<NET-INCOME>                                                  406,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                    0.04
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                    0.04
        


</TABLE>


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