Universal Security Instruments(UUU)




Nov. 26, 2008
Q2 2009 data(09/2008)

This company produces security product likes the smoke detector for home use. I have watched it for almost one year. It was falling down from over $30 pre share. Previously I feel it is cheap when it is around $6. Now it is around $2.6.

1. It is a microcap with market cap 2.5m x $2.6 = $6.4m which is really small.

2. Book value around $9. Far above market price. No debt.

3. Average earning for recent 5 years are above $1.5.

So why it is trading so low now?

1. The meltdown of house market which is their primary market.

2. In 2007 to early 2008, they made a wrong investment in Canada which made them lost several million of dollars. The money is not a big issue, however, this reflect the weakness of their management.

3. Their history: their revenue used to be around $25m from 1992 to 1995. Then go down to $7m at 2000, 2001, then rebound back to $33m at 2008. They are trading on OTC board from 1996 until 2003. Previous than 1996, I don't know.

4. Before 2003, they were losing money or making very little profit for 10 years. Their stock has been traded around $1 at 2002.

5. Revenue,  Employees number and Income(all in millions except employee number:
Year       Revenue      E(S)*        SG&A    Income   HKJ Rev**   HKJ**
1994      26m                             4.2        -1.0        16              1.3
1995      25m                             4.3        -1.6        15              0.9
1996      19.5m         30(15)        3.7        -0.8        10              0.2
1997      15.5m         17(9)          3.2        -1.0        6.5            -0.2
1998      11.5m         18(7)          2.1        -0.1        7.0             0
1999      9m              14(6)         2.1        -0.9         6.5            0.3
2000      7.5m           16(8)          2.2        -0.7        5.5             0.1
2001      7.5m           16(8)          2.5        -0.6        6.0             0
2002      10.5m         17(9)          3.4        -0.8        11.5           1.2
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2003      16m            16(9)          4.3        0.6        23.5           1.9
2004      17m            17(9)          5.0        0.5        24              2.2
2005      23.5m         18(12)        6.2        0.9        26              2.4
2006      29m            15(12)        6.8        2.4        25              2.1
2007      33m            34(16)        6.5        3.6        41              3.8
2008      34m            19(14)        6.1        1.4        30              2.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09Q1     6.2m                           1.24       0.25      7.8            0.29
09Q2     8.4m                           1.65       0.16      11.9          0.60

*E(S) = Employees(Admin & Sales Person)
**HKJ = Income from Hong Kong Joint Venture

Mar. 24, 2009

Just found out they never paid any dividend in the past 20+ years. Stop watching.

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