Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation: The accompanying financial data has been prepared by us pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Our fiscal year end is January 31. Unless otherwise stated, all years and dates refer to our fiscal year.

On January 31, 2013, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of our Grass Technologies Product Group. Consequently, we have classified the results of operations of the Grass Technologies Product Group as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Refer to Note 19, “Discontinued Operations,” for further discussion.

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Astro-Med, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassification: Certain amounts in prior year’s financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Use of Estimates: The presentation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect these financial statements and accompanying notes. Some of the more significant estimates relate to the allowances for doubtful accounts and credits, inventory valuation, valuation and estimated lives of intangible assets, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, income taxes, share-based compensation and warranty reserves. Management’s estimates are based on the facts and circumstances available at the time estimates are made, past historical experience, risk of loss, general economic conditions and trends, and management’s assessments of the probable future outcome of these matters. Consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Similar investments with original maturities beyond three months are classified as securities available for sale. Cash of $2,544,000 and $1,157,000 was held in foreign bank accounts at January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Securities Available for Sale: Securities available for sale are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices, where available. The difference between cost and fair value, net of related tax effects, is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity.

Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (land improvements—10 to 20 years; buildings and improvements—10 to 45 years; machinery and equipment—3 to 10 years). Depreciation expense was $1,279,000 for fiscal 2014 and $1,331,000 for 2013.

Revenue Recognition: Astro-Med’s product sales are recognized when all of the following criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; delivery has occurred and legal title and risk of loss have passed to the customer; and collectability is reasonably assured. Returns and customer credits are infrequent and are recorded as a reduction to sales. Rights of return are not included in sales arrangements. Revenue associated with products that contain specific customer acceptance criteria is not recognized before the customer acceptance criteria are satisfied. Discounts from list prices are recorded as a reduction to sales. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling fees are included in sales while related shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.

The majority of our equipment contains embedded operating systems and data management software which is included in the purchase price of the equipment. The software is deemed incidental to the systems as a whole as it is not sold separately or marketed separately and its production costs are minor as compared to those of the hardware system. Therefore, the Company’s hardware appliances are considered non-software elements and are not subject to the industry-specific software revenue recognition guidance.

Our multiple-element arrangements are generally comprised of a combination of equipment, software, installation and/or training services. Hardware and software elements are typically delivered at the same time and revenue is recognized when all the revenue recognition criteria for each unit are met. Delivery of installation and training services will vary based on certain factors such as the complexity of the equipment, staffing availability in a geographic location and customer preferences, and can range from a few days to a few months. Service revenue is deferred and recognized over the contractual period or as services are rendered and accepted by the customer.

We have evaluated the deliverables in our multiple-element arrangements and concluded that they are separate units of accounting if the delivered item or items have value to the customer on a standalone basis and delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in our control. We allocate revenue to each element in our multiple-element arrangements based upon their relative selling prices. We determine the selling price for each deliverable based on a selling price hierarchy. The selling price for a deliverable is based on vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) if available, third-party evidence (“TPE”) if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. Revenue allocated to each element is then recognized when the basic revenue recognition criteria for that element have been met.

Infrequently, Astro-Med recognizes revenue for non-recurring engineering (NRE) fees for product modification orders upon completion of agreed-upon milestones. Revenue is deferred for any amounts received prior to completion of milestones. Certain of our NRE arrangements include formal customer acceptance provisions. In such cases, we determine whether we have obtained customer acceptance for the specific milestone before recognizing revenue. NRE fees have not been significant in the periods presented herein.

Infrequently, Astro-Med receives requests from customers to hold product purchased from us for the customer’s convenience. Revenue is recognized for such bill and hold arrangements in accordance with the requirements of SAB No. 104 which requires, among other things, the existence of a valid business purpose for the arrangement; the transfer of ownership of the purchased product; a fixed delivery date that is reasonable and consistent with the buyer’s business purpose; the readiness of the product for shipment; the use of customary payment terms; no continuing performance obligation by us; and segregation of the product from our inventories.

Research and Development Costs: The Company complies with the guidance provided in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) FASB 730, “Research and Development” by charging any costs to expense when incurred, as well as by disclosing in the financial statements the amount of Research & Development charged to expense. These charges include: salaries and benefits, external engineering service costs, engineering related information costs and supplies. The Company also complies with ASC 985-20, “Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Marketed” and ASC 350-40, “Internal-Use Software” in accounting for the costs of software either developed or acquired.

Foreign Currency: The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates with the translation adjustment recorded as a component of accumulated comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. Revenues and costs are translated at average exchange rates during the year. We do not provide for U.S. income taxes on foreign currency translation adjustments associated with our German subsidiary since its undistributed earnings are considered to be permanently invested. Our net foreign exchange losses were $190,000 and $158,000 for fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Advertising: Astro-Med expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs including advertising production, trade shows and other activities are designed to enhance demand for our products and amounted to approximately $1,236,000 and $750,000 in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Health Insurance Reimbursement Reserve: Astro-Med reimburses a portion of employee health insurance deductibles and co-payments. The total reimbursement amounted to approximately $201,000 and $313,000 in 2014 and 2013, respectively. We accrued approximately $75,000 and $100,000 at January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, for estimated outstanding reimbursements due to employees, including a reserve for incurred but not reported amounts.

Long-Lived Assets: Long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the fair value of the asset.

In 2013, we recognized an impairment of $779,000 related to the Grass Technologies Product Group‘s manufacturing facilities located in Rockland, Massachusetts. This impairment was included as part of the Income from Discontinued Operations in the accompanying consolidated statement of income for the period ended January 31, 2013. Refer to Note 19, “Discontinued Operations,” for further discussion.

Intangible Assets: Intangible assets include the value of customer relationships and backlog rights acquired in connection with business acquisitions and are recorded at fair value as determined by the Company. These intangible assets have a definite life and are amortized over the assets useful life using a systematic and rational basis which is representative of the asset’s use. Intangible assets with a definite life are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows used in determining the fair value of the asset. The amount of the impairment loss recorded is calculated by the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. Fair value is generally determined using a discounted cash flow analysis. For both 2014 and 2013, there were no impairment charges for intangible assets.

Goodwill: Management evaluates the recoverability of goodwill annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances, such as declines in sales, earnings or cash flows, or material adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that the carrying value of an asset might be impaired. Goodwill is first qualitatively assessed to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. Factors that management considers in this assessment include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, overall financial performance (both current and projected), changes in management and strategy and changes in the composition or carrying amount of net assets. If this qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a two step process is then performed. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, step two is required to determine if there is an impairment of the goodwill. Step two compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill to the carrying amount of the goodwill. We estimate the fair value of our reporting units using the income approach based upon a discounted cash flow model. We believe that this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the reporting unit’s expected long–term operating cash flow performance. In addition, the Company uses the market approach, which compares the reporting unit to publicly-traded companies and transactions involving similar business, to support the conclusions based upon the income approach. The income approach requires the use of many assumptions and estimates including future revenue, expenses, capital expenditures, and working capital, as well as discount factors and income tax rates.

We performed a qualitative assessment for our 2014 analysis of goodwill. Based on this assessment, management does not believe that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the reporting units exceed their fair values. Accordingly, no further testing was performed as management believes that there are no impairment issues in regards to goodwill at this time.

Income Taxes: Astro-Med uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of the assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. An allowance against deferred tax assets is recognized when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. At January 31, 2014 and 2013, a valuation allowance was provided for deferred tax assets attributable to certain state R&D credit carryforwards.

Astro-Med accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” This guidance describes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and requires recognition of tax benefits that satisfy a more-likely-than-not threshold. ASC 740 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

Net Income Per Common Share: Net income per common share has been computed and presented in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC 260, “Earnings per Share.” Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is based on the basic weighted average number of shares and potential common equivalent shares for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. In fiscal years 2014 and 2013, there were 126,800 and 583,512 common equivalent shares that were not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: In circumstances where we are aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, an allowance is established. The majority of accounts are individually evaluated on a regular basis and allowances are established to state such receivables at their net realizable value. The remainder of the allowance is based upon historical write-off experience and current market assessments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, accounts receivable, a note receivable, a line of credit receivable and accounts payable. The carrying amount reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these items. Investment securities, all of which are available for sale, are carried in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value based on quoted market prices, when available. The note receivable is carried in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value based on the present value of the discounted cash flows over the life of the note.

Share-Based Compensation: We account for share based awards granted to employees and directors using the FASB guidance included in ASC 718, “Stock Compensation.” Effective as of February 1, 2006, we adopted the “modified prospective” transition method provided in ASC 718. Under this method, share-based compensation is recognized in the consolidated statement of operation for share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not yet vested as of February 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with prior authoritative guidance and for share-based payment awards granted subsequent to February 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718.

In accordance with ASC 718, share-based compensation expense is based on the estimated fair value of the share-based award when granted to an employee or director. We have estimated the fair value of each option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Our estimate of share-based compensation requires a number of complex and subjective assumptions including our stock price volatility, employee exercise patterns (expected life of the options), the risk-free interest rate and the Company’s dividend yield. The stock price volatility assumption is based on the historical weekly price data of our common stock over a period equivalent to the weighted average expected life of our options. Management evaluated whether there were factors during that period which were unusual and would distort the volatility figure if used to estimate future volatility and concluded that there were no such factors. In determining the expected life of the option grants, the Company has observed the actual terms of prior grants with similar characteristics and the actual vesting schedule of the grant and has assessed the expected risk tolerance of different option groups. The risk-free interest rate is based on the actual U.S. Treasury zero coupon rates for bonds matching the expected term of the option as of the option grant date. The dividend assumption is based upon the prior year’s average dividend yield. No compensation expense is recognized for options that are forfeited for which the employee does not render the requested service. Our accounting for share-based compensation for restricted stock awards (“RSA”) and restricted stock units (“RSU”) is also based on the fair value method. The fair value of the RSUs and RSAs is based on the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date of the RSU or RSA.

The cash flow from the tax benefits that are a result of tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) are classified as a cash inflow from financing activities and a cash outflow from operating activity in accordance with the guidance provided by ASC 718. Tax deductions from certain stock option exercises are treated as being realized when they reduce taxes payable in accordance with relevant tax law.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

Income Taxes

In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740)—Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” which requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)—Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, entities are required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, entities are required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail on these amounts. ASU 2013-02 is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. We have adopted this guidance in the first quarter ended May 4, 2013 and have provided the disclosure required in Note 8. Since ASU 2013-02 only impacts presentation and disclosure requirements, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Note 2—Acquisition

On January 22, 2014, Astro-Med completed the acquisition of the Ruggedized Printer Product line from Miltope Corporation (Miltope), a company of VT Systems, which is engaged in the design, development, manufacture and testing of ruggedized computers and computer peripheral equipment for military, industry and commercial applications. Astro-Med’s ruggedized printer product line is part of the Test & Measurement (T&M) product group and is reported as part of the T&M segment. The results of the Miltope’s ruggedized printer product line operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company since the acquisition date.

The purchase price of the acquisition was $6,732,000 which was funded using existing cash on hand. Of the $6,732,000 purchase price, $500,000 will be held in escrow for twelve months following the acquisition date to provide an indemnity to the Company in the event of any breach in the representation, warranties and covenants of Miltope. The assets acquired consist of all of the assets of the Miltope ruggedized printer product line excluding plant and equipment and personnel. Acquisition related costs of approximately $90,000 are included in the general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method in accordance with the guidance provided by FASB ASC 805, “Business Combinations.”

As part of the acquisition, Miltope and Astro-Med have entered into a manufacturing services agreement under which Miltope will provide transition services and continue to manufacture printers for Astro-Med for up to six months until the Company transitions the manufacturing to its West Warwick, Rhode Island facility.

The purchase price of the acquisition has been allocated on the basis of the estimated fair value as follows:

Goodwill of $196,000, which is deductible for tax purposes, represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value assigned to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Miltope. The carrying amount of the goodwill was allocated to the T&M segment of the Company.

The following table reflects the fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets and related estimated useful lives:

No amortization expense has been included in the income statement for fiscal 2014 in regards to the above acquired intangibles.

Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows:

The following unaudited pro forma information assumes the acquisition of Miltope occurred on either February 1, 2013 or 2012. This information has been prepared for informational purposes only and does not purport to represent the results of operations that would have happened had the acquisition occurred as of the date indicated, nor of future results of operations.

The impact on net income and earnings per share would not have been material to the Company in either year.

Note 3—Securities Available for Sale

Pursuant to our investment policy, securities available for sale include state and municipal securities with various contractual or anticipated maturity dates ranging from one month to three years. These securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes in shareholders’ equity until realized. Realized gains and losses from the sale of available for sale securities, if any, are determined on a specific identification basis. A decline in the fair value of any available for sale security below cost that is determined to be other than temporary will result in a write-down of its carrying amount to fair value. No such impairment charges were recorded for any period presented. All short-term investment securities have original maturities greater than 90 days.

The fair value, amortized cost and gross unrealized gains and losses of the securities are as follows:

The contractual maturity dates of these securities are as follows:

Actual maturities are expected to differ from contractual dates as a result of sales or earlier issuer redemptions.

Note 4—Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and include material, labor and manufacturing overhead. The components of inventories are as follows:

The balance of inventory at January 31, 2014 includes $2,500,000 of inventory related to the acquisition of Miltope.

Included within finished goods inventory is $767,000 and $812,000 of demonstration equipment at January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Note 5—Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following:

Note 6—Line of Credit

On January 15, 2014, the Company amended its agreement with Wells Fargo Bank to increase the existing line of credit from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000. Borrowings under this line of credit bear interest at either a fluctuating 75 basis points below the base rate, as defined in the agreement, or at a fixed rate 150 basis points above LIBOR. At January 31, 2014, there were no borrowings against this line and the entire line is currently available.

Note 7—Note Receivable and Revolving Line of Credit Issued

On January 30, 2012, we completed the sale of our label manufacturing operations in Asheboro, North Carolina to Label Line Ltd. The net sales price of $1,000,000 was received in the form of a promissory note issued by Label Line Ltd. and is fully secured by a first lien on various collateral, including the Asheboro plant and plant assets. The note bears interest at the United States prime rate as of January 30, 2013 plus 50 basis points (3.75% at January 31, 2014) and is payable in sixteen quarterly installments of principal and interest commencing on January 30, 2013. The Note Receivable is disclosed at its present value on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of January 31, 2014, $690,000 remains outstanding on this note.

The terms of the Asheboro sale also included an agreement for Astro-Med to provide Label Line Ltd. with additional financing in form of a revolving line of credit in the amount of $600,000, which is fully secured by a first lien on various collateral, including the Asheboro plant and plant assets. This line of credit bears interest at a rate equal to the United States prime rate plus an additional margin of two percent of the outstanding credit balance (5.25% at January 31, 2014). Although the initial term was for a period of one-year from the date of the sale, the agreement has been extended through January 31, 2015. As of January 31, 2014, $240,000 remains outstanding on this revolving line of credit.

Note 8—Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The changes in the balance of accumulated other comprehensive income by component are as follows:

The amounts presented above in other comprehensive income are net of taxes.

Note 9—Shareholders’ Equity

The number of shares issued of common stock is summarized below:

Common Stock: During fiscal 2014 the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock under the Company’s repurchase program. The Company purchased 110,000 shares of its common stock for $770,000 in fiscal 2013. As of January 31, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of up to an additional 390,000 shares Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.

During fiscal 2014 and 2013, certain of the Company’s employees delivered a total of 66,828 and 20,938 shares respectively, of the Company’s common stock to satisfy the exercise price for stock options exercised and related taxes. The shares delivered were valued at a total of $797,000 and $176,000, respectively and are included with the treasury stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at January 31, 2014 and 2013. These transactions did not impact the number of shares authorized for repurchase under the Company’s current repurchase program.

Astro-Med maintains the following benefit plans involving its common stock:

Stock Plans: Astro-Med has one equity incentive plan (the “Plan”) under which incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) and other equity based awards may be granted to officers and certain employees. An aggregate of 1,000,000 shares were authorized for awards under the Plan. At January 31, 2014, 359,475 shares were available for grant under the Plan. Options granted to employees vest over four years. The exercise price of each stock option will be established at the discretion of the Compensation Committee; however, any incentive stock options granted must be at an exercise price of not less than fair market value at the date of grant. In fiscal year 2013, a portion of the Company’s executive’s long-term incentive compensation was awarded in the form of RSUs. The 2013 RSUs are earned if the Company achieves specific thresholds of net sales and annual operating income as established under the fiscal 2013 Domestic Management Bonus Plan and vest fifty percent on the first anniversary of the grant date and fifty percent on the second anniversary of the grant date provided that the grantee is employed on each vesting date by Astro-Med or an affiliate company. All such RSUs were earned in fiscal 2013 and fifty percent vested in March 2013; the balance will vest in March 2014, subject to the grantee’s continued employment. In April 2013, the Company granted options and RSUs to officers (“2014 RSUs”). Each 2014 RSU will be earned and vest as follows: twenty-five percent of the 2014 RSU vests on the third anniversary of the grant date, fifty percent of the 2014 RSU vests upon the Company achieving its cumulative budgeted net sales target for fiscal years 2014 through 2016 (the “Measurement Period”), and twenty-five percent of the total 2014 RSU vests upon the Company’s achieving a target average annual ORONA (operating income return on net assets as calculated under the Domestic Management Bonus Plan) for the Measurement Period. The grantee may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of more than fifty percent of the common stock issued upon vesting of the RSU until the first anniversary of the vesting date.

The Plan provides for an automatic annual grant of ten-year options to purchase 5,000 shares of stock to each non-employee director upon the adjournment of each shareholders’ meeting. Each such option is exercisable at the fair market value as of the grant date and vests immediately prior to the next succeeding shareholders’ meeting. During fiscal 2014 and 2013, 20,000 options, were awarded each year to non-employee directors pursuant to the Plan. In addition to the automatic option grant under Plan, the Company has a Non-Employee Director Annual Compensation Program (the “Program”) which provides that each non-employee director is entitled to an annual cash retainer of $7,000 (the “Cash Retainer”), plus $500 for each Board and committee meeting attended. The non-employee director may elect for any fiscal year to receive all or a portion of the Cash Retainer in the form of common stock of the Company, which will be issued under the Plan. If a non-employee director elects to receive all or a portion of the Cash Retainer in the form of common stock, such shares shall be issued in four quarterly installments on the first day of each fiscal quarter, and the number of shares of common stock to be issued shall be based on the fair market value of such common stock on the date such installment is payable. The common stock received in lieu of such Cash Retainer will be fully vested. However, a non-employee director who receives common stock in lieu of all or a portion of the Cash Retainer may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber the common stock prior to the first anniversary of the date on which such shares were issuable. In the event of the death or disability of a nonemployee director, or a change in control of the Company, any shares of common stock issued in lieu of such Cash Retainer, shall no longer be subject to such restrictions on transfer.

In addition, under the Program, each non-employee director receives RSAs with a value equal to $20,000 (the “Equity Retainer”) upon adjournment of each annual shareholders meeting. If a non-employee director is first appointed or elected to the Board of Directors effective on a date other than at the annual shareholders meeting, on the date of such appointment or election, the director shall receive a pro rata award of restricted common stock having a value based on the number of days remaining until the next annual meeting. The Equity Retainer will vest on the earlier of 12 months after the grant date or the date immediately prior to the next annual meeting of the shareholders following the meeting at which such RSAs were granted. However, a non-employee director may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber the vested common stock prior to the second anniversary of the vesting date. In the event of the death or disability of a non-employee director, or a change in control of the Company, the RSAs shall immediately vest and shall no longer be subject to such restrictions on transfer.

Stock Options:

Aggregated information regarding stock options granted under the Plan is summarized below:

Set forth below is a summary of options outstanding at January 31, 2014:

The fair value of each stock option granted was estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

The weighted average fair value of options granted during fiscal 2014 and 2013 was $2.79 and $2.02, respectively. As of January 31, 2014, there was $250,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested stock options granted under the plans. The expense is to be recognized over a weighted average of two years.

As of January 31, 2014, the aggregate intrinsic value (the aggregate difference between the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 31, 2014, and the exercise price of the outstanding options) that would have been received by the option holders if all options had been exercised was $2,905,000 for all exercisable options and $3,707,000 for all options outstanding. The weighted average remaining contractual terms for these options are 3.6 years for options that are exercisable and 4.7 years for all options outstanding. The total aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during fiscal 2014 and 2013 was $706,000 and $241,000, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs)

Aggregated information regarding RSUs and RSAs granted under the Plan is summarized below:

As of January 31, 2014, there was $375,000 of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs and RSAs.

Share-based compensation expense has been recognized as follows:

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP): Astro-Med’s ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock at a 15% discount from fair market value on the date of purchase. A total of 247,500 shares were initially reserved for issuance under this plan. Summarized plan activity is as follows:

Employee Stock Ownership Plan: Astro-Med has an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) providing retirement benefits to all eligible employees. Annual contributions in amounts determined by the Company’s Board of Directors are invested by the ESOP’s Trustees in shares of common stock of Astro-Med. Contributions may be in cash or stock. Astro-Med’s contributions (paid or accrued) amounted to $100,000 in both fiscal 2014 and 2013 and were recorded as compensation expense. All shares owned by the ESOP have been allocated to participants.

Note 10—Income Taxes

The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows:

The components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations are as follows:

The provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 34% in fiscal 2014 and 35% in fiscal 2013 to income before income taxes due to the following:

The components of deferred income tax expense arise from various temporary differences and relate to items included in the statement of income. The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

In fiscal 2014, we reclassified $1,151,000 from non-current liabilities of discontinued operations to deferred taxes.

At January 31, 2014, we have state net operating loss carryforwards of $392,000, which can be used to offset future tax liabilities and expire at various dates beginning in fiscal 2014.

The valuation allowance at January 31, 2014 relates to certain state research and development tax credit carryforwards which are expected to expire unused. The change in the valuation allowance in 2014 is an increase of approximately $27,000 and represents an increase in the reserve due to the generation of research and development credits during the current year, net of federal benefit. The change in the valuation allowance in 2013 was a decrease of approximately $49,000 and represents a reduction in the reserve due to the expiration of research and development credit expensed during the year net of federal benefits.

The Company reasonably believes that it is possible that some unrecognized tax benefits, accrued interest and penalties could decrease income tax expense in the next year due to either the review of previously filed tax returns or the expiration of certain statutes of limitation. A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties follows:

If the $715,000 is recognized, $425,000 would decrease the effective tax rate in the period in which each of the benefits is recognized and the remainder would be offset by a reversal of deferred tax assets.

During fiscal 2014 and 2013 the Company recognized $68,000 of expense and $105,000 of benefit, respectively, related to interest and penalties, which are included as a component of income tax expense in the accompanying statement of income. At January 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had accrued potential interest and penalties of $416,000 and $348,000, respectively.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in U.S. federal jurisdictions, various state jurisdictions, and various foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations prior to 2010.

On September 13, 2013, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service released final regulations that provided guidance on the application of IRC Section 263(a) for amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property, as well as the rules for materials and supplies and proposed regulations addressing dispositions and general asset accounts. The final regulations are generally effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. We are currently evaluating the impact of these new regulations and do not expect them to have a material impact to our financial statements.

At January 31, 2014, the Company has indefinitely reinvested $3,462,000 of the cumulative undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiary in Germany, all of which would be subject to U.S. taxes if repatriated to the U.S. Through January 31, 2014, the Company has not provided deferred income taxes on the undistributed earnings of this subsidiary because such earnings are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. Non-U.S. income taxes are, however, provided on these undistributed earnings.

Note 11—Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations:

The Company incurred rent and lease expenses in the amount of $599,000 and $607,000 for the fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Note 12—Nature of Operations, Segment Reporting and Geographical Information

The Company’s operations consist of the design, development, manufacture and sale of specialty data recorder and acquisition systems, label printing and applicator systems and related consumable supplies. The Company organizes and manages its business as a portfolio of products and services designed around a common theme of data acquisition and information output. The Company reports two reporting segments consistent with its sales product groups: Test & Measurement (T&M) and QuickLabel Systems (QuickLabel).

T&M produces data recording equipment used worldwide for a variety of recording, monitoring and troubleshooting applications for the aerospace, automotive, metal mill, power and telecommunications industries. QuickLabel produces an array of high-technology digital color and monochrome label printers, labeling software and consumables for a variety of commercial industries worldwide.

Business is conducted in the United States and through foreign affiliates in Canada and Europe. Manufacturing activities are primarily conducted in the United States. Sales and service activities outside the United States are conducted through wholly-owned entities and, to a lesser extent, through authorized distributors and agents. Transfer prices are intended to produce gross profit margins as would be associated with an arms-length transaction.

On January 31, 2013, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of its Grass Technologies Product Group (Grass) in order to focus on its existing core businesses. Grass produced a range of instrumentation equipment and supplies for clinical neurophysiology (EEG and epilepsy monitoring), polysomnography (PSG—Sleep Monitoring) and biomedical research applications used by universities, medical centers and companies engaged in a variety of clinical and research activities. Consequently, the Company has classified the results of operations of Grass as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Refer to Note 19 for further details.

The accounting policies of the reporting segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies herein. The Company evaluates segment performance based on the segment profit before corporate and financial administration expenses.

Summarized below are the Net Sales and Segment Operating Profit (both in dollars and as a percentage of Net Sales) for each reporting segment: