Maison Solutions Inc. Class A Common Stock (MSS) 10-Q2025 Q2 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2024

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                  to               

Commission File No. 001-41720

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒  No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes ☐  No ☒

As of December 11, 2024, the number of shares of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, outstanding was 17,450,476 shares, and the number of shares of Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value, outstanding was 2,240,000 shares.

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.

FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

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

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2024 AND 2023

(UNAUDITED)

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

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

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

MAISON SOLUTIONS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

OCTOBER 31, 2024 (UNAUDITED) AND APRIL 30, 2024

1. Organization

Maison Solutions Inc. (“Maison”, the “Company”, and formerly known as “Maison International Inc.”) was founded on July 24, 2019 as an Illinois corporation with its principal place of business in California. In September 2021, the Company was redomiciled in the State of Delaware as a corporation registered under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Immediately upon formation, the Company acquired three retail Asian supermarkets with two brands (Good Fortune and Hong Kong Supermarkets) in Los Angeles, California and rebranded them as “HK Good Fortune Supermarkets.” Upon completion of these acquisitions, these entities became controlled subsidiaries of the Company (hereafter collectively referred to as “Maison Group”).

On November 3, 2023, the Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary, AZLL LLC (“AZLL”), in Arizona. On April 8, 2024, AZLL closed an acquisition transaction and purchased 100% of the equity interests in Lee Lee Oriental Supermart, Inc. (“Lee Lee”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $22.2 million, consisting of: (i) $7.0 million in cash paid immediately at the closing of the transaction, and (ii) a senior secured promissory note (the “Secured Note”) with an original principal amount of approximately $15.2 million pursuant to a senior secured note agreement dated April 8, 2024 and amended on October 21, 2024 (as amended, the “Senior Secured Note Agreement”). Lee Lee is a three-store supermarket chain operating in Arizona under the name Lee Lee International Supermarkets and specializing in South-East groceries.

The Company, through its five subsidiaries, engages in the specialty grocery retailer business. The Company is a fast-growing specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise to U.S. consumers, in particular to Asian-American communities.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies

Going concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements (“CFS”) were prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. For the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, the Company had a net loss of $256,009 and a net income of $444,899, respectively. The Company had an accumulated deficit of approximately $2.37 million and negative working capital of $15.64 million as of October 31, 2024. The historical operating results including recurring losses from operations raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The Company plans to increase its revenue by strengthening its sales force, providing attractive sales incentive programs, recruiting experienced industry-related managerial personnel, increasing marketing and promotion activities, seeking suppliers with competitive price and good quality products, opening or acquiring additional specialty supermarkets in the locations that have less-competition. If deemed necessary, management could also seek to raise additional funds by way of admitting strategic investors, or private or public offerings, or by seeking to obtain loans from banks or others, to support the Company’s daily operation. While management of the Company believes in the viability of its strategy to generate sufficient revenues and its ability to raise additional funds on reasonable terms and conditions, there can be no assurances to that effect. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern depends upon the Company’s ability to further implement its business plan and generate sufficient revenue and its ability to raise additional funds. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain funds on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. There is also no assurance that the amount of funds the Company might raise will enable the Company to complete its initiatives or attain profitable operations. If the Company is unable to raise additional funding to meet its working capital needs in the future, it may be forced to delay, reduce or cease its operations.

Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”). 

The interim consolidated financial information as of October 31, 2024 and for the three and six months periods ended October 31, 2024 and 2023 have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Certain information and footnote disclosures, which are normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The interim consolidated financial information should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and the notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024, previously filed with the SEC on August 13, 2024.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include all significant normal and recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the Company’s interim consolidated financial position as of October 31, 2024, its interim consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, as applicable, have been made. The interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future periods.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and, when applicable, entities for which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All transactions and balances among the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Noncontrolling interests

The Company follows the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, “Consolidation,” governing the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCI be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability, that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses, and that losses of a partially-owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to noncontrolling interests even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance.

The net income attributed to NCI was separately designated in the accompanying statements of operations. Losses attributable to NCI in a subsidiary may exceed a NCI’s interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess attributable to NCI is attributed to those interests. NCIs shall continue to be attributed their share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit NCIs balance.

As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company had NCIs of $77,954 and $221,123, respectively, which represent 9% of the equity interest of Maison San Gabriel, 14.75% of the equity interest of Maison Monrovia and 8.33% of the equity interest of Maison El Monte. For the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had net loss of $60,086 and net income of $13, respectively, that were attributable to NCIs.  For the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had net loss of $143,168 and net income of $78,228, respectively, that were attributable to NCIs.

Use of estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Significant accounting estimates are used for, but not limited to, useful lives of property and equipment, commitments and contingencies, inventory reserve, allowance for estimated uncollectable accounts receivable and other receivables, impairment of long-lived assets, contract liabilities and valuation of deferred tax assets.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term cash investments that are highly liquid in nature and have original maturities when purchased of three months or less. The Company’s cash is maintained at financial institutions in the United States of America. Deposits in these financial institutions may, from time to time, exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”)’s federally insured limits. The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category. The bank deposits exceeding the standard insurance amount will not be covered. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, cash balances held in the banks, exceeding the standard insurance amount, are $0 and $862,613, respectively. The Company has not experienced any losses in accounts held in these financial institutions and believes it is not exposed to any risks on its cash held in these financial institutions. 

Restricted cash

Restricted cash is an amount of cash deposited with banks in conjunction with borrowings from banks. Restriction on the use of such cash and the interest earned thereon is imposed by the banks and remains effective throughout the terms of the bank borrowings and notes payable. Restricted cash is classified as non-current assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, as all the balances are not expected to be released to cash within the next 12 months. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company had restricted cash of $0 and $1,101, respectively.

Credit losses

On May 1, 2023, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 “Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which replaces the incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology that is referred to as the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) methodology. The adoption of the credit loss accounting standard has no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of May 1, 2023.

The Company’s account receivables, prepayments, other receivables and other current assets in the balance sheet are within the scope of ASC Topic 326. As the Company has limited customers and debtors, the Company uses the loss-rate method to evaluates the expected credit losses on an individual basis. When establishing the loss rate, the Company makes the assessment on various factors, including historical experience, creditworthiness of customers and debtors, current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, and other factors that may affect its ability to collect from the customers and debtors. The Company also provides specific provisions for allowance when facts and circumstances indicate that the receivable is unlikely to be collected.

Expected credit losses are recorded as allowance for credit losses on the consolidated statements of operations. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance. In the event the Company recovers amount that is previously reserved for, the Company will reduce the specific allowance for credit losses.

Accounts receivable

The Company’s accounts receivable arises from product sales. The Company does not adjust its receivables for the effects of a significant financing component at contract inception if it expects to collect the receivables in one year or less from the time of sale. The Company does not expect to collect receivables greater than one year from the time of sale.

The Company’s policy is to maintain an allowance for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. Management reviews the composition of accounts receivable and analyzes historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, there was no allowance for the doubtful accounts.

Accounts receivable — related parties

Accounts receivable consist primarily of receivables from related parties on 30-day credit terms and are presented net of an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. The Company periodically assesses its accounts receivable for collectability on a specific identification basis. If collectability of an account becomes unlikely, an allowance is recorded for that doubtful account. Once collection efforts have been exhausted, the accounts receivable is written off against the allowance. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the allowance for the doubtful accounts was $62,483 and $0, respectively.

Prepayments

Prepayments are mainly comprised of cash deposited and advanced to suppliers for future inventory purchases and services to be performed. This amount is refundable and bears no interest. For any prepayments that management determines will not be in receipts of inventories, services, or refundable, the Company recognizes an allowance account to reserve such balances. Management reviews its prepayments on a regular basis to determine if the allowance is adequate and adjusts the allowance when necessary. Delinquent account balances are written-off against allowance for doubtful accounts after management has determined that the likelihood of collection is not probable. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company had made prepayments to its vendors of $3,705,814 and $3,263,711, respectively. The Company’s management continues to evaluate the reasonableness of the allowance policy and update it if necessary.

Other receivables and other current assets

Other receivables and other current assets primarily include non-interest-bearing loans of the other business entities, mainly the Company’s major vendors. Management regularly reviews the aging of receivables and changes in payment trends and records allowances when management believes collection of amounts due are at risk. Management reviews the composition of other receivables and analyzes historical bad debts, and current economic trends to evaluate the adequacy of the reserves. Accounts considered uncollectable are written off against allowances after exhaustive efforts at collection are made. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company did not have any bad debt allowance for other receivables.

Inventories, net

Inventories consisting of finished goods and products available for sale are primarily accounted for using the first-in, first-out method. Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This valuation requires the Company to make judgments, based on currently available information, about the likely method of disposition, such as through sales to individual customers, returns to product vendors, liquidations, and expected recoverable values of each disposition category. The Company recorded inventory shrinkage based on the historical data and management’s estimates and provides a reserve for inventory shrinkage for the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company provided a reserve (reversal) for inventory shrinkage of $110,229 and $(322) for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company provided a reserve (reversal) for inventory shrinkage of $314,833 and $(3,559) for the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets.

The following table includes the estimated useful lives of certain of our asset classes:

The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in the consolidated statements of operations. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred, while additions, renewals and betterments, which are expected to extend the useful life of assets, are capitalized. The Company also re-evaluates the periods of depreciation to determine whether subsequent events and circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, which include property and equipment, intangible assets with finite lives, and operating lease right-of-use assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  

Recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is generally determined using the asset’s expected future discounted cash flows or market value, if readily determinable.

The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company conducts its long-lived asset impairment analyses in accordance with ASC 360-10-15, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” ASC 360-10-15 requires the Company to group assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities and evaluate the asset group against the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows. If the undiscounted cash flows do not indicate the carrying amount of the asset is recoverable, an impairment charge is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group asset group exceeds its fair value based on discounted cash flow analysis or appraisals. There was no impairment of long-lived assets for the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023.

Security deposits

Security deposits primarily include deposits made to the Company’s landlord for its supermarkets and office facilities. These deposits are refundable upon expiration of the lease.

Long-term investment

Cost method investment

The Company accounts for investments with less than 20% of the voting shares and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investee using the cost method. The Company elects the measurements alternative and records investment in equity securities at the historical cost in its consolidated financial statements and subsequently records any dividends received from the net accumulated earrings of the investee as income. Dividends received in excess of earnings are considered a return of investment and are recorded as reduction in the cost of the investments.

In May 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in Dai Cheong Trading Company Inc (“Dai Cheong”), a grocery trading company, for $162,665 from DC Holding CA, Inc. DC Holding CA, Inc. is 100% owned by John Xu, the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President of the Company. See Note 12 — “Related party balances and transactions”.

In December 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc (“HKGF Alhambra”), the legal entity holding the Alhambra store, for $40,775 from Ms. Grace Xu, the sole shareholder of HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc. and a related party as the spouse of Mr. John Xu, the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President of the Company. See Note 12 — “Related party balances and transactions”. HKGF Market of Alhambra was temporarily shut down at the end of September 2024 as a result of a strategic operating decision by HKGF Market of Alhambra’s management. Accordingly, the Company recorded $40,775 investment loss during the six months ended October 31, 2024. 

Effective on December 14, 2023, the Company purchased 10% equity interest in TMA Liquor Inc (“TMA”), a liquor wholesale company, for $100,000. The Company paid $75,000 as of October 31, 2024.

Equity method investment

During the year ended April 30, 2024, the Company invested $1,800,000 for 49% equity interest in HKGF Market of Arcadia, LLC (“HKGF Arcadia”). See Note 7 — “Equity method investment”. The Company has determined that HKGF Arcadia is not a variable interest entity (VIE) and has evaluated its consolidation analysis under the voting interest model with the facts that the Company does not own greater than 50% of the outstanding voting shares, either directly or indirectly; the Management team of HKGF Arcadia was appointed by the 51% shareholder despite Maison and the 51% shareholder each appointed one director to the Board of Directors of HKGF Arcadia, the Company concluded that it should account for its investment in HKGF Arcadia under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, the investor (“Maison”) recognizes its share of the profits and losses of the investee (“HKGF Arcadia”) in the periods when these profits and losses are also reflected in the accounts of the investee. Any profit or loss recognized by the investor appears in its income statement, any recognized profit increases the investment recorded by the investor, while a recognized loss decreases the investment.

Investment in equity securities is evaluated for impairment when facts or circumstances indicate that the fair value of the long-term investments is less than its carrying value. An impairment is recognized when a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company reviews several factors to determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary. These factors include, but are not limited to, the: (i) nature of the investment; (ii) cause and duration of the impairment; (iii) extent to which fair value is less than cost; (iv) financial condition and near-term prospects of the investments; and (v) ability to hold the security for a period sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. No event had occurred and indicated that other-than-temporary impairment existed and therefore the Company did not record any impairment charges for its investments for the three and six months ended October 31, 2024.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment, annually or more frequently when circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Impairment testing is performed at a reporting unit level.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 requires only a one-step quantitative impairment test, whereby a goodwill impairment loss is measured as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (not to exceed the total goodwill allocated to that reporting unit). The Company did not record any impairment loss during the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023.

Leases

The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at the inception of a contract under ASC Topic 842. At the commencement of each lease, management determines its classification as an operating or finance lease. For leases that qualify as operating leases, right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of any remaining lease payments over the lease term. For this purpose, the Company considers only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of commencement. As most of its leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The ROU assets include adjustments for accrued lease payments. The ROU assets also include any lease payments made prior to commencement and is recorded net of any lease incentives received. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise such options. 

A short-term lease is defined as a lease that, at the commencement date, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise. When determining whether a lease qualifies as a short-term lease, the Company evaluates the lease term and the purchase option. Hence, the Company does not recognize any operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities for short-term leases.

The Company evaluates the carrying value of ROU assets if there are indicators of impairment and review the recoverability of the related asset group. If the carrying value of the asset group is determined to not be recoverable and is in excess of the estimated fair value, the Company will record an impairment loss in other expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company also subleases certain mini stores that are within the supermarket to other parties. The Company collects security deposits and rent from these sub-lease tenants. The rent income collected from sub-lease tenants recognized as rental income and deducted occupancy cost. Occupancy cost mainly consists of rents and common area maintenance fees.

Fair value measurements

The Company records its financial assets and liabilities in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:

Fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and non-financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of intangible assets and long-lived assets.

Financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities are reported in the consolidated balance sheets at cost, which approximate fair value because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rates of interest. 

Revenue recognition

The Company adopted ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC Topic 606”), from May 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective transition approach to all contracts that did not have an impact on the beginning retained earnings on May 1, 2020. The Group’s revenue recognition policies effective on the adoption date of ASC Topic 606 are presented as below.

In accordance with ASC Topic 606, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied upon the transfer of goods to the customer, which occurs at the point of sale. Revenues are recorded net of discounts, sales taxes, and returns and allowances.

The Company sells Company gift cards to customers. There are no administrative fees on unused gift cards, and the gift cards do not have an expiration date. Gift card sales are recorded as contract liability when sold and are recognized as revenue when either the gift card is redeemed or the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed is remote (“gift card breakage”). The Company’s gift card breakage rate is based upon historical redemption patterns, and it recognizes breakage revenue utilizing the redemption recognition method. The Company also offers discounts on the gift cards sold to its customers. The discounts are recorded as sales discount when gift card been redeemed. The Company’s contract liability related to gift cards was $810,798 and $965,696 as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. 

The following table summarizes disaggregated revenue from contracts with customers by product group: perishable and non-perishable goods. Perishable product categories include meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruit. Non-perishable product categories include grocery, liquor, cigarettes, lottery, newspaper, reusable bag, non-food, and health products.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales includes the rental expense, depreciation, the direct costs of purchased merchandise, shrinkage costs, store supplies, and inbound shipping costs. The cost of sales is a net of vendor’s rebates and discounts.

The Company subleases certain mini stores that are within the supermarket to other parties. The Company collects security deposits and rents from these sub-lease tenants. The rent income collected from sub-lease tenants are recognized as rental income reduction in rental expense.

Selling expenses

Selling expenses mainly consist of advertising costs, promotion expenses, and payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in selling and marketing activities. Advertising expenses, which consist primarily of online and offline advertisements, are expensed when the services are performed. The Company’s advertising expenses were $11,548 and $3,869 for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s advertising expenses were $48,787 and $34,506 for the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses mainly consist of payroll and related costs for employees involved in general corporate functions, professional fees and other general corporate expenses, as well as expenses associated with the use by these functions of facilities and equipment, such as rental and depreciation expenses.

Concentrations of risks

(a) Major customers

For the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company did not have any customers that accounted for more than 10% of consolidated total net sales. 

(b) Major vendors

The following table sets forth information as to the Company’s suppliers that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total purchases for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023.

The following table sets forth information as to the Company’s suppliers that accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s total purchases for the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023.

(c) Credit risks

Financial instruments that are potentially subject to credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and derived from products sold to customers and are thereby exposed to credit risk. However, the Company believes the concentration of credit risk in its accounts receivable is substantially mitigated by its ongoing credit evaluation process and relatively short collection terms. The Company does not generally require collateral from customers. The Company evaluates the need for an allowance for credit losses based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its accounts receivable.

The Company also has loan receivables to its centralized vendors occasionally. The loan receivables are typically unsecured and exposed to credit risk. However, the Company believes that the loan receivables amount to its centralized vendor is managed by its finance department and these centralized vendors are still providing products monthly to the Company. The Company does not generally require collateral from the vendors. The Company also evaluates the need for an allowance for credit losses based on upon factors surrounding the credit risks. Historically, the Company did not have any bad debt on its loan receivables and all loan receivables been collected in subsequent period.

Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company’s deferred tax assets are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, management reviews both positive and negative evidence, including current and historical results of operations, future income projections, and the overall prospects of our business. Realization of the deferred tax assets is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income offset by deferred tax liabilities. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the judgment occurs. 

The Company utilizes a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company considers many factors when evaluating our tax positions and estimating its tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments, and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. The Company includes interest and penalties related to its tax contingencies in income tax expense.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law, intended to provide economic relief to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, includes provisions addressing the carryback of net operating losses for specific periods, temporary modifications to the limitations placed on the tax deductibility of net interest expenses, and technical amendments for qualified improvement property (“QIP”). The impacts of the CARES Act are recorded as components within the Company’s deferred income tax liabilities and income tax receivable on the Company’s balance sheets.

Earnings (loss) per share

Basic earnings (loss) per ordinary share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common stock outstanding and of potential common stock (e.g., convertible securities, options and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common stock that has an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) is excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. For the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had no dilutive potential common stock.

Related Parties

The Company identifies related parties, accounts for, and discloses related party transactions in accordance with ASC Topic 850 “Related Party Disclosures” and other relevant ASC standards. Parties are considered to be related to the Company if the parties, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with the Company. Related parties also include principal owners of the Company, its management, members of the immediate families of principal owners of the Company and its management and other parties with which the Company may deal with if one party controls or can significantly influence the management or operating policies of the other to an extent that one of the transacting parties might be prevented from fully pursuing its own separate interests. The Company discloses all significant related party transactions in Note 12 — “Related party balances and transactions”.

Segment Information

The Company’s chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by different product types for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company and its subsidiaries offer grocery products, general merchandise, health and beauty care products, pharmacy and other items and services in its stores. The Company’s supermarket stores are geographically based, have similar economic characteristics, and similar expected long-term financial performance. The Company’s operating segments and reporting units are its four stores, which are reported in one reportable segment. There are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results, and plans for levels or components below the consolidated unit level. Based on qualitative and quantitative criteria established by ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting”, the Company considers itself to be operating within one reportable segment.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements 

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”. This ASU requires additional quantitative and qualitative income tax disclosures to enable financial statements users better assess how an entity’s operations and related tax risks and tax planning and operational opportunities affect its tax rate and prospects for future cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2023-09 will have on its consolidated financial statement presentation or disclosures.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective had, or are expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

3. Inventories, net

A summary of inventories, net was as follows:

Movements of reserve for inventory shrinkage were as follows:

4. Prepayments

Prepayments consisted of the following:

As of October 31, 2024, the prepayment for inventory purchases mainly consisted of $1,885,141 paid to GF Distribution, Inc., one of the Company’s major vendors; and $1,281,275 paid to XHJC Holdings Inc., which is the Company’s new centralized vendor, and prepayment to other vendors of $10,000.

As of April 30, 2024, the prepayment for inventory purchases mainly consisted of $1,234,234 paid to GF Distribution, Inc., one of the Company’s major vendors; and $1,515,065 paid to XHJC Holdings Inc., which is the Company’s new centralized vendor, and prepayment to other vendors of $35,347.

5. Property and equipment, net

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

Depreciation expenses included in the general and administrative expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023 were $11,124 and $4,657, respectively. Depreciation expense included in the cost of sales for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023 were $111,236 and $52,032, respectively. Depreciation expenses included in the general and administrative expenses for the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023 were $22,680 and $10,449, respectively. Depreciation expense included in the cost of sales for the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023 were $226,799 and $109,952, respectively.

6. Intangible assets

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

On October 30, 2023, the Company entered a System Purchase and Implementation Consulting Agreement with Drem Consulting Pte. Ltd. for purchasing a merchandise display planning and management system for $1.5 million. The system uses advanced technology such as artificial intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things), client computing, etc. to optimize shelf display and planning, inventory control and customer services. The system is amortized over 10 years.

On November 22, 2023, the Company entered a Supply Chain Management System Purchase Agreement with WSYQR Limited to purchase a supply chain management system for $1.45 million. The system has the necessary software and hardware that was specifically designed for supermarkets application for the key units of 1) data synchronization across the entire supply chain, 2) centralized order processing and fulfillment, 3) refund and return processing, 4) customer complaints handling, and 5) distribution and delivery management and optimization. The system is amortized over 10 years.

Trademark mainly consisted of 1) a trademark acquired through the acquisition of Maison Monterey Park on June 30, 2022. The fair value of the trademark from the acquisition of Maison Monterey Park at acquisition date was $194,000, to be amortized over 15 years; 2) a trademark acquired through the acquisition of Lee Lee on April 7, 2024. The fair value of the trademark from the acquisition of Lee Lee at acquisition date was $5,000,000, to be amortized over 20 years.

The amortization expense for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023 was $139,775 and $3,817, respectively. The amortization expense for the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023 was $279,550 and $7,050, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for each of the next five years at October 31, 2024 is as follows: $559,099, $559,099, $559,099, $559,099 and $559,099.

7. Equity method investment

As of October 31, 2024, the Company made an investment of $1,862,000 for 49% interest in HKGF Market of Arcadia, LLC (“HKGF Arcadia”). The Company recorded $226,274 investment loss and $15,678 investment income for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company recorded $392,302 and $12,778 investment loss for the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of October 31, 2024, the Company incurred accumulated investment loss of $930,845.

The following table shows the condensed balance sheet of HKGF Arcadia as of October 31, 2024.

The following table shows the condensed statement of operations of HKGF Arcadia for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023. 

The following table shows the condensed statement of operations of HKGF Arcadia for the six months ended October 31, 2024, and for the period from July 1, 2023 (business starting date) to October 31, 2023. 

8. Goodwill

Goodwill represented the excess fair value of the assets under the fair value of the identifiable assets owned at the closing of the acquisition of Maison Monterey Park and Lee Lee, including an assembled workforce, which cannot be sold or transferred separately from the other assets in the business. See Note 18 — “Acquisition of subsidiary” for additional information. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company had goodwill of $16,957,147, consisting of $2,222,211 arising from Maison Monterey Park and $14,734,936 arising from the Lee Lee acquisition. The Company did not record any impairment to the goodwill for the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023.

9. Accrued expenses and other payables

Accrued expenses and other payables consisted of the following:

10. Note Payable

On April 8, 2024, AZLL closed an acquisition transaction and purchased 100% of the equity interests in Lee Lee for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $22.2 million, consisting of: (i) $7.0 million in cash paid immediately at the closing of the transaction, and (ii) the Secured Note with an original principal amount of approximately $15.2 million pursuant to the Senior Secured Note Agreement entered into on April 8, 2024.

Under the Senior Secured Note Agreement, the Secured Note will accrue interest on the outstanding principal amount at an annual interest rate of five percent (5%). The payment schedule of the principal amount of the Secured Note is as follows: (i) $2.5 million due and immediately payable on each of May 8, 2024 and June 8, 2024; (ii) $1.5 million due and payable on each of September 8, 2024, October 8, 2024 and November 8, 2024; (iii) $1.0 million due and immediately payable on December 8, 2024; and (iv) approximately $4.7 million due and immediately payable on February 8, 2025. Additionally, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Senior Secured Note Agreement, the principal amount may be adjusted to include certain Premium Guarantees (as defined in the Senior Secured Note Agreement) if certain conditions, as set forth in the Senior Secured Note Agreement and the Stock Purchase Agreement (as defined below), are not met.

Upon an “Event of Default” under the Senior Secured Note Agreement, the holders of the Secured Note will have certain rights, including the right to (i) declare all of the obligations, as defined in the Senior Secured Note Agreement to be immediately due and payable, and (ii) resume daily operational control of Lee Lee’s operations until such time as the Obligations, as defined in the Senior Secured Note Agreement, have been satisfied. Additionally, if an “Event of Default” occurs, the outstanding principal amount will bear interest at the simple interest rate of 10 percent (10%) per annum, from the date of such Event of Default until all such sum are fully paid.

On June 10, 2024, Lee Lee filed a Statement of Conversion with the Arizona Corporation Commission (the “ACC”) converting Lee Lee Oriental Supermart, Inc. into Lee Lee Oriental Supermart, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company (the “Conversion”). Following the Conversion, AZLL filed a Statement of Merger with the ACC, pursuant to which Lee Lee merged into AZLL, effective August 28, 2024 (the “Merger”). On September 9, 2024, AZLL filed a Statement of Division with the ACC resulting in the restoration of both Lee Lee and AZLL as separate legal entities (the “Division”). The Conversion, the Merger and the Division are herein referred to collectively as the “Lee Lee Reorganization.”

On October 21, 2024, Lee Lee, AZLL, the Company and the Holders entered into the First Amendment to Senior Secured Note Agreement (the “First Amendment”), which amends that certain Senior Secured Note Agreement, dated as of April 8, 2024. Among other things, the First Amendment amends the Secured Note to (i) reflect the Lee Lee Reorganization, (ii) modify certain cure periods pursuant to an “Event of Default” under the Secured Note, and (iii) include certain covenants and representations with respect to the Lee Lee Reorganization. Additionally, pursuant to the First Amendment, Lee Lee, AZLL and the Company irrevocably waive and forfeit any and all defenses, causes or remedies which may have arisen or may arise as a result of the Lee Lee Reorganization in relation to any action or enforcement of any rights, remedies or provisions of the Secured Note, the Security Agreement and/or otherwise at law taken by the Holders.

On October 21, 2024, following the execution of the First Amendment, Lee Lee, AZLL and the Holders entered into the Second Amendment to the Senior Secured Note Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). Among other things, the Second Amendment: (i) increases the annual interest rate on the outstanding Principal Amount, effective as of October 8, 2024, to ten percent (10%); (ii) amends the payment schedule of the principal and interest amounts to be due every Monday of each week starting on October 14, 2024, as set forth in Exhibit A of the Second Amendment; (iii) amends the definition of “Events of Default”; and (iv) increases the Default Rate to fourteen percent (14%) per annum. Additionally, pursuant to the Second Amendment, upon execution of the Second Amendment, the Company paid a restructuring fee of $40,000 to the Holders.

During the three months ended October 31, 2024, the Company repaid $300,000 on this note and recorded $221,392 interest expense. During the six months ended October 31, 2024, the Company repaid $5,300,000 on this note and recorded $379,992 interest expense. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company had an outstanding note payable of $9,826,065 and $15,126,065, respectively, to the sellers of Lee Lee. The Company is required to repay the full amount before May 5, 2025.

11. Loan payables

A summary of the Company’s loans was listed as follows:

U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”)

On June 15, 2020, Maison Monrovia entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with the SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and a maturity date on June 15, 2050.

On June 15, 2020, Maison San Gabriel entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with the SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and a maturity date on June 15, 2050. On January 12, 2022, Maison San Gabriel entered into an additional $1,850,000 Business Loan Agreement with the SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and a maturity date on June 15, 2050.

On June 15, 2020, Maison El Monte entered into a $150,000 Business Loan Agreement with SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and a maturity date on June 15, 2050. On January 6, 2022, Maison El Monte entered into an additional $350,000 Business Loan Agreement with the SBA at 3.75% annual interest rate and a maturity date on June 15, 2050.

Per the SBA loan agreement, all interest payments on these three loans were deferred to December 2022. As of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, the Company’s aggregate balance on the three SBA loans was $2,529,012 and $2,561,299, respectively. Interest expenses were $22,823 and $23,336 for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Interest expenses were $45,775 and $46,798 for the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the six months ended October 31, 2024, the Company made aggregate repayment of the SBA loans of $78,060 (which includes principal of $32,285 and interest expense of $45,775). During the six months ended October 31, 2023, the Company made repayment of $91,070 (which includes principal of $36,521 and interest expense of $54,549). 

As of October 31, 2024, the future minimum principal amount of loan payments to be paid by year were as follows:

12. Related party balances and transactions

Related party transactions

Sales to related parties

Purchases from related parties

Investment in equity purchased from related parties

In May 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in Dai Cheong Trading Company Inc., a grocery trading company, for $162,665 from DC Holding CA, Inc. DC Holding CA, Inc. is owned by John Xu, the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President of the Company.

In December 2021, the Company purchased a 10% equity interest in HKGF Market of Alhambra, Inc, the legal entity holding the Alhambra Store (as defined below) for $40,775 from Ms. Grace Xu, a related party as the spouse of Mr. John Xu, the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President of the Company. HKGF Market of Alhambra was temporarily shut down at the end of September 2024 as a result of a strategic operating decision by HKGF Market of Alhambra’s management. Accordingly, the Company recorded $40,775 investment loss during the six months ended October 31, 2024.

Related party balances

Accounts receivable — sales to related parties

Accounts payable — purchase from related parties

Other receivables — related parties

Other payables — related parties

13. Leases

The Company accounted for leases in accordance with ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) for all periods presented. The Company leases certain supermarkets and office facilities from third parties. Some of the Company’s leases include one or more options to renew, which are typically at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company evaluates the renewal options, and when it is reasonably certain of exercise, it will include the renewal period in its lease term. New lease modifications result in re-measurement of the right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities. Operating ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date, based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Since the implicit rate for the Company’s leases is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment and over a similar term.

The Company’s leases mainly consist of store rent and copier rent. The store lease detail information is listed below:

As of October 31, 2024, the average remaining term of the supermarkets’ store lease was 16.30 years. As of April 30, 2024, the average remaining term of the supermarkets’ store lease was 16.80 years.

In June and November 2022, the Company entered three leases for three copiers with terms of 63 months for each. In January 2024, Maison El Monte entered a lease for copy with terms of 63 months. As of October 31, 2024, the average remaining term of the copier lease was 3.37 years. As of April 30, 2024, the average remaining term of the copier lease is 3.87 years.

The copier lease detail information was listed below:

The Company’s total lease expenses under ASC 842 are $1.12 million and $0.70 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s total lease expenses under ASC 842 are $2.25 million and $1.48 million for the six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized using an effective interest rate of range from 4.5% to 7.50%, which was determined using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

The Company’s operating ROU assets and lease liabilities were as follows:

As of October 31, 2024, the five-year maturity of the Company’s operating lease liabilities was as following:

14. Stockholder’s equity

Common stock

Maison was initially authorized to issue 500,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. On September 8, 2021, the total number of authorized shares of all classes of stock was increased to 100,000,000 by way of a 200-for-1 stock split, among which, the authorized shares were divided into (i) 95,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share (the “common stock”) of which (a) 92,000,000 shares shall be a series designated as Class A common stock (the “Class A common stock”), and (b) 3,000,000 shares shall be a series designated as Class B common stock (the “Class B common stock”), and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “preferred stock”). For the Class A common stock and Class B common stock, the rights of the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting and conversion rights. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one (1) vote. Each share of Class B common stock is entitled to ten (10) votes and is convertible at any time into one share of Class A common stock. As of October 31, 2024, John Xu, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and President, holds all of our outstanding shares of Class B common stock. All shares and per share amounts used herein and in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect (i) the increase of share capital as if the change of share numbers became effective as of the beginning of the first period presented for Maison Group and (ii) the reclassification of all outstanding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by Golden Tree USA Inc. into Class B common stock, which are collectively referred to as the “Reclassification.”

Warrants

On October 10, 2023, the Company issued the Underwriter non-redeemable warrants (the “Underwriter Warrants”) to purchase an amount equal to five (5%) percent of 2,500,000 shares of Class A Common Stock sold in the Company’s initial public offering (the “IPO”) on October 10, 2023. The Company issued 125,000 Underwriter Warrants, which is exclusive of the over-allotment option, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement. The Underwriter Warrants became exercisable one hundred eighty (180) days after the commencement of sales of the IPO (April 1, 2024) and remain exercisable until the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the IPO (April 1, 2029). The Company accounted for the Underwriter Warrants issued based on the fair value (“FV”) method under FASB ASC Topic 505, and the FV of the Underwriter Warrants was calculated using the Black-Scholes model under the following assumptions: life of 5 years, volatility of 100%, risk-free interest rate of 4.26% and dividend yield of 0%. The FV of the Underwriter Warrants issued at the grant date was $382,484. The Underwriter Warrants issued in this financing were classified as equity instruments.

Following is a summary of the activities of warrants for the six months ended October 31, 2024:

15. Income Taxes

Maison is a Delaware holding company that is subject to the U.S. income tax of 21%. Maison Monrovia and Maison San Gabriel are pass through entities whose income or losses flow through Maison Solution’s income tax return. Maison El Monte and Maison Monterey Park are Subchapter C corporation (“C-Corp”) incorporated in the state of California, are subject to U.S. income tax of 21% and California state income tax of 8.84%. Lee Lee was a Subchapter S corporation (“S-Corp”) incorporated in the state of Arizona prior to the acquisition by Maison and was converted into an Limited Liability Company (“LLC”) on June 10, 2024. Both the S-Corp and LLC are pass through entities whose income or losses flow through Maison Solution’s income tax return.

The provision for income taxes provisions consisted of the following components:

The following is a reconciliation of the difference between the actual (benefit) provision for income taxes and the (benefit) provision computed by applying the federal statutory rate on income (loss) before income taxes:

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred taxes were comprised of the following: