Summary of CLEARFIELD, INC.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not purely historical are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and typically address the Company's expected future business and financial performance. Words such as "plan," "expect," "aim," "believe," "project," "target," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "will," "should," "could" and other words and terms of similar meaning, typically identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements because of the factors identified in and incorporated by reference from Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011, as well as in other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be considered an integral part of Part I, Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." All forward-looking statements included herein are made as the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations as of and for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes in Item 1 of this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011.

OVERVIEW

General

Clearfield, Inc. manufactures, markets, and sells an end-to-end fiber management and enclosure platform that consolidates, distributes and protects fiber as it moves from the inside plant to the outside plant and all the way to the home, business and cell site. The Company has successfully established itself as a value-added supplier to its target market of broadband service providers, including independent local exchange carriers (telephone), multiple service operators (or MSO's) (cable), wireless service providers, municipal-owned utilities, as well as commercial and industrial original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"). Clearfield has expanded its product offerings and broadened its customer base during the last five years.
The Company has historically focused on the un-served or under-served rural communities who receive their voice, video and data services from independent telephone companies. By aligning its in-house engineering and technical knowledge alongside its customers, the Company has been able to develop, customize and enhance products from design through production. Final build and assembly is completed at Clearfield's plant in Plymouth, Minnesota with manufacturing support from a network of domestic and global manufacturing partners. Clearfield specializes in producing these products on both a quick-turn and scheduled delivery basis. The Company deploys a hybrid sales model with some sales made directly to the customer, some made through two-tier distribution (channel) partners, and some sales through original equipment suppliers who private label their products.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2012 VS. THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011

Revenues for the second fiscal quarter of 2012 ended March 31, 2012 were $7,112,000, relatively unchanged from revenue of $7,120,000, for the second fiscal quarter of 2011. Revenue gains in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 were achieved in product sales to engineering contractors providing Engineer, Furnish and Installation (EF&I) services to telco and cable broadband operators, as well as MSO's. In addition, revenues derived from distributor arrangements continued to increase as additional distributors are now representing the Company compared to the prior year quarter. These revenue increases were offset by lower revenues to system integrators in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 versus the 2011 second quarter. Revenues were positively affected in both periods by early stage deployments associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus funds). The market continues to experience challenges associated with the limited supply of fiber cable. In addition, uncertainty regarding the effect of changes to the Universal Service Fund, a federal program to support the delivery of telecommunications services to rural and communities with high-cost delivery metrics, has influenced the buying patterns of tier 3 service providers. Operating results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for future quarters or the entire year, due to variability in customer purchasing patterns and seasonal, operating and other factors.

Cost of sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 was $4,393,000, an increase of $167,000, or 4% from $4,226,000 in the comparable period. Gross margin decreased to 38.2% in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 from 40.6% for the second quarter of fiscal 2011. Gross profit decreased from $2,894,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 to $2,719,000 for the second fiscal quarter of 2012, a decrease of 6% or $175,000. The decrease in gross profit was primarily the result of lower margins in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 relating to a higher percentage of our revenue being achieved through our sales distribution channels versus the 2011 second quarter. The Company continues to be committed to developing our channel distribution programs in step with our ongoing improvements in our manufacturing processes in order to facilitate future improvements in gross profit.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 9% or $204,000 from $2,368,000 for the second quarter of 2011 to $2,572,000 for the second fiscal quarter of 2012. This increase is primarily composed of $221,000 in higher selling expenses, mainly associated with an increase in sales personnel. Marketing expenses increased $66,000, mainly as a result of higher advertising and tradeshow costs within the period. Stock based compensation expense increased $46,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 as a result of a higher number of employee stock options outstanding in the 2012 second quarter versus the 2011 second quarter. Offsetting these increases was a decrease in incentive compensation expense in the amount of $156,000 in the fiscal 2012 period versus the comparable period in fiscal 2011.

Income from operations for the second fiscal quarter of 2012 was $147,000 compared to income of $525,000 for the second fiscal quarter of 2011, a decrease of $378,000 or 72%. This reduction is attributable to the decrease in gross margin and increased selling, general and administrative expenses within the period.

Interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 was $26,000 compared to $30,000 for the comparable period for fiscal 2011. Interest rates have continued to decline resulting in lower returns. The Company invests its excess cash primarily in FDIC-backed bank certificates of deposit and money market accounts.

Income tax expense was $41,000 and $35,000 for the quarters ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Tax expense primarily relates to book and tax differences of goodwill totaling $21,000 and $21,000 respectively for each of the corresponding quarters. The balance of the income tax expense was for various states income and franchise taxes as well as alternative minimum tax (AMT).

The Company's net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 ended March 31, 2012 was $132,000, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share. For the second quarter of fiscal 2011 ended March 31, 2011 the Company reported net income of $532,000, or $0.04 per basic and diluted share.

SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2012 VS. SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011

Revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2012 were $16,277,000, an increase of 13% or approximately $1,911,000 from revenue of $14,366,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2011. Revenue growth was experienced from existing clients as well as from the development of new accounts. The growth in revenue includes gains from within Tier 3 Carriers, as well as from an emerging presence associated with Tier 2 Carriers who have a national footprint. The increase in revenue includes the gains in product sales to engineering contractors providing EF&I services to telco and cable broadband operators. Revenues derived from distributor arrangements have continued to increase as additional distributors are now representing the Company as compared to the prior year. These revenue increases in the six month period ended March 31, 2012 were offset by lower revenues to system integrators in the comparable six month period in fiscal 2011. Revenues were positively affected by early stage deployments associated with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus funds) in both periods. Operating results for the first two quarters of fiscal year 2012 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for future quarters or the entire year, due to variability in customer purchasing patterns and seasonal, operating and other factors.

Cost of sales for the six months ended March 31, 2012 was $9,764,000, an increase of $1,257,000, or 15%, from $8,507,000 in the comparable period. Gross margin was 40% in fiscal 2012, relatively unchanged from 40.8% for the comparable six month period in fiscal 2011. Gross profit increased $654,000, or 11%, to $6,514,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2012 from $5,860,000 in the comparable period in fiscal 2011. The year-over-year increase in gross profit is primarily a result of increased sales volume, mainly through additional sales distribution channels than prior year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 11%, or $517,000, from $4,828,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2011 to $5,345,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2012. This increase is primarily composed of $488,000 in higher selling expenses, mainly associated with an increase in sales personnel. Marketing expenses increased $180,000 as a result of higher advertising and tradeshow costs within the period. Stock based compensation expense increased $99,000 in the fiscal 2012 period as a result of a higher amount of employee stock options outstanding in the six month period ended March 31, 2012 quarter versus 2011. Offsetting these increases was a decrease of $164,000 in incentive compensation in the six month period ending March 31, 2012 versus the comparable period in fiscal 2011.

Income from operations for the six months ended March 31, 2012 was $1,168,000 compared to income of $1,032,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2011, an improvement of $136,000, or 13%. This improvement is attributable to increased revenue and gross margin.

Interest income for the six months ended March 31, 2012 was $54,000 compared to $56,000 for the comparable period for fiscal 2011. Interest rates have continued to decline resulting in lower returns. The Company invests its excess cash primarily in FDIC-backed bank certificates of deposit and money market accounts.

Income tax expense was $90,000 and $70,000 for the first six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Tax expense primarily relates to book and tax differences of goodwill totaling $42,000 and $42,000, respectively, for each of the corresponding six month periods. The balance of the income tax expense was for various states income and franchise taxes as well as alternative minimum tax (AMT).

The Company's net income for the first six months of fiscal 2012 ended March 31, 2012 was $1,132,000, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share. The Company's net income for the first six months of fiscal 2011 ended March 31, 2011 was $1,034,000, or $0.09 per basic share and $0.08 per diluted share.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of March 31, 2012, our principal source of liquidity was our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Those sources total $10,935,000 at March 31, 2012 compared to $13,130,000 at September 30, 2011. Our excess cash is invested mainly in certificates of deposit backed by the FDIC and money market accounts. The majority of our funds are insured by the FDIC. Investments considered long-term are $5,075,000 at March 31, 2012, compared to $2,707,000 at September 30, 2011. We believe the combined balances of short-term cash and investments along with long-term investments provide a more accurate indication of our available liquidity. At March 31, 2012, Clearfield had no debt along with $16,010,000 in cash and equivalents and investments, up $173,000 from $15,837,000 from fiscal year end September 30, 2011.

The Company expects to fund operations with its working capital, which is the combination of existing cash and cash equivalent cash flow from operations, accounts receivable and inventory. The Company intends to use its cash assets primarily for its continued organic growth. Additionally, the Company may use some available cash for potential future strategic initiatives or alliances. We believe our cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2012, along with cash flow from future operations, will be sufficient to fund our working capital and capital resources needs for the next 12 months.

Operating Activities

Net cash generated from operating activities totaled $233,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2012. This was primarily due to net income of $1,132,000, and non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $197,000, deferred taxes of $41,000, loss on asset disposals of $21,000, and stock based compensation of $219,000. Changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash include increases in inventory of $319,000, other current assets of $285,000, and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1,367,000. Changes in operating assets and liabilities providing cash was a result of a decrease in accounts receivable of $593,000. The decrease in cash from accounts payable and accrued expenses mainly reflects fiscal 2011 accrued bonus compensation accruals paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2012.

Net cash generated from operating activities totaled $1,756,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2011. This was primarily due to net income of $1,034,000, and non-cash expenses for depreciation of $190,000, deferred taxes of $42,000, and stock based compensation of $120,000. Changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash were increases in inventory of $301,000 and other current assets of $131,000. Changes in operating assets and liabilities providing cash were a decrease in accounts receivable of $262,000 and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $540,000.

Investing Activities

We invest our excess cash in money market accounts and bank CDs in denominations across numerous banks. We believe we obtain a competitive rate of return given the economic climate along with the security provided by the FDIC on these investments. During the six month period ended March 31, 2012 we used cash to purchase $6,458,000 of FDIC-backed securities and received $1,657,000 on CDs that matured. Purchases of capital equipment and patents, mainly information technology equipment and vehicles, consumed $181,000 of cash.

During the six month period ended March 31, 2011 we utilized cash to purchase $161,000 of securities and received $628,000 on CDs that have matured. Purchases of capital equipment and information technology equipment consumed $168,000 of cash during the six month period ended March 31, 2011.

Financing Activities

For the six month period ended March 31, 2012 we received $70,000 from employees' participation and purchase of stock through our ESPP and $51,000 from the issuance of stock as a result of employees exercising options.

For the six month period ended March 31, 2011 we received $38,000 from employees' participation and purchase of stock through our ESPP and received $22,000 from the issuance of stock as a result of employees exercising options.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Management utilizes its technical knowledge, cumulative business experience, judgment and other factors in the selection and application of the Company's accounting policies. The accounting policies considered by management to be the most critical to the presentation of the financial statements because they require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgments include revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, accruals for uncertain tax positions, and impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets.

These accounting policies are described in Item 7. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011. Management made no changes to the Company's critical accounting policies during the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

In applying its critical accounting policies, management reassesses its estimates each reporting period based on available information. Changes in these estimates did not have a significant impact on earnings for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.