Maxwell Technologies Reports Third Quarter Financial Results

Increasing Ultracapacitor and Microelectronics Revenue, Power Quality Product Mix Improvement Expected to Contribute to Reduced Losses in Q4 and Q1, Operating Profits in 2002; Conference Call -- 11 a.m. (Eastern) Tomorrow, Nov. 2


SAN DIEGO, Nov. 1, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Maxwell Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:MXWL) today reported revenue from continuing operations of $15.0 million for its third quarter ended September 30, 2001. That compares to $21.7 million from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2000. Third quarter net loss from continuing operations was $6.9 million, or $0.68 per share, including approximately $0.9 million of prototype costs associated with developing and launching a new line of test equipment. That compares to a net loss from continuing operations of $12.3 million, or $1.25 per share, including after-tax restructuring and other charges of $5.6 million, for the three months ended September 30, 2000.

James Baumker, Maxwell's chief financial officer, said that the 2000-to-2001 quarterly revenue comparison is distorted by the June 2001 sale of the company's medical electronics business, which generated sales of approximately $2.7 million in Q3 2000.

"Although the current slowdown in the economy is affecting product sales and operating performance, Maxwell has a strong balance sheet, with approximately $28 million of cash and short-term investments and no long-term debt as of September 30," Baumker said. "Those resources allow us to continue investing judiciously in product development and sales and marketing to position the company to ramp sales as key markets for our power and computing products begin to recover."

Carl Eibl, Maxwell's president and chief executive officer, said that revenue from small cell ultracapacitors and microelectronic components, along with continuing strong demand and mix improvement for power quality products, are expected to contribute to sequential reductions in operating losses over the next two quarters and, together with large cell ultracapacitors and applied computing systems, set the stage for operating profits later in 2002.

"The new products we're launching and the investments we've made in commercial talent and enhanced production processes and facilities are beginning to translate into design-in wins and improving booking trends," Eibl said. "While that is encouraging, manufacturing activity in telecommunications and some other key markets remains depressed, so we expect to incur losses, though diminishing, for at least another couple of quarters."

Management will conduct a conference call and simultaneous webcast to discuss third quarter results and the outlook for the balance of the year and answer analysts' questions at 11 a.m. (eastern), tomorrow, November 2, 2001. The call may be accessed by dialing (212) 676-5188; the live webcast and subsequent replay may be accessed at the company's web site, www.maxwell.com, by clicking on Investor Relations, then clicking on Audio Presentations.

Maxwell Technologies applies industry-leading capabilities in power and computing to develop and market electronic components and power and computing systems for customers in multiple industries, including transportation, telecommunications, consumer and industrial electronics, medical and aerospace. For more information, please visit www.maxwell.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These include development and acceptance of products based on new technologies, demand for original equipment manufacturers' products reaching anticipated levels, general economic conditions in the markets served by the company's products, cost-effective manufacturing of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing and risks and uncertainties involved in foreign operations. These and other risks are detailed from time-to-time in the Company's SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.


                       MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
       UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                 (in thousands, except per share data)


                          Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                              September 30,          September 30,
                          ------------------      -----------------
                           2001        2000        2001       2000
                          ------      ------      ------     ------

 Sales                   $ 15,017    $ 21,671    $ 62,473   $ 74,905
 Cost of sales             14,406      20,631      53,453     58,722
                         --------    --------    --------   --------
                                           
 Gross profit                 611       1,040       9,020     16,183
 Operating expenses:
 Selling, general
  and administrative        5,218       6,810      18,454     21,265
 Research and
  development               2,946       2,330       8,871      6,080
 Restructuring, 
  acquisition and 
  other charges              --         7,545        --        9,220
                         --------    --------    --------   --------

                            8,164      16,685      27,325     36,565
                         --------    --------    --------   --------

 Operating loss            (7,553)    (15,645)    (18,305)   (20,382)
 Gain on sale
  of business                --          --        39,119       --
 Interest expense             (70)       (369)     (1,216)      (560)
 Interest income
  and other, net              332        (110)        477        (68)
                         --------    --------    --------   --------

 Income (loss) before
  income taxes and
  minority interest        (7,291)    (16,124)     20,075    (21,010)

 Provision (credit)
  for income taxes            (63)     (3,789)      9,624     (5,601)
 Minority interest
  in net loss of
  subsidiaries               (282)         (4)        (86)        (2)
                         --------    --------    --------   --------

 Income (loss) from
  continuing 
  operations               (6,946)    (12,331)     10,537    (15,407)
 Discontinued 
  operations,
  net of taxes             (3,498)       (644)       (779)      (918)
                         --------    --------    --------   --------

   Net income (loss)     $(10,444)   $(12,975)   $  9,758   $(16,325)
                         ========    ========    ========   ========
 Basic net income
  (loss) per share:
 Income (loss) from
  continuing
  operations             $  (0.68)   $  (1.25)   $   1.05   $  (1.58)
 Loss from  
  discontinued
  operations                (0.35)      (0.07)      (0.08)     (0.09)
                         --------    --------    --------   --------

    Net income (loss)    $  (1.03)   $  (1.32)   $   0.97   $  (1.67)
                         ========    ========    ========   ========

 Diluted net income
  (loss) per share:
 Income (loss) from
  continuing 
  operations             $  (0.68)   $  (1.25)   $   0.98   $  (1.58)
 Loss from 
  discontinued
  operations                (0.35)      (0.07)      (0.07)     (0.10)
                         --------    --------    --------   --------

    Net income (loss)    $  (1.03)   $  (1.32)   $   0.91   $  (1.68)
                         ========    ========    ========   ========

 Shares used in 
  computing:
  Basic net income
  (loss) per share         10,160       9,848      10,048      9,778
                         ========    ========    ========   ========

 Diluted net income
  (loss) per share         10,160       9,848      10,735      9,778
                         ========    ========    ========   ========

                      MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (in thousands)

                                          September 30,  December 31,
                                              2001          2000
                                          ------------   -----------
 Assets                                    (Unaudited)     (Note)
 Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents               $   8,422    $   2,686
   Short-term investments                     19,551         --
   Accounts receivable, net                   13,218       24,652
   Inventories                                19,634       24,769
   Prepaid expenses and
    other current assets                         945        1,133
   Deferred income taxes                      13,031       13,031
   Net assets of discontinued 
    operations                                  --         13,963
                                           ---------    ---------
     Total current assets                     74,801       80,234
 Property, plant and equipment, net           21,549       22,567
 Goodwill and other non-current assets         9,092       19,308
                                           ---------    ---------
                                           $ 105,442    $ 122,109
                                           =========    =========

 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable and accrued 
    liabilities                            $  10,293    $  21,711
   Accrued employee compensation               2,438        2,825
   Short-term borrowings                       2,668       22,754
   Net liabilities of discontinued 
    operations                                 1,992         --
                                           ---------    ---------
      Total current liabilities               17,391       47,290
 Minority interest                             5,242        5,065
 Commitments and contingencies
 Stockholders' equity:
    Common stock                               1,016          988
    Additional paid-in capital                84,257       81,204
    Notes receivable from executives
     for stock purchases                        (800)        (900)
    Deferred compensation                        --           (15)
    Accumulated deficit                       (1,184)     (10,942)
    Accumulated other 
     comprehensive loss                         (480)        (581)
                                           ---------    ---------
                                              82,809       69,754
                                           $ 105,442    $ 122,109
                                           =========    =========
 Note:  The Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2000 has been derived 
 from the audited financial statements as of that date.


            

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