CINCINNATI, Aug. 23, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- LSI Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:LYTS) today:
* reported record net sales, net income, and diluted per share
earnings of $93,823,000, $6,961,000, and $0.32, respectively for
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007; respective increases over the
same period of the prior year were 31%, 56%, and 45%;
* reported record net sales of $337,453,000, net income of
$20,789,000, and record diluted per share earnings of $0.95 for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. As compared to the prior
fiscal year, net sales increased 20%, net income increased 44%,
and diluted per share earnings increased 34%;
* declared a regular cash dividend of $0.13 per share (indicated
annual rate of $0.52 per share), and a special fiscal 2007 year-
end cash dividend of $0.05 per share;
* increased the regular annual indicated cash dividend rate from
$0.52 to $0.60 per share (a 15% increase) for fiscal 2008; and
* increased the target dividend payout ratio to between 50% and 70%
of expected net income for the then current fiscal year.
Financial Highlights
(In thousands,
except per
share data;
unaudited) Three Months Ended Fiscal Year Ended
June 30 June 30
-------------------------- --------------------------
2007 2006 % Change 2007 2006 % Change
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- --------
Net Sales $ 93,823 $ 71,744 30.8% $337,453 $280,470 20.3%
Operating
Income $ 10,377 $ 6,143 68.9% $ 32,550 $ 21,515 51.3%
Net Income $ 6,961 $ 4,453 56.3% $ 20,789 $ 14,443 43.9%
Earnings Per
Share
(diluted) $ 0.32 $ 0.22 45.5% $ 0.95 $ 0.71 33.8%
6/30/07 6/30/06
------- -------
Working Capital $ 68,397 $ 66,787
Total Assets $233,612 $224,401
Long-Term Debt $ -- $ 16,571
Shareholders' Equity $176,061 $164,985
Fourth Quarter 2007 Record Results
Net sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 were a record $93,823,000, an increase of 31% over last year's fourth quarter net sales of $71,744,000. Fiscal 2007 fourth quarter record net income of $6,961,000 (a record $0.32 per share) increased 56% from the $4,453,000 ($0.22 per share) reported last year in the same period. Lighting Segment net sales increased 1% to $51.3 million (sales to the Commercial / Industrial market increased 12%), and Graphics Segment net sales increased 102% to $39.9 million. Net sales of the Technology Segment, created as the result of the June 2006 acquisition of SACO Technologies, Inc., a leading developer and producer of solid state LED products, were $2.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. Earnings per share represent diluted earnings per share.
Fiscal Year 2007 Record Results
Net sales in fiscal 2007 were a record $337,453,000, an increase of 20% over last year's net sales of $280,470,000. Fiscal 2007 net income of $20,789,000 (a record $0.95 per share) increased 44% from the $14,443,000 ($0.71 per share) reported last year. Lighting Segment net sales increased 0.4% to $196.5 million (sales to the Commercial / Industrial market increased 9%), and Graphics Segment net sales increased 48% to $123.8 million. Net sales of the Technology Segment were $17.1 million in fiscal 2007. Fiscal 2007 earnings include a third quarter reversal of a $590,000 loss contingency reserve ($0.02 per share), associated with a menu board patent lawsuit, that is no longer required.
Company Comments
Robert J. Ready, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased and encouraged that our business model which closely integrates lighting, graphics, and technology solutions produced all-time record operating results for both the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2007. We have a great deal of momentum as we enter fiscal 2008 and look forward to another year of accomplishments, including record operating results.
"As fiscal 2008 unfolds, we expect to report on a number of important initiatives that are well underway. These include the introduction of advanced solid-state white LED lighting fixtures for our specialty niche markets, bringing "on stream" our digital billboard facility in Cincinnati, continued progress in gaining share in the large and growing Commercial / Industrial market, new national re-imaging programs for our highly successful and industry leading graphics business, and continued improvement in our overall efficiency and favorable operating leverage resulting from higher sales.
"We are now well positioned to begin manufacturing solid-state LED outdoor billboards at a present annual rate of approximately 50 units, with additional capacity being added throughout the fiscal year. We estimate annual capacity to be approximately 100 units by fiscal year end. We believe this market represents an excellent business opportunity for LSI given our manufacturing and technology capabilities. With this manufacturing capacity in place, we are now focusing our efforts on developing sales for this product line.
"Once again we have increased our indicated annual cash dividend rate, a 15% increase from $0.52 to $0.60 per share. This represents our fifteenth increase since we adopted a policy of regular cash dividends in 1989. In addition to the regular $0.13 per share quarterly cash dividend, we declared a special year-end $0.05 per share cash dividend in connection with our record fiscal 2007 results. We believe a strong dividend policy with a record of increasing cash dividends enhances shareholder returns. Our cash dividend policy has been expanded by increasing the target payout ratio to a range of 50% to 70%, thereby providing additional flexibility in connection with declaring both regular and special cash dividends.
"We continue to value a conservative balance sheet and at fiscal 2007 year-end we enjoyed a strong liquidity position, no debt, unused credit facilities, and record shareholders' equity. A strong new initiative for fiscal 2008 will be to add growth through one or more carefully selected acquisitions. We have several candidates under review.
"In summary, business is good, the outlook is positive, and we have many exciting developments and opportunities at hand as we enter fiscal 2008. I look forward to reporting on our progress as the fiscal year unfolds."
Balance Sheet
The balance sheet at June 30, 2007 included current assets of $123.4 million, current liabilities of $55.0 million and working capital of $68.4 million. The current ratio was 2.24 to 1. The Company has shareholders' equity of $176.1 million, no long-term debt, and has borrowing capacity on its commercial bank facilities as of June 30, 2007 of $57 million. With continued strong cash flow, a sound and conservatively capitalized balance sheet, and $57 million in credit facilities, LSI Industries' financial condition is sound and capable of supporting the Company's planned growth, including acquisitions.
Cash Dividend Actions
The Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.13 per share payable September 11, 2007 to shareholders of record as of September 4, 2007. The Board of Directors also declared a special year-end cash dividend of $0.05 per share, also payable September 11, 2007 to shareholders of record as of September 4, 2007. In addition, an increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend rate from $0.13 per share to $0.15 per share was approved effective with the dividend scheduled following the first quarter of fiscal 2008. This new indicated annual rate of $0.60 per share represents a 15% increase over the fiscal 2007 annual rate of $0.52 per share. LSI Industries has paid regular cash dividends since 1989 and has increased its regular indicated cash dividend rate fifteen times during the period.
So as to provide additional flexibility regarding the declaration of regular and special dividends, the Board of Directors modified the Company's long-standing cash dividend policy by increasing the target dividend payout range from 40% - 60% to 50% - 70% of the expected net income for the then current fiscal year. The Company's current cash dividend policy is set forth in the next paragraph.
Cash Dividend Policy
The Company's cash dividend policy is that the indicated annual dividend rate will be set between 50% and 70% of the expected net income for the current fiscal year. Consideration will also be given by the Board to special year-end cash or stock dividends. The declaration and amount of any cash and stock dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion based upon its evaluation of earnings, cash flow requirements and future business developments and opportunities, including acquisitions.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This document contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous assumptions, risks or uncertainties. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "estimates," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "expects," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "should" or the negative versions of those words and similar expressions, and by the context in which they are used. Such statements are based upon current expectations of the Company and speak only as of the date made. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and services, product demand and market acceptance risks, reliance on key customers, financial difficulties experienced by customers, the adequacy of reserves and allowances for doubtful accounts, fluctuations in operating results or costs, unexpected difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, and the ability to retain key employees of acquired businesses. The Company has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
About the Company
LSI Industries is an Image Solutions company, dedicated to advancing solid-state LED technology and applications with lighting, graphics and technology. We combine integrated technology, design, and manufacturing to supply high quality lighting fixtures and graphics elements for applications in the commercial, retail and specialty niche markets. LSI's Lighting Segment produces high performance, energy efficient lighting products dedicated to outdoor, architectural outdoor, indoor, architectural indoor and accent/downlight applications. The Graphics Segment designs, produces, markets and manages a wide array of custom indoor and outdoor graphics programs including signage, menu board systems, decorative fixturing, LED displays and digital signage. In addition, we provide design support, engineering and project management for custom programs for today's retail environment. The Company's Technology Segment designs, produces, and supports high performance light engines and large format billboard and sports screens using solid-state LED technology.
LSI's major markets are the petroleum / convenience store, multi-site retail (including automobile dealerships, restaurants and national retail accounts) and the commercial / industrial lighting markets. LSI employs approximately 1,800 people in fifteen facilities located in Ohio, California, New York, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Montreal, Canada. The Company's common shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol LYTS.
The LSI Industries Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3646
For further information, contact either Bob Ready, Chief Executive Officer and President, or Ron Stowell, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer at (513) 793-3200.
Additional note: Today's news release, along with past releases from LSI Industries, is available on the Company's internet site at www.lsi-industries.com or by email or fax, by calling the Investor Relations Department at (513) 793-3200.
Condensed Income Statements
---------------------------
Three Months Ended Fiscal Year Ended
(in thousands, except per June 30 June 30
share data; unaudited) --------------- ---------------
2007 2006 2007 2006
---- ---- ---- ----
Net sales $ 93,823 $ 71,744 $ 337,453 $ 280,470
Cost of products sold 68,434 52,933 248,274 209,057
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 25,389 18,811 89,179 71,413
Selling and administrative
expenses 15,012 12,668 56,629 49,898
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating income 10,377 6,143 32,550 21,515
Interest (income) expense,
net (68) (148) 823 (472)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income before income taxes 10,445 6,291 31,727 21,987
Income tax expense 3,484 1,838 10,938 7,544
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net income $ 6,961 $ 4,453 $ 20,789 $ 14,443
========= ========= ========= =========
Earnings per common share
Basic $ 0.32 $ 0.22 $ 0.96 $ 0.72
========= ========= ========= =========
Diluted $ 0.32 $ 0.22 $ 0.95 $ 0.71
========= ========= ========= =========
Weighted average common
shares outstanding
Basic 21,695 20,302 21,676 20,194
========= ========= ========= =========
Diluted 21,918 20,521 21,924 20,429
========= ========= ========= =========
Condensed Balance Sheets
------------------------
(in thousands, unaudited) June 30, June 30,
2007 2006
-------- --------
Current Assets $123,358 $107,088
Property, Plant and Equipment, net 47,558 52,363
Other Assets 62,696 64,950
-------- --------
$233,612 $224,401
======== ========
Current Liabilities $ 54,961 $ 40,301
Long-Term Debt -- 16,571
Other Long-Term Liabilities 2,590 2,544
Shareholders' Equity 176,061 164,985
-------- --------
$233,612 $224,401
======== ========