Stratus Technologies Bermuda Holdings Ltd. Announces Financial Results for Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2012


HAMILTON, BERMUDA--(Marketwire - Apr 24, 2012) - Stratus Technologies Bermuda Holdings Ltd. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "Stratus" or the "Company") a global provider of uptime assurance, today announced the results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended February 26, 2012.

For the fourth quarter ended February 26, 2012, total revenue was $54.3 million, an increase of $2.3 million or 4.5% as compared to the $52.0 million in the fourth quarter ended February 27, 2011. Profit from operations was $8.8 million compared to $7.8 million for the same period last year. Profit from operations for the quarter-to-date period ended February 26, 2012 included a restructuring charge of $2.2 million to further align spending with current business initiatives. Profit from operations for the quarter-to-date period ended February 27, 2011 included a restructuring charge of $1.6 million related to the transition of our logistics operations to Dublin, Ireland in February 2011. The net loss was $1.9 million compared to $4.7 million for the same period last year. Net loss for the quarter-to-date period ended February 26, 2012 includes a net loss on change in fair value of embedded derivatives in the Senior Notes of $6.5 million and a $7.9 million income tax benefit, primarily the result of an $8.8 million net deferred income tax benefit related to our Irish entity. The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, of $13.5 million compared to $12.1 million for the same period last year. Please refer to the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP financial measures in the attached "Consolidated Statements of Operations."

For the year-to-date period ended February 26, 2012, total revenue was $206.3 million, an increase of $0.1 million or 0.1% as compared to the $206.2 million in the year-to-date period ended February 27, 2011. Profit from operations was $32.8 million compared to $38.8 million for the same period last year. Profit from operations for the year-to-date period ended February 26, 2012 included a restructuring charge of $2.4 million. Profit from operations for the year-to-date period ended February 27, 2011 included a gain on sale of subsidiary of $3.7 million related to the sale of our proprietary Emergent Networks Solutions VOIP Software business and certain net assets related to our telecommunications business ("Emergent Business") in January 2009 and a restructuring charge of $1.7 million. The net loss was $18.8 million compared to $11.9 million for the same period last year. Net loss for the year-to-date period ended February 26, 2012 includes a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million related to the excess cash flow payment made in fiscal 2012, a loss on net change in fair value of embedded derivatives in the Senior Notes of $8.9 million and a $6.7 million benefit for income taxes primarily related to an $8.8 million net deferred income tax benefit related to our Irish entity. Net loss for the year-to-date period ended February 27, 2011 includes a loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.8 million related to the April 2010 refinancing and a net loss on change in fair value of embedded derivatives in the Senior Notes of $0.3 million. The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, of $45.8 million compared to $49.2 million for the same period last year. Please refer to the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to GAAP financial measures in the attached "Consolidated Statements of Operations."

The Company will file its annual report for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2012 on Form 20-F by the end of May 2012.

Fourth Quarter Results Conference Call
A conference call to review fourth quarter financial results will be held today, April 24, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time and may be accessed by calling 1-888-549-7880 (U.S. only) or 1-480-629-9643 with a conference ID of 4532329. A recording of this conference call will be available at 1-800-406-7325 (U.S. only) or 1-303-590-3030 with a conference ID of 4532329 for 30 days.

About Stratus
Stratus delivers uptime assurance for the applications its customers depend on most for their success. With its resilient software and hardware technologies, together with proactive availability monitoring and management, Stratus products help to save lives and to protect the business and reputations of companies, institutions, and governments the world over. To learn more about worry-free computing, visit www.stratus.com.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). You are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the continued acceptance of the Company's products by the market; the Company's ability to enter into new service agreements and to retain customers under existing service contracts; the Company's ability to source quality components and key technologies without interruption and at acceptable prices; the Company's ability to comply with certain covenants in the governing documents for the Company's credit facilities and other debt instruments; the Company's ability to refinance indebtedness when required; the Company's reliance on sole source manufacturers and suppliers; the presence of existing competitors and the emergence of new competitors; the Company's financial condition and liquidity and the Company's leverage and debt service obligations; economic conditions globally and in the Company's most important markets; developments in the fault-tolerant and high-availability server markets; claims by third parties that the Company infringes upon their intellectual property rights; the Company's success in adequately protecting its intellectual property rights; the Company's success in maintaining efficient manufacturing and logistics operations; the Company's ability to recruit, retain and develop appropriately skilled employees; exposure for systems and service failures; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; fluctuations in interest rates; current risks of terrorist activity and acts of war; the impact of changing tax laws; the impact of changes in policies, laws, regulations or practices of foreign governments on the Company's international operations; and the impact of natural or man-made disasters. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no duty to further update such forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations Contact

Robert C. Laufer
Senior Vice President, CFO
Stratus Technologies
978-461-7343
bob.laufer@stratus.com

© 2012 Stratus Technologies Bermuda Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stratus® is a trademark or registered trademark of ours. All other trade names, service marks and trademarks appearing in this annual report are the property of their respective holders. Our use or display of other parties' trade names, service marks or trademarks is not intended to and does not imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, the trade name, service mark or trademark owners.

STRATUS TECHNOLOGIES BERMUDA HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
February 26, February 27,
2012 2011
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 27,510 $ 28,100
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $160 and $315, respectively 37,066 38,079
Inventory 7,884 7,485
Deferred income taxes 1,613 1,440
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,454 4,370
Total current assets 78,527 79,474
Property and equipment, net 10,490 13,695
Intangible assets, net 3,024 3,438
Goodwill 9,591 9,584
Deferred income taxes 11,484 1,803
Deferred financing fees 9,216 10,993
Other assets 2,810 4,867
Total assets $ 125,142 $ 123,854
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK, REDEEMABLE ORDINARY STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt $ 5,000 $ 5,000
Accounts payable 7,853 7,291
Accrued expenses 13,250 12,828
Accrued interest payable 9,608 10,625
Income taxes payable 103 285
Deferred income taxes 1,075 -
Deferred revenue 35,428 36,199
Total current liabilities 72,317 72,228
Long-term debt, net of discount 260,405 249,069
Embedded derivatives 25,884 18,955
Long-term deferred income taxes 232 -
Deferred revenue and other liabilities 15,426 14,328
Total liabilities 374,264 354,580
Redeemable convertible preferred stock and redeemable ordinary stock:
Series A: 7,000 shares authorized and 6,561 shares issued and outstanding at February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011 (liquidation preference of $109,189 and $101,101, respectively) 109,189 101,101
Series B: 20,524 shares authorized; 3,532 issued and outstanding at February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011 (liquidation preference of $58,776 and 54,423, respectively) 58,776 54,423
Right to shares of Series B redeemable convertible preferred stock 5,518 5,518
Ordinary shares subject to puts, 787 and 846 shares issued and outstanding at February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011 (put value $1,181 and $1,270, respectively) 1,181 1,270
Total redeemable convertible preferred stock and redeemable ordinary stock 174,664 162,312
Stockholders' deficit:
Ordinary stock, $0.5801 par value, 181,003 shares authorized; 28,025 and 27,962 shares issued and outstanding at February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, respectively 16,257 16,221
Series A ordinary stock: $0.5801 par value, 7,678 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, respectively - -
Series B ordinary stock: $0.5801 par value, 90,115 shares authorized; 15,512 shares issued and outstanding at February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, respectively 8,998 8,998
Additional paid in capital - -
Accumulated deficit (450,306 ) (419,466 )
Accumulated other comprehensive gain 1,265 1,209
Total stockholders' deficit (423,786 ) (393,038 )
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and redeemable ordinary stock, and stockholders' deficit $ 125,142 $ 123,854
STRATUS TECHNOLOGIES BERMUDA HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
For the thirteen week periods ended February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011
February 26, February 27,
2012 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
REVENUE
Product $ 20,127 $ 18,269
Service 34,207 33,732
Total revenue 54,334 52,001
COST OF REVENUE
Product 9,387 8,171
Service 14,168 14,173
Total cost of revenue 23,555 22,344
Gross profit 30,779 29,657
OPERATING EXPENSES
Research and development 6,412 6,955
Sales and marketing 7,998 7,817
General and administrative 5,112 5,140
Restructuring charges 2,193 1,639
Management fees 300 300
Total operating expenses 22,015 21,851
Profit from operations 8,764 7,806
Interest income 188 7
Interest expense (12,133 ) (11,657 )
Loss on net change in fair value for embedded derivatives (6,489 ) -
Other expense, net (210 ) (172 )
Loss before income taxes (9,880 ) (4,016 )
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (7,932 ) 693
Net loss $ (1,948 ) $ (4,709 )
EBITDA TABLE:
Net loss $ (1,948 ) $ (4,709 )
Add (deduct):
Interest expense, net 11,945 11,650
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (7,932 ) 693
Depreciation and amortization 1,573 2,041
EBITDA (1) $ 3,638 $ 9,675
Add:
Restructuring (a) 2,193 1,639
Stock-based compensation expense (b) 85 96
Management fees (c) 300 300
Reserves (e) 176 188
Loss on net change in fair value for embedded derivatives (g) 6,489 -
Other expense, net (h) 666 191
Total adjustments 9,909 2,414
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 13,547 $ 12,089
STRATUS TECHNOLOGIES BERMUDA HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
For the fifty-two week periods ended February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011
February 26, February 27,
2012 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
REVENUE
Product $ 72,566 $ 71,104
Service 133,770 135,091
Total revenue 206,336 206,195
COST OF REVENUE
Product 33,648 32,892
Service 56,511 58,359
Total cost of revenue 90,159 91,251
Gross profit 116,177 114,944
OPERATING EXPENSES
Research and development 27,468 27,469
Sales and marketing 31,381 29,643
General and administrative 20,994 19,847
Amortization of intangibles - 52
Restructuring charges 2,368 1,694
(Gain) on sale of subsidiary - (3,655 )
Management fees 1,200 1,117
Total operating expenses 83,411 76,167
Profit from operations 32,766 38,777
Interest income 205 80
Interest expense (48,334 ) (43,728 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt (1,222 ) (3,751 )
Loss on net change in fair value for embedded derivatives (8,873 ) (297 )
Other expense, net (35 ) (1,454 )
Loss before income taxes (25,493 ) (10,373 )
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (6,703 ) 1,520
Net loss $ (18,790 ) $ (11,893 )
EBITDA TABLE:
Net loss $ (18,790 ) $ (11,893 )
Add (deduct):
Interest expense, net 48,129 43,648
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (6,703 ) 1,520
Depreciation and amortization 7,363 9,147
EBITDA (1) $ 29,999 $ 42,422
Add (deduct):
Restructuring (a) 2,368 1,694
Stock-based compensation expense (b) 336 468
Management fees (c) 1,200 1,117
(Gain) on sale of subsidiary (d) - (3,655 )
Reserves (e) 716 959
Loss on extinguishment of debt (f) 1,222 3,751
Loss on net change in fair value for embedded derivatives (g) 8,873 297
Other expense, net (h) 1,053 2,110
Total adjustments 15,768 6,741
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 45,767 $ 49,163

1) EBITDA represents income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We present EBITDA because we consider it an important supplemental measure of our performance and believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. In addition to other applications, EBITDA is used by us and others in our industry to evaluate and price potential acquisition candidates.

Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA with certain additional adjustments, as calculated pursuant to the requirements of the interest maintenance covenant under our Revolving Credit Facility. We present Adjusted EBITDA because we believe that it allows investors to assess our ability to meet the interest maintenance covenant under our Revolving Credit Facility.

Our management also uses Adjusted EBITDA internally as a basis upon which to assess our operating performance, and Adjusted EBITDA is also a factor in the evaluation of the performance of our management in determining compensation. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP'). Some of these limitations are:

  • EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures, or contractual commitments;
  • EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

  • EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debts;

  • Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements;

  • EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our ongoing operations; and

  • Other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Because of these limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally, as described above. See the Statements of Cash Flows attached to this report.

(a) In order to better align expenses with anticipated revenues, we implemented restructuring programs in fiscal 2012 and 2011. These programs were designed to further streamline our business model and centralize certain functions to align with current business initiatives.

In the quarter-to-date and year-to-date periods ended February 26, 2012, we recorded a charge of $2.2 million and $2.4 million, respectively. This consisted of $2.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively, for severance and fringe benefits and $0.2 million related to employee relocation for both periods.

In the quarter-to-date and year-to-date periods ended February 27, 2011, we recorded restructuring charges consisting of $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively, for severance and fringe benefits.

(b) In the quarter-to-date and year-to-date periods ended February 26, 2012, we recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense charges of $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, relating to share-based payments to employees.

In the quarter-to-date and year-to-date periods ended February 27, 2011, we recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense charges of $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively, relating to share-based payments to employees.

(c) On April 30, 2010 we entered into a four year advisory and strategic planning agreement with an investment banking firm. The yearly fee is $0.5 million.

On October 1, 2005, we entered into an Agreement for Management, Advisory, Strategic Planning and Consulting Services with Investcorp International, Inc., an affiliate of the Investcorp Group, and MidOcean US Advisor, LP, an affiliate of MidOcean, for an aggregate yearly fee of $0.7 million which renews on an annual basis. The payment of the yearly fee is restricted in the Senior Secured Notes and in the Second Lien Credit Facility until these credit facilities are paid in full.

The long-term accrued liability related to this yearly fee totaled $3.1 million and $2.4 million at February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011, respectively.

(d) As a result of the sale of our proprietary Emergent Networks Solutions Voice over Internet Protocol ("VOIP") Software business and certain net assets related to our telecommunications business (collectively, the "Emergent Business") in January 2009, we recorded a gain on the sale in fiscal 2011 of $3.7 million.

(e) In the quarter-to-date and year-to-date periods ended February 26, 2012, we incurred $0.2 million and $0.7 million of non-cash inventory write downs, respectively.

In the quarter-to-date and year-to-date periods ended February 27, 2011, we incurred $0.2 million and $1.0 million of non-cash inventory write downs, respectively.

(f) In the year-to-date period ended February 26, 2012, we made an excess cash flow ("ECF") offer to the Senior Secured Note holders to redeem 5,000 units at a redemption price of 120%. We redeemed 4,997 units at 120% resulting in an ECF payment of $5,996 which includes redemption of $5.0 million Senior Secured Notes and related premium of $1.0 million. The redemption of the 4,997 units of Senior Secured Notes resulted in a $1.2 million loss on extinguishment of debt which consisted of a $1.0 million premium, $0.6 million and $0.2 million write off of a pro rata portion of related debt discount and deferred finance fees, respectively, and $0.1 million of related fees offset by a $0.7 million gain on the reduction of the ECF derivative.

In the year-to-date period ended February 27, 2011, we recorded $3.8 million on extinguishment of debt for the First Lien Credit Facility and the Second Lien Credit Facility due to the write off of deferred financing fees and debt discount as a result of the April 2010 Refinancing.

(g) In the quarter-to-date and year-to-date periods ended February 26, 2012, we recorded a $6.5 million and $8.9 million loss, respectively, due to the net change in fair value of the embedded derivatives related to the Senior Secured Notes. In the year-to-date period ended February 27, 2011, we recorded a $0.3 million loss due to the net change in fair value of the embedded derivatives related to the Senior Secured Notes.

(h) In the quarter-to-date period ended February 26, 2012, we recorded other expense, net of $0.7 million, primarily consisting of $0.1 million bank fees, $0.1 million of net foreign currency losses and $0.5 million of net miscellaneous and non-recurring charges. In the quarter-to-date period ended February 27, 2011, we recorded other expense, net of $0.2 million, primarily consisting of $0.2 million bank fees.

In the year-to-date period ended February 26, 2012, we recorded other expense, net of $1.1 million, primarily consisting of $0.5 million bank fees, $0.3 million of one-time public filing registration costs and $0.7 million of net miscellaneous and non-recurring charges offset by $0.4 million net foreign currency gains. In the year-to-date period ended February 27, 2011, we recorded other expense, net of $2.1 million, primarily consisting of $0.6 million bank fees, $0.9 million of net foreign currency losses and $0.6 million of net miscellaneous expenses and non-recurring charges.

STRATUS TECHNOLOGIES BERMUDA HOLDINGS LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
For the fiscal fifty-two week periods ended February 26, 2012 and February 27, 2011
February 26, February 27,
2012 2011
(Dollars in thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net loss $ (18,790 ) $ (11,893 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 7,363 9,147
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount 10,501 8,466
Stock-based compensation 336 468
Deferred tax income (8,413 ) (2,163 )
Provision for doubtful accounts 121 163
Inventory provision 716 959
Loss on extinguishment of debt 1,222 3,751
Premium on excess cash flow payment (999 ) -
Loss on net change in fair value of embedded derivatives 8,873 297
(Gain) from sale of subsidiary - (3,655 )
Loss on sale of asset 13 27
Loss on retirement of property and equipment 144 482
Loss on abandoned patents 424 -
Interest payable-in-kind 7,871 6,560
Changes in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable 982 3,840
Inventory (2,012 ) (2,315 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (84 ) 1,211
Accounts payable 530 (721 )
Accrued expenses 406 (199 )
Interest payable (1,017 ) 7,735
Income taxes payable (142 ) 184
Deferred revenue (650 ) (5,901 )
Other long-term assets and liabilities 1,022 3,306
Net cash provided by operating activities 8,417 19,749
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment (3,665 ) (6,238 )
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary - 3,555
Proceeds from the disposition of property and equipment 19 -
Other long-term assets (100 ) (86 )
Net cash used in investing activities (3,746 ) (2,769 )
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Cash flows used in financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, Series B preferred stock and Series B ordinary stock - 207,281
Payments on long-term debt (4,997 ) (218,000 )
Payment of debt and equity issuance fees (308 ) (13,515 )
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options 2 -
Proceeds from revolving credit facility - 8,000
Payments on revolving credit facility - (30,000 )
Net cash used in financing activities (5,303 ) (46,234 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 42 586
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (590 ) (28,668 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 28,100 56,768
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 27,510 $ 28,100

Contact Information:

Investor Relations Contact

Robert C. Laufer
Senior Vice President, CFO
Stratus Technologies
978-461-7343
bob.laufer@stratus.com