Gross Margins Improve to 21.7 Percent; Increases Fiscal 2014 Sales and EPS Guidance
CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Dec 5, 2013) - Methode Electronics, Inc. (
Second-Quarter Fiscal 2014
Methode's second-quarter Fiscal 2014 net sales grew $61.1 million, or 47.1 percent, to $190.9 million from $129.8 million in the same quarter of Fiscal 2013.
In the Fiscal 2013 second quarter, the Company and various Delphi parties agreed to settle all Delphi related litigation matters. In addition to resolving all claims between the parties, the Company assigned certain patents to Delphi and entered into a non-compete with respect to the related technology. In exchange, the Company received payment of $20.0 million. The Company recorded a gain of $20.0 million, or $0.49 per share, in the Fiscal 2013 second quarter related to the settlement.
Including the impact of this gain recorded in the prior fiscal year second quarter, net income decreased $3.6 million to $19.8 million, or $0.51 per share, in the Fiscal 2014 second quarter from $23.4 million, or $0.62 per share, in the same period of Fiscal 2013. Excluding the impact of the $20.0 million gain recorded in connection with the legal settlement and its effect on income tax expense, Methode's Fiscal 2013 second-quarter net income was $5.0 million, or $0.13 per share, compared to $19.8 million, or $0.51 per share, in the Fiscal 2014 second quarter.
Year over year, Fiscal 2014 second-quarter net income benefitted from:
Year over year, Fiscal 2014 second-quarter net income was negatively affected by:
Consolidated gross margins as a percentage of sales improved to 21.7 percent in the Fiscal 2014 second quarter compared to 17.2 percent in the Fiscal 2013 period as a result of increased efficiencies related to higher sales and vertical integration in the Automotive segment, as well as favorable raw material commodity pricing and product mix in the Power Products segment, partially offset by increased sales of products with a higher material content in the Interconnect segment.
Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 10.3 percent for the Fiscal 2014 second quarter compared to 11.7 percent in the same period last year. Selling and administrative expenses increased $4.5 million, or 29.6 percent, to $19.7 million in the Fiscal 2014 second quarter compared to $15.2 million in the prior-year second quarter due primarily to higher performance-based compensation expense and higher marketing, travel and legal expenses, as well as the absence of a one-time reversal of accruals related to a customer bankruptcy in the Fiscal 2013 second quarter.
In the Fiscal 2014 second quarter, income tax expense decreased $1.8 million, or 56.3 percent, to $1.4 million from $3.2 million for the Fiscal 2013 period. Income tax expense for both periods primarily relates to income taxes on foreign profits.
Second-Quarter Fiscal 2014 Segment Comparisons
Comparing the Automotive segment's Fiscal 2014 second quarter to the same period of Fiscal 2013,
Comparing the Interconnect segment's Fiscal 2014 second quarter to the same period of Fiscal 2013,
Comparing the Power Products segment's Fiscal 2014 second quarter to the same period of Fiscal 2013,
Six-Month Period Fiscal 2014
Methode's six-month Fiscal 2014 net sales grew $109.7 million, or 44.1 percent, to $358.2 million from $248.5 million in the Fiscal 2013 period.
Net income increased $6.2 million to $33.4 million, or $0.87 per share, in the Fiscal 2014 six months compared to $27.2 million, or $0.72 per share, in the same period of Fiscal 2013. In the Fiscal 2013 second quarter, the Company recorded a gain of $20.0 million, or $0.49 per share, related to the legal settlement (as discussed above). Excluding the impact of the $20.0 million gain recorded in connection with the legal settlement and its effect on income tax expense, Methode's Fiscal 2013 six-month net income was $8.8 million, or $0.23 per share compared to $33.4 million, or $0.87 per share, in the Fiscal 2014 period.
Year over year, Fiscal 2014 six-month net income benefitted from:
Year over year, Fiscal 2014 six-month net income was negatively affected by:
Consolidated gross margins as a percentage of sales improved to 21.0 percent in the Fiscal 2014 first half compared to 17.6 percent in the Fiscal 2013 first half as a result of increased efficiencies related to higher sales and vertical integration in the Automotive segment, as well as favorable raw material commodity pricing and product mix in the Power Products segment, partially offset by increased sales of products with a higher material content in the Interconnect segment.
Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 10.8 percent for the Fiscal 2014 first half compared to 13.1 percent in the same period last year. Selling and administrative expenses increased $6.1 million, or 18.8 percent, to $38.6 million in the Fiscal 2014 first half compared to $32.5 million in the prior-year period due primarily to higher performance-based compensation expense and higher marketing, travel, stock award and intangible asset amortization expenses, partially offset by lower legal expense, and the absence of a one-time reversal of accruals related to a customer bankruptcy in the Fiscal 2013 second quarter.
In the Fiscal 2014 first half, income tax expense decreased $1.0 million, or 27.0 percent, to $2.7 million from $3.7 million for the Fiscal 2013 period. Income tax expense for both periods primarily relates to income taxes on foreign profits.
Six-Month Fiscal 2014 Segment Comparisons
Comparing the Automotive segment's Fiscal 2014 first half to the same period of Fiscal 2013,
Comparing the Interconnect segment's Fiscal 2014 first half to the same period of Fiscal 2013,
Comparing the Power Products segment's Fiscal 2014 first half to the same period of Fiscal 2013,
Guidance
Methode has raised its full-year Fiscal 2014 sales guidance to a range of $720 to $750 million and earnings per share guidance to a range of $1.70 to $1.90. This replaces the Company's previous sales guidance of $670 to $700 million and earnings per share guidance of $1.40 to $1.60. The guidance ranges for Fiscal 2014 are based upon management's current expectations regarding a variety of factors and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the following significant factors and assumptions considered by management in preparing this guidance:
Revenue Chart
Methode has provided an updated revenue chart providing sales projections as of December 5, 2013, for Fiscal Years 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 on its Web site and filed as a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These sales projections are approximate and may vary 15 percent to 20 percent based on economic conditions, customer demands, and other factors. The sales projection for Fiscal 2014 represents the midpoint of the Company's sales guidance range. Management utilized LMC Automotive volume data and other sources in the preparation of the sales projections.
Management Comments
President and Chief Executive Officer Donald W. Duda said, "Methode's first-half financial results reflect over 40 percent revenue growth coupled with strong margin improvement. Excluding the legal settlement in last year's second quarter, net income improved nearly 380 percent in the first half of this fiscal year compared to last year. These results demonstrate that our core strategy to design and engineer products that incorporate Methode's broad range of field-proven technologies is providing genuine value for our customers and improved financial results for our shareholders."
Conference Call
The Company will conduct a conference call and Webcast to review financial and operational highlights led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Donald W. Duda, and Chief Financial Officer, Douglas A. Koman, today at 10:00 a.m. Central time.
To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 407-8031 (domestic) or (201) 689-8031 (international) at least five minutes prior to the start of the event. A simultaneous Webcast can be accessed through the Company's Web site, www.methode.com, by selecting the Investor Relations page, and then clicking on the "Webcast" icon.
A replay of the conference call, as well as an MP3 download, will be available shortly after the call through December 19 by dialing (877) 660-6853 (domestic) or (201) 612-7415 (international) and providing Conference ID number 13573099. On the Internet, a replay will be available for 30 days through the Company's Web site, www.methode.com, by selecting the Investor Relations page and then clicking on the "Webcast" icon.
About Methode Electronics, Inc.
Methode Electronics, Inc. (
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor protection provided under the securities laws. Methode undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in Methode's expectations on a quarterly basis or otherwise. The forward-looking statements in this press release involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are detailed in Methode's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as our annual and quarterly reports. Such factors may include, without limitation, the following: (1) dependence on a small number of large customers, including two large automotive customers; (2) dependence on the automotive, appliance, computer and communications industries; (3) customary risks related to conducting global operations; (4) timing, quality and cost of new program launches; (5) ability to avoid design or manufacturing defects; (6) ability to compete effectively; (7) dependence on the availability and price of raw materials; (8) dependence on our supply chain; (9) further downturns in the automotive industry or the bankruptcy of certain automotive customers; (10) ability to keep pace with rapid technological changes; (11) ability to protect our intellectual property; (12) ability to withstand price pressure; (13) location of a significant amount of cash outside of the U.S.; (14) the recognition of goodwill impairment and long-lived asset charges; (15) currency fluctuations; (16) ability to successfully benefit from acquisitions and divestitures; (17) ability to withstand business interruptions; (18) income tax rate fluctuations; (19) a breach of our information technology systems; and (20) the cost and implementation of SEC disclosure and reporting requirements regarding conflict minerals.
METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||||||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||
($ in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
October 26, 2013 | October 27, 2012 | October 26, 2013 | October 27, 2012 | |||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 190,914 | $ | 129,758 | $ | 358,180 | $ | 248,496 | ||||||||
Cost of products sold | 149,531 | 107,466 | 282,816 | 204,737 | ||||||||||||
Gross profit | 41,383 | 22,292 | 75,364 | 43,759 | ||||||||||||
Selling and administrative expenses | 19,649 | 15,177 | 38,502 | 32,474 | ||||||||||||
Income from settlement | -- | (20,000 | ) | -- | (20,000 | ) | ||||||||||
Income from operations | 21,734 | 27,115 | 36,862 | 31,285 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, net | 117 | 53 | 177 | 7 | ||||||||||||
Other expense, net | 368 | 536 | 493 | 495 | ||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 21,249 | 26,526 | 36,192 | 30,783 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 1,438 | 3,234 | 2,738 | 3,664 | ||||||||||||
Net income | 19,811 | 23,292 | 33,454 | 27,119 | ||||||||||||
Less: Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest | 9 | (71 | ) | 41 | (132 | ) | ||||||||||
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. | $ | 19,802 | $ | 23,363 | $ | 33,413 | $ | 27,251 | ||||||||
Amounts per common share attributable to Methode Electronics, Inc.: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.52 | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.89 | $ | 0.73 | ||||||||
Diluted | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.62 | $ | 0.87 | $ | 0.72 | ||||||||
Cash dividends: | ||||||||||||||||
Common stock | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.07 | $ | -- | $ | -- | ||||||||
Weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 37,718,643 | 37,413,490 | 37,635,238 | 37,402,660 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 38,486,370 | 37,975,559 | 38,348,040 | 37,920,732 | ||||||||||||
METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||||||
($ in thousands) | |||||||||||
As of | As of | ||||||||||
October 26, 2013 | April 27, 2013 | ||||||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||
ASSETS | |||||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 87,819 | $ | 65,811 | |||||||
Accounts receivable, net | 147,453 | 119,816 | |||||||||
Inventories: | |||||||||||
Finished products | 15,567 | 11,736 | |||||||||
Work in process | 10,073 | 10,220 | |||||||||
Materials | 42,985 | 37,973 | |||||||||
68,625 | 59,929 | ||||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 3,475 | 3,313 | |||||||||
Prepaid and refundable income taxes | 269 | 326 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 9,956 | 9,459 | |||||||||
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | 317,597 | 258,654 | |||||||||
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT | 317,107 | 297,255 | |||||||||
Less allowances for depreciation | 214,249 | 198,897 | |||||||||
102,858 | 98,358 | ||||||||||
GOODWILL | 12,955 | 12,907 | |||||||||
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net | 15,625 | 16,466 | |||||||||
PRE-PRODUCTION COSTS | 16,138 | 11,511 | |||||||||
OTHER ASSETS | 37,324 | 37,043 | |||||||||
82,042 | 77,927 | ||||||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 502,497 | $ | 434,939 | |||||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | |||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 78,410 | $ | 61,541 | |||||||
Other current liabilities | 28,144 | 28,930 | |||||||||
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | 106,554 | 90,471 | |||||||||
LONG-TERM DEBT | 51,500 | 43,500 | |||||||||
OTHER LIABILITIES | 3,281 | 3,294 | |||||||||
DEFERRED COMPENSATION | 10,963 | 8,090 | |||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||||
Common stock, $0.50 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 38,724,526 and 38,455,853 shares issued as of October 26, 2013 and April 27, 2013, respectively | 19,362 | 19,228 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 85,582 | 81,472 | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 23,805 | 15,680 | |||||||||
Treasury stock, 1,342,188 shares as of October 26, 2013 and April 27, 2013 | (11,377 | ) | (11,377 | ) | |||||||
Retained earnings | 212,559 | 184,368 | |||||||||
TOTAL METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | 329,931 | 289,371 | |||||||||
Noncontrolling interest | 268 | 213 | |||||||||
TOTAL EQUITY | 330,199 | 289,584 | |||||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | $ | 502,497 | $ | 434,939 | |||||||
METHODE ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
($ in thousands) | |||||||||||
Six Months Ended | |||||||||||
October 26, 2013 | October 27, 2012 | ||||||||||
OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
Net income | $ | 33,454 | $ | 27,119 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
Provision for depreciation | 10,536 | 7,987 | |||||||||
Amortization of intangibles | 919 | 783 | |||||||||
Amortization of stock awards and stock options | 1,888 | 1,747 | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | (16,195 | ) | (14,937 | ) | |||||||
Other | 233 | (14 | ) | ||||||||
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES | 30,835 | 22,685 | |||||||||
INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (16,507 | ) | (23,557 | ) | |||||||
Acquisition of businesses | -- | (1,434 | ) | ||||||||
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES | (16,507 | ) | (24,991 | ) | |||||||
FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |||||||||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 2,356 | -- | |||||||||
Cash dividends | (5,222 | ) | (5,187 | ) | |||||||
Proceeds from borrowings | 21,500 | 24,500 | |||||||||
Repayment of borrowings | (13,500 | ) | (26,500 | ) | |||||||
NET CASH PROVIDED BY/(USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES | 5,134 | (7,187 | ) | ||||||||
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash | 2,546 | (305 | ) | ||||||||
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 22,008 | (9,798 | ) | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 65,811 | 86,797 | |||||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD | $ | 87,819 | $ | 76,999 | |||||||
Contact Information:
For Methode Electronics, Inc. - Investor Contacts:
Kristine Walczak
Dresner Corporate Services
312-780-7205
kwalczak@dresnerco.com
Philip Kranz
Dresner Corporate Services
312-780-7240
pkranz@dresnerco.com