News Releases
NEWARK, N.Y., April 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultralife Corporation (Nasdaq:ULBI) reported operating income of $0.8 million on revenue of $19.2 million for the first quarter ended March 29, 2015. For the first quarter of 2014, the Company reported an operating loss of $1.1 million on revenue of $15.3 million.
"Building on our strong fourth quarter performance, we continued to execute well against our business model parameters in the first quarter. With both Battery & Energy Products and Communications Systems producing top-line sales growth, Ultralife generated consolidated gross margin of 31.3%, operating margin of 4.3% and EPS of $0.03 for the quarter. Having started the year on a solid note, we remain positioned to generate top-line growth and profitable results for 2015," said Michael D. Popielec, Ultralife's President and Chief Executive Officer.
First Quarter 2015 Financial Results
Revenue grew $3.9 million, or 25%, to $19.2 million compared to $15.3 million for the first quarter of 2014 reflecting increases in both Battery & Energy Products sales and Communications Systems sales. Battery & Energy Products sales were $16.3 million compared to $13.9 million last year, a 17% increase, driven by higher shipments to Government/Defense customers. Communications Systems sales more than doubled to $2.9 million compared to $1.4 million for the same period last year, primarily reflecting higher sales of new products, including our Universal Vehicle Adaptors to a large international prime, as well as an improved order flow.
Gross profit was $6.0 million, or 31.3% of revenue, compared to $4.3 million or 28.4% of revenue for the same quarter a year ago. The 290 basis point increase primarily reflects favorable product mix, improved overhead absorption on higher production volumes and continued Lean productivity gains. Battery & Energy Products gross margin was 29.4%, 210 basis points higher than the 27.3% reported last year, and Communications Systems gross margin was 42.2%, a 300 basis point improvement from the 39.2% reported last year.
Operating expenses were $5.2 million compared to $5.4 million last year reflecting ongoing discretionary spending discipline while continuing to invest in new product development. Operating expenses were 27.0% of revenue compared to 35.5% for the year earlier period.
The combination of higher revenue and resulting gross profit leverage, and lower operating expenses produced operating income of $0.8 million compared to an operating loss of $1.1 million last year for an operating margin of 4.3% versus negative 7.2% last year. Net income was $0.5 million, or $0.03 per share compared to a net loss of $1.3 million, or $0.07 per share, for the first quarter of 2014.
Share Repurchase Program
Ultralife's Board of Directors has authorized an extension of the Company's share repurchase program for an additional twelve month period beginning May 1, 2015 and ending April 30, 2016, subject, for the entire period as extended, to the 1.8 million share aggregate limit established in the initial authorization. Since the inception of the share repurchase program on May 1, 2014, the Company has repurchased 388,122 shares.
About Ultralife Corporation
Ultralife Corporation serves its markets with products and services ranging from power solutions to communications and electronics systems. Through its engineering and collaborative approach to problem solving, Ultralife serves government, defense and commercial customers across the globe.
Headquartered in Newark, New York, the Company's business segments include Battery & Energy Products and Communications Systems. Ultralife has operations in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.ultralifecorp.com.
Conference Call Information
Ultralife will hold its first quarter earnings conference call today at 10:00 AM ET. To participate in the live call, please dial (800) 915-4836 at least ten minutes before the scheduled start time, identify yourself and ask for the Ultralife call. A live webcast of the conference call will be available to investors in the Events & Presentations section of the Company's website at http://investor.ultralifecorporation.com. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at the same location.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: potential reductions in U.S. military spending, uncertain global economic conditions and acceptance of our new products on a global basis. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's analysis only as of today's date. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Further information on these factors and other factors that could affect Ultralife's financial results is included in Ultralife's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| ULTRALIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
| CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||
| (Dollars in Thousands) | ||
| (unaudited) | ||
| ASSETS | ||
| March 29, | December 31, | |
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 20,272 | $ 17,866 |
| Trade accounts receivable, net | 11,698 | 11,295 |
| Inventories | 24,775 | 26,086 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 1,804 | 1,603 |
| Total current assets | 58,549 | 56,850 |
| Property, equipment and improvements, net | 9,643 | 9,812 |
| Goodwill, intangibles and other assets | 20,863 | 20,980 |
| Total assets | $ 89,055 | $ 87,642 |
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable | $ 7,687 | $ 6,996 |
| Accrued compensation and related benefits | 2,076 | 1,725 |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 2,445 | 2,490 |
| Total current liabilities | 12,208 | 11,211 |
| Deferred income taxes and other non-current liabilities | 4,573 | 4,518 |
| Total liabilities | 16,781 | 15,729 |
| Shareholders' equity: | ||
| Common stock | 1,897 | 1,894 |
| Capital in excess of par value | 176,089 | 175,940 |
| Accumulated deficit | (96,387) | (96,920) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (445) | (467) |
| Treasury stock | (8,756) | (8,420) |
| Total Ultralife equity | 72,398 | 72,027 |
| Noncontrolling interest | (124) | (114) |
| Total shareholders' equity | 72,274 | 71,913 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 89,055 | $ 87,642 |
| ULTRALIFE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES | ||
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||
| (In Thousands except per share amounts) | ||
| (unaudited) | ||
| Three month periods ended | ||
| March 29, | March 30, | |
| 2015 | 2014 | |
| Revenues: | ||
| Battery & energy products | $ 16,276 | $ 13,922 |
| Communications systems | 2,901 | 1,363 |
| Total revenues | 19,177 | 15,285 |
| Cost of products sold: | ||
| Battery & energy products | 11,492 | 10,121 |
| Communications systems | 1,678 | 829 |
| Total cost of products sold | 13,170 | 10,950 |
| Gross profit | 6,007 | 4,335 |
| Operating expenses: | ||
| Research and development | 1,359 | 1,436 |
| Selling, general and administrative | 3,826 | 3,995 |
| Total operating expenses | 5,185 | 5,431 |
| Operating income (loss) | 822 | (1,096) |
| Other expense | (188) | (63) |
| Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 634 | (1,159) |
| Income tax provision | (111) | (60) |
| Net income (loss) from continuing operations | 523 | (1,219) |
| Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | -- | (61) |
| Net income (loss) | 523 | (1,280) |
| Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest | 10 | (6) |
| Net income (loss) attributable to Ultralife | $ 533 | $ (1,286) |
| Net income (loss) per share attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - basic: | ||
| Continuing operations | $ .03 | $ (.07) |
| Discontinued operations | .00 | .00 |
| Total | $ .03 | $ (.07) |
| Net income per share attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - diluted: | ||
| Continuing operations | $ .03 | |
| Discontinued operations | .00 | |
| Total | $ .03 | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | 17,346 | 17,513 |
| Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | 17,354 | |
CONTACT: Company Contact:
Ultralife Corporation
Philip A. Fain
(315) 210-6110
pfain@ulbi.com
Investor Relations Contact:
LHA
Jody Burfening
(212) 838-3777
jburfening@lhai.com