AUDIOVOX CORPORATION 
By HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Audiovox Corporation (Nasdaq: VOXX), today announced results for its fiscal 2010 third quarter and nine months ended November 30, 2009.
"Through the first nine months of the year, we have been profitable despite lower sales volumes, which were anticipated and planned for given the current economic climate and the factors which impacted last year's results. We have taken aggressive steps to lower our overhead and improve margins, while managing our buying programs to position Audiovox for continued profitability in future periods," stated Patrick Lavelle, president and chief executive officer of Audiovox Corporation. "While our sales may be lower, our margins are up, our overhead is down and in line with expected sales and we are looking forward to our fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 prospects."
The Company reported net income of $12.6 million and earnings per share of $0.55 for the three months ended November 30, 2009 compared to net income of $6.5 million and earnings per share of $0.29 for the three months ended November 30, 2008. During the fiscal 2010 third quarter, the Company recorded a tax benefit, which favorably impacted net income by $9.0 million. Excluding the impact of this tax benefit, pre-tax income for the fiscal 2010 third quarter was $3.6 million.
Net sales for the fiscal 2010 third quarter were $155.7 million compared to net sales of $195.6 million reported in the prior year period, a decrease of 20.4%. Accessories sales increased 5.2%, from $43.7 million to $45.9 million and Electronics sales decreased 27.8%, from $152.0 million to $109.7 million. As a percentage of net sales, Electronics represented 70.5 % and 77.7% for the periods ended November 30, 2009 and November 30, 2008, respectively. Accessories represented 29.5% and 22.3 % for the similar periods.
The increase in Accessories sales can be attributed to sales generated from the acquisition of SCHWAIGER and higher sales of Acoustic Research product lines, as well as the addition of new customers in the first half of the year, which had a positive impact on fiscal 2010 third quarter results. The decline in Electronics is primarily attributed to lower sales of consumer electronics products as the Company chose not to participate in several Black Friday promotions due to lower margin structures as well as lower retail buying based on their anticipation of lower holiday sales. Mobile electronics product sales were up, primarily as a result of higher sales of satellite radio products.
Gross margins declined by 50 basis points from 19.9% in the fiscal 2009 third quarter to 19.4% in the fiscal 2010 third quarter. This small decline in gross margins was expected due to the Company's product mix for the respective quarters.
The Company reported operating expenses of $27.1 million for the fiscal 2010 third quarter compared to $27.3 million reported in the comparable fiscal year period. This small decline in operating expenses was due to the Company's cost reduction plans, partially offset by higher expenses associated with the SCHWAIGER acquisition and expenses associated with options in the fiscal 2010 third quarter. Excluding the impact of the SCHWAIGER acquisition and options expenses, core overhead declined by $2.8 million. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses increased to 17.4% for the three months ended November 30, 2009, from 14.0% in the prior year period, primarily as a result of lower sales volumes in this year's fiscal period.
Lavelle continued, "We could have generated higher sales during the quarter but made a conscious decision to pass on low margin deals and limit our inventory risk. I believe this strategy will benefit our Company as our inventory position has improved relative to last year. Furthermore, our December sales were up, we have a lot of programs underway, and new products slated for introduction in the spring and fall of 2010. All in all and barring any decline in the global economies, I believe next fiscal year will be a year of increased sales, profits and returns for our shareholders."
Fiscal Nine Months Comparisons
The Company reported net income of $15.9 million and earnings per share of $0.69 for the nine months ended November 30, 2009 compared to a net loss of $1.0 million or a loss per share of $0.04 for the nine months ended November 30, 2008. For the nine months ended November 30, 2009, the Company recorded a tax benefit, which favorably impacted net income by $10.3 million. Excluding the impact of this tax benefit, pre-tax income for the fiscal 2010 nine-month period was $5.6 million.
Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2010 were $400.4 million compared to net sales of $487.4 million in the comparable fiscal 2009 period, a decrease of 17.9%.
Accessories sales for the fiscal 2010 nine months period were $132.6 million, an increase of 20.5% as compared to $110.1 million reported in the comparable fiscal year period. This increase is due primarily to the addition of new customers and higher sales driven by the changeover from analog to digital TV, which favorably impacted digital antenna sales. This increase is also related to higher sales of other accessory products under the Terk, Acoustic Research and RCA brands and the addition of sales associated with the SCHWAIGER acquisition. As a percentage of net sales, Accessories represented 33.1% and 22.6% of net sales for the nine months period ended November 30, 2009 and November 30, 2008, respectively.
Electronics sales were $267.7 million for the fiscal 2010 nine months period compared to $377.4 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2008, a decrease of 29.0%. This decline was primarily due to lower sales of certain consumer products as well as lower mobile product sales resulting from the steep decline in the automotive industry. Additionally, fiscal 2010 third quarter results did not include discontinued product lines such as flat screen TV's, navigation and GMRS radios. Partially offsetting this decline were higher sales of satellite radio products and increased sales in select digital categories. As a percentage of net sales, Electronics represented 66.9% and 77.4% for the nine months periods ended November 30, 2009 and November 30, 2008, respectively.
Gross margins increased by 140 basis points from 17.8% in the fiscal 2009 nine months period to 19.2% in the comparable period in fiscal 2010. Gross margins were favorably impacted by higher sales of accessories products.
Operating expenses decreased $14.3 million or 16.4% to $72.6 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2009 from $86.8 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2008. The decrease in total operating expenses is a direct result of the overhead reduction program and cost containment efforts the Company instituted in the second half of fiscal 2009 and one-time charges associated with these efforts. Offsetting this decline, were new operating expenses associated with the acquisition of SCHWAIGER and options expenses in the fiscal 2010 third quarter. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses increased to 18.1% for the nine months ended November 30, 2009 from 17.8% in the comparable prior year period.
Conference Call Information
The Company will be hosting its conference call on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. EST. Interested parties can participate by visiting www.audiovox.com, and clicking on the webcast in the Investor Relations section or via teleconference (toll-free number: 800-901-5217; international number: 617-786-2964; pass code: 55436315). For those who will be unable to participate, a replay will be available approximately one hour after the call has been completed and will last for one week thereafter (replay number: 888-286-8010; international replay number: 617-801-6888; pass code: 83750212).
About Audiovox
Audiovox (Nasdaq: VOXX) is a recognized leader in the marketing of automotive entertainment, vehicle security and remote start systems, consumer electronics products and consumer electronics accessories. The company is number one in mobile video and places in the top ten of almost every category that it sells. Among the lines marketed by Audiovox are its mobile electronics products including mobile video systems, auto sound systems including satellite radio, vehicle security and remote start systems; consumer electronics products such as MP3 players, digital camcorders, DVRs, Internet radios, clock radios, portable DVD players, multimedia products like digital picture frames and home and portable stereos; consumer electronics accessories such as indoor/outdoor antennas, connectivity products, headphones, speakers, wireless solutions, remote controls, power & surge protectors and media cleaning & storage devices; Energizer®-branded products for rechargeable batteries and battery packs for camcorders, cordless phones, digital cameras and DVD players, as well as for power supply systems, automatic voltage regulators and surge protectors. The company markets its products through an extensive distribution network that includes power retailers, 12-volt specialists, mass merchandisers and an OE sales group. The company markets products under the Audiovox, RCA, Jensen, Acoustic Research, Energizer, Advent, Code Alarm, TERK, Prestige and SURFACE brands. For additional information, visit our Web site at www.audiovox.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical information contained herein, statements made in this release that would constitute forward-looking statements may involve certain risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements made in this release are based on currently available information and the Company assumes no responsibility to update any such forward-looking statement. The following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from the results suggested in the forward-looking statements. The factors include, but are not limited to, risks that may result from changes in the Company's business operations; our ability to keep pace with technological advances; significant competition in the mobile and consumer electronics businesses as well as the wireless business; our relationships with key suppliers and customers; quality and consumer acceptance of newly introduced products; market volatility; non-availability of product; excess inventory; price and product competition; new product introductions; the possibility that the review of our prior filings by the SEC may result in changes to our financial statements; and the possibility that stockholders or regulatory authorities may initiate proceedings against Audiovox and/or our officers and directors as a result of any restatements. Risk factors associated with our business, including some of the facts set forth herein, are detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009 and in its most recent quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Company Contact:
GW Communications, Glenn Wiener, Tel: 212-786-6011, gwiener@GWCco.com
Audiovox Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share data)
November 30, February 28,
2009 2009
---- ----
Assets unaudited
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $55,094 $69,504
Accounts receivable, net 142,075 104,896
Inventory 124,617 125,301
Receivables from vendors 2,202 12,195
Prepaid expenses and other
current assets 17,504 17,973
Income taxes receivable 10,149 -
Deferred income taxes 421 354
--- ---
Total current assets 352,062 330,223
Investment securities 16,188 7,744
Equity investments 11,042 13,118
Property, plant and equipment, net 19,690 19,903
Intangible assets 86,930 88,524
Deferred income taxes 264 221
Other assets 2,090 1,563
----- -----
Total assets $488,266 $461,296
======== ========
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $41,426 $41,796
Accrued expenses and other
current liabilities 34,362 32,575
Income taxes payable 2,690 2,665
Accrued sales incentives 13,827 7,917
Deferred income taxes 1,459 1,459
Bank obligations 2,824 1,467
Current portion of long-term debt 1,495 1,264
----- -----
Total current liabilities 98,083 89,143
Long-term debt 6,052 5,896
Capital lease obligation 5,471 5,531
Deferred compensation 3,530 2,559
Other tax liabilities 944 2,572
Deferred tax liabilities 5,052 4,657
Other long-term liabilities 7,773 10,436
----- ------
Total liabilities 126,905 120,794
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Series preferred stock, $.01
par value; 1,500,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued
or outstanding - -
Common stock:
Class A, $.01 par value;
60,000,000 shares
authorized, 22,441,712 and
22,424,212 shares issued and
20,622,905 and 20,604,460
shares outstanding at
November 30, 2009 and
February 28, 2009,
respectively 224 224
Class B convertible, $.01 par
value; 10,000,000 shares
authorized, 2,260,954 shares
issued and outstanding 22 22
Paid-in capital 275,684 274,464
Retained earnings 107,406 91,513
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss (3,589) (7,325)
Treasury stock, at cost,
1,818,807 and 1,819,752
shares of Class A common
stock at November 30, 2009
and February 28, 2009,
respectively (18,386) (18,396)
------- -------
Total stockholders' equity 361,361 340,502
------- -------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $488,266 $461,296
======== ========
Audiovox Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
November 30, November 30,
------------ ------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
---- ---- ---- ----
Net sales $155,657 $195,642 $400,354 $487,433
Cost of sales 125,431 156,684 323,604 400,900
------- ------- ------- -------
Gross profit 30,226 38,958 76,750 86,533
------ ------ ------ ------
Operating expenses:
Selling 8,026 8,370 21,188 26,598
General and
administrative 16,521 16,500 44,555 52,004
Engineering and
technical support 2,543 2,436 6,819 8,219
----- ----- ----- -----
Total operating
expenses 27,090 27,306 72,562 86,821
------ ------ ------ ------
Operating income (loss) 3,136 11,652 4,188 (288)
----- ------ ----- ----
Other income (expense):
Interest and bank
charges (394) (453) (1,097) (1,439)
Equity in income (share
in losses) of equity
investees 452 (484) 1,201 926
Other, net 448 (10) 1,304 375
--- --- ----- ---
Total other income
(expense), net 506 (947) 1,408 (138)
--- ---- ----- ----
Income (loss) before income
taxes 3,642 10,705 5,595 (426)
Income tax (benefit)
expense (9,003) 4,180 (10,298) 582
------ ----- ------- ---
Net income (loss) $12,645 $6,525 $15,893 ($1,008)
======= ====== ======= =======
Net income (loss) per
common share (basic) $0.55 $0.29 $0.69 ($0.04)
===== ===== ===== ======
Net income (loss) per
common share (diluted) $0.55 $0.29 $0.69 ($0.04)
===== ===== ===== ======
Weighted-average common
shares outstanding
(basic) 22,881,402 22,864,668 22,872,965 22,858,777
========== ========== ========== ==========
Weighted-average common
shares outstanding
(diluted) 22,936,346 22,867,235 22,911,792 22,858,777
========== ========== ========== ==========
SOURCE Audiovox Corporation
