Westell Technologies Reports Revenue Increase of 31%, GAAP EPS of $0.79 and Non-GAAP EPS of $0.05 in Fiscal 2011 Fourth Quarter
Westell Technologies Fiscal 2011 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Highlights
-- Fiscal fourth quarter revenue of $49.6 million, up 31% compared to $37.8
million in the prior-year quarter.
-- Fiscal full year revenue of $190.2 million, up 5% compared to $181.5
million in the prior year.
-- Recorded a tax benefit of $53.2 million from the release of valuation
allowance against deferred tax assets, based on an outlook for sustained
profitability.
-- Fiscal fourth quarter and full year net income of $55.6 million and
$67.9 million, compared to $2.7 million and $10.3 million, respectively,
in the prior-year periods.
-- Fiscal fourth quarter and full year earnings of $0.79 per share and
$0.98 per share, compared to $0.04 per share and $0.15 per share,
respectively, in the prior-year periods.
-- Non-GAAP net income for the fiscal fourth quarter of $3.4 million, or
$0.05 per share, compared to $2.7 million or $0.04 per share in the
prior-year quarter.
-- Cash and short-term investments increased by $0.5 million during the
quarter and $25.6 million during the fiscal year, to $86.9 million as of
March 31, 2011.
-- On April 15, 2011, completed the $33.5 million sale of the CNS Division
to NETGEAR that was announced on March 18, 2011.
AURORA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTL), a leading provider of broadband networking products, outside plant telecommunications equipment and conferencing services, today announced results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended March 31, 2011. Consolidated revenue for the quarter was $49.6 million, up 31% from $37.8 million in the fiscal fourth quarter of the prior year. Net income during the quarter was $55.6 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, compared to net income of $2.7 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the same quarter of the prior year.
Consolidated revenue for the 2011 fiscal year was $190.2 million, up 5% from $181.5 million in the prior year. Net income for the 2011 fiscal year was $67.9 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, compared to net income of $10.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the prior year.
Net income in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 includes a $53.2 million tax benefit resulting from the release of valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. Excluding the tax benefit and other one-time items, non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $3.4 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to $2.7 million or $0.04 per diluted share in the same quarter of the prior year. On the same basis, non-GAAP net income for the full 2011 fiscal year was $16.1 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $10.9 million or $0.16 per diluted share in the prior year. Non-GAAP net income is reconciled to GAAP net income in the attached financial tables.
Total cash and short-term investments were $86.9 million at March 31, 2011, up $0.5 million during the quarter and up $25.6 million during the fiscal year. Reported cash balances do not reflect the proceeds from the CNS transaction which were received after the close of the fiscal year.
"This has been an outstanding year for Westell," said Chairman and CEO Rick Gilbert. "We completed our eighth consecutive profitable quarter, generated significant cash, negotiated an attractive sale of most of our CNS operations, and made substantial progress on our investments in Ethernet products and HomecloudTM. We are eager to continue building on this solid platform."
Fiscal Fourth Quarter Segment and Consolidated Results
The Customer Networking Solutions (CNS) segment reported revenue of $23.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, up 65% compared to $14.1 million in the same quarter of the prior year, reflecting market share gains and final sales of the low-margin UltraLine Series3 gateway product. CNS gross profit increased 25%, to $3.5 million, on a lower gross margin. Operating expenses dropped by $0.3 million, compared to the same quarter of the prior year, in spite of one-time expenses of $0.5 million that were incurred to defend and settle a patent infringement claim. As a result, the CNS operating loss was $0.7 million for the quarter, an improvement of $1.0 million compared to the same quarter in the prior year.
Revenue in the OSPlant Systems (OSP) segment was $15.2 million in the fourth quarter, up 14% compared to $13.3 million in the same quarter of the prior year, on strong demand for mountings and enclosure products. Gross profit was $6.3 million, an increase of $0.3 million compared to the prior-year quarter, and gross margin was 41.8%, compared to 45.2% in the prior-year quarter. The lower gross margin resulted primarily from a shift to a lower-margin mix of products for the quarter. The Company expects demand to return to a more typical product mix. Operating expenses increased $0.6 million, reflecting ongoing investment in new products. The net result for OSP was operating income of $3.2 million, down $0.3 million versus the prior-year quarter.
ConferencePlus (CP) revenue was $11.1 million in the fourth quarter, up 7% compared to $10.4 million in the same quarter of the prior year. Gross profit increased by $0.2 million and operating expenses were $0.3 million higher, resulting in operating income of $1.4 million, a decrease of $0.2 million versus the same quarter of the prior year.
On a consolidated basis, revenue for the fourth quarter was up $11.8 million, or 31%, compared to the same quarter of the prior year. Gross profit and operating expenses each increased $1.2 million, compared to the prior-year quarter, resulting in operating income that was unchanged at $2.7 million. Operating expenses for the quarter included $1.0 million of one-time costs related to defense and settlement of a patent infringement claim and to the sale of the CNS Division. Net income during the quarter was $55.6 million, compared to net income of $2.7 million in the same quarter of the prior year. Adjusting for the tax benefit and other one-time items, non-GAAP net income during the 2011 fourth quarter was $3.4 million.
Fiscal Year 2011 Segment and Consolidated Results
The CNS segment reported revenue of $89.1 million in fiscal year 2011, up 2% compared to $87.2 million in fiscal year 2010. Gross profit increased $1.5 million for the year, while operating expenses were reduced by $2.2 million, in spite of incremental one-time costs of $0.8 million during the year for defense and settlement of a patent infringement claim. The CNS operating loss was $0.3 million for the fiscal year - an improvement of $3.8 million compared to the prior year.
Revenue in the OSP segment was $58.8 million in fiscal year 2011, up 12% compared to $52.5 million in fiscal year 2010. Gross profit was $2.6 million higher, and operating expenses were $2.4 million higher. Operating profit therefore was up $0.2 million, to $13.4 million for the year.
ConferencePlus revenue was $42.3 million in fiscal year 2011, up 1% compared to $41.7 million in fiscal year 2010. Gross profit of $20.7 million was up $0.4 million between periods, and operating expenses were virtually unchanged, resulting in an operating income of $4.9 million for the year.
On a consolidated basis, annual revenue increased by $8.7 million, or 5%, compared to fiscal year 2010. Gross profit for the year increased $4.6 million, compared to fiscal year 2010, while operating expenses decreased by $0.4 million for the year. Operating income therefore increased by $5.0 million, to $14.7 million. Including the tax benefit from the release of valuation allowance, net income was $67.9 million, up $57.6 million compared to $10.3 million in the prior year. However, non-GAAP net income for the year was $16.1 million, up $5.2 million compared to $10.9 million in the prior year.
Conference Call Information
Management will address financial and business results during Westell's fourth quarter fiscal 2011 earnings conference call on Thursday, May 19, at 9:30 AM Eastern Time. Conference Plus, Inc. (ConferencePlus(R), a Westell subsidiary, will manage Westell's earnings conference call using its EventManager(TM) Service.
Participants can register for the Westell conference by going to the URL: http://www.conferenceplus.com/westell.
With EventManager, participants can quickly register online in advance of the conference through a customizable web page that can be used to gather multiple pieces of information from each participant, as specified by the event arranger. After registering, participants receive dial-in numbers, a passcode, and a personal identification number (PIN) that is used to uniquely identify their presence and automatically join them into the audio conference. If a participant experiences any technical difficulties after joining the conference call on May 19, he or she can press *0 for support.
If a participant does not wish to register, he or she can participate in the call on May 19, by dialing ConferencePlus at 1-888-206-4073 no later than 9:15 AM, Eastern Time and using confirmation number 29564635. International participants may dial 1-847-413-9014. Westell's press release on earnings and related information that may be discussed on the earnings conference will be posted on the Investor Relations' section of Westell's website, http://www.westell.com. An archive of the entire conference will be available on Westell's website or via Digital Audio Replay following the conclusion of the conference until the fiscal first quarter results are released. The replay of the conference can be accessed by dialing 1-888-843-7419 or 1-630-652-3042 and entering 7702527.
About Westell
Westell Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a holding company for Westell, Inc. and Conference Plus, Inc. Westell, Inc. designs, distributes, markets and services a broad range of broadband networking equipment, digital transmission, remote monitoring, power distribution and demarcation products used by telephone companies and other telecommunications service providers. Conference Plus, Inc. is a leading global provider of audio, web, video and IP conferencing services. Additional information can be obtained by visiting http://www.westell.com and http://www.conferenceplus.com.
"Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
Certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts or that contain the words "believe", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "plan", "should", or derivatives thereof and other words of similar meaning are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, product demand and market acceptance risks, need for financing, economic weakness in the United States economy and telecommunications market, the impact of competitive products or technologies, competitive pricing pressures, product cost increases, component supply shortages, new product development, excess and obsolete inventory, commercialization and technological delays or difficulties (including delays or difficulties in developing, producing, testing and selling new products and technologies), the effect of Westell's accounting policies, the need for additional capital, the effect of economic conditions and trade, legal, social and economic risks (such as import, licensing and trade restrictions), retention of key personnel and other risks more fully described in the Company's SEC filings, including the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 under the section entitled Risk Factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.
Financial Tables to Follow:
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months ended March 31, Twelve Months ended March 31,
2011 2010 2011 2010
Revenue $ 49,584 $ 37,823 $ 190,177 $ 181,485
Gross profit 15,362 14,139 62,288 57,689
Gross margin 31.0 % 37.4 % 32.8 % 31.8 %
Operating
expenses:
Sales & 4,466 4,595 18,224 17,987
marketing
Research & 3,700 3,329 14,313 13,608
development
General & 4,324 (1) 3,398 14,389 (3) 15,095 (2)
administrative
Restructuring - - - 609 (4)
Intangibles 165 163 656 641
amortization
Total operating 12,655 11,485 47,582 47,940
expenses
Operating income 2,707 2,654 14,706 9,749
Other income (15 ) (42 ) (16 ) 25
Interest - (1 ) (5 ) (5 )
(expense)
Income before 2,692 2,611 14,685 9,769
taxes
Income taxes 52,942 (5) 115 53,251 (5) 558 (6)
Net income $ 55,634 $ 2,726 $ 67,936 $ 10,327
Net income per
common share:
Basic $ 0.81 $ 0.04 $ 1.00 $ 0.15
Diluted $ 0.79 $ 0.04 $ 0.98 $ 0.15
Average number
of common shares
outstanding:
Basic 68,542 67,308 67,848 67,987
Diluted 70,446 67,963 69,477 68,573
Includes one-time costs of $0.5 million related to the sale of CNS business
(1) to NETGEAR and $0.5 million for the defense and settlement of a patent
infringement claim.
(2) Includes a non-cash charge of $0.7 million to correct errors in stock-based
compensation expense related to prior fiscal years.
Includes one-time costs of $0.5 million related to the sale of CNS business
(3) to NETGEAR and $0.8 million for the defense and settlement of a patent
infringement claim.
The Company terminated approximately 50 employees primarily in the CNS and
(4) ConferencePlus segments as a cost reduction action in the first quarter of
fiscal 2010.
The Company recorded a tax benefit from the release of valuation allowance
(5) against deferred tax assets. The Company determined that it is more likely
than not to be able to use its deferred tax assets in the future through
the generation of taxable income.
(6) The Company recorded a $0.8 million income tax benefit derived from a
refund of alternative minimum tax credits.
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
March 31, March 31,
2011 2010
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 86,408 $ 61,315
Short-term investments 490 -
Accounts receivable, net 24,252 17,683
Inventories 12,955 21,258
Prepaids and other current assets 8,204 4,276
Assets held for sale 4,781 -
Total current assets 137,090 104,532
Property and equipment, net 3,250 4,665
Goodwill 2,197 2,162
Intangibles, net 3,473 4,063
Deferred income taxes and other assets 56,307 6,412
Total assets $ 202,317 $ 121,834
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
Accounts payable $ 23,664 $ 15,195
Accrued liabilities 9,203 9,203
Deferred revenue 232 860
Liabilities held for sale 1,288 -
Total current liabilities 34,387 25,258
Deferred revenue, long-term 98 174
Other long-term liabilities 8,551 8,671
Total liabilities 43,036 34,103
Total stockholders' equity 159,281 87,731
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 202,317 $ 121,834
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Twelve Months ended March 31,
2011 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 67,936 $ 10,327
Reconciliation of net income to net cash
provided by
(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,700 3,793
Stock-based compensation 1,021 1,529
Restructuring - 609
Other, net (50 ) (141 )
Deferred taxes (54,216 ) -
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (6,426 ) 3,349
Inventory 3,702 (812 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 8,953 (3,582 )
Deferred revenue (705 ) (1,630 )
Prepaid and other current assets 1,121 3,249
Other 193 815
Net cash provided by (used in) operating 24,229 17,506
activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (785 ) (948 )
Purchases of short-term investments (490 ) -
Net cash (used in) provided by investing (1,275 ) (948 )
activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowing (repayment) of debt and leases - (43 )
payable
Proceeds from stock options exercised 2,616 4
Payment for subsidiary options tendered (36 ) -
Purchase of treasury stock (555 ) (1,429 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing 2,025 (1,468 )
activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 114 167
Net increase in cash 25,093 15,257
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 61,315 46,058
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 86,408 $ 61,315
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Segment Statement of Operations
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended March 31, 2011
CNS OSP CP Unallocated Total
Revenue $ 23,291 $ 15,161 $ 11,132 $ - $ 49,584
Gross profit 3,542 6,343 5,477 - 15,362
Gross margin 15.2 % 41.8 % 49.2 % 31.0 %
Operating
expenses:
Sales & 1,020 1,559 1,887 - 4,466
marketing
Research & 2,068 978 654 - 3,700
development
General & 1,134 (1) 478 1,506 1,206 (2) 4,324
administrative
Restructuring - - - - -
Intangibles 1 137 27 - 165
amortization
Operating 4,223 3,152 4,074 1,206 12,655
expenses (3)
Operating (681 ) 3,191 1,403 (1,206 ) 2,707
income (loss)
Other income - - - (15 ) (15 )
Interest - - - - -
(expense)
Income taxes - - - 52,942 52,942
Net income $ (681 ) $ 3,191 $ 1,403 $ 51,721 $ 55,634
(loss)
Three months ended March 31, 2010
CNS OSP CP Unallocated Total
Revenue $ 14,110 $ 13,284 $ 10,429 $ - $ 37,823
Gross profit 2,829 6,004 5,306 - 14,139
Gross margin 20.0 % 45.2 % 50.9 % 37.4 %
Operating
expenses:
Sales & 1,579 1,339 1,677 - 4,595
marketing
Research & 2,159 594 576 - 3,329
development
General & 762 466 1,447 723 3,398
administrative
Restructuring - - - - -
Intangibles 1 134 28 - 163
amortization
Operating 4,501 2,533 3,728 723 11,485
expenses (4)
Operating (1,672 ) 3,471 1,578 (723 ) 2,654
income (loss)
Other income - - - (42 ) (42 )
Interest - - - (1 ) (1 )
(expense)
Income taxes - - - 115 115
Net income $ (1,672 ) $ 3,471 $ 1,578 $ (651 ) $ 2,726
(loss)
(1) Includes one-time costs of $0.5 million for the defense and settlement of a
patent infringement claim.
(2) Includes one-time costs of $0.5 million related to the sale of CNS business
to NETGEAR.
(3) Includes $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.4 million of depreciation and
amortization expense in the CNS, OSP and CP segments, respectively.
(4) Includes $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.4 million of depreciation and
amortization expense in the CNS, OSP and CP segments, respectively.
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Segment Statement of Operations
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Twelve months ended March 31, 2011
CNS OSP CP Unallocated Total
Revenue $ 89,079 $ 58,770 $ 42,328 $ - $ 190,177
Gross profit 15,885 25,667 20,736 - 62,288
Gross margin 17.8 % 43.7 % 49.0 % 32.8 %
Operating
expenses:
Sales & 4,891 5,922 7,411 - 18,224
marketing
Research & 7,949 3,825 2,539 - 14,313
development
General & 3,365 (1) 2,023 5,766 3,235 (2) 14,389
administrative
Restructuring - - - - -
Intangibles 5 540 111 - 656
amortization
Operating 16,210 12,310 15,827 3,235 47,582
expenses (3)
Operating (325 ) 13,357 4,909 (3,235 ) 14,706
income (loss)
Other income - - - (16 ) (16 )
Interest - - - (5 ) (5 )
(expense)
Income taxes - - - 53,251 53,251
Net income $ (325 ) $ 13,357 $ 4,909 $ 49,995 $ 67,936
(loss)
Twelve months ended March 31, 2010
CNS OSP CP Unallocated Total
Revenue $ 87,248 $ 52,516 $ 41,721 $ - $ 181,485
Gross profit 14,348 23,042 20,299 - 57,689
Gross margin 16.4 % 43.9 % 48.7 % 31.8 %
Operating
expenses:
Sales & 5,772 4,998 7,217 - 17,987
marketing
Research & 9,024 2,339 2,245 - 13,608
development
General & 3,244 1,998 6,075 3,778 (4) 15,095
administrative
Restructuring 414 46 149 609
Intangibles 1 528 112 - 641
amortization
Operating 18,455 9,909 15,798 3,778 47,940
expenses (5)
Operating (4,107 ) 13,133 4,501 (3,778 ) 9,749
income (loss)
Other income - - - 25 25
Interest - - - (5 ) (5 )
(expense)
Income taxes - - - 558 558
Net income $ (4,107 ) $ 13,133 $ 4,501 $ (3,200 ) $ 10,327
(loss)
(1) Includes one-time costs of $0.8 million for the defense and settlement of a
patent infringement claim.
(2) Includes one-time costs of $0.5 million related to the sale of CNS business
to NETGEAR.
(3) Includes $0.4 million, $0.8 million and $1.5 million of depreciation and
amortization expense in the CNS, OSP and CP segments, respectively.
(4) Includes a non-cash charge of $0.7 million to correct errors in stock-based
compensation expense related to prior fiscal years.
(5) Includes $1.3 million, $1.0 million and $1.5 million of depreciation and
amortization expense in the CNS, OSP and CP segments, respectively.
Westell Technologies, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Months ended March 31, Twelve Months ended March 31,
2011 2010 2011 2010
GAAP net income $ 55,634 $ 2,726 $ 67,936 $ 10,327
Adjustments:
Income taxes (53,238 ) (1) - (53,238 ) (1) (767 ) (2)
General & 1,042 (3) - 1,362 (4) 730 (5)
administrative
Restructuring - - - 609 (6)
Total (52,196 ) - (51,876 ) 572
adjustments
Non-GAAP net $ 3,438 $ 2,726 $ 16,060 $ 10,899
income
GAAP net income
per common
share:
Basic $ 0.81 $ 0.04 $ 1.00 $ 0.15
Diluted $ 0.79 $ 0.04 $ 0.98 $ 0.15
Non-GAAP net
income per
common share:
Basic $ 0.05 $ 0.04 $ 0.24 $ 0.16
Diluted $ 0.05 $ 0.04 $ 0.23 $ 0.16
Average number of common
shares outstanding:
Basic 68,542 67,308 67,848 67,987
Diluted 70,446 67,963 69,477 68,573
The Company conforms to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP")
in the preparation of its financial statements. This schedule reconciles the
Company's GAAP net income to adjusted net income on a non-GAAP basis. The
Company believes that these non-GAAP results provide meaningful supplemental
information to investors that are indicative of the Company's core performance
and that they facilitate comparison of results across reporting periods. The
Company uses these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results.
These non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as a substitute for the Company's
GAAP results.
(1) This amount represents the release of tax valuation allowances recorded in
the current period.
(2) This amount is a $0.8 million income tax benefit derived from a refund of
alternative minimum tax credits.
This amount is $0.5 million of costs related to the sale of the CNS
(3) division to NETGEAR and $0.5 million for the defense and settlement of a
patent infringement claim.
This amount is $0.5 million of costs related to the sale of the CNS
(4) division to NETGEAR and $0.8 million for the defense and settlement of a
patent infringement claim.
(5) This amount is a non-cash charge of $0.7 million to correct errors in
stock-based compensation expense related to prior fiscal years.
The Company terminated approximately 50 employees primarily in the CNS and
(6) ConferencePlus segments as a cost reduction action in the first quarter of
fiscal 2010.
Source: Westell Technologies, Inc.
Released May 18, 2011