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8-K - FORM 8-K - WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES INCd8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO    Westell News Release

News Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For additional information, contact:

 

Brian Cooper

Chief Financial Officer

Westell Technologies, Inc.

630.375.4740 BCooper@westell.com

Westell Technologies Fiscal 2012 First Quarter Highlights

 

   

Completed the previously announced sale of certain assets of the CNS division to NETGEAR on April 15, 2011, with a pre-tax gain of $31.6 million.

 

   

Fiscal first quarter net income was $21.1 million, or $0.30 per share, compared to $4.6 million, or $0.07 per share, in the prior-year first quarter.

 

   

Adjusted for the effects of the CNS asset sale and taxes, non-GAAP net income for the fiscal first quarter was $2.2 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to $2.6 million, or $0.04 per share, in the prior-year first quarter.

 

   

Cash and short-term investments increased by $23.9 million during the quarter, to $110.8 million.

 

   

Repurchased 1.7 million shares under the Company’s board authorization at a cost of $5.9 million during the quarter.

Westell Technologies Reports Earnings of $0.30 per Share

AURORA, IL, July 20, 2011 – 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 2012 first quarter ended June 30, 2011. Consolidated revenue for the quarter was $34.4 million, down from $41.3 million in the fiscal first quarter of the prior year. Most of the revenue decrease resulted from the sale of certain assets of the Company’s Customer Networking Solutions (CNS) division early in the quarter. Net income during the quarter was $21.1 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.6 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in the same quarter of the prior year.


As previously reported, the Company released valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter. The first quarter of fiscal 2012 therefore reflects an income tax rate of 39%, whereas the year-ago quarter reflects an income tax benefit. Most of the reported taxes in the current quarter do not correspond to a use of cash to pay taxes because they are offset by use of the deferred tax assets (primarily in the form of net operating loss carry-forwards).

Net income in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for the first quarter ended June 30, 2011 includes a gain of $31.6 million on the sale of certain assets of the Company’s CNS division to NETGEAR, Inc. Excluding the gain and certain one-time expenses related to the sale, non-GAAP net income for the fiscal 2012 first quarter was $2.2 million or $0.03 per share. This compares to non-GAAP net income for the same quarter of the prior year, excluding certain non-recurring tax benefits, of $2.6 million or $0.04 per share. Non-GAAP net income is reconciled to GAAP net income in the attached financial tables.

Total cash and short-term investments were $110.8 million at June 30, 2011, up $23.9 million during the quarter. The increase primarily reflects proceeds from the CNS asset sale, partially offset by share repurchases and changes in working capital. During the quarter, the Company repurchased 1.7 million shares under the existing authorization by the Company’s board of directors at a cost of $5.9 million. As of June 30, 2011, there was approximately $3.5 million remaining for share repurchases under the authorization.

“With the completion of the sale transaction to NETGEAR, we have been managing the transition of the core CNS business, and it has been going well,” said Chairman and CEO Rick Gilbert. “ConferencePlus turned in another solid quarter and, despite the fact that Outside Plant Systems experienced some softness in the quarter, we remain focused on growing the OSP business.”

Fiscal First Quarter Segment and Consolidated Results

Revenue in the OSPlant Systems (OSP) segment was $14.8 million in the first quarter, down 6% compared to $15.7 million in the same quarter of the prior year. Gross profit was $6.5 million, a reduction of $0.4 million compared to the prior-year quarter, and gross margin was 43.8%, approximately matching the prior-year quarter. Operating expenses increased $0.5 million, reflecting ongoing investment in the development and marketing of new products. The net result for OSP was operating income of $2.8 million, down $0.9 million versus the same quarter of the prior year.


ConferencePlus (CP) revenue was $11.2 million in the first quarter, up 6% compared to $10.5 million in the same quarter of the prior year. Gross profit increased by $0.4 million and operating expenses were $0.3 million higher, resulting in operating income of $1.5 million, an increase of $0.1 million versus the same quarter of the prior year.

The CNS segment reported revenue of $8.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $15.0 million in the same quarter of the prior year. CNS gross profit was $1.9 million, compared to $3.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Gross margin was 22.2% for the current quarter, down slightly from a year ago. Operating expenses were $1.9 million for the quarter, compared with $4.0 million in the prior-year quarter. The reductions in revenue, gross profit and operating expense reflect the transfer of most customers and operations of CNS to NETGEAR as of April 15, 2011 in connection with the sale. While CNS continues to invest in the development of Homecloud, the retained business is otherwise significantly reduced as a result of the sale. The CNS operating loss for the quarter was reduced to approximately break-even, compared with a loss of $0.4 million in the same quarter in the prior year.

On a consolidated basis, revenue for the first quarter was $34.4 million, compared to $41.3 million in the same quarter of the prior year. Gross profit decreased $1.8 million and operating expenses decreased $1.0 million, compared to the prior-year quarter. Operating expenses for the quarter included $0.4 million of one-time costs related to the sale and transition of the CNS Division. These costs include severance expense for certain employees and expense associated with establishing a sublease with NETGEAR. On this basis, operating income was $3.3 million for the first quarter, down $0.8 million compared to the same quarter in the prior year.

“With two profitable businesses, new products coming to market, exciting potential in Homecloud, and significant cash resources, Westell is well positioned to drive profitable growth,” concluded Gilbert.

Conference Call Information

Management will address financial and business results during Westell’s fiscal 2012 first quarter earnings conference call on Thursday, July 21, at 9:30 AM Eastern Time. Conference Plus, Inc. (ConferencePlus®), a Westell subsidiary, will manage Westell’s earnings conference call using its EventManager™ 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 July 21, 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 July 21, by dialing ConferencePlus at 1-888-206-4073 no later than 9:15 AM, Eastern Time and using confirmation number 30193804. 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 second 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 products, remote monitoring tools, power distribution equipment, industrial-grade edge switches and demarcation products used by telecommunications service providers, utilities and other enterprises. 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 and capital, economic weakness in the United States economy and telecommunications market, the impact of competitive products or technologies, competitive pricing pressures, customer product selection decisions, 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 international 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, 2011 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 June 30,  
     2011     2010  

Revenue

   $ 34,356      $ 41,258   

Gross profit

     13,836        15,615   

Gross margin

     40.3     37.8

Operating expenses:

    

Sales & marketing

     3,897        4,488   

Research & development

     2,741        3,538   

General & administrative

     3,517  (1)      3,349   

Restructuring

     245  (2)      —     

Intangibles amortization

     167        163   
                

Total operating expenses

     10,567        11,538   
                

Operating income

     3,269        4,077   

Other income

     31,598  (3)      53   

Interest (expense)

     0        (1
                

Income before taxes

     34,867        4,129   
                

Income taxes

     (13,736 (4)      473   
                

Net income

   $ 21,131      $ 4,602   
                

Net income per common share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.31      $ 0.07   

Diluted

   $ 0.30      $ 0.07   

Average number of common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     68,342        67,367   

Diluted

     70,048        68,070   

 

(1) Includes a one-time expense of $0.2 million related to a sub-lease entered into with NETGEAR.
(2) Severance benefits for employee terminations related to the sale of CNS.
(3) Includes $31.6 million gain on the sale of CNS assets to NETGEAR.
(4) The Company released its valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. The first quarter of fiscal year 2012 therefore is fully tax affected.


Westell Technologies, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2011
     March 31,
2011
 

Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 102,331       $ 86,408   

Restricted cash

     3,350         —     

Short-term investments

     5,155         490   

Accounts receivable, net

     19,195         24,252   

Inventories

     11,605         12,955   

Prepaids and other current assets

     3,507         3,156   

Deferred income tax asset

     8,000         18,700  (1) 

Assets held-for-sale

     —           4,781   
                 

Total current assets

     153,143         150,742   

Property and equipment, net

     3,166         3,250   

Goodwill

     2,204         2,197   

Intangibles, net

     3,319         3,473   

Deferred income taxes

     40,383         41,467  (1) 

Other Assets

     248         258   
                 

Total assets

   $ 202,463       $ 201,387   
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 9,508       $ 23,664   

Accrued liabilities

     9,578         9,203   

Deferred revenue

     215         232   

Liabilities held-for-sale

     —           1,288   
                 

Total current liabilities

     19,301         34,387   

Other long-term liabilities

     7,461         7,719   
                 

Total liabilities

     26,762         42,106   

Minority interest

     —           —     

Total stockholders’ equity

     175,701         159,281   
                 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 202,463       $ 201,387   
                 

 

(1) The Company reclassified $13.7 million from long-term deferred income taxes to short-term deferred income taxes.


Westell Technologies, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months ended June 30,  
     2011     2010  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 21,131      $ 4,602   

Reconciliation of net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     594        782   

Stock-based compensation

     335        268   

Restructuring

     245        —     

Other, net

     2        24   

Deferred taxes

     11,773        —     

Net gain on disposal of CNS assets

     (31,608     —     

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Restricted cash

     (3,350     —     

Accounts receivable

     5,096        (200

Inventory

     196        (249

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     (14,906     (5,166

Deferred revenue

     270        22   

Prepaid and other current assets

     (382     712   

Other

     (9     212   
                

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (10,613     1,007   
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (335     (142

Net purchases of short-term investments

     (4,665     —     

Proceeds from sale of CNS assets

     36,637        —     
                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     31,637        (142
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     1,206        48   

Purchase of treasury stock

     (6,327     (370
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (5,121     (322
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     20        (87
                

Net increase in cash

     15,923        456   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     86,408        61,315   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 102,331      $ 61,771   
                


Westell Technologies, Inc.

Segment Statement of Operations

(Amounts in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months ended June 30, 2011  
     CNS     OSP     CP     Unallocated     Total  

Revenue

   $ 8,356      $ 14,845      $ 11,155      $ —        $ 34,356   

Gross profit

     1,858        6,508        5,470        —          13,836   

Gross margin

     22.2     43.8     49.0       40.3

Operating expenses:

          

Sales & marketing

     517        1,482        1,898        —          3,897   

Research & development

     813        1,264        664        —          2,741   

General & administrative

     295        818        1,364        1,040  (1)      3,517   

Restructuring

     245        —          —          —          245   

Intangibles amortization

     1        138        28        —          167   
                                        

Operating expenses (3)

     1,871        3,702        3,954        1,040        10,567   
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     (13     2,806        1,516        (1,040     3,269   

Other income

     —          —          —          31,598  (2)      31,598   

Interest (expense)

     —          —          —          —          —     

Income taxes

     —          —          —          (13,736     (13,736
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ (13   $ 2,806      $ 1,516      $ 16,822      $ 21,131   
                                        
     Three months ended June, 2010  
     CNS     OSP     CP     Unallocated     Total  

Revenue

   $ 15,022      $ 15,724      $ 10,512      $ —        $ 41,258   

Gross profit

     3,590        6,911        5,114        —          15,615   

Gross margin

     23.9     44.0     48.6       37.8

Operating expenses:

          

Sales & marketing

     1,312        1,441        1,735        —          4,488   

Research & development

     1,974        981        583        —          3,538   

General & administrative

     740        638        1,359        612        3,349   

Restructuring

     —          —          —          —          —     

Intangibles amortization

     1        134        28        —          163   
                                        

Operating expenses (4)

     4,027        3,194        3,705        612        11,538   
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     (437     3,717        1,409        (612     4,077   

Other income

     —          —          —          53        53   

Interest (expense)

     —          —          —          (1     (1

Income taxes

     —          —          —          473        473   
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ (437   $ 3,717      $ 1,409      $ (87   $ 4,602   
                                        

 

(1) Includes a one-time expense of $0.2 million related to a sub-lease entered into with NETGEAR.
(2) Includes $31.6 million gain on the sale of CNS assets and liabilities to NETGEAR.
(3) Includes $0.0 million, $0.2 million and $0.4 million of depreciation and amortization expense in the CNS, OSP and CP segments, respectively.
(4) Includes $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.4 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 June 30,  
     2011     2010  

GAAP net income

   $ 21,131      $ 4,602   

Adjustments:

    

Gain on sale of CNS

     (31,608 ) (1)      —     

Restructuring

     245  (2)      —     

Sub-lease loss

     167  (3)      —     

Tax impact of sale of CNS

     12,435  (1)      —     

Tax impact of other adjustments

     (160     —     

Income tax benefit

     —          (522 ) (4) 

Valuation allowance tax benefit

     —          (1,497 ) (5) 
                

Total adjustments

     (18,921     (2,019
                

Non-GAAP net income

   $ 2,210      $ 2,583   
                

GAAP net income per common share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.31      $ 0.07   

Diluted

   $ 0.30      $ 0.07   

Non-GAAP net income per common share:

    

Basic

   $ 0.03      $ 0.04   

Diluted

   $ 0.03      $ 0.04   

Average number of common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     68,342        67,367   

Diluted

     70,048        68,070   

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) On March 17, 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell certain assets and transfer certain liabilities of the CNS segment to NETGEAR, Inc. This transaction closed on April 15, 2011. The adjustments remove this benefit and associated tax impact.
(2) Severance benefits for employee terminations related to the sale of CNS.
(3) Represents expense related to a sub-lease entered into with NETGEAR.
(4) Income tax benefit recorded in the first fiscal quarter of 2011.
(5) The Company released its valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011. The first quarter of fiscal year 2012 therefore is fully tax affected. Income taxes in first quarter of fiscal year 2011 were reduced by the release of valuation allowance related to net operating loss carryforwards. The adjustment eliminates the benefit, which did not recur in the June 30, 2011 quarter.