Attached files

file filename
8-K - EPLUS INC. FORM 8-K 6-4-2013 - EPLUS INCform8-k.htm
 
Contact: Kleyton Parkhurst, SVP
 
ePlus inc.
 
investors@eplus.com
 
703-984-8150
  
ePlus Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2013 Results
Earnings Conference Call Scheduled for June 5, 2013
 
 
HERNDON, VA – June 4, 2013 ePlus inc. (Nasdaq NGM: PLUSnews), a leading provider of technology solutions, today announced financial results.  For the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, which ended March 31, 2013, total revenues increased 7.9% to $236.3 million compared to $219.0 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  Net earnings increased 99.7% to $7.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, as compared to $3.9 million in the fourth quarter of the prior year.  Fully diluted earnings per common share increased 97.9% to $0.95 per share compared from $0.48 per share in the same quarter last year.
 
For the year ended March 31, 2013, total revenue increased 19.1% to $983.1 million, and total costs and expenses increased 17.6% to $924.4 million as compared to the prior year. Net earnings were $34.8 million for the year, or $4.32 per diluted share, an increase of 49.1%, as compared to $23.4 million, or $2.79 per diluted share, during the year ended March 31, 2012.
 
“We are pleased with the financial results for the year and quarter,” said Phillip G. Norton, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “For the year, the percentage increase in earnings was more than twice the percentage increase in revenues.  This demonstrates both strength of our core businesses and strategy, as gross margin increased by twenty basis points, as well as the scalability and efficiency of operations.  For the fourth quarter, which is typically our softest quarter as there are fewer drivers of demand such as customer or vendor fiscal year-ends, revenues increased 7.9% and margins remained strong as compared to the prior year.”
 
Mr. Norton continued, “Our focus on delivering the advanced technology, complex, multi-vendor solutions which our customers demand has continued to be the right strategy for ePlus.  In particular, our focus on cloud enablement including architecture, design, integration and implementation of advanced public, private, and hybrid clouds, collaboration and mobility, and security solutions, is resonating with customers including cloud providers.  We believe that our solution set and engineering delivery capabilities continue to differentiate ePlus from the competition.”
 
As of March 31, 2013, the Company had $53.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, as compared to $41.2 million on March 31, 2012.  In December 2012, the Company declared and paid a special cash dividend of $2.50 per common share which utilized $20.1 million in cash.  As of March 31, 2013, the Company had total stockholders’ equity of $238.2 million and 8.1 million shares outstanding, as compared to $219.6 million and 8.0 million shares, respectively, as of March 31, 2012.
 
Results of Operations – Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
The Company presents its financial results in two segments, the technology and financing segments.  The technology segment sells information technology equipment, software, and related services primarily to corporate customers on a nationwide basis, and also provides Internet-based business-to-business supply chain management solutions for information technology and other operating resources. The financing segment offers lease and other financing solutions to commercial and governmental entities nationwide.
 
Technology Segment
 
The results of operations for the technology segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

                      Quarter Ended March 31,
             
   
2013
 
2012
 
Change
Sales of product and services
 
$223,715
 
 $209,823
 
$13,892
 
6.6%
Fee and other income
 
1,996
 
1,662
 
334
 
20.1%
Total revenues
 
225,711
 
211,485
 
14,226
 
6.7%
                 
Cost of sales, product and services
 
179,754
 
172,852
 
6,902
 
4.0%
Professional and other fees
 
2,833
 
3,669
 
(836)
 
(22.8%)
Salaries and benefits
 
27,621
 
23,003
 
4,618
 
20.1%
General and administrative expenses
 
4,845
 
3,996
 
849
 
21.2%
Interest and financing costs
 
                   19
 
                   36
 
(17)
 
(47.2%)
Total costs and expenses
 
215,072
 
203,556
 
11,516
 
5.7%
                 
Segment earnings
 
$10,639
 
 $7,929
 
 $2,710
 
34.2%
                 
Gross margin, product and services
 
19.7%
 
17.6%
       

Total revenues.  Total revenues increased 6.7% to $225.7 million compared to $211.5 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The increase in revenues was due to increases in demand for products and services, particularly from Fortune 100 customers.
 
Total costs and expenses.  Total costs and expenses were $215.1 million compared to $203.6 million in the same quarter last year, an increase of 5.7%. The increase in costs and expenses was due to increases in cost of sales, product and services, which was consistent with the increase in sales of product and services.
 
Gross margin on sales of product and services increased 210 basis points to 19.7% for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, from 17.6% for the same quarter last year, which was primarily due to changes in product mix and improved pricing as we were involved in more advanced integration projects.  Gross margin improved 220 basis points sequentially from 17.5%, which was also impacted by higher sales of ePlus professional services and increased sales of third-party software assurance, maintenance and services, which were presented on a net basis.
 
The increase in costs and expenses was also attributable to increases in personnel, as we had 835 employees in the technology segment as of March 31, 2013, an increase of 58, or 7.5%, from March 31, 2012. Most of the increase relates to investments in sales and support personnel in order to expand our geographical presence and solutions offerings.
 
Segment earnings.  Segment earnings increased 34.2% to $10.6 million for the quarter.
 
Financing Segment
 
The results of operations for the financing segment for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):

                       Quarter Ended March 31,
   
2013
 
2012
 
Change
Financing revenue
 
$10,561
 
 $7,132
 
$3,429
 
48.1%
Fee and other income
 
40
 
382
 
(342)
 
(89.5%)
Total revenues
 
10,601
 
7,514
 
3,087
 
41.1%
                 
Direct lease costs
 
3,254
 
2,089
 
1,165
 
55.8%
Professional and other fees
 
1,947
 
357
 
1,590
 
445.4%
Salaries and benefits
 
2,534
 
2,573
 
(39)
 
(1.5%)
General and administrative expenses
 
279
 
3,085
 
(2,806)
 
(91.0%)
Interest and financing costs
 
481
 
330
 
151
 
45.8%
Total costs and expenses
 
8,495
 
8,434
 
61
 
0.7%
                 
Segment earnings
 
$2,106
 
($920)
 
3,026
 
328.9%
                 

Total revenues.  Total revenues increased 41.1% to $10.6 million compared to $7.5 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The increase in revenues was primarily the result of higher net gains on sales of financial assets, higher portfolio revenue and higher post contract earnings related to the early termination of certain lease agreements.
 
Total costs and expenses.  Total costs and expenses were $8.5 million, which was consistent with the quarter ended March 31, 2012.  General and administrative expenses were lower than the previous year due to lower reserves for credit losses.  Offsetting this were increases in direct lease costs due to an increase in depreciation expense for operating leases and an increase in the amortization of initial direct costs due to the sale of certain financial assets in the quarter.  In addition, professional and other fees increased due to higher broker fees associated with the sale of certain financial assets.
 
Segment earnings.  Segment earnings were $2.1 million compared to pre-tax loss of $0.9 million for the same quarter prior year.
 
Results of Operations – Year Ended March 31, 2013

Technology Segment
 
The results of operations for our technology segment for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
   
Year Ended March 31,
     
               
   
2013
 
2012
 
Change
Sales of product and services
 
$936,228
 
$784,951
 
$151,277
19.3%
Fee and other income
 
6,949
 
7,455
 
 (506)
(6.8%)
Total revenues
 
943,177
 
792,406
 
150,771
19.0%
               
Cost of sales, product and services
 
767,447
 
645,558
 
121,889
18.9%
Professional and other fees
 
9,638
 
10,283
 
 (645)
(6.3%)
Salaries and benefits
 
100,447
 
88,321
 
12,126
13.7%
General and administrative expenses
 
19,028
 
16,627
 
2,401
14.4%
Interest and financing costs
 
89
 
93
 
 (4)
(4.3%)
Total costs and expenses
 
896,649
 
760,882
 
135,767
17.8%
               
Segment earnings
 
$46,528
 
$31,524
 
$15,004
47.6%
               
Gross margin, product and services
 
18.0%
 
17.8%
     
 
Total revenue. Total revenues for the year ended March 31, 2013 increased by $150.8 million, or 19.0%, to $943.2 million due to increases in demand for products and services, particularly from Fortune 100 customers. We believe that our growth outpaced the overall industry due to a gain in market share as we captured additional customer spend, and focused on faster growing segments within the market, such as virtualization, collaboration, and security. In addition, we added new customers as a result of our own organic sales and marketing efforts and increased vendor referrals.
 
Total costs and expenses. Total costs and expenses for the year ended March 31, 2013 increased $135.8 million or 17.8%, to $896.6 million due to increases in cost of sales, product and services, salaries and benefits and general and administrative expenses, partially offset by professional and other fees. The increase in cost of sales, product and services was consistent with the increase in sales of product and services. Our gross margin on sales of product and services increased to 18.0% for the year ended March 31, 2013, from 17.8% in the prior year. Our gross margin increased due to an improvement in margins from the sale of products, as well as increases in service revenues, which were offset by a decrease in vendor incentives earned.
 
Professional and other fees decreased $0.6 million, or 6.3%, to $9.6 million, compared to $10.3 million during the prior year. These decreases were primarily due to lower legal and other fees related to the patent infringement litigation, which were $3.3 million and $6.0 million for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These decreases were partially offset by increases in accounting and other professional fees of about $1.8 million.
 
Salaries and benefits increased $12.1 million or 13.7% to $100.4 million, compared to $88.3 million during the prior year. This increase was driven by increases in the number of employees as well as higher commissions. Our technology segment had 835 employees as of March 31, 2013, an increase of 58 from 777 at March 31, 2012. Most of the increase relates to sales and support personnel. In addition, commissions increased due to the increase in the sales of product and services during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.
 
General and administrative expenses increased $2.4 million, or 14.4%, to $19.0 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 compared to prior year, due to the higher travel and other expenses associated with the increase in sales and support personnel, higher rent and amortization expenses related to acquisitions.
 
Segment earnings. As a result of the foregoing, segment earnings increased $15.0 million, or 47.6%, to $46.5 million for the year ended March 31, 2013.
 
Financing Segment
 
The results of operations for our financing segment for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Year Ended March 31,
     
               
   
2013
 
2012
 
Change
Financing revenue
 
 $38,384
 
 $30,899
 
 $7,485
24.2%
Fee and other income
 
1,551
 
2,276
 
 (725)
(31.9%)
Total revenues
 
39,935
 
33,175
 
6,760
20.4%
               
Direct lease costs
 
10,892
 
8,508
 
2,384
28.0%
Professional and other fees
 
3,460
 
1,461
 
1,999
136.8%
Salaries and benefits
 
10,516
 
9,947
 
569
5.7%
General and administrative expenses
 
1,071
 
3,872
 
 (2,801)
(72.3%)
Interest and financing costs
 
1,779
 
1,337
 
442
33.1%
Total costs and expenses
 
27,718
 
25,125
 
2,593
10.3%
Segment earnings
 
$12,217
 
$8,050
 
$4,167
51.8%

Total revenues. Total revenues increased by $6.8 million, or 20.4%, to $39.9 million for the year ended March 31, 2013 due to an increase in financing revenue and partially offset by a reduction in fee and other income revenue. The increase in financing revenues was due to net gains associated with the early termination of certain lease agreements as well as increases in net gains on sales of financing receivables and leased equipment. Our investments in notes and leases decreased as of March 31, 2013 to $122.6 million from $140.3 million in the prior year, which was due to sales of financing receivables during the year.
 
Total costs and expenses. Total costs and expenses increased $2.6 million, or 10.3% to $27.7 million. Direct lease costs increased $2.4 million, or 28.0%, to $10.9 million mostly due to increases in depreciation expense for equipment under operating leases and increases in amortization of capitalized costs from terminated leases. Professional and other fees increased by $2.0 million or 136.8% due largely to broker fees incurred in connection with the sale of a portion of our lease investment portfolio. Salary and benefits increased by $569 thousand, or 5.7% to $10.5 million due to higher commissions as a result of the increase in revenues during the period. Our financing segment employed 55 people as of March 31, 2013 down slightly from 56 people as of March 31, 2012.
 
General and administrative expenses decreased $2.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2013, as compared to the prior year, due to lower reserves for credit losses. Our provision for bad debts decreased due to a reserve of $2.9 million recognized in fiscal year 2012 due to a specific customer that declared bankruptcy.
 
Interest and financing costs increased $442 thousand or 33.1% to $1.8 million during the year ended March 31, 2013, as compared to $1.3 million during the prior year. This increase is primarily due to higher non-recourse note balances and lower interest rates. Non-recourse notes payable increased 52.9% to $40.3 million at March 31, 2013 as compared to $26.3 million at March 31, 2012; this was partially offset by the reduction of $243 thousand in recourse notes payable as of March 31, 2013, compared to $1.7 million in recourse notes payable as of March 31, 2012.
 
Segment earnings. As a result of the foregoing, segment earnings increased $4.2 million, or 51.8%, to $12.2 million for the year ended March 31, 2013.
 
Conference Call Information
 
The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time to review and discuss the Company’s results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.  The call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (877) 870-9226, or for international callers, (973) 890-8320. Passcode 74771300. A live webcast will be available via the Company’s investor relations Web site at http://www.eplus.com/investors.
 
A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (855) 859-2056, or for international callers, (404) 537-3406.  Passcode 74771300.  The replay will be available until June 8, 2013, and the webcast will also remain available for replay via the Company’s investor relations page of its Web site.
 
About ePlus inc.
 
ePlus is a leading integrator of technology solutions. ePlus enables organizations to optimize their IT infrastructure and supply chain processes by delivering world-class IT products from top manufacturers, managed and professional services, flexible lease financing, proprietary software, and patented business methods and systems.  Founded in 1990, ePlus has more than 890 associates serving federal, state, municipal, and commercial customers nationally.  The Company is headquartered in Herndon, VA.  For more information, visit www.eplus.com, call 888-482-1122, or email info@eplus.com. Connect with ePlus on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ePlusinc and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ePlusinc.
 
ePlus® and ePlus products referenced herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of ePlus inc. in the United States and/or other countries.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
Statements in this press release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements.”  Actual and anticipated future results may vary materially due to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, possible adverse effects resulting from financial market disruption and general slowdown of the U.S. economy such as our current and potential customers’ delaying or reducing technology purchases, increasing credit risk associated with our customers and vendors, reduction of vendor incentive programs, the possibility of additional goodwill impairment charges, and restrictions on our access to capital necessary to fund our operations; the demand for and acceptance of, our products and services; our ability to adapt our services to meet changes in market developments; our ability to adapt to changes in the IT industry and/or rapid change in product standards; our ability to hire and retain sufficient personnel; our ability to realize our investment in leased equipment; our ability to protect our intellectual property; our ability to consummate and integrate acquisitions; the creditworthiness of our customers; our ability to raise capital and obtain non-recourse financing for our transactions; our ability to reserve adequately for credit losses; the impact of competition in our markets; the possibility of defects in our products or catalog content data; and other risks or uncertainties detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  All information set forth in this press release is current as of the date of this release and ePlus undertakes no duty or obligation to update this information.
 
 
 
 

 
 

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
   
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
As of
March 31, 2013
 
As of
March 31, 2012
ASSETS
(amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$52,720
 
$33,778
 
Short-term investments
982
 
7,396
 
Accounts receivable—net
192,254
 
174,599
 
Notes receivable—net
31,893
 
24,337
 
Inventories—net
14,795
 
23,514
 
Investment in leases and leased equipment—net
90,710
 
115,974
 
Property and equipment—net
2,213
 
2,086
 
Deferred costs
10,234
 
9,391
 
Other assets
9,107
 
9,094
 
Goodwill and other intangible assets
32,964
 
33,519
 
TOTAL ASSETS
$437,872
 
$433,688
 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
       
 
       
LIABILITIES
       
 
       
Accounts payable—equipment
$5,379
 
$17,268
 
Accounts payable—trade
31,331
 
26,719
 
Accounts payable—floor plan
66,251
 
85,911
 
Salaries and commissions payable
12,911
 
9,500
 
Deferred revenue
16,970
 
15,935
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
20,264
 
24,887
 
Recourse notes payable
1,484
 
1,727
 
Non-recourse notes payable
40,255
 
26,328
 
Deferred tax liability
4,795
 
5,786
 
Total Liabilities
199,640
 
214,061
 
 
       
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
       
 
       
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
       
 
       
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
-
 
-
 
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized; 12,899,386 issued and 8,149,706 outstanding at March 31, 2013 and 12,692,224 issued and 7,999,895 outstanding at March 31, 2012
129
 
127
 
Additional paid-in capital
99,641
 
93,545
 
Treasury stock, at cost, 4,749,680 and 4,692,329 shares, respectively
(67,306)
 
(65,416)
 
Retained earnings
205,358
 
190,906
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustment
410
 
465
 
Total Stockholders' Equity
238,232
 
219,627
 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
$437,872
 
$433,688


 
 

 


ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Twelve Months Ended
March 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(amounts in thousands, except shares and per share data)
Sales of product and services
$223,715
 
$209,823
 
$936,228
 
$784,951
Financing revenue
10,561
 
7,132
 
38,384
 
30,899
Fee and other income
2,036
 
2,044
 
8,500
 
9,731
               
TOTAL REVENUES
236,312
 
218,999
 
983,112
 
825,581
               
COSTS AND EXPENSES
             
               
Cost of sales, product and services
179,754
 
172,852
 
767,447
 
645,558
Direct lease costs
3,254
 
2,186
 
10,892
 
8,508
 
183,008
 
175,038
 
778,339
 
654,066
               
Professional and other fees
4,780
 
4,025
 
13,098
 
11,744
Salaries and benefits
30,155
 
25,576
 
110,963
 
98,268
General and administrative expenses
5,124
 
6,985
 
20,099
 
20,499
Interest and financing costs
500
 
366
 
1,868
 
1,430
 
40,559
 
36,952
 
146,028
 
131,941
               
TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES
223,567
 
211,990
 
924,367
 
786,007
               
EARNINGS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
12,745
 
7,009
 
58,745
 
39,574
               
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
5,043
 
3,152
 
23,915
 
16,207
               
NET EARNINGS
$7,702
 
$3,857
 
$34,830
 
$23,367
               
 
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE—BASIC
$0.96
 
$0.48
 
$4.37
 
$2.82
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE—DILUTED
$0.95
 
$0.48
 
$4.32
 
$2.79
               
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING—BASIC
7,906,995
 
7,729,568
 
7,809,938
 
8,002,191
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING—DILUTED
7,962,961
 
7,799,311
 
7,902,871
 
8,095,192
               


 
 

 

 
ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS BY SEGMENT

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2013
 
2012
 
   
Technology
 
Financing
 
Technology
 
Financing
 
   
(amounts in thousands)
 
Sales of product and services
 
$223,715
 
 $          -
 
 $209,823
 
 $         -
 
Financing revenue
 
                      -
 
10,561
 
                      -
 
7,132
 
Fee and other income
 
1,996
 
40
 
1,662
 
382
 
TOTAL REVENUE
 
225,711
 
10,601
 
211,485
 
7,514
 
                   
Cost of sales, product and services
 
179,754
 
-
 
172,852
 
                    -
 
Direct lease costs
 
                      -
 
3,254
 
                      -
 
2,089
 
Professional and other fees
 
2,833
 
1,947
 
3,669
 
357
 
Salaries and benefits
 
27,621
 
2,534
 
23,003
 
2,573
 
General and administrative expenses
 
4,845
 
279
 
3,996
 
3,085
 
Interest and financing costs
 
                   19
 
481
 
                   36
 
330
 
TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
215,072
 
8,495
 
203,556
 
8,434
 
                   
SEGMENT EARNINGS
 
$10,639
 
$2,106
 
$7,929
 
($920)
 
                   
                   
   
Twelve Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2013
 
2012
 
   
Technology
 
Financing
 
Technology
 
Financing
 
   
(amounts in thousands)
 
Sales of product and services
 
 $936,228
 
 $          -
 
 $784,951
 
 $          -
 
Financing revenues
 
                      -
 
38,384
 
                      -
 
30,899
 
Fee and other income
 
6,949
 
1,551
 
7,455
 
2,276
 
TOTAL REVENUES
 
943,177
 
39,935
 
792,406
 
33,175
 
                   
Cost of sales, product and services
 
767,447
 
-
 
645,558
 
-
 
Direct lease costs
 
                      -
 
10,892
 
                      -
 
8,508
 
Professional and other fees
 
9,638
 
3,460
 
10,283
 
1,461
 
Salaries and benefits
 
100,447
 
10,516
 
88,321
 
9,947
 
General and administrative expenses
 
19,028
 
1,071
 
16,627
 
3,872
 
Interest and financing costs
 
                   89
 
1,779
 
                   93
 
1,337
 
TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES
 
896,649
 
27,718
 
760,882
 
25,125
 
                   
SEGMENT EARNINGS
 
$46,528
 
$12,217
 
$31,524
 
$8,050