Daktronics, Inc. Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2018 Results


BROOKINGS, S.D., Aug. 22, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Daktronics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DAKT) today reported fiscal 2018 first quarter net sales of $172.7 million, operating income of $11.7 million, and net income of $8.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to net sales of $157.1 million, operating income of $8.0 million, and net income of $5.5 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2017.  Fiscal 2018 first quarter orders were $153.1 million, compared to $175.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017.  Backlog at the end of the fiscal 2018 first quarter was $184 million, compared to a backlog of $198 million a year earlier and $203 million at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. 

Cash used in operating activities in the first three months of fiscal 2018 was $4.9 million, compared with cash provided by operating activities of $6.6 million in the same period last year.  Cash flow from operating activities fluctuated due to a rise in accounts receivable corresponding with the increase in net sales.  Free cash flow, defined as cash provided from or used in operating activities less net investment in property and equipment, was a negative $8.9 million for the first three months of fiscal 2018, as compared to a positive free cash flow of $4.5 million for the same period of fiscal 2017.  Net investment in property and equipment was $4.0 million for the first three months of fiscal 2018, as compared to $2.1 million for the first three months of fiscal 2017.  Cash, restricted cash, and marketable securities at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were $52.1 million, which compares to $50.2 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and $65.6 million at the end of fiscal 2017.

Orders for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 decreased 12.6 percent as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017.  Orders increased in the Live Events and High School Park and Recreation business units and decreased in the Commercial, Transportation, and International business units.  The timing of orders for large projects varies according to the needs of the customer, which was the primary cause of the decrease in order volume.

Net sales increased by 9.9 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017.  Net sales increased in the Live Events and Transportation business units, decreased in the Commercial and International business units, and remained relatively flat in the High School Park and Recreation business unit.  The increase in Live Events business unit was due to continued demand for upgraded or new solutions throughout venues for arenas, professional sports, and colleges and universities.  Transportation net sales increase was primarily due to higher demand from state transportation authorities during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 as compared to the same period last year.  The decrease in Commercial was primarily due to lower shipments of digital billboards.  The decline in net sales in the International business unit was primarily due to order timing differences from quarter to quarter.

Gross profit percentage for the quarter increased 0.9 percent as compared to last year primarily due to improved performance on large projects as compared to original estimates.

Operating expenses increased by 5.9 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017 primarily due to increased product development activities.

Operating income as a percent of sales for the quarter increased to 6.8 percent as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017 operating income of 5.1 percent.

Reece Kurtenbach, chairman, president and chief executive officer stated, “Our first quarter is historically one of the busiest quarters as we produce, deliver, and install for outdoor sports venues and other outdoor systems during the summer construction season.  This quarter's sales were derived from progress or completion on projects for new or renovated NFL stadiums including the Mercedes Benz Stadium, Ford Field, and Heinz Field; and for college sports stadiums at the University of Wisconsin, Appalachian State, and St. Louis University to name a few."

Outlook
Kurtenbach added, “We are starting our second quarter with a strong backlog and pipeline of order opportunities.  While order volume can be lumpy due to a variety of factors, we continue to see the video display business expanding.  We expect continued success in managing the business for long-term profitable growth.  We are focused on enhancing our overall product line-up to create opportunities to capture a broader customer base.  To deliver value to our customers and serve the markets' expectations, we plan to increase the level of expenditures for new or enhanced customer solutions as compared to prior years during fiscal 2018.”

Webcast Information
The company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its financial results today at 10:00 a.m. (CDT).  This call will be broadcast live at http://investor.daktronics.com and available for replay shortly after the event.

About Daktronics

Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and is the world's largest supplier of, large-screen video displays, electronic scoreboards, LED text and graphics displays, and related control systems.  The company excels in the control of display systems, including those that require integration of multiple complex displays showing real-time information, graphics, animation, and video.  Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and services display systems for customers around the world in four domestic business units:  Live Events, Commercial, High School Park and Recreation, and Transportation, and one International business unit.  For more information, visit the company's website at: www.daktronics.com, email the company at investor@daktronics.com, call (605) 692-0200 or toll-free (800) 843-5843 in the United States, or write to the company at 201 Daktronics Dr., P.O. Box 5128, Brookings, S.D. 57006-5128.

Safe Harbor Statement
Cautionary Notice: In addition to statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is intended to enjoy the protection of that Act.  These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events.  The Company cautions that these and similar statements involve risk and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, including, but not limited to, changes in economic and market conditions, management of growth, timing and magnitude of future contracts, fluctuations in margins, the introduction of new products and technology, the impact of adverse weather conditions, and other risks noted in the company's SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2017 fiscal year.  Forward-looking statements are made in the context of information available as of the date stated.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.

For more information contact:  
INVESTOR RELATIONS:  
Sheila Anderson, Chief Financial Officer  
(605) 692-0200  
Investor@daktronics.com  
   



Daktronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
  Three Months Ended
  July 29,
 2017
 July 30,
 2016
     
Net sales $172,728  $157,146 
Cost of goods sold 128,082  118,079 
Gross profit 44,646  39,067 
     
Operating expenses:    
Selling expense 14,939  15,259 
General and administrative 8,935  8,783 
Product design and development 9,047  7,043 
  32,921  31,085 
Operating income 11,725  7,982 
     
Nonoperating income (expense):    
Interest income 211  205 
Interest expense (86) (42)
Other income (expense), net 145  (94)
     
Income before income taxes 11,995  8,051 
Income tax expense 3,566  2,512 
Net income $8,429  $5,539 
     
Weighted average shares outstanding:    
Basic 44,244  44,079 
Diluted 44,461  44,141 
     
Earnings per share:    
Basic $0.19  $0.13 
Diluted $0.19  $0.13 
     
Cash dividends declared per share $0.07  $0.07 


Daktronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands) 
 July 29,
 2017
 April 29,
 2017
 (unaudited)  
ASSETS   
CURRENT ASSETS:   
Cash and cash equivalents$26,868  $32,623 
Restricted cash222  216 
Marketable securities25,020  32,713 
Accounts receivable, net100,867  78,846 
Inventories, net74,412  66,486 
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings46,355  36,403 
Current maturities of long-term receivables2,011  2,274 
Prepaid expenses and other assets6,857  7,553 
Income tax receivables316  611 
Total current assets282,928  257,725 
    
Long-term receivables, less current maturities2,392  2,616 
Goodwill8,271  7,812 
Intangibles, net4,778  4,705 
Investment in affiliates and other assets4,951  4,534 
Deferred income taxes11,283  11,292 
 31,675  30,959 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:   
Land2,132  2,099 
Buildings66,427  65,935 
Machinery and equipment85,198  84,189 
Office furniture and equipment5,621  5,604 
Computer software and hardware52,067  51,523 
Equipment held for rental374  374 
Demonstration equipment7,136  7,109 
Transportation equipment7,398  7,108 
 226,353  223,941 
Less accumulated depreciation161,060  157,192 
 65,293  66,749 
TOTAL ASSETS$379,896  $355,433 
    



Daktronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(in thousands)
 July 29,
 2017
 April 29,
 2017
 (unaudited)  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   
CURRENT LIABILITIES:   
Accounts payable$54,505  $51,499 
Accrued expenses26,555  25,033 
Warranty obligations14,085  13,578 
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings14,636  10,897 
Customer deposits (billed or collected)18,402  14,498 
Deferred revenue (billed or collected)13,739  12,137 
Current portion of other long-term obligations764  1,409 
Income taxes payable3,036  1,544 
Total current liabilities145,722  130,595 
    
Long-term warranty obligations15,668  14,321 
Long-term deferred revenue (billed or collected)5,365  5,434 
Other long-term obligations2,563  2,848 
Long-term income tax payable3,265  3,113 
Deferred income taxes914  836 
Total long-term liabilities27,775  26,552 
TOTAL LIABILITIES173,497  157,147 
    
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:   
Common stock53,561  52,530 
Additional paid-in capital38,677  38,004 
Retained earnings119,302  113,967 
Treasury stock, at cost(1,834) (1,834)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(3,307) (4,381)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY206,399  198,286 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY$379,896  $355,433 
    



Daktronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
  Three Months Ended
  July 29,
 2017
 July 30,
 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net income $8,429  $5,539 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:    
Depreciation and amortization 4,460  4,600 
(Gain) loss on sale of property, equipment and other assets (17) 31 
Share-based compensation 672  709 
Equity in loss of affiliate 85   
Provision for doubtful accounts 14  7 
Deferred income taxes, net 30  3 
Change in operating assets and liabilities (18,586) (4,291)
   Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (4,913) 6,598 
     
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:    
Purchases of property and equipment (4,092) (2,157)
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment and other assets 63  64 
Purchases of marketable securities   (2,394)
Proceeds from sales or maturities of marketable securities 7,643  6,856 
Purchases of equity investment (607)  
   Net cash provided by investing activities 3,007  2,369 
     
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:    
Payments on notes payable   (4)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 211   
Principal payments on long-term obligations (1,018) (896)
Dividends paid (3,094) (4,409)
Payments for common shares repurchased   (1,825)
   Net cash used in financing activities (3,901) (7,134)
     
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH 52  (383)
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (5,755) 1,450 
     
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:    
Beginning of period 32,623  28,328 
End of period $26,868  $29,778 
     



Daktronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Net Sales and Orders by Business Unit
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 Three Months Ended
 July 29,
 2017
 July 30,
 2016
 Dollar Change Percent Change
Net Sales:       
  Commercial$32,863  $36,254  $(3,391) (9.4)%
  Live Events77,612  60,633  16,979  28.0 
  High School Park and Recreation28,479  27,617  862  3.1 
  Transportation18,912  14,286  4,626  32.4 
  International14,862  18,356  (3,494) (19.0)
 $172,728  $157,146  $15,582  9.9%
Orders:       
  Commercial$29,937  $45,068  $(15,131) (33.6)%
  Live Events61,605  52,880  8,725  16.5 
  High School Park and Recreation32,180  31,113  1,067  3.4 
  Transportation9,269  11,915  (2,646) (22.2)
  International20,090  34,192  (14,102) (41.2)
 $153,081  $175,168  $(22,087) (12.6)%


Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow*
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 Three Months Ended
 July 29,
 2017
 July 30,
 2016
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities$(4,913) $6,598 
Purchases of property and equipment(4,092) (2,157)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment63  64 
Free cash flow$(8,942) $4,505 

*In evaluating its business, Daktronics considers and uses free cash flow as a key measure of its operating performance.  The term free cash flow is not defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and is not a measure of operating income, cash flows from operating activities or other GAAP figures and should not be considered alternatives to those computations.  Free cash flow is intended to provide information that may be useful for investors when assessing period to period results.