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Sevcon Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter Fiscal 2014 (8/05/14)

Sevcon, Inc. reported financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 ended June 28, 2014.

Third-Quarter Fiscal 2014 Results Summary

• Revenues increased to $9.7 million, from $8.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, reflecting continued improving conditions in the company's markets and the startup of volume production with some new customers. Foreign currency fluctuations increased reported sales in the third fiscal quarter by $474,000, or 5%, mainly due to a weaker U.S. Dollar compared to both the British Pound and the Euro than in the prior year period.

• Operating income was $213,000, compared with $293,000 in the third quarter last year. In the third quarter of 2014 movements in foreign currency rates reduced operating income by $94,000 compared to the prior year.

• There was an income tax benefit of $34,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared with a charge of $47,000 in the year-earlier quarter.

• Net income was $222,000, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared with net income of $124,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, a year earlier.

Nine Month Fiscal 2014 Result Summary

• Revenues were $27.9 million, compared with $23.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2013. Foreign currency fluctuations increased reported sales in the first nine months by $904,000, or 4%.

• Operating income was $1.1 million compared with an operating loss of $1.4 million in the first nine months of last year, which included a restructuring charge of $605,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2013. In the first nine months of 2014 movements in foreign currency rates reduced operating income by $446,000 compared to the prior year. This was mainly due to the exchange rate impact on non-U.S. Dollar denominated cost of sales and operating expenses of a weaker U.S. Dollar compared to the British Pound and the Euro in the first nine months of 2014, than in the prior year period. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, operating income was $1.6 million, an increase of $3.0 million compared with the prior year period.

• There was an income tax charge of $64,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2014, compared with an income tax benefit of $699,000 in the prior year period.

• Net income was $872,000, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $1.1 million, or $(0.33) per share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2013.

Management Comments

"Our financial results continued to improve in the third quarter of fiscal 2014," said President and CEO Matt Boyle. "Sales were up 11% from the third quarter of fiscal 2013, as our business generally tracked global economic trends. We recorded double-digit sales growth year-over-year in both Asia and the United States. Our growth in Asia was driven primarily by aerial work platform and on-road vehicle demand in Japan and China, respectively. The stronger sales in the United States largely reflected increased shipments in the on-road sector for hybrid commercial vehicles. We also shipped significant product volumes for four-wheel recreational vehicle applications into U.S. markets. Sales were down slightly in Europe, year-over-year. This decline was mainly as a consequence of lower aftermarket sales, reflecting our shift this past year to a third-party distribution model in that region."

"Having recorded our sixth consecutive quarter of revenue growth and our fourth straight quarter of growth year-over-year, we are entering the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 with strong momentum," Boyle said. "Our technology and applications expertise positions us well to capitalize on the worldwide trend toward electrification of drivetrains and ancillary systems, not only for motor vehicles but in commercial and industrial traction and power applications. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, we believe that underlying market conditions will continue supporting our growth. On the bottom line, the commencement of shipments by our new joint venture company in China will result in us recognizing our share of the related initial business establishment costs, which we expect will reduce Sevcon's net income for the fourth quarter by approximately $150,000, after tax."

"Our key strategic challenge is scaling the business to capture these opportunities on a timely basis, whether organically or through acquisitions, which requires us to strengthen our balance sheet," said Boyle. "As a consequence, capital structure and capital allocation are key strategic priorities for Sevcon at both the board and management levels. We are actively executing against these priorities, as evidenced by our previously announced rights offering of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, which is currently underway. Put simply, we believe that Sevcon's future is brighter than ever, and we look forward to reporting further progress in the quarters ahead."

Third-Quarter Fiscal 2014 Conference Call Details

Sevcon has scheduled a conference call to review its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 tomorrow, August 6, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Those who wish to listen to the conference call webcast should visit the investor relations section of the company's website at http://ir.sevcon.com . The live call also can be accessed by dialing [phone] or [phone] prior to the start of the call. If you are unable to listen to the live call, the webcast will be archived on the company's website.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sevcon-reports-financial-results-for-third-quarter-fiscal-2014-2014-08-05?reflink=MW_news_stmp