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8-K - ITRON, INC. 8-K - ITRON, INC.a6486212.htm

Exhibit 99.1

Itron Announces Record Quarterly Financial Results

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 27, 2010--Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI) today reported financial results for its third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2010. Highlights include:

  • Record quarterly and nine month revenues of $576 million and $1.6 billion;
  • Record quarterly and nine month non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.06 and $3.06;
  • Record nine month cash flow from operations and free cash flow of $167.1 million and $121.6 million;
  • Record quarterly and nine month adjusted EBITDA of $89 million and $239 million;
  • Twelve-month backlog of $958 million and total backlog of $1.7 billion; and
  • Quarterly bookings of $528 million.

“Our growth this quarter has been driven by our smart solutions for electric, gas and water utilities. Itron’s investments and innovation are paying off with outstanding results,” said Malcolm Unsworth, president and CEO. “Our global backlog remains robust thanks to our balanced portfolio of products. We are excited about the potential for additional projects in North America and very pleased to see the continued momentum in Europe and other parts of the world towards the adoption of smart technologies.”

Operations Highlights:

Revenues:

Total Company - Total revenues of $576 million for the third quarter of 2010 and $1.6 billion for the first nine months of 2010 were 41% and 36% higher than respective 2009 revenues of $408 million and $1.2 billion.

North America - Revenues of $315 million for the third quarter and $862 million for the first nine months of 2010 were 130% and 105% higher than respective 2009 revenues of $137 million and $420 million. The increase in revenues in 2010 was primarily driven by higher shipments of smart meters and modules. During the third quarter of 2010, we shipped 1.3 million OpenWay units.

International - Revenues of $261 million for the third quarter of 2010 were $10 million, or 4%, lower than the comparable 2009 period revenues of $271 million. Although meter volumes were higher, revenues were lower due to changes in foreign exchange rates. Revenues of $783 million for the first nine months of 2010 were $8 million lower than the same period in 2009 with lower volumes due to economic conditions in certain markets.


Gross Margins:

Total Company - Gross margins of 32.0% for the third quarter and 31.6% for the first nine months of 2010 were comparable to 2009 gross margins of 31.7% and 32.4%.

North America – The gross margin of 35.5% for the quarter was higher than the 31.0% gross margin in the third quarter of 2009. The increase was due to manufacturing efficiency improvements resulting from higher volumes and cost reduction efforts. The gross margin for the first nine months of 2010 was 34.2% compared to 34.5% in the same period in 2009. An increase in compensation costs due to reinstating annual incentive plans in 2010 was offset by manufacturing efficiency improvements due to higher volumes and cost reduction efforts.

International - Gross margins of 27.8% for the quarter and 28.7% for the first nine months of 2010 were lower than 2009 gross margins of 32.1% and 31.3%. The decrease in margins was due primarily to increased warranty, facility consolidation and material costs.

Operating Expenses:

Total Company - Operating expenses of $123 million for the third quarter and $372 million for the first nine months of 2010 were higher than the 2009 periods of $120 million and $362 million.

North America - Operating expenses were $47 million for the third quarter and $139 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared with $44 million and $132 million for the same periods of 2009. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to expenses in the current period associated with the reinstatement of annual incentive compensation plans in 2010 and higher sales and marketing and product development expenses. These increases were partially offset by a scheduled decrease in amortization of intangibles expense.

International - Operating expenses for the third quarter 2010 of $65 million were $5 million lower than $70 million in the third quarter of 2009. The decrease was due to foreign exchange rates and lower amortization of intangibles, partially offset by increases in other operating expenses. Operating expenses for the first nine months of 2010 were $201 million compared with $207 million for the same period of 2009. Decreases in operating expenses were due to decreased amortization of intangibles expense partially offset by increases in other operating expenses.

Corporate Unallocated - Corporate unallocated expenses were $11 million for the third quarter and $32 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared with $7 million and $23 million in the same periods of 2009. The increase in 2010 was primarily due to higher compensation expense.

Other Income/Expense:

Net Interest Expense – Net interest expense of $13 million for the third quarter and $42 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared with $20 million and $53 million for the same periods of 2009. Amortization of debt placement fees, which is included in net interest expense, was $1.4 million for the third quarter and $4.1 million for the first nine months of 2010 compared with $4.1 million and $6.2 million in the respective 2009 periods. Amortization of debt placement fees varies depending on the amount of debt repayments made in a given period. During the first nine months of 2010, we made approximately $107 million in debt repayments compared with $236 million in the same period of 2009.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt – The results for the first nine months of 2009 included a $12.8 million net loss on the extinguishment of debt related to a convertible debt for common stock exchange. The difference in the value of the shares of Itron’s common stock issued under the exchange agreement and the value of the shares used to derive the amount payable under the original conversion agreement resulted in the net loss on extinguishment of debt.

Other Income/Expense – Other expense was $4.4 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared with $4.5 million in 2009. Other expense for the first nine months of 2010 was $5.4 million compared with $9.4 million in the 2009 period. The 2010 periods included lower foreign exchange losses than the 2009 periods. The foreign exchange losses were caused by fluctuations in exchange rates for material purchases and related product sales denominated in different currencies. Additionally, the 2009 periods included consulting and legal fees associated with an amendment to our senior debt agreement.

GAAP Measures:

GAAP Income Taxes – We had a tax expense of $14.7 million in the third quarter of 2010 compared with a benefit of $15.1 million in the third quarter of 2009. For the first nine months of 2010, we had a tax expense of $17.1 million compared with a benefit of $37.5 million in the same period of 2009. The 2010 year-to-date tax expense includes an $8.7 million tax benefit recorded in the first quarter which was due primarily to the receipt of a clean energy manufacturing tax credit and the reduction of tax reserves for certain foreign subsidiaries. The tax provision reflected in the first nine months of 2010 is derived from our estimated tax rate for the full year.


GAAP Net Income and Diluted EPS – Our GAAP net income and diluted EPS for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 were $29.1 million, or 71 cents per share, and $82.8 million, or $2.02 per share. This compares with net losses of $3.0 million, or 7 cents per share, and $7.4 million, or 19 cents per share in the same periods in 2009. The increase in 2010 net income was primarily due to higher operating income in our North America segment.

Non-GAAP Measures:

Non-GAAP Operating Income – Non-GAAP operating income, which excludes amortization expense related to intangible assets, was $78.3 million, or 13.6% of revenues, in the third quarter and $198.6 million, or 12.1% of revenues, for the first nine months of 2010. This compares with $34.1 million, or 8.4% of revenues, and $102.5 million, or 8.5% of revenues, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2009. The increased operating income was primarily due to increased contribution from North America.

Non-GAAP Income Taxes – We had a non-GAAP tax rate of 32.7% for the third quarter and a rate of 23.2% for the first nine months of 2010. The rate for the first nine months includes the effect of a 4% tax benefit recorded in the first quarter of 2010 due primarily to the receipt of a clean energy manufacturing tax credit and the reduction of tax reserves for certain foreign subsidiaries. We had a non-GAAP tax benefit in the third quarter of 2009 and our year-to-date 2009 non-GAAP tax rate was 4.5%. The tax provision reflected in the first nine months of 2010 is derived from our estimated non-GAAP tax rate for the full year.

Non-GAAP Net Income and Diluted EPS – Non-GAAP net income, which excludes amortization expenses related to intangible assets, amortization of debt placement fees, the amortization of convertible debt discount, and the non-cash net loss associated with the convertible debt for stock exchange, was $43.5 million in the third quarter and $125.2 million for the first nine months of 2010. This compares with $18.2 million and $49.0 million in the 2009 periods. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.06 and $3.06 in the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 compared with 45 cents and $1.28 in the same periods of 2009. Fully diluted shares outstanding for the first nine months of 2010 were 2.6 million shares higher than the same period in 2009 primarily due to the convertible debt for stock exchange in the first quarter of 2009 and the equity offering in the second quarter of 2009.

Other Financial Highlights:

Backlog and New Order Bookings: Total backlog was $1.7 billion at September 30, 2010 compared with $1.6 billion at September 30, 2009. Twelve month backlog of $958 million at September 30, 2010 was higher than the $749 million at September 30, 2009. New order bookings for the third quarter of 2010 were $528 million, compared with $400 million in the third quarter of 2009. Our book-to-bill ratios were .92 to 1 and .98 to 1 for the third quarter of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Cash Flows from Operations and Financial Condition: Net cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2010 was $167.1 million, compared with $87.1 million in the same period in 2009. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and the non-cash net loss on the extinguishment of debt (adjusted EBITDA) in the third quarter of 2010 was $89 million compared with $41 million for the same period in 2009. Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2010 was $239 million compared with $131 million in the first nine months of 2009. Free cash flow for the first nine months of 2010 was $121.6 million compared with $49.1 million in the same period in 2009. Cash and equivalents were $148 million at September 30, 2010 compared with $122 million at December 31, 2009. The $215.7 million outstanding balance on our convertible senior subordinated notes is included in current portion of long term debt as of September 30, 2010 due to the combination of put, call and conversion options occurring within the next 12 months.

Non-GAAP Financial Information:

To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income and diluted EPS, adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow. We provide these non-GAAP financial measures because we believe they provide greater transparency and represent supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. Specifically, these non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our current financial performance and our future anticipated performance by excluding infrequent costs, particularly those associated with acquisitions. We exclude certain infrequent costs, particularly those associated with acquisitions, in our non-GAAP financial measures as we believe the net result is a measure of our core business. Non-GAAP performance measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Finally, our non-GAAP financial measures may be different from those reported by other companies. A more detailed discussion of why we use non-GAAP financial measures, the limitations of using such measures, and reconciliations between non-GAAP and the nearest GAAP financial measures are included in this press release.

Earnings Conference Call:

Itron will host a conference call to discuss the financial results contained in this release at 2:00 p.m. (PDT) on October 27, 2010. The call will be webcast in a listen only mode and can be accessed online at www.itron.com, Investors/Investor Events.” The live webcast will begin at 2:00 p.m. (PDT). The webcast replay will begin after the conclusion of the live call and will be available for two weeks. A telephone replay of the call will also be available approximately one hour after the conclusion of the live call, for 48 hours, and is accessible by dialing (888) 203-1112 (Domestic) or (719) 457-0820 (International), entering passcode #4037712. You may also view presentation materials related to the earnings call on Itron’s website at www.itron.com under Investors / Presentations.

About Itron:

At Itron, we’re dedicated to delivering end-to-end smart grid and smart distribution solutions to electric, gas and water utilities around the globe. Our company is the world’s leading provider of smart metering, data collection and utility software systems, with nearly 8,000 utilities worldwide relying on our technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Our offerings include electricity, gas, water and heat meters; network communication technology; collection systems and related software applications; and professional services. To realize your smarter energy and water future, start here: www.itron.com.

Statements of operations, segment information, balance sheets, cash flow statements and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures follow.


 
ITRON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
       
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2010     2009     2010     2009  
 
Revenues $ 575,968 $ 408,358 $ 1,644,708 $ 1,210,624
Cost of revenues   391,761     278,879     1,125,282     818,452  
Gross profit 184,207 129,479 519,426 392,172
 
Operating expenses
Sales and marketing 41,197 37,669 123,708 112,569
Product development 34,038 31,077 100,100 93,044
General and administrative 30,710 26,606 97,052 84,097
Amortization of intangible assets   16,882     25,121     51,459     72,788  
Total operating expenses   122,827     120,473     372,319     362,498  
 
Operating income 61,380 9,006 147,107 29,674
Other income (expense)
Interest income 166 (45 ) 444 971
Interest expense (13,328 ) (20,075 ) (42,216 ) (53,319 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net - (2,460 ) - (12,800 )
Other income (expense), net   (4,423 )   (4,534 )   (5,440 )   (9,445 )
Total other income (expense)   (17,585 )   (27,114 )   (47,212 )   (74,593 )
 
Income (loss) before income taxes 43,795 (18,108 ) 99,895 (44,919 )
Income tax (provision) benefit   (14,687 )   15,146     (17,100 )   37,517  
Net income (loss) $ 29,108   $ (2,962 ) $ 82,795   $ (7,402 )
 
 
Earnings (loss) per common share-Basic $ 0.72   $ (0.07 ) $ 2.05   $ (0.19 )
Earnings (loss) per common share-Diluted $ 0.71   $ (0.07 ) $ 2.02   $ (0.19 )
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding-Basic 40,400 40,039 40,307 38,003
Weighted average common shares outstanding-Diluted 40,828 40,039 40,950 38,003

       
ITRON, INC.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2010     2009     2010     2009  
Revenues
Itron North America $ 315,335 $ 137,351 $ 861,607 $ 419,658
Itron International   260,633     271,007     783,101     790,966  
Total Company $ 575,968   $ 408,358   $ 1,644,708   $ 1,210,624  
 
Gross profit
Itron North America $ 111,858 $ 42,524 $ 294,880 $ 144,737
Itron International   72,349     86,955     224,546     247,435  
Total Company $ 184,207   $ 129,479   $ 519,426   $ 392,172  
 
Operating income (loss)
Itron North America $ 64,581 $ (1,188 ) $ 155,892 $ 12,459
Itron International 7,652 17,319 23,314 40,018
Corporate unallocated   (10,853 )   (7,125 )   (32,099 )   (22,803 )
Total Company $ 61,380   $ 9,006   $

147,107

  $ 29,674  
 
 
METER AND MODULE SUMMARY
(Units in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2010     2009     2010     2009  
Total meters (with and without AMR/AMI)
Itron North America
Electricity 1,800 740 4,990 2,340
Gas 160 90 420 260
Itron International
Electricity 2,020 1,890 5,590 5,670
Gas 940 1,160 2,940 3,880
Water   2,290     1,960     6,960     6,540  
Total meters   7,210     5,840     20,900     18,690  
 
Additional meter information (Total Company)
Meters with AMR 1,110 670 2,830 2,200
Meters with AMI 1,130 120 2,990 220
Standalone AMR/AMI modules   1,620     850     4,410     2,860  
Meters with AMR/AMI and modules   3,860     1,640     10,230     5,280  
 
Meters with other vendors' AMR/AMI   130     160     390     470  

   
ITRON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
September 30, 2010 December 31, 2009
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 148,114 $ 121,893
Accounts receivable, net 383,814 337,948
Inventories 225,765 170,084
Deferred tax assets current, net 22,965 20,762
Other current assets   72,371     75,229
Total current assets 853,029 725,916
 
Property, plant, and equipment, net 302,306 318,217
Prepaid debt fees 5,704 8,628
Deferred tax assets noncurrent, net 49,612 89,932
Other noncurrent assets 16,298 18,117
Intangible assets, net 315,756 388,212
Goodwill   1,236,583     1,305,599
Total assets $ 2,779,288   $ 2,854,621
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable $ 238,095 $ 219,255
Other current liabilities 59,806 64,583
Wages and benefits payable 96,713 71,592
Taxes payable 22,879 14,377
Current portion of debt 226,246 10,871
Current portion of warranty 28,232 20,941
Unearned revenue 30,749 40,140
Deferred tax liabilities current, net   1,669     1,625
Total current liabilities 704,389 443,384
 
Long-term debt 436,704 770,893
Long-term warranty 24,993 12,932
Pension plan benefits 60,013 63,040
Deferred tax liabilities noncurrent, net 52,128 80,695
Other long-term obligations   68,417     83,163
Total liabilities 1,346,644 1,454,107
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock - -
Common stock 1,321,287 1,299,134
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net (1,688 ) 71,130
Retained earnings   113,045     30,250
Total shareholders' equity   1,432,644     1,400,514
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,779,288   $ 2,854,621

 
ITRON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
   
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2010     2009  
 
Operating activities
Net income (loss) $ 82,795 $ (7,402 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 97,184 113,812
Stock-based compensation 14,222 13,467
Amortization of prepaid debt fees 4,219 6,384
Amortization of convertible debt discount 7,505 7,262
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net - 9,960
Deferred taxes, net 711 (51,341 )
Other adjustments, net 4,008 1,768
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable (53,770 ) 11,608
Inventories (57,698 ) (4,211 )
Accounts payables, other current liabilities, and taxes payable 38,139 (2,473 )
Wages and benefits payable 26,799 (10,404 )
Unearned revenue (8,564 ) 9,272
Warranty 16,087 (5,735 )
Other operating, net   (4,521 )   (4,880 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 167,116 87,087
 
Investing activities
Acquisitions of property, plant, and equipment (45,507 ) (38,023 )
Business acquisitions & contingent consideration, net of cash equivalents acquired - (1,317 )
Other investing, net   5,412     4,101  
Net cash used in investing activities (40,095 ) (35,239 )
 
Financing activities
Payments on debt (106,524 ) (236,495 )
Issuance of common stock 7,931 165,235
Prepaid debt fees (1,347 ) (3,936 )
Other financing, net   (983 )   (1,309 )
Net cash used in financing activities (100,923 ) (76,505 )
 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   123     4,988  
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 26,221 (19,669 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   121,893     144,390  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 148,114   $ 124,721  

 
ITRON, INC.
RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
TO MOST DIRECTLY COMPARABLE GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
       
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
  2010     2009     2010     2009  
Non-GAAP operating income:
GAAP operating income $ 61,380 $ 9,006 $ 147,107 $ 29,674

Amortization of intangible assets

  16,882     25,121     51,459     72,788  
Non-GAAP operating income $ 78,262   $ 34,127   $ 198,566   $ 102,462  
 
Non-GAAP net income:
GAAP net income (loss) $ 29,108 $ (2,962 ) $ 82,795 $ (7,402 )
Amortization of intangible assets 16,882 25,121 51,459 72,788
Amortization of debt placement fees 1,404 4,053 4,063 6,214
Amortization of convertible debt discount 2,547 2,367 7,504 7,262
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net - - - 9,960
Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments   (6,467 )   (10,378 )   (20,616 )   (39,831 )
Non-GAAP net income $ 43,474   $ 18,201   $ 125,205   $ 48,991  
       
Non-GAAP diluted EPS $ 1.06   $ 0.45   $ 3.06   $ 1.28  
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - Diluted   40,828     40,456     40,950     38,387  
 
Adjusted EBITDA:
GAAP net income (loss) $ 29,108 $ (2,962 ) $ 82,795 $ (7,402 )
Interest income (166 ) 45 (444 ) (971 )
Interest expense 13,328 20,075 42,216 53,319
Income tax (benefit) provision 14,687 (15,146 ) 17,100 (37,517 )
Depreciation and amortization 32,113 39,405 97,184 113,812
Loss on extinguishment of debt, net   -     -     -     9,960  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 89,070   $ 41,417   $ 238,851   $ 131,201  
 
Free Cash Flow:
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 50,030 $ 19,734 $ 167,116 $ 87,087
Acquisitions of property, plant, and equipment   (17,791 )   (10,219 )   (45,507 )   (38,023 )
Free Cash Flow $ 32,239   $ 9,515   $ 121,609   $ 49,064  

CONTACT:
Itron
Ranny Dwiggins
Vice President, Investor Relations
509-891-3443
ranny.dwiggins@itron.com