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Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

  Investor Contact:    Jim Bazet
     Chairman and CEO
     Cobra Electronics Corporation
     773-804-6265
     jbazet@cobra.com
  Media Contact:    Chris Doyle
     Annual Reports, Inc.
     317-736-8838
     chrisdoyle@annualreportsinc.com

COBRA ELECTRONICS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

Sluggish Store Traffic impacts Net Sales and Operating Income

CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 8, 2012 – Cobra Electronics Corporation (NASDAQ: COBR), a leading global designer and marketer of mobile communications and navigation products, today reported net income of $564,000, or $0.09 per share for the third quarter of 2012 as compared to net income of $1.4 million, or $0.21 per share for the third quarter of 2011. In addition, operating income was $304,000 for the current quarter compared to $2.3 million in the same quarter last year. This significant reduction reflected a drop in net sales to $27.7 million from $34.5 million and a gross margin of 28.1 percent compared to 29.9 percent in the prior year period.

Consolidated net sales were $27.7 million compared to $34.5 million in the third quarter of 2011, with the Cobra segment reporting lower sales of $6.9 million and the Performance Products Limited (“PPL”) segment reporting an increase of $163,000, or 4.6 percent. The sales drop for the Cobra segment resulted from lower domestic sales of Citizens Band radios, Truck Navigation, Two Way radio and Detection products, but was partially offset by higher European sales. The lower domestic Citizens Band radio and Truck Navigation sales reflected significantly reduced store traffic in travel centers and in the case of Citizens Band radios, strong sales from the third quarter of 2011 that included sales of a limited edition model that was not repeated in 2012. The drop in Two Way radio and Detection sales also reflected lower retail store traffic as certain large retailers pushed out orders into the fourth quarter. European sales included in the Cobra segment increased by nearly 6% representing higher Detection sales into Eastern Europe. The PPL sales increase was attributable to higher sales of satellite navigation products.

“While we are very disappointed to report a substantially lower operating performance from the third quarter of 2011, which primarily resulted from an unexpected slowdown in store traffic at both retail and travel centers, we are still optimistic about our fourth quarter, typically the Company’s best financial quarter of the year” said Jim Bazet, Cobra’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.


Cobra Third Quarter Results –      2

 

Consolidated gross margin was 28.1 percent compared to 29.9 percent in the third quarter of 2011 primarily as a result of a less favorable product mix. The gross margin for the Cobra segment was 27.0 percent versus 29.2 percent in the same quarter last year as higher margin products represented a much smaller percentage of total sales and as a result of an unfavorable foreign exchange impact. PPL’s gross margin declined to 35.3 percent from 36.0 percent last year reflecting a slightly unfavorable product mix.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $7.5 million in the third quarter from $8.0 million in the prior year’s quarter. The decrease related to variable selling expenses, which declined consistent with net sales, partially offset by higher fixed expenses, principally in the Cobra segment, that represented mainly increased salary and travel expenses.

Interest expense for the third quarter of 2012 was $277,000 compared to $272,000 for the third quarter of 2011. Other income was $336,000 compared to other expense of $899,000 in the prior year’s quarter primarily due to a $274,000 gain on the cash surrender value of life insurance that the Company owns for the purpose of funding deferred compensation programs for several current and former officers of the Company as compared to a $671,000 loss in the third quarter of 2011.

Interest-bearing debt increased to $22.6 million as of September 30, 2012 compared to $20.2 million at September 30, 2011. Cash on hand at September 30, 2012 was $3.4 million as compared to $1.3 million at September 30, 2011 due to the timing of cash receipts. Inventory at the end of the third quarter increased to $38.9 million from $32.5 million the prior year as a result of ordering product within lead times for anticipated third quarter sales, which were lower than expected. Accounts receivable at the end of the quarter were $17.9 million, a decrease from $22.1 million one year earlier.

On a year-to-date basis, consolidated net sales for Cobra decreased by 3.0 percent, to $83.2 million from $85.8 million due to the sales drop in the third quarter compared to the same quarter last year. However, an improved gross margin partially offset this sales shortfall and resulted in operating income of $1.9 million for the first nine months as compared to operating income of $2.5 million for the prior year’s period. The net income for the year-to-date period was $1.8 million, or $0.27 per share, as compared to a net income of $1.1 million, or $0.16 per share in the prior year.

In discussing the outlook for the fourth quarter of 2012, as well as the entire year, Mr. Bazet said, “The Company expects to achieve better results in the fourth quarter of 2012 than in the fourth quarter of 2011 in part due to the movement of certain orders from third quarter 2012 to fourth quarter 2012. In addition, the Company anticipates a similar level of profitability in 2012 as compared to 2011.”

Cobra will be conducting a conference call on November 8, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. EDT to discuss third quarter results as well as its current strategies and outlook. The call can also be accessed live or through replay via the Internet at http://www.cobra.com.


Cobra Third Quarter Results –      3

 

About Cobra Electronics

Cobra Electronics is a leading global designer and marketer of communication and navigation products, with a track record of delivering innovative and award-winning products. Building upon its leadership position in the GMRS/FRS two-way radio, radar detector and Citizens Band radio industries, Cobra identified new growth opportunities and has aggressively expanded into the marine market and has expanded its European operations. The Consumer Electronics Association, Forbes and Deloitte & Touche have all recognized Cobra for the company’s innovation and industry leadership. To learn more about Cobra Electronics, please visit the Cobra site at www.cobra.com.

Safe Harbor

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to factors such as the acceptance of Cobra’s new and existing products by customers, the continued success of Cobra’s cost containment efforts and the continuation of key distribution channel relationships. Please refer to Cobra’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a more detailed discussion of factors that may affect Cobra’s performance.


Cobra Third Quarter Results –      4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
     Sept 30,
2012
    Sept 30,
2011
    Sept 30,
2012
    Sept 30,
2011
 

Net sales

   $ 27,672      $ 34,454      $ 83,174      $  85,753   

Cost of sales

     19,893        24,155        58,949        61,430   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     7,779        10,299        24,225        24,323   

Selling, general and administrative expense

     7,475        7,952        22,315        21,847   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings from operations

     304        2,347        1,910        2,476   

Other (expense) income:

        

Interest expense

     (277     (272     (765     (795

Other, net

     336        (899     685        (738
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings before taxes

     363        1,176        1,830        943   

Tax (benefit) provision

     (201     (202     25        (133
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 564      $ 1,378      $ 1,805      $ 1,076   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.09      $ 0.21      $ 0.27      $ 0.16   

Diluted

   $ 0.09      $ 0.21      $ 0.27      $ 0.16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     6,611        6,540        6,595        6,522   

Diluted

     6,633        6,540        6,610        6,522   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


Cobra Third Quarter Results –      5

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, unaudited)

 

     Sept 30,      December 31,      Sept 30,  
     2012      2011      2011  

ASSETS:

        

Current assets:

        

Cash

   $ 3,434       $ 1,033       $ 1,289   

Accounts receivable, net

     17,894         23,400         22,064   

Inventories, net

     38,946         34,093         32,487   

Other current assets

     3,293         2,726         2,931   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     63,567         61,252         58,771   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     5,373         5,367         5,485   

Total other assets

     14,309         13,976         13,844   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 83,249       $ 80,595       $ 78,100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

        

Current liabilities:

        

Accounts payable

   $ 5,870       $ 7,368       $ 6,655   

Accrued liabilities

     6,442         8,910         7,445   

Short-term debt

     22,578         18,655         20,172   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     34,890         34,933         34,272   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities:

        

Deferred taxes

     914         1,159         1,203   

Deferred compensation

     7,730         7,392         7,242   

Other long-term liabilities

     742         588         533   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

     9,386         9,139         8,978   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity:

        

Shareholders’ equity—Cobra

     38,973         36,523         34,850   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     38,973         36,523         34,850   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 83,249       $ 80,595       $ 78,100