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8-K - 8-K - WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES INCa2q158kearningsrelease.htm


Exhibit 99.1

                                    
 
NEWS RELEASE

Westell Technologies Reports Second Quarter Revenue of $24 million

Revenue Affected by Carrier Spending Slowdown

AURORA, IL, October 29, 2014 – Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTL), a leading provider of in-building wireless, intelligent site management, cell site optimization, and outside plant solutions, today announced results for its fiscal 2015 second quarter ended September 30, 2014.
Consolidated revenue was $23.6 million, consisting of $11.1 million from the In-Building Wireless (IBW) segment and $12.5 million from the Communication Solutions Group (CSG) segment.
“Our relationships with the major North American wireless service providers remain strong; however, we experienced significant reductions in their capital spending in our second quarter, as similarly noted by others in our sector,” said Rick Gilbert, Chairman and CEO of Westell Technologies. “While we expect continued carrier spending delays to have a greater effect on our third quarter revenues, we are seeing some indications that carrier spending will resume to more normal levels in early 2015. We continue to establish Westell as a leader in the growing in-building wireless market, and we showed some improvement in the September quarter with our intelligent site management business within the CSG segment. We believe we are well positioned to take advantage of an anticipated normalization in wireless service provider spending in our fourth quarter.”

On a GAAP basis, the Company recorded a net loss in the quarter ended September 30, 2014 of $14.6 million or $0.24 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.8 million or $0.05 per share in the quarter ended June 30, 2014. The current quarter GAAP results include a $10.6 million non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill in the CSG segment. On a non-GAAP basis, the Company recorded a net loss of $1.5 million or $0.03 per share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $0.2 million or $0.00 per share in the prior quarter. Please refer to the schedule at the end of this release for a complete GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation and other information related to non-GAAP measures.
Cash and short-term investments were $48.3 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $46.8 million at June 30, 2014. The $1.5 million increase was driven by lower working capital needs during the quarter.
In-Building Wireless (IBW) Segment
IBW segment revenue was $11.1 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2014, down 21% from $14.1 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2014. The sequential revenue decrease was driven by slowdowns in distributed antenna system (DAS) deployments by the major North American wireless service providers. Gross profit was $4.4 million and gross margin was 39.3%, compared to $5.8 million and 41.2% in the prior quarter. Gross profit and gross margin decreased as a result of the lower revenue. IBW R&D expenses were





$2.1 million, compared to $2.2 million in the prior quarter. As a result, IBW segment profit was $2.3 million, compared to $3.6 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2014.

Communication Solutions Group (CSG) Segment
CSG segment revenue was $12.5 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2014, down 9% from $13.7 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2014. The sequential revenue decrease was driven by lower sales of outside plant solutions, partly offset by an increase in revenues for intelligent site management. Gross profit was $3.7 million and gross margin was 29.5% compared to $3.9 million and 28.2% in the prior quarter. While gross profit decreased due to the lower overall revenue, gross margin improved primarily as a result of a more favorable mix. CSG R&D expenses were $2.2 million, compared to $2.3 million last quarter. As a result, CSG segment profit was $1.5 million, compared to $1.6 million in the quarter ended June 30, 2014.

Conference Call Information
Management will address financial and business results during its second quarter conference call on Thursday, October 30, 2014, at 9:30 AM Eastern Time. Participants may register for the call at http://www.conferenceplus.com/westell. After doing so, they will receive a dial-in number, a passcode, and a personal identification number (PIN) that automatically joins them to the audio conference. Those who do not wish to register may participate in the call by dialing +1 (888) 206-4065 no later than 9:15 AM Eastern Time and using confirmation number 38224313. International participants may dial +1 (630) 827-5974.

This news release and related information that may be discussed on the conference call will be posted on the Investor News section of Westell's website: www.westell.com. An archive of the entire call will be available on the site via Digital Audio Replay by approximately 1:00 PM Eastern Time after the call ends. The replay of the conference also may be accessed by dialing +1 (888) 843-7419 or +1 (630) 652-3042 and entering 6360 209#.
About Westell Technologies
Westell Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a leading provider of in-building wireless, intelligent site management, cell site optimization, and outside plant solutions focused on innovation and differentiation at the edge of telecommunication networks, where end users connect.  The Company's comprehensive set of products and solutions enable telecommunication service providers, cell tower operators, and other network operators to reduce operating costs and improve network performance.  With millions of products successfully deployed worldwide, Westell is a trusted partner for transforming networks into high quality, reliable systems.  For more information, please visit www.westell.com.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
Certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts or that contain the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “plan,” “should,” or derivatives thereof and other words of similar meaning are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, product demand and market acceptance risks, customer spending patterns, need for financing and capital, economic weakness in the United States (“U.S.”) economy and telecommunications market, the effect of international economic conditions and trade, legal, social and economic risks (such as import, licensing and trade restrictions), the impact of competitive products or technologies, competitive pricing pressures, customer product selection decisions, product cost increases, component supply shortages, new product development, excess and obsolete inventory, commercialization and technological delays or difficulties (including delays or difficulties in developing,





producing, testing and selling new products and technologies), the ability to successfully consolidate and rationalize operations, the ability to successfully identify, acquire and integrate acquisitions, the effect of the Company's accounting policies, retention of key personnel and other risks more fully described in the Company's SEC filings, including the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, under Item 1A - Risk Factors.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.
Financial Tables to Follow:






Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Six months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
(adjusted) (1)
 
2014
 
2013
(adjusted) (1)
Revenue
 
$
23,646

 
$
29,960

 
$
51,471

 
$
52,416

Gross profit
 
8,065

 
12,022

 
17,749

 
20,439

Gross margin
 
34.1
%
 
40.1
%
 
34.5
%
 
39.0
%
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
 
2,924

 
3,485

 
6,345

 
6,544

Research and development
 
4,300

 
2,619

 
8,775

 
5,318

General and administrative
 
3,280

 
3,226

 
6,334

 
6,798

Intangible amortization
 
1,710

 
1,229

 
3,295

 
2,851

Restructuring
 
(2
)
 
169

 
55

 
235

Goodwill impairment
 
10,555

 

 
10,555

 

Total operating expenses
 
22,767

 
10,728

 
35,359

 
21,746

Operating income (loss)
 
(14,702
)
 
1,294

 
(17,610
)
 
(1,307
)
Other income (expense), net
 
(16
)
 
98

 
45

 
(32
)
Income (loss) before income taxes and discontinued operations
 
(14,718
)
 
1,392

 
(17,565
)
 
(1,339
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
69

 
(68
)
 
98

 
(87
)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
(14,649
)
 
1,324

 
(17,467
)
 
(1,426
)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income tax
 

 
4

 

 
(10
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(14,649
)
 
$
1,328

 
$
(17,467
)
 
$
(1,436
)
Basic net income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(0.24
)
 
$
0.02

 
$
(0.29
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Basic net income (loss) from discontinued operations
 

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per share
 
$
(0.24
)
 
$
0.02

 
$
(0.29
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Diluted net income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(0.24
)
 
$
0.02

 
$
(0.29
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Diluted net income (loss) from discontinued operations
 

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share
 
$
(0.24
)
 
$
0.02

 
$
(0.29
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
59,924

 
58,681

 
59,819

 
58,601

Diluted
 
59,924

 
59,740

 
59,819

 
58,601

 
(1) In the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company voluntarily changed its method of accounting for the classification of costs related to shipping and handling to cost of revenue. In previous periods, these shipping and handling costs were included as a component of sales and marketing expenses. Previously reported amounts for fiscal year 2014 have been restated to reflect this change. The Company filed the preferability letter regarding the change in accounting principle as an exhibit to its June 30, 2014 Form 10-Q.





Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
September 30, 2014
 
March 31, 2014
 (adjusted) (1)
Assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
27,920

 
$
35,793

Short-term investments
 
20,370

 
15,584

Accounts receivable, net
 
11,925

 
15,831

Inventories
 
22,263

 
24,056

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
2,046

 
1,952

Deferred income taxes
 
899

 
899

Land available-for-sale
 
1,044

 
1,044

Total current assets
 
86,467

 
95,159

Property and equipment, net
 
2,597

 
1,901

Goodwill
 
20,783

 
31,338

Intangible assets, net
 
29,023

 
32,319

Other non-current assets
 
313

 
393

Total assets
 
$
139,183

 
$
161,110

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
6,598

 
$
7,067

Accrued expenses
 
4,760

 
7,813

Contingent consideration
 
1,151

 
2,067

Deferred revenue
 
920

 
1,774

Total current liabilities
 
13,429

 
18,721

Deferred revenue non-current
 
999

 
787

Deferred income tax liability
 
1,045

 
1,072

Contingent consideration non-current
 
622

 
574

Other non-current liabilities
 
546

 
528

Total liabilities
 
16,641

 
21,682

Total stockholders’ equity
 
122,542

 
139,428

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
139,183

 
$
161,110


(1) Certain amounts relating to the CSI acquisition have been adjusted to reflect measurement period adjustments (See Form 10-Q to be filed for the period ended September 30, 2014 for additional information).





Westell Technologies, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Six months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(17,467
)
 
$
(1,436
)
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
3,755

 
3,148

Goodwill impairment
 
10,555

 

Stock-based compensation
 
1,114

 
740

Restructuring
 
55

 
235

Deferred taxes
 
(28
)
 

Other
 
4

 
64

Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
3,890

 
(10,455
)
Inventory
 
1,793

 
(402
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
(3,229
)
 
4,497

Deferred revenue
 
(642
)
 
(1,179
)
Other
 
(14
)
 
461

Net cash used in operating activities
 
(214
)
 
(4,327
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Net purchases of short-term investments and debt securities
 
(4,786
)
 
12,029

Payment for business acquisitions, net
 
(304
)
 
(28,945
)
Purchases of property and equipment, net
 
(1,155
)
 
(234
)
Changes in restricted cash
 

 
2,040

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(6,245
)
 
(15,110
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Purchase of treasury stock
 
(688
)
 
(297
)
Proceeds from stock options exercised
 
155

 
269

Payment of contingent consideration
 
(879
)
 

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(1,412
)
 
(28
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
(2
)
 
(17
)
Net decrease in cash
 
(7,873
)
 
(19,482
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
35,793

 
88,233

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
27,920

 
$
68,751









Westell Technologies, Inc.
Segment Statement of Operations
(Amounts in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2014
 
 
CSG
 
IBW
 
Total
Revenue
 
$
12,525

 
$
11,121

 
$
23,646

Gross profit
 
3,697

 
4,368

 
8,065

Gross margin
 
29.5
%
 
39.3
%
 
34.1
%
Research and development
 
2,197

 
2,103

 
4,300

Segment profit
 
1,500

 
2,265

 
3,765

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
 
 
 
 
 
2,924

General and administrative

 
 
 

3,280

Intangible amortization
 
 
 
 
 
1,710

Restructuring
 
 
 
 
 
(2
)
Goodwill impairment
 
 
 
 
 
10,555

Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
(14,702
)
Other income (expense), net
 
 
 
 
 
(16
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
69

Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
$
(14,649
)
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2013 (adjusted)
 
 
CSG
 
IBW
 
Total
Revenue
 
$
27,920

 
$
2,040

 
$
29,960

Gross profit
 
11,287

 
735

 
12,022

Gross margin
 
40.4
%
 
36.0
%
 
40.1
%
Research and development
 
2,438

 
181

 
2,619

Segment profit
 
$
8,849

 
$
554

 
9,403

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
 
 
 
 
 
3,485

General and administrative
 
 
 
 
 
3,226

Intangible amortization
 
 
 
 
 
1,229

Restructuring
 
 
 
 
 
169

Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
1,294

Other income (expense), net
 
 
 
 
 
98

Income tax benefit (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
(68
)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,324

 





 
 
Six months ended September 30, 2014
 
 
CSG
 
IBW
 
Total
Revenue
 
$
26,253

 
$
25,218

 
$
51,471

Gross profit
 
7,570

 
10,179

 
17,749

Gross margin
 
28.8
%
 
40.4
%
 
34.5
%
Research and development
 
4,477

 
4,298

 
8,775

Segment profit
 
3,093

 
5,881

 
8,974

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
 
 
 
 
 
6,345

General and administrative
 
 
 
 
 
6,334

Intangible amortization
 
 
 
 
 
3,295

Restructuring
 
 
 
 
 
55

Goodwill impairment
 
 
 
 
 
10,555

Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
(17,610
)
Other income (expense), net
 
 
 
 
 
45

Income tax benefit (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
98

Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
$
(17,467
)

 
 
Six months ended September 30, 2013 (adjusted)
 
 
CSG
 
IBW
 
Total
Revenue
 
$
49,349

 
$
3,067

 
$
52,416

Gross profit
 
19,409

 
1,030

 
20,439

Gross margin
 
39.3
%
 
33.6
%
 
39.0
%
Research and development
 
4,945

 
373

 
5,318

Segment profit
 
$
14,464

 
$
657

 
15,121

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
 
 
 
 
 
6,544

General and administrative
 
 
 
 
 
6,798

Intangible amortization
 
 
 
 
 
2,851

Restructuring
 
 
 
 
 
235

Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
(1,307
)
Other income (expense), net
 
 
 
 
 
(32
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
(87
)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
$
(1,426
)
 







Westell Technologies, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Six months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
GAAP net income (loss)
 
$
(14,649
)
 
$
1,328

 
$
(17,467
)
 
$
(1,436
)
Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inventory fair value step-up (1)
 
206

 
479

 
462

 
1,245

Deferred revenue adjustment (1)
 
112

 
448

 
258

 
1,095

Goodwill impairment (2)
 
10,555

 

 
10,555

 

Amortization of intangibles (3)
 
1,710

 
1,229

 
3,295

 
2,851

Restructuring (4)
 
(2
)
 
169

 
55

 
235

Stock-based compensation (5)
 
560

 
389

 
1,114

 
740

(Income) loss from discontinued operations
 

 
(4
)
 

 
10

Total adjustments
 
13,141

 
2,710

 
15,739

 
6,176

Non-GAAP net income (loss)
 
$
(1,508
)
 
$
4,038

 
$
(1,728
)
 
$
4,740

GAAP net income (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
(0.24
)
 
$
0.02

 
$
(0.29
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Diluted
 
$
(0.24
)
 
$
0.02

 
$
(0.29
)
 
$
(0.02
)
Non-GAAP net income (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
0.07

 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
0.08

Diluted
 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
0.07

 
$
(0.03
)
 
$
0.08

Average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
59,924

 
58,681

 
59,819

 
58,601

Diluted
 
59,924

 
59,740

 
59,819

 
59,360


 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
Revenue
 
Gross Profit
 
Gross Margin
 
Revenue
 
Gross Profit
 
Gross Margin
GAAP - Consolidated
 
$
23,646

 
$
8,065

 
34.1
%
 
$
27,825

 
$
9,684

 
34.8
%
Deferred revenue adjustment (1)
 
112

 
112

 
 
 
146

 
146

 
 
Inventory fair value step-up (1)
 

 
206

 
 
 

 
256

 
 
Stock-based compensation (5)
 

 
25

 
 
 

 
18

 
 
Non-GAAP - Consolidated
 
$
23,758

 
$
8,408

 
35.4
%
 
$
27,971

 
$
10,104

 
36.1
%







 
 
 
Three months ended September 30,
 
Six months ended September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013 (adjusted)
 
2014
 
2013 (adjusted)
GAAP operating expenses
 
$
22,767

 
$
10,728

 
$
35,359

 
$
21,746

Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill impairment (2)
 
(10,555
)
 

 
(10,555
)
 

Amortization of intangibles (3)
 
(1,710
)
 
(1,229
)
 
(3,295
)
 
(2,851
)
Restructuring (4)
 
2

 
(169
)
 
(55
)
 
(235
)
Stock-based compensation (5)
 
(535
)
 
(381
)
 
(1,071
)
 
(724
)
Total adjustments
 
(12,798
)
 
(1,779
)
 
(14,976
)
 
(3,810
)
Non-GAAP operating expenses
 
$
9,969

 
$
8,949

 
$
20,383

 
$
17,936

The Company conforms to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the preparation of its financial statements. The schedules above reconcile the Company's non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The adjustments share one or more of the following characteristics: they are unusual and the Company does not expect them to recur in the ordinary course of its business; they do not involve the expenditure of cash; they are unrelated to the ongoing operation of the business in the ordinary course; or their magnitude and timing is largely outside of the Company's control. Management believes that these non-GAAP results provide meaningful supplemental information to investors and indicate the Company's core performance and that they facilitate comparison of results across reporting periods. The Company uses these non-GAAP measures when evaluating its financial results. Non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as a substitute for the Company's GAAP results.
 
(1)
On April 1, 2013 and March 1, 2014, the Company purchased Kentrox and Cellular Specialties, Inc. (CSI), respectively. These acquisitions required the step-up of certain assets to fair value, which resulted in cost that will not recur once those assets have fully settled. The adjustments remove the increased costs associated with the third-party sales of inventory that was stepped-up and the step-down on acquired deferred revenue that was recognized.
(2)
The Company recorded a non-cash charge during the second quarter of fiscal 2015 to record the impairment
of the full carrying value of the Company's goodwill related to the Kentrox acquisition. Based on financial market considerations, a history of recent losses and other factors, the Company's goodwill did not pass a two-step goodwill impairment valuation test, resulting in the impairment charge.
(3)
Amortization of intangibles is a non-cash expense arising from the acquisition of intangible assets.
(4)
Restructuring expenses are not directly related to the ongoing performance of our fundamental business operations.
(5)
Stock-based compensation is a non-cash expense incurred in accordance with share-based compensation accounting standards.

For additional information, contact:
Tom Minichiello
Chief Financial Officer
Westell Technologies, Inc.
+1 (630) 375 4740
tminichiello@westell.com