PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 14, 2016

BUTLER NATIONAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS AND CONFERENCE CALL

OLATHE, KANSAS, September 14, 2016, - Butler National Corporation (OTC Pink: BUKS), a leading manufacturer and provider of support systems for commercial and military aircraft and a recognized provider of management services in diverse business groups including the gaming industry, announces its financial results for the first quarter fiscal 2017 ended July 31, 2016. In conjunction with the release, the Company has scheduled a conference call Friday, September 16, 2016 at 9:00 AM Central Daylight Time.

What: Butler National Corporation First Quarter Fiscal 2017 Financial Results Conference Call

When: Friday, September 16, 2016 - 9:00 AM Central Daylight Time

How: Live via phone by dialing 877-358-7305. Code: Butler National Corporation. Participants to the conference call should call in at least 5 minutes prior to the start time.

Clark Stewart, President & CEO, Butler National Corp., will be leading the call and discussing results of the first quarter, the status of new and existing orders, gaming activities and an outlook on the balance of fiscal 2017.

Historical selected financial data related to all operations:

Quarter Ended July 31

Quarter Ended April 30

(In thousands)

(In thousands)

2016

2015

2014

2016

2015

2014

Net Revenue

$

11,389

$

11,696

$

12,391

$

11,925

$

11,836

$

14,632

Operating Income (Loss)

711

361

806

418

(389

)

1,958

Net Income (Loss)

224

19

252

381

(322

)

965

Total Assets

41,280

40,463

41,450

42,697

41,598

41,678

Long-term Obligations

4,713

6,038

6,093

5,218

6,870

6,820

Stockholders' Equity

26,186

25,272

24,738

26,098

25,402

24,354

Weighted Average Shares – Diluted

63,467

62,260

61,493

63,467

62,260

60,893

New Product Research and Development Cost

299

555

405

515

828

196

 

Management Comments

"The fiscal quarter-ended July 31, 2016 was a positive beginning to fiscal year 2017.  Revenue decreased 3% to $11.4 million in the three months ended July 31, 2016, as compared to $11.7 million in the three months ended July 31, 2015.  The decrease in revenue reflects a decrease in Aerospace Products revenue (down 5%) and a decrease of 2% in Professional Services revenue.  Butler National Corporation continues to drive growth in international markets and through the development of new supplemental type certificates.  This includes significant efforts in South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

 

First quarter fiscal 2017 resulted in a net income of $224,000 compared to a net income of $19,000 in the first quarter fiscal 2015.  The increase in net income was primarily due to a decrease in costs and expenses.  Butler National Corporation is working to exceed previous revenue levels while continuing to focus on our margin expansion initiatives, including efficiencies in our implementation and operational processes and controlling expenses.

 

During the three months ending July 31, 2016, we invested approximately $299,000 in projects focused on the development and acquisition of new products.  We feel this expenditure for design and development engineering, testing, and certification of new products is required to grow Aerospace Products and help stabilize our long-term revenue and enhance our profits.

 

 

Business Segment Highlights

 

Professional Services:

Revenue from Professional Services decreased 2% for the three months ended July 31, 2016 to $7.5 million compared to $7.6 million in the three months ended July 31, 2015.  Costs of Professional Services remained constant in the three months ended July 31, 2016 at $4.5 million compared to $4.5 million the three months ended July 31, 2015.  Costs were 60% of segment total revenues in the three months ended July 31, 2016, as compared to 59% of segment total revenues in the three months ended July 31, 2015.  Expenses decreased 6% in the three months ended July 31, 2016 to $2.5 million compared to $2.7 million in the three months ended July 31, 2015.  Expenses were 34% of segment total revenues in the three months ended July 31, 2016, as compared to 35% of segment total revenues in the three months ended July 31, 2015.  Operating income from Professional Services increased 3% to $445,000 in in the three months ended July 31, 2016 from $430,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2015.

 

Aerospace Products:

Revenue from Aerospace Products decreased 5% to $3.9 million in the three months ended July 31, 2016, compared to $4.1 million in the three months ended July 31, 2015.  Costs of Aerospace Products decreased by 8% in the three months ended July 31, 2016 to $2.9 million compared to $3.1 million for the three months ended July 31, 2015.  Costs were 73% of segment total revenue in the three months ended July 31, 2016, as compared to 76% of segment total revenue in the three months ended July 31, 2015.  Expenses decreased 26% in the three months ended July 31, 2016 to $769,000 compared to $1.0 million in the three months ended July 31, 2015.  Expenses were 20% of segment total revenue in the three months ended July 31, 2016, as compared to 26% of segment total revenue in the three months ended July 31, 2015.  Aerospace Products had an operating profit of $266,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2016 compared to an operating loss of $69,000 in the three months ended July 31, 2015.

 

Costs related to Professional Services and Aerospace Products include the cost of engineering, labor, materials, equipment utilization, control systems, security and occupancy.  Expenses related to Professional Services and Aerospace Products include marketing and advertising, employee benefits, depreciation and amortization, and general, administrative and other expenses.

 

Backlog:

As of July 31, 2016 our backlog totaled approximately $10.7 million.  The backlog includes firm, pending, and contract orders, which may not be completed within the next fiscal year.  This is consistent with the industry in which modifications services and related contracts may take several months and sometimes years to complete.  There can be no assurance that all orders will be completed or that some may ever commence.

Our Business:
Butler National Corporation operates in the Aerospace and Services business segments. The Aerospace segment focuses on the manufacturing of support systems for "Classic" commercial and military aircraft including the Butler National TSD for the Boeing 737 and 747 Classic aircraft, switching equipment for Boeing McDonnell Douglas Aircraft, weapon control systems for Boeing Helicopter and performance enhancement structural modifications for Learjet, Cessna, Dassault and Beechcraft business aircraft.  Services include temporary employee services, gaming services and administrative management services.

 

Forward-Looking Information:

Statements made in this report, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, communications to stockholders, press releases, and oral statements made by representatives of the Company that are not historical in nature, or that state the Company or management intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements can often be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "could," "should," "will," "intended," "continue," "believe," "may," "expect," "hope," "anticipate," "goal," "forecast," "plan," "guidance" or "estimate" or the negative of these words, variations thereof or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. It is important to note that any such performance and actual results, financial condition or business, could differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements.  The forward looking statements in this report are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially.  These factors and risks include, but are not limited to the Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors, filed as Exhibit 99 and Section 1A to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, incorporated herein by reference.  Investors are specifically referred to such Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors for discussion of factors, which could affect the Company's operations, and forward-looking statements contained herein.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
 

David Drewitz, Public Relations

david@creativeoptionscommunications.com

www.creativeoptionscommunications.com

 

Butler National Corporation Investor Relations

 

 

Ph   (972) 814-5723

 

 

 

Ph   (913) 780-9595