EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., April 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MTS Systems Corporation today reported fiscal second quarter earnings per share of $0.44, a decrease of 42 percent compared to second quarter fiscal 2008, on net income of $7.5 million.
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"The company's second quarter results reflect the deepening impact of the global recession in our markets," said Laura B. Hamilton, chief executive officer and chair. "Throughout this quarter, companies suspended nearly all capital spending while waiting out the economic uncertainty. While the extent of this slowdown exceeded our expectations, we moved quickly in February to reduce our cost structure."
Hamilton continued, "Due to weak first half orders, backlog is down 29 percent from last year. Without a significant improvement in orders in the second half of the year, full year revenue will be down approximately 10-15 percent and earnings per share will decline approximately 50 percent. We remain cautious due to the potential for continued weak capital spending, while at the same time, we are positive about the potential impact of global stimulus spending and industrial market stabilization. We continue to take advantage of the changing environment, to discover the emerging opportunities and to strengthen our business to position MTS for long-term success. We have the people and financial capability to accomplish this."
Second Quarter Results
Orders totaled $69.2 million, a decrease of 47 percent compared to the prior year second quarter, due to lower volume in both segments across all geographies. This includes a 49 percent negative impact from the decline in the organic business, a three percent negative impact from currency translation and a five percent benefit from SANS, our recently acquired Chinese subsidiary. On a sequential basis, backlog decreased 20 percent to $175 million compared to first quarter fiscal 2009.
Revenue was $107.7 million, a decrease of four percent compared to the prior year. This includes relatively flat volume in the Test organic business, a 27 percent decrease in the Sensors business and a three percent negative impact of currency translation, partially offset by a four percent benefit from SANS.
In the second quarter MTS reduced its company-wide workforce by six percent, or approximately 150 positions, to align the business with current market and economic conditions. This resulted in a pretax severance charge of $2.8 million in the quarter.
Gross profit was $41.5 million, a decrease of 10 percent compared to second quarter last year. The gross margin rate was 38.6 percent, down 2.5 percentage points compared to the prior year, driven by lower volume in the Sensors segment and severance charges, partially offset by reduced variable compensation expense. SANS positively impacted the margin rate in the quarter by 0.2 percentage points.
Income from operations was $11.7 million, a decrease of 16 percent compared to the prior year. The decrease was primarily driven by lower gross profit and the previously mentioned severance charges, partially offset by a $3.9 million reduction in variable compensation expense. Earnings per share decreased 42 percent to $0.44 on net income of $7.5 million. A higher tax rate, lower income from operations and currency related losses negatively impacted earnings per share by $0.10, $0.09 and $0.09, respectively. The higher tax rate compared to second quarter fiscal 2008 was driven by a tax benefit from the repatriation of earnings from Japanese affiliates in the prior year.
Cash Position
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the second quarter totaled $99.3 million, compared to $104.8 million at the end of first quarter fiscal 2009. Operating activities generated cash of $10.2 million in the second quarter. During the period, the Company invested $2.8 million in capital expenditures, paid $2.5 million in dividends, and purchased approximately 125,400 shares of common stock for $3.1 million.
Segment Results Test Segment:
Orders for the Test segment were $53.5 million, a decrease of 49 percent compared to the prior year. The organic business was down 53 percent due to lower volume across all geographies and a two percent unfavorable impact of currency translation, partially offset by a six percent increase from SANS. Second quarter fiscal 2008 orders included three large orders in excess of $5 million totaling approximately $30 million. There were no such large orders in this quarter. On a sequential basis, backlog decreased 20 percent to $166 million, which includes a 22 percent negative impact from the organic business, partially offset by an 18 percent benefit from SANS. Revenue was $91.0 million, an increase of four percent compared to last year. The organic business volume was relatively flat, while SANS contributed five percent growth in the quarter. Currency translation unfavorably impacted revenue by two percent.
Gross profit was $32.5 million, relatively flat compared to the prior year. Second quarter gross margin rate was 35.7 percent, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points compared to the prior year. The organic business decreased 1.4 percentage points primarily resulting from severance charges and higher warranty expense, partially offset by favorable product mix and reduced variable compensation expense. SANS favorably impacted the gross margin rate by 0.3 percentage points.
Income from operations was $9.2 million, a year-over-year increase of 10 percent. It includes a 29 percent increase in the organic business, primarily due to reduced variable compensation and other operating expenses, partially offset by severance charges and higher warranty costs. The organic business results include $2.7 million of the severance charges and a $3.4 million reduction in variable compensation expense. SANS had an operating loss of $1.2 million in the quarter driven by acquisition-related items.
Sensors Segment:
Orders for the Sensors segment were $15.7 million, a decrease of 37 percent compared to second quarter fiscal 2008, due to lower volume across all geographies, including a three percent unfavorable impact of currency translation. Backlog decreased 18 percent to $9 million compared to first quarter fiscal 2009. Revenue was $16.7 million, a decline of 32 percent from the prior year, driven by decreased volume worldwide, and includes a four percent negative impact from currency translation.
Gross profit was $9.0 million, down 34 percent compared to last year. Second quarter gross margin rate was 54.0 percent, a decrease of 2.4 percentage points compared to second quarter fiscal 2008, resulting from lower volume.
Income from operations was $2.5 million, a decrease of 55 percent compared to second quarter fiscal 2008, due to lower gross profit partially offset by reduced operating expenses.
Second Quarter Conference Call
A conference call will be held on April 23, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. EDT (9:00 a.m. CDT). Call +1-719-325-4817; and state the Conference passcode "4849739." Telephone re-play will be available through April 29, 2009. Call +1-719-457-0820.
If you prefer to listen live over the Internet, please log on to the web at http://www.mts.com/news/financial_news.htm and click on the webcast event notice. The webcast will be archived through July 21, 2009.
About MTS Systems Corporation
MTS Systems Corporation is a leading global supplier of test systems and industrial position sensors. The Company's testing hardware and software solutions help customers accelerate and improve their design, development, and manufacturing processes and are used for determining the mechanical behavior of materials, products, and structures. MTS' high-performance position sensors provide controls for a variety of industrial and vehicular applications. MTS had 1,660 employees and revenue of $461 million for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2008. Additional information on MTS can be found on the worldwide web at http://www.mts.com/.
This release contains "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions, that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results and those presently anticipated or projected. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important risk factors are delineated in the Company's most recent SEC Form 10-Q and 10-K filings.
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited - in thousands, except per share data) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended March 28, March 29, March 28, March 29, 2009 2008 2009 2008 Revenue $107,652 $112,168 $224,261 $219,560 Cost of sales 66,139 66,094 138,527 130,264 Gross profit 41,513 46,074 85,734 89,296 Gross margin 38.6% 41.1% 38.2% 40.7% Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 25,892 28,168 54,915 55,332 Research and development 3,874 4,050 7,133 8,028 Total operating expenses 29,766 32,218 62,048 63,360 Income from operations 11,747 13,856 23,686 25,936 Operating margin 10.9% 12.4% 10.6% 11.8% Interest (expense) income, net (252) 643 (243) 1,217 Other (expense) income, net (1,161) 882 (267) 832 Income before income taxes and discontinued operations 10,334 15,381 23,176 27,985 Provision for income taxes 2,886 1,936 5,977 6,359 Income before discontinued operations 7,448 13,445 17,199 21,626 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 25 94 25 269 Net income $7,473 $13,539 $17,224 $21,895 Earnings per share: Basic- Income before discontinued operations $0.44 $0.76 $1.02 $1.23 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - 0.01 - 0.01 Earnings per share $0.44 $0.77 $1.02 $1.24 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 16,841 17,608 16,888 17,648 Diluted- Income before discontinued operations $0.44 $0.76 $1.02 $1.21 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax - - - 0.01 Earnings per share $0.44 $0.76 $1.02 $1.22 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 16,881 17,777 16,935 17,878 MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited - in thousands, except per share data) March 28, September 27, 2009 2008 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $99,349 $114,099 Accounts receivable, net 97,785 101,331 Unbilled accounts receivable 30,547 43,022 Inventories 51,928 46,135 Other current assets 16,785 18,030 Assets of discontinued operations 284 380 Total current assets 296,678 322,997 Property and equipment, net 57,204 50,534 Goodwill 15,791 1,668 Intangibles, net 21,863 4,363 Other assets 5,792 19,595 Total Assets $397,328 $399,157 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT Current Liabilities: Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt $41,434 $26,646 Accounts payable 21,706 28,567 Advance payments from customers 56,828 64,979 Other accrued liabilities 66,128 65,201 Liabilities of discontinued operations 174 177 Total current liabilities 186,270 185,570 Other long-term liabilities 8,987 8,645 Total Liabilities 195,257 194,215 Shareholders' Investment: Common stock, $.25 par; 64,000 shares authorized: 16,760 and 16,976 shares issued and outstanding 4,190 4,244 Retained earnings 183,084 175,216 Accumulated other comprehensive income 14,797 25,482 Total shareholders' investment 202,071 204,942 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment $397,328 $399,157
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MTS Systems Corporation
CONTACT: Susan Knight, Chief Financial Officer of MTS Systems
Corporation, +1-952-937-4000
Web Site: http://www.mts.com/
