LAFOX, Ill. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — April 9, 2014 — Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: RELL), today reported sales and earnings for its third quarter ended March 1, 2014. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a $0.06 per share quarterly cash dividend.

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 were $32.9 million, a 2.2% decrease compared to net sales of $33.6 million in the prior year. Sales for the company's EDG business were relatively flat while sales for Canvys were down 6.5%, compared to the prior year's quarter. Gross margin decreased to $9.7 million, or 29.3% of net sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $9.9 million, or 29.5% of net sales during fiscal 2013. Operating expenses were $10.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $9.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Operating loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $0.9 million compared to operating income of $0.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Loss from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $0.1 million compared to income from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 of $0.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted common share.

“We remain committed to profit improvement with growth initiatives that allow us to leverage our global infrastructure. While we are not satisfied with our current financial performance, we are pleased to see pockets of growth in key geographic areas and markets. Sales in both the Asia and European regions improved versus the prior year. In terms of key markets, we are seeing growth in industrial markets as well as the automotive markets which utilize laser cutting equipment,” said Edward J. Richardson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President.

“We believe our fourth quarter sales should be in the range of $34 to $36 million. We continue to focus on acquisition targets, and to invest in key initiatives such as vacuum capacitors and our new product development team focused on microwave solutions. Both take advantage of our global infrastructure and provide significant opportunity for sustainable growth over the long term,” said Mr. Richardson.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY – THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 1, 2014

• Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 were $32.9 million, down 2.2%, compared to net sales of $33.6 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.
• Gross margin decreased to 29.3% during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to 29.5% during last year's third quarter.
• Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $10.5 million, or 32.0% of net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to $9.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013, or 27.7% of net sales. Operating expenses during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 included approximately $0.4 million of expenses associated with evaluating potential acquisitions, $0.1 million for new product development costs, and $0.2 million of increased information technology expenses for a new system implementation.
• Operating loss during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $0.9 million compared to operating income of $0.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013.
• Other income for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $0.7 million compared to expense of $0.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013. Other income for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 included $0.4 million of proceeds from a class action lawsuit settlement.
• Loss from continuing operations during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $0.1 million compared to income from continuing operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 of $0.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted common share.
• Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $0.4 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to $0.2 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.
• Net loss during the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $0.5 million compared to net income of $0.4 million, or $0.03 per diluted common share, during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY – NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 1, 2014

• Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 were $102.6 million, down 3.1%, compared to net sales of $105.9 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2013.
• Gross margin increased to 30.1% during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 compared to 29.6% during the first nine months of fiscal 2013.
• Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $31.1 million, or 30.3% of net sales, for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 compared to $29.7 million, or 28.0% of net sales, for the first nine months of fiscal 2013. Operating expenses during the nine months of fiscal 2014 included $0.8 million of expenses associated with evaluating potential acquisitions, $0.2 million for new product development costs, and $0.5 million of increased information technology expenses for a new system implementation.
• Operating loss during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 was $0.2 million compared to operating income of $1.6 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2013.
• Other income for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 was $3.3 million compared to other income of $0.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2013. Other income for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 included $2.5 million of proceeds from a class action lawsuit settlement.
• Income from continuing operations during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 was $2.5 million, or $0.17 per diluted common share, versus $1.9 million, or $0.12 per diluted common share, during the first nine months of fiscal 2013.
• Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was $0.5 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013.
• Net income during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 was $2.0 million, or $0.13 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $1.4 million, or $0.09 per diluted common share, during the first nine months of fiscal 2013.