Canvys, PMG and CT Tube Revenues Grow Versus Q3 FY19

Q3 FY20 Highlights

• Net sales of $38.2 million were down 2.0% from last year’s third quarter, primarily a result of lower sales in PMT from softness in the power grid tube business and the effect of the coronavirus on our China shipments. In addition, Healthcare sales were down overall due to continued lower equipment sales in Latin America.
• Sales increased for PMG and Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication equipment products. Canvys sales increased by 3.5% and Healthcare CT tube revenues were up by 134.7%.
• Gross margin increased to 33.1% of net sales versus 31.5% of net sales for the prior year’s third quarter due to product mix and manufacturing efficiencies.
• Operating expenses decreased $0.4 million to $12.7 million compared to prior year.
• Operating income was $11,000 compared to an operating loss of $0.8 million in last year’s third quarter.
• Cash and investments were $43.9 million at February 29, 2020 versus $46.1 million at the end of the second quarter of this fiscal year.
• Manufacturing and distribution operations considered “essential businesses” under current coronavirus shelter-in-place directives; minimal disruption to manufacturing and distribution capacity.

LAFOX, Ill., April 08, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: RELL) today reported financial results for its third quarter ended February 29, 2020.  The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a $0.06 per share quarterly cash dividend. 

Third Quarter Results

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 decreased 2.0% to $38.2 million compared to net sales of $39.0 million in the prior year’s third quarter. Canvys sales increased by $0.3 million or 3.5% due to higher demand in its North American market. Sales of semiconductor wafer fab equipment specialty products also increased from last year’s third quarter. Although PMT sales benefited from higher sales of power conversion and RF and microwave components, overall sales for PMT decreased $0.7 million or 2.5%. This was primarily due to economic softness in the power grid tube market and lower sales in China due to the coronavirus. We experienced delays in shipments to customers in China during mandatory shelter in place orders as well as delayed receipt of goods originating in China and destined for other locations.  Richardson Healthcare sales decreased $0.2 million or 11.9% as a result of lower sales of equipment in Latin America and non-core diagnostic imaging parts, partially offset by higher sales of our ALTA750™ CT tube.

Gross margin increased to $12.7 million, or 33.1% of net sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2020, compared to $12.3 million, or 31.5% of net sales during the third quarter of fiscal 2019.  Margin increased as a percent of net sales primarily due to a favorable product mix and improved manufacturing efficiencies in both PMT and Richardson Healthcare.

Operating expenses were $12.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to $13.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.  The decrease in operating expenses resulted from lower severance, legal and professional services expenses, partially offset by higher research and development expenses for Richardson Healthcare as we invest in additional CT x-ray tube types. 

As a result, the Company reported an operating income of $11,000 for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to an operating loss of $0.8 million in the prior year’s third quarter. Other income for the third quarter of fiscal 2020, including interest income and foreign exchange, was $0.1 million, compared to other income of less than $0.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

The income tax provision of $0.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 reflected a provision for foreign income taxes, which was lower than the prior year’s third quarter provision and no U.S. tax benefit due to the valuation allowance recorded against the net operating loss. 

Net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 was $0.1 million compared to a net loss of $1.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.  

“Despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus, we are pleased to see continued growth in Canvys and the power and microwave technologies group.  We also saw an increase in ALTA750™ CT tube sales,” said Edward J. Richardson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President. “Given the fluid situation in the global economy, we will continue to protect our cash and closely manage operating expenses and cash flow in line with economic conditions. Currently, our manufacturing and distribution operations in LaFox, Illinois and our display operations in Marlborough, Massachusetts are considered ‘Essential Businesses’ under the states’ Shelter in Place directives. As such, we continue to operate while respecting guidelines for social distancing,” he concluded.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY – NINE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2020

• Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2020 were $118.5 million, a decrease of 4.8%, compared to net sales of $124.5 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2019. Sales decreased by $7.7 million or 7.9% for PMT, but increased by $1.7 million or 8.3% for Canvys. Sales for Richardson Healthcare were the same as last year.
• Gross margin decreased to $38.3 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2020, compared to $39.2 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2019. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin increased to 32.3% of net sales during the first nine months of fiscal 2020, compared to 31.5% of net sales during the first nine months of fiscal 2019, primarily as a result of a favorable product mix in Richardson Healthcare and improved manufacturing efficiencies for both PMT and Healthcare.
• Operating expenses decreased to $38.7 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2020, compared to $39.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2019. The decrease was due to lower severance, legal and professional services expenses, partially offset by higher research and development expenses for Richardson Healthcare in line with ongoing CT x-ray tube development.
• Operating loss during the first nine months of fiscal 2020 was $0.4 million, the same as during the first nine months of fiscal 2019.
• Other income for the first nine months of fiscal 2020, including interest income and foreign exchange, was $0.2 million, the same as in the first nine months of fiscal 2019.
• The income tax provision of $0.4 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2020 reflected a provision for foreign income taxes, which was lower than in the prior year’s first nine months and no U.S. tax benefit due to the valuation allowance recorded against the net operating loss.
• Net loss for the first nine months of fiscal 2020 was $0.6 million, compared to a net loss of $1.0 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2019.

CASH DIVIDEND AND POSITION

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors declared a $0.06 quarterly dividend per share to holders of common stock and a $0.054 cash dividend per share to holders of Class B common stock.  The dividend will be payable on May 27, 2020, to common stockholders of record as of May 6, 2020.

Cash and investments at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2020 were $43.9 million compared to $46.1 million at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and $49.4 million at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2019.  The Company spent $0.4 million during the quarter on capital expenditures primarily related to our IT System, Facilities and LaFox manufacturing business versus $1.0 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2019.  

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

On Thursday, April 9, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. CDT, Edward J. Richardson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Robert J. Ben, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s third quarter fiscal year 2020 results.  A question and answer session will be included as part of the call’s agenda.

Participant Instructions

To listen to the call, please dial (USA) (866) 800-8648 or (International) (617) 614-2702 and enter passcode 95925021 approximately five minutes prior to the start of the call.  A replay of the call will be available beginning at 10:00 a.m. CDT on April 10, 2020, for seven days.  The telephone numbers for the replay are (USA) (888) 286-8010 and (International) (617) 801-6888; passcode 69273455.