[LOGO] Westell News Release
News Release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For Additional Information, contact:
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT & CFO: TRADE/BUSINESS PRESS:
NICHOLAS C. HINDMAN, SR. KEN TRANTOWSKI
WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES INC. KGT COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
630.375.4136 630.469.8765
NHIND@WESTELL.COM KENNETHG_TRANTOWSKI@MSN.COM
WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES REPORTS 2ND QUARTER FISCAL 2004 RESULTS
AURORA, IL, OCTOBER 21, 2003 - - Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTL), a
leading provider of broadband access solutions, today announced the results for
its fiscal 2004 second quarter ending September 30, 2003.
Net income for the quarter was $4.9 million or $0.07 per diluted share, compared
with net income of $796,000, or $0.01 per diluted share for the comparable
quarter last year. Improved margins, lack of restructuring expenses and reduced
interest expense drove this gain. Total revenues for the quarter increased 4% to
$58.4 million from $56.2 million in the second quarter of last year.
"Our DSL business continues to benefit from the telephone companies' commitment
to growing their customer base," said Van Cullens, President and CEO. "Our sales
growth this quarter was primarily driven by increased purchases of our Customer
Networking Equipment supporting higher demand caused by ongoing promotion and
marketing efforts by our customers. Both ConferencePlus and our Network Service
Access equipment continued to perform well despite extremely competitive market
conditions."
Gross margins expanded to 32.6% from 29.3% in the comparable quarter last year,
but declined from 36.7% during the fiscal first quarter. This decrease was
related in part to a one-time $1.2 million expense related to the payment of a
customer contract obligation and continuing pricing pressures in our Customer
Networking Equipment business.
Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $8.7 million for the quarter
ended September 30, 2003 compared to $5.7 million in the previous quarter.
During the quarter notes payable decreased to $13.4 million from $26.1 million.
Cash generated from operations and cash received from the exercise of stock
options were used to reduce the outstanding debt.
"Despite the competitive nature of the telecom space and the inherent pricing
pressure we experience as contract volumes have increased, our operating
leverage has continued to drive gains in cash flow and net income," said
Nicholas Hindman Senior Vice President, CFO, Treasurer and Secretary. "We have
also significantly reduced debt year-over-year and expanded cash flow from
operations, leaving us with increased flexibility to capitalize on next
generation product opportunities."
OUTLOOK
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Mr. Cullens continued, "While the U.S. DSL modem business continues to represent
our best short-term path for growth, we also are launching a number of other
initiatives to improve our strategic positioning. For example, we are increasing
our marketing activities in Western Europe, leveraging our base in the U.K.
Collectively, we have R&D programs focused on DSL modem management and managed
services, and we are collaborating with customers to establish positions around
Next Generation Gateway Platforms, VoIP solutions, Cellular/WiFi convergence,
and similar high-customer interest areas. We are determined to diversify our
business in terms of products, customers and geography to build a solid
foundation for continued growth."
Westell provided guidance for the third fiscal quarter, ending December 31,
2003. The Company expects revenue to be in the range of $58 - $59 million and
EPS to be $0.07 per share.
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION
Westell will release its September 30, 2003 quarter results post market close on
Tuesday, October 21st, and host its earnings call on Wednesday, October 22nd, at
9:30 AM Eastern Time for analysts, shareholders, investors and the public.
The live earnings call will be available to the public. Participants can join
for the voice portion of the call by following the instructions below.
Participants must separately register for the call.
To participate in the voice portion:
1. All participants must pre-register by dialing 1-888-690-6220, International
1-402-220-3780.
2. Leave your name and the company whom you represent.
3. To participate in the call on the 22nd, please dial ConferencePlus at
1-800-559-1203 no later than 9:15 AM, Eastern Time and ask for the "Westell
Technologies Analyst Call". International participants may dial 630-691-2762.
The Company's earnings press release and any related earnings information to be
discussed on the earnings call will be posted on the Investor Relations section
of the Company's web site at http://www.westell.com. Digital Audio Replay of
this call will be available one hour following the conclusion of the call by
dialing 1-888-843-8996 or 630-652-3044 and entering 7835684#.
ABOUT WESTELL
- -------------
Westell Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a holding
company for Westell, Inc. and ConferencePlus, Inc. Westell, Inc. manufactures
broadband telecommunications access products. ConferencePlus, Inc. is a
collaborative Application Service Provider that manages and hosts voice, video,
IP applications and back-office services. Additional information can be obtained
by visiting Westell's Web site at www.westell.com.
ABOUT CONFERENCEPLUS
- --------------------
ConferencePlus, a Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTL - News) subsidiary,
is a leading global provider of audio, web, video and IP conferencing services.
ConferencePlus is dedicated to providing high quality, innovative conferencing
solutions to its domestic and international clients and telecommunications
resellers. ConferencePlus is recognized for outstanding customer service and
support to help clients meet their business objectives. The company is
headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois with an international headquarters in
Dublin, Ireland. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the
ConferencePlus web site at www.conferenceplus.com.
"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT 1995:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certain statements contained herein including, without limitation, statements
containing the words "believe," "goal," " on track, " "anticipate," "committed"
"expectation," "expect," "estimate", "await," "continue," "intend," "may,"
"will," "should," and similar expressions are forward looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to,
product demand and market acceptance risks, need for financing, the economic
downturn in the U.S. economy and telecom market, the impact of competitive
products or technologies, competitive pricing pressures, product development,
excess and obsolete inventory due to new product development, commercialization
and technological delays or difficulties (including delays or difficulties in
developing, producing, testing and selling new products and technologies), the
effect of Westell's accounting policies, the need for additional capital, the
effect of economic conditions and trade, legal social and economic risks (such
as import, licensing and trade restrictions) and other risks more fully
described in Westell's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2003 under the section "Risk Factors". Westell undertakes no
obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these forward
looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the
date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Financial Tables to Follow:
WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)
Three Months ended Sept. 30, %
2003 2002 Change
------------ ------------ ---------
Revenues
NSA $ 15,037 $ 16,158 -7%
CNE 31,884 30,077 (1) 6%
Services 11,455 9,936 15%
------------ ------------
Total revenues 58,376 56,171 4%
------------ ------------
Gross profit
Equipment 14,353 (2) 13,518 (3)
Services 4,672 2,952
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Total gross profit 19,025 16,470 16%
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Gross margin
Equipment 30.6% 29.2%
Services 40.8% 29.7%
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Total gross margin 32.6% 29.3%
------------ ------------
Operating expenses
Sales & marketing 4,783 4,615 4%
Expense to revenue 8.2% 8.2%
General & administrative 4,335 4,126 5%
Expense to revenue 7.4% 7.3%
Research & development 4,321 4,178 3%
Expense to revenue 7.4% 7.4%
Restructuring - 1,742 (4)
Expense to revenue 0.0% 3.1%
Intangibles amortization (5) 364 389
Expense to revenue 0.6% 0.7%
------------ ------------
Total operating expenses 13,803 15,050 -8%
------------ ------------
Expense to revenue 23.6% 26.8%
Operating income 5,222 1,420 268%
Other income (expense) (86) 61 -241%
Interest expense 197 685 -71%
------------ ------------
Income before taxes 4,939 796 520%
------------ ------------
Income taxes (6) - -
Effective tax rate 0.0% 0.0%
Net income $ 4,939 $ 796
============ ============
Income per common share:
Basic 0.07 0.01
------------ ------------
Diluted 0.07 0.01
------------ ------------
Average number of common
shares outstanding:
Basic 66,840 64,921
Diluted 70,879 64,967
Six Months ended Sept. 30, %
2003 2002 Change
------------ ------------ ---------
Revenues
NSA $ 28,583 $ 31,817 -10%
CNE 62,044 $ 53,448 16%
Services 23,035 $ 20,711 11%
------------ ------------
Total revenues 113,662 105,976 7%
------------ ------------
Gross profit
Equipment 29,798 (2) 23,592 (3)
Services 9,497 6,889
------------ ------------
Total gross profit 39,295 30,481 29%
------------ ------------
Gross margin
Equipment 32.9% 27.7%
Services 41.2% 33.3%
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Total gross margin 34.6% 28.8%
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Operating expenses
Sales & marketing 10,209 8,948 14%
Expense to revenue 9.0% 8.4%
General & administrative 9,469 8,777 8%
Expense to revenue 8.3% 8.3%
Research & development 8,756 7,624 15%
Expense to revenue 7.7% 7.2%
Restructuring 1,742 (4)
Expense to revenue 0.0% 1.6%
Intangibles amortization (5) 728 778
Expense to revenue 0.6% 0.7%
------------ ------------
Total operating expenses 29,162 27,869 5%
------------ ------------
Expense to revenue 25.7% 26.3%
Operating income 10,133 2,612 288%
Other income (expense) (42) 111
Interest expense 556 1,468 -62%
------------ ------------
Income before taxes 9,535 1,255 660%
------------ ------------
Income taxes (6) - -
Effective tax rate 0.0% 0.0%
Net income $ 9,535 $ 1,255
============ ============
Income per common share:
Basic 0.15 0.02
------------ ------------
Diluted 0.14 0.02
------------ ------------
Average number of common
shares outstanding:
Basic 64,925 64,921
Diluted 69,103 64,969
Footnotes:
(1) The Company earned $1.7 million in the three months ended June 30,
2002 from a customer for product royalties.
(2) Includes $1.2 million to settle a customer contract obligation
which arose in the quarter ended Sept 30, 2003.
(3) The Company reversed approximately $2 million of reserves
primarily related to excess and obsolete modem inventory.
(4) Restructuring charge primarily for the Company's Conference Plus,
Inc. subsidiary
(5) Teltrend product technology intangible amortization.
(6) Valuation allowances were utilized for taxable income.
WESTELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
FINANCIAL RESULTS (CONTINUED)
(Dollars in thousands)
Sept. 30, Mar. 31,
2003 2003
--------------- ---------------
Cash and Short term Investments 10,722 13,862
Receivables 23,594 23,836
Inventory 11,345 12,660
Goodwill and intangibles 14,672 15,035
Total current assets 49,512 53,657
Total current liabilities 36,441 38,209
Total assets 105,677 111,388
Revolving Promissory note payable 6,000 14,956
Term notes payable to a bank - 5,000
Vendor notes payable 7,417 12,389
Total liabilities 47,089 59,604
Shareholders' Equity 58,588 51,783
Days Sales Outstanding 36 37