SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
X Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
- ---
Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal quarter ended: September 30,1997 or
- --- Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ________________ to ________________
Commission file number: 0-25426
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 74-1871327
- ---------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification Number)
6504 Bridge Point Parkway
Austin, Texas 78730
- ---------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
(address of principal executive (zip code)
offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (512) 338-9119
--------------------------
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes /X/ No / /
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class Outstanding at November 5, 1997
Common Stock - $0.01 par value 32,647,362
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
INDEX
Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 1997 (unaudited) and December 31, 1996................3
Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
Three months and nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996......4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
Nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.......................5
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited)
Nine months ended September 30, 1997................................6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..........................7
Item 2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.................................8
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6 Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...................................17
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
September 30, December 31,
1997 1996
--------------- -------------
Assets (unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents.....................$ 34,208 $ 30,211
Short-term investments........................ 51,682 48,956
Accounts receivable, net...................... 36,683 33,442
Inventories, net.............................. 13,801 11,778
Prepaid expenses and other current assets..... 7,902 7,198
--------------- -------------
Total current assets....................... 144,276 131,585
Property and equipment, net...................... 39,084 32,184
Intangibles and other assets..................... 7,247 5,456
--------------- -------------
Total assets...............................$ 190,607 $ 169,225
=============== =============
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt.............$ 851 $ 1,517
Accounts payable.............................. 15,077 11,430
Accrued expenses and other liabilities........ 11,765 9,360
Taxes payable................................. 5,450 9,984
--------------- -------------
Total current liabilities.................. 33,143 32,291
Long-term debt, net of current portion........... 5,423 9,175
Deferred income taxes............................ 808 806
-------------- -------------
Total liabilities.......................... 39,374 42,272
-------------- -------------
Commitments and contingencies -- --
Stockholders' equity:
Common Stock: par value $.01; 60,000,000
shares authorized 32,577,834 and 32,463,361
shares issued and outstanding, respectively... 326 325
Additional paid-in capital....................... 45,769 44,287
Retained earnings................................ 106,338 82,590
Other............................................ (1,200) (249)
--------------- -------------
Total stockholders' equity................. 151,233 126,953
--------------- -------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.$ 190,607 $ 169,225
============== =============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------------------ -------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
------------ ---------- ------------ -----------
Net sales........................ $ 60,595 $ 49,679 $ 175,259 $ 146,328
Cost of sales.................... 14,214 12,623 40,517 36,651
------------ ----------- ------------ -----------
Gross profit.................. 46,381 37,056 134,742 109,677
------------ ----------- ------------ -----------
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing........... 21,817 17,466 63,260 53,108
Research and development...... 9,172 6,412 23,307 18,239
General and administrative.... 4,675 4,401 13,488 12,963
------------ ----------- ------------ -----------
Total operating expenses... 35,664 28,279 100,055 84,310
------------ ----------- ------------ -----------
Operating income........... 10,717 8,777 34,687 25,367
Other income (expense):
Interest income, net.......... 759 499 2,162 1,070
Foreign exchange loss, net.... (134) (31) (1,404) (696)
------------ ----------- ------------ -----------
Income before income taxes. 11,342 9,245 35,445 25,741
Provision for income taxes....... 3,743 2,887 11,697 8,495
------------ ----------- ------------ -----------
Net income................. $ 7,599 $ 6,358 $ 23,748 $ 17,246
============ =========== ============ ===========
Earnings per share...............$ 0.23 $ 0.19 $ 0.71 $ 0.53
============ =========== ============ ===========
Weighted average shares
outstanding...................... 33,750 33,092 33,533 32,808
============ =========== ============ ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
----------------------------
1997 1996
------------ ------------
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income...................................... $ 23,748 $ 17,246
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
provided by operating activities
Charges to income not requiring cash outlays:
Depreciation and amortization.............. 6,214 7,042
Charge for in-process research &
development................................ 1,400 1,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable............ (4,145) (2,975)
(Increase) decrease in inventory........... (2,244) 3,711
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and
other assets............................... (2,070) 707
Increase in current liabilities............ 2,329 4,240
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities.... 25,232 30,971
------------ ------------
Cash flow from investing activities:
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash received. (2,000) (900)
Capital expenditures............................ (12,195) (5,111)
Additions to intangibles ....................... (978) (1,368)
Purchases of short-term investments............. (39,610) (61,126)
Sales of short-term investments................. 36,907 55,900
------------ ------------
Net cash used in investing activities........ (17,876) (12,605)
------------ ------------
Cash flow from financing activities:
Repayments of debt.............................. (4,416) (2,509)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock...... 1,472 1,007
------------ ------------
Net cash used in financing activities........ (2,944) (1,502)
------------ ------------
Effect of translation rate changes on cash......... (415) (85)
------------ ------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.......... 3,997 16,779
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period... 30,211 12,016
------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period......... $ 34,208 $ 28,795
============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)
Common Additional
Stock Common Paid-In Retained
(Shares) Stock Capital Earnings Other Total
---------- ------- ---------- --------- ------- ---------
Balance at
December 31, 1996 32,463,361 $ 325 $ 44,287 $ 82,590 $ (249) $ 126,953
Net income........... -- -- -- 23,748 -- 23,748
Issuance under
employee plans..... 114,473 1 1,482 -- -- 1,483
Unrealized loss on
short-term
investments.......... -- -- -- -- (10) (10)
Foreign currency
translation
adjustment........... -- -- -- -- (941) (941)
========== ======= ========== ========= ======= =========
Balance at
September 30, 1997 32,577,834 $ 326 $ 45,679 $ 106,338 $(1,200) $ 151,233
========== ======= ========== ========= ======== =========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1 - Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended
December 31, 1996, included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the
accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments
(consisting only of normal recurring items) considered necessary to present
fairly the financial position of National Instruments Corporation and its
consolidated subsidiaries at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996, the
results of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September
30, 1997 and 1996, and the cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September
30, 1997 and 1996. Operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods
ended September 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may
be expected for the year ending December 31, 1997.
NOTE 2 - Earnings Per Share
On October 15, 1997, the Company declared a stock split effected in the form of
a dividend of one share of common stock for each two shares of common stock
outstanding. The dividend is payable on November 12, 1997 to holders of record
as of the close of business on October 28, 1997. All per share data and numbers
of common shares, where appropriate, have been retroactively adjusted to reflect
the stock split.
Earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average
number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding (if dilutive)
during each period. Common share equivalents include stock options. The number
of common share equivalents outstanding relating to stock options is computed
using the treasury stock method.
In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share." The new standard,
which is effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after
December 15, 1997, establishes standards for computing and presenting earnings
per share (EPS) and requires restatement of all prior-period EPS data
represented upon adoption. The Company will implement this standard in the
fourth quarter of 1997. The implementation of the standard will result in the
presentation of a basic EPS calculation in the consolidated financial statements
as well as a diluted EPS calculation. If the Company had adopted the new
standard for the third quarter of 1997, basic EPS would have been $0.23 per
share and diluted EPS would have approximated the EPS of $0.23 presented in the
accompanying consolidated statement of income.
NOTE 3 - Inventories
Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
September 30, December 31,
1996 1997
(unaudited)
-------------- ---------------
Raw materials $ 5,977 $ 5,324
Work-in-process 1,115 864
Finished goods 6,709 5,590
-------------- ---------------
$ 13,801 $ 11,778
============== ===============
NOTE 4 - Acquisition
On September 30, 1997, the Company acquired the products, technology and net
assets of nuLogic, Inc. The Company recorded a $1.4 million pre-tax charge
against earnings for the write-off of in-process nuLogic research and
development technology that had not reached the working model stage and has no
alternative future use. If this charge had not been taken, net income for the
quarter ended September 30, 1997 would have been $8.6 million or $0.25 per share
and net income for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 would have been
$24.7 million or $0.74 per share.
On April 1, 1996, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares
of common stock of Georgetown Systems, Inc. ("GSI") for an aggregate purchase
price of approximately $2.0 million, paid with 60,916 unregistered shares of the
Company's common stock and $764,000 in cash. The acquisition was accounted for
as a purchase. The results of GSI's operations have been combined with those of
the Company since the date of acquisition. The Company recorded a $1.0 million
charge against earnings during the second quarter of 1996 for the write-off of
in-process GSI research and development technology that had not reached the
working model stage. The Company also recorded $920,000 of capitalized software
development costs related to the acquisition, which are included in intangibles
and other assets and are being amortized on a straight line basis over 3 years.
During the third quarter of 1996, the Company purchased imaging acquisition
software technology from Graftek (Miramande, France). The purchased software was
amortized over the third quarter of 1996, resulting in a charge to earnings of
$500,000. This amortization period was utilized due to the nature of this
rapidly developing technology and the revisions to be made to the software in
the near future. Excluding the effect of this charge, net income for the third
quarter of 1996 would have been $6.7 million or $0.20 per share. Excluding the
effect of the charge for the GSI acquisition and the amortization of intangible
assets related to the Graftek purchase, net income for the nine-months ended
September 30, 1996 would have been $18.2 million or $0.56 per share.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results could differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of
important factors. For a discussion of important factors that could affect the
Company's results, please refer to the Issues and Outlook section and financial
statement line item discussions below. Readers are also encouraged to refer to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of the Company's
business and the risks and opportunities attendant thereto.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of
net sales represented by certain items reflected in the Company's consolidated
statements of income:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------------------ ------------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net sales:
North America 61.7% 59.4% 59.6% 57.8%
Europe 24.6 27.3 26.5 28.1
Asia Pacific 13.7 13.3 13.9 14.1
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Consolidated net sales 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Cost of sales 23.5 25.4 23.1 25.0
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit 76.5 74.6 76.9 75.0
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing 36.0 35.1 36.1 36.3
Research and development 15.1 12.9 13.3 12.5
General and
administrative 7.7 8.9 7.7 8.9
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total operating
expenses 58.8 56.9 57.1 57.7
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating income 17.7 17.7 19.8 17.3
Other income (expense):
Interest income, net 1.3 1.0 1.2 0.8
Foreign exchange loss,
net (0.2) (0.1) (0.8) (0.5)
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income
taxes 18.8 18.6 20.2 17.6
Provision for income taxes 6.2 5.8 6.7 5.8
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income 12.6% 12.8% 13.5% 11.8%
=========== =========== =========== ===========
NET SALES. Consolidated net sales increased by $10.9 million, or 22%, for
the three months ended September 30, 1997 to $60.6 million from $49.7 million
for the three months ended September 30, 1996, and increased $28.9 million, or
20%, to $175.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 from $146.3
million for the comparable 1996 period. The increase in sales is primarily
attributable to the introduction of new and upgraded products and increased
customer seminars. North American sales in the third quarter of 1997 increased
by 27% over the third quarter of 1996, which was the highest growth percentage
in this region since the first quarter of 1994.
International sales as a percentage of consolidated sales for the quarter
and nine months ended September 30, 1997 decreased from 40.6% to 38.3% and from
42.2% to 40.4%, respectively, over the comparable 1996 periods. Compared to
1996, the Company's European sales increased by 10% to $14.9 million for the
quarter ended September 30, 1997 and by 13% to $46.4 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1997. Net sales in Asia Pacific increased by 26% to $8.3
million in the quarter ended September 30, 1997 compared to 1996 and by 18% to
$24.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. The Company expects
sales outside of North America to continue to represent a significant portion of
its revenue.
International sales are subject to inherent risks, including fluctuations in
local economies, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations,
greater difficulty in accounts receivable collection, costs and risks of
localizing products for foreign countries, unexpected changes in regulatory
requirements, tariffs and other trade barriers, difficulties in the repatriation
of earnings and the burdens of complying with a wide variety of foreign laws.
Sales made by the Company's direct sales offices in Europe and Asia Pacific are
denominated in local currencies, and accordingly, the US dollar equivalent of
these sales is affected by changes in the value of the US dollar. Between the
third quarter of 1996 and the third quarter of 1997 the weighted average value
of the US dollar increased by 11.7%, causing an equivalent decrease in the US
dollar value of the Company's foreign currency sales and expenses. This weighted
average is calculated as the percentage change in the value of the currency
relative to the US dollar, multiplied by the proportion of international sales
recorded in the particular currency. If the weighted average value of the US
dollar in the third quarter of 1997 had been the same as that in the third
quarter of 1996, the Company's sales for the third quarter of 1997 would have
been $63.4 million. This effect is 4.6% of consolidated net sales in the
aggregate. European sales for the third quarter of 1997 would have been $17.3
million, a 28% increase in the third quarter 1997 sales over the third quarter
1996. Asia Pacific sales for the third quarter of 1997 would have been $9.0
million, a 36% increase in third quarter 1997 sales over third quarter 1996
sales. If the weighted average value of the dollar in the nine months ended
September 30, 1997 had been the same as that in the nine months ended September
30, 1996, the Company's year-to-date sales would have been $182.4 million, an
increase of 25%. Since most of the Company's international operating expenses
are also incurred in local currencies, the change in exchange rates had the
effect of reducing operating expenses by $1 million for the quarter ended
September 30, 1997. If the current trend in the value of the dollar continues
throughout 1997, it will continue to have the effect of lowering the US dollar
equivalent of international sales and operating expenses.
GROSS PROFIT. As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 76.5%
for the third quarter of 1997 from 74.6% for the third quarter of 1996 and
increased to 76.9% for the first nine months of 1997 from 75.0% for the
comparable period a year ago. The higher margin for the third quarter and nine
months ended September 30, 1997 compared to prior year periods is attributable
to manufacturing production efficiencies and lower component costs.
The marketplace for the Company's products dictates that many of the
Company's products be shipped quickly after an order is received. As a result,
the Company is required to maintain significant inventories. Therefore,
inventory obsolescence is a risk for the Company due to frequent engineering
changes, shifting customer demand, the emergence of new industry standards and
rapid technological advances including the introduction by the Company, or its
competitors, of products embodying new technology. While the Company maintains
valuation allowances for excess and obsolete inventory and management continues
to monitor the adequacy of such valuation allowances, there can be no assurance
that such valuation allowances will be sufficient.
SALES AND MARKETING. Sales and marketing expenses for the third quarter of
1997 increased to $21.8 million, a 25% increase, as compared to the third
quarter of 1996, and increased 19% to $63.3 million for the first nine months of
1997 from the comparable 1996 period. As a percentage of net sales, sales and
marketing expenses increased to 36.0% for the third quarter of 1997 from 35.1%
for the third quarter of 1996 and decreased to 36.1% for the first nine months
of 1997 from 36.3% for the first nine months of 1996. The increase in these
expenses in absolute dollar amounts is primarily attributable to increases in
sales and marketing personnel and increased sales and marketing seminars,
tradeshows, and other marketing activities. Overall sales and marketing
personnel increased from 497 at September 30, 1996 to 612 at September 30, 1997.
The Company expects sales and marketing expenses in future periods to increase
in absolute dollars, and to fluctuate as a percentage of sales based on new
recruiting, initial marketing and advertising campaign costs associated with
major new product releases, the opening of new sales offices and the timing of
domestic and international conferences and trade shows.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Research and development expenses increased to $9.2
million for the quarter ended September 30, 1997, a 44% increase, as compared to
$6.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 1996, and increased 28% to
$23.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 from the comparable
1996 period. As a percentage of net sales, research and development expenses
represented 15.1% and 12.9% for the third quarters ended September 30, 1997 and
1996, respectively, and 13.3% and 12.5% for the nine months ended September 30,
1997 and 1996, respectively. The above comparisons include research and
development expenses of $1.4 million in the third quarter of 1997 for the
write-off of in-process research and development technology related to the
purchase of technology from nuLogic, Inc., $1 million incurred in the second
quarter of 1996 in connection with the acquisition of Georgetown Systems, Inc.,
and a $500,000 expense incurred in the third quarter of 1996 for the
amortization of purchased software. Excluding the effects of these charges, the
increase in research and development costs in the nine months ended September
30, 1997 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 1996 is mainly due to
increases in personnel costs from increased hiring, including increases in
intern personnel expenses to support the Company's increased recruiting efforts.
The Company believes that a significant, on-going investment in research and
development is required to remain competitive.
The Company capitalizes software development costs in accordance with the
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed." The Company
amortizes such costs over the related product's estimated economic useful life,
generally three years, beginning when a product becomes available for general
release. Amortization expense totaled $368,000 and $943,000 for the quarters
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and $1.1 million and $1.7
million during the nine month periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Software development costs capitalized were $876,000 and $821,000
for the quarter ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and $1.3
million and $2.7 million for the first nine months of 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The amounts capitalized in the third quarter and first nine months
of 1997 include $612,000 related to the nuLogic acquisition.
The amounts capitalized in the third quarter and first nine months of 1996
include Bridgeview, HiQ 3.0 for Windows and LabVIEW 4.0. The amounts capitalized
also include software development costs related to the Georgetown Systems, Inc.
and Graftek software acquisitions.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. General and administrative expenses for the third
quarter ended September 30, 1997 increased 7% to $4.7 million from $4.4 million
for the comparable prior year period. For the first nine months of 1997, general
and administrative expenses increased 4% to $13.5 million from $13.0 million for
the first nine months of 1996. As a percentage of net sales, general and
administrative expenses decreased to 7.7% for the quarter ended September 30,
1997 from 8.9% for the third quarter of 1996. During the first nine months of
1997, general and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of sales to
7.7% from 8.9% for the comparable prior year period. The decrease in general and
administrative expenses as a percent of sales is due to operational efficiencies
achieved as a result of increased systems integration during the past two years.
The Company's general and administrative expense increased in absolute dollars
mainly due to additional personnel. The Company expects that general and
administrative expense in future periods will increase in absolute amounts and
will fluctuate as a percentage of net sales.
INTEREST INCOME, NET. Net interest income in the third quarter of 1997
increased to $759,000 from $499,000 in the third quarter of 1996 and increased
to $2.2 million for the first nine months of 1997 from $1.1 million for the
first nine months of 1996. This increase is primarily due to an increase in the
Company's cash and short-term investment balances. Interest expense in the third
quarter of 1997 decreased to $118,000 from $188,000 in the third quarter of 1996
and decreased to $376,000 for the first nine months of 1997 from $660,000 for
the first nine months of 1996. This decrease is attributed to repayments of debt
during 1997.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE LOSS, NET. Net foreign exchange losses recognized in the
third quarter of 1997 were $134,000 compared to $31,000 recognized in the third
quarter of 1996. Net foreign exchange losses of $1.4 million were recognized for
the first nine months of 1997 compared to $696,000 for the first nine months of
1996. These results are attributable to movements between the US dollar and the
local currencies in countries in which the Company's sales subsidiaries are
located. The Company recognizes the local currency as the functional currency of
its international subsidiaries. The net losses in the first nine months of 1997
are a result of the strengthening of the US dollar against local currencies,
primarily the Japanese yen and the French franc during 1997.
The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts against a
majority of its intercompany foreign currency-denominated receivables in order
to reduce its exposure to significant foreign currency fluctuations. This
hedging strategy only partially addresses the Company's risks in foreign
currency transactions as the Company does not currently hedge anticipated
transactions. There can be no assurance that this strategy will be successful.
The Company's hedging strategy has reduced the foreign exchange losses recorded
by $1.2 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 1997. If the
strengthening of the US dollar that occurred throughout 1996 and the first nine
months of 1997 continues for the remainder of 1997, the Company could experience
significant foreign exchange losses due to the foreign exchange risks that are
not addressed by the Company's hedging strategy. The Company typically limits
the duration of its foreign exchange contracts to 90 days and does not invest in
contracts for speculative purposes.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES. The provision for income taxes reflects an
effective tax rate of 33% for both the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and
1996. As of September 30, 1997, six of the Company's subsidiaries had available,
for income tax purposes, foreign net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $1.1 million, of which $601,000 expire between 2000 and 2007. The
remaining $504,000 of loss carryforwards may be carried forward indefinitely to
offset future taxable income in the related tax jurisdictions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company is currently financing its operations and capital resources
through cash flow from operations. Historically, the Company also financed its
capital expenditures, such as the new manufacturing facility constructed in
1995, through borrowings from financial institutions. At September 30, 1997, the
Company had working capital of approximately $111 million compared to $99
million at December 31, 1996. The increase in working capital is attributable to
an increase in cash and short term investments of $6.7 million and an increase
of net accounts receivable of $3.2 million from December 31, 1996 to September
30, 1997.
Accounts receivable increased to $37 million at September 30, 1997 from $33
million at December 31, 1996, as a result of higher sales levels. Days sales
outstanding increased to 60 at September 30, 1997 compared to 57 at December 31,
1996. Inventory levels increased with consolidated inventory balances of $14
million and $12 million at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996,
respectively. Inventory increases were the result of planned efforts to increase
inventory in order to support the forecasted sales levels. Inventory turns of
4.1 represent an improvement over turns of 3.7 at December 31, 1996.
Cash used in the first nine months of 1997 for the purchase of the property
and equipment totaled $12.2 million and for the capitalization of software
development costs totaled $671,000. The Company continues construction of an
office building next to its manufacturing facility. It is currently anticipated
that a significant portion of the construction costs will be paid out of the
Company's existing working capital and future cash flows. The Company estimates
the total cost for the new building, including furniture, fixtures and
equipment, will range from $30 million to $35 million. The Company has incurred
approximately $8 million in construction costs as of September 30, 1997 and
estimates approximately $13 million will be incurred during the fourth quarter
of 1997 with the remainder becoming payable in the first half of 1998. In May of
1997, the Company entered into firm commitments of approximately $23.5 million
for the new building. The actual level of spending may exceed this amount
depending on a variety of factors, including unforeseen difficulties in
construction. Upon completion of the new building, currently estimated to be
mid-1998, the Company anticipates additional quarterly operating expenses of
$1.5 million.
The Company currently expects to fund expenditures for capital requirements
as well as liquidity needs created by changes in working capital from a
combination of available cash and short-term investment balances, internally
generated funds, and financing arrangements with its current financial
institutions. The Company has a $24.0 million credit agreement with NationsBank
of Texas, N.A. which consists of (i) an $8.0 million revolving line of credit,
(ii) a $7.5 million equipment line of credit, and (iii) an $8.5 million
manufacturing facility loan. As of September 30, 1997, the Company had no
outstanding balances under either of the lines of credit and had repaid all of
the loans except the manufacturing facility loan, which had a balance of $6.2
million. The revolving line of credit expires on June 30, 1998. The Company's
credit agreements contain certain financial covenants and restrictions as to
various matters, including the bank's prior approval of significant mergers and
acquisitions. Borrowings under the line of credit are collateralized by
substantially all of the Company's assets.
The Company believes that its cash flow from operations, if any, existing
cash balances, short-term investments and available credit under the Company's
existing credit facilities, will be sufficient to meet its cash requirements for
at least the next twelve months.
Issues and Outlook
FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY RESULTS. The Company's quarterly operating results
have fluctuated in the past and may fluctuate significantly in the future due to
a number of factors, including: changes in the mix of products sold; the
availability and pricing of components from third parties (especially sole
sources); the timing of orders; level of pricing of international sales;
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates like the recent devaluation in
certain Asian currencies; the difficulty in maintaining margins, including the
higher margins traditionally achieved in international sales; and changes in
pricing policies by the Company, its competitors or suppliers. As has occurred
in the past and as may be expected to occur in the future, new software products
of the Company or new operating systems of third parties on which the Company's
products are based, often contain bugs or errors that can result in reduced
sales and/or cause the Company's support costs to increase, either of which
could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operating results.
Furthermore, the Company serves a number of industries such as semiconductors,
telecommunications, aerospace, defense and automotive which are cyclical in
nature. Downturns in these industries could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's operating results.
In recent years, the Company's revenues have been characterized by
seasonality, with revenues typically being relatively constant in the first,
second and third quarters, and growing in the fourth quarter. The Company
believes the seasonality of its revenue results from the international mix of
its revenue and the variability of the budgeting and purchasing cycles of its
customers throughout each international region. In addition, total operating
expenses have in the past tended to be higher in the second and third quarters
of each year, due to increased sales and marketing activities.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS. During 1997, the Company completed its
implementation of new management information systems in Europe and Japan. As
with any new management information system, unforeseen post implementation
issues may arise that could affect management's ability to receive adequate,
accurate and timely financial information which in turn could inhibit effective
and timely decisions. Furthermore, it is possible that one or more of the
Company's three regional information systems could experience a complete or
partial shutdown. If this shutdown occurred near the end of a quarter it could
impact the Company's product shipments and revenues as product distribution is
heavily dependent on the integrated management information systems in each
region. Accordingly, operating results in that quarter would be adversely
impacted due to the shipments which would not occur until the following period.
NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS AND MARKET ACCEPTANCE. The market for the Company's
products is characterized by rapid technological change, evolving industry
standards, changes in customer needs and frequent new product introductions, and
is therefore highly dependent upon timely product innovation. The Company's
success is dependent in part on its ability to successfully develop and
introduce new and enhanced products on a timely basis to replace declining
revenues from older products, and on increasing penetration in international
markets. In the past, the Company has experienced significant delays between the
announcement and the commercial availability of new products. Any significant
delay in releasing new products could have a material adverse effect on the
ultimate success of a product and other related products and could impede
continued sales of predecessor products, any of which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's operating results. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to introduce new products in accordance with
announced release dates, that new products will achieve market acceptance or
that any such acceptance will be sustained for any significant period. There can
be no assurance that the Company's international sales will continue at existing
levels or grow in accordance with the Company's efforts to increase foreign
market penetration.
OPERATION IN INTENSELY COMPETITIVE MARKETS. The markets in which the Company
operates are characterized by intense competition from numerous competitors, and
the Company expects to face further competition from new market entrants in the
future. A key competitor is Hewlett-Packard Company ("HP"), which has been the
leading supplier of traditional instrumentation solutions for decades. Although
HP offers its own line of proprietary instrument controllers, HP also offers
hardware and software add-on products for third-party desktop computers and
workstations that provide solutions that directly compete with the Company's
virtual instrumentation products. HP is aggressively advertising and marketing
products that are competitive with the Company's products. Because of HP's
strong position in the instrumentation business, changes in its marketing
strategy or product offerings could have a material adverse effect on the
Company operating results.
The Company believes its ability to compete successfully depends on a number
of factors both within and outside its control, including: new product
introductions by competitors; product pricing; quality and performance; success
in developing new products; adequate manufacturing capacity and supply of
components and materials; efficiency of manufacturing operations; effectiveness
of sales and marketing resources and strategies; strategic relationships with
other suppliers; timing of new product introductions by the Company; protection
of the Company's products by effective use of intellectual property laws;
general market and economic conditions; and government actions throughout the
world. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to complete
successfully in the future.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY SUPPLIERS. The Company's manufacturing processes use large
volumes of high-quality components and subassemblies supplied by outside
sources. Several of these components are available through sole or limited
sources. Sole-source components purchased by the Company include custom
application-specific integrated circuits ("ASICs") and other components. The
Company has in the past experienced delays and quality problems in connection
with sole-source components, and there can be no assurance that these problems
will not recur in the future.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LITIGATION. The Company's
success depends in part on its ability to obtain and maintain patents and other
proprietary rights relative to the technologies used in its principal products.
Despite the Company's efforts to protect its proprietary rights, unauthorized
parties may have in the past infringed or violated certain of the Company's
intellectual property rights. As is typical in the industry, the Company from
time to time may be notified that it is infringing certain patent or
intellectual property rights of others. While no actions are currently pending
by or against the Company, there can be no assurance that litigation will not be
initiated in the future which may cause significant litigation expense,
liability and a diversion of management's attention which may have a material
adverse affect on results of operations.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL. The Company's success
depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of its key
management, marketing, research and development and operational personnel. The
Company has no agreements providing for the employment of any of its key
employees for any fixed term and the Company's key employees may voluntarily
terminate their employment with the Company at any time. The loss of the
services of one or more of the Company's key employees in the future could have
a material adverse affect on operating results. The Company also believes its
future success will depend in large part upon its ability to attract and retain
additional highly skilled management, technical, marketing, research and
development, product development and operational personnel with experience in
managing large and rapidly changing companies as well as training, motivating
and supervising the employees. Competition for key personnel is intense and
there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in retaining its
existing key personnel or attracting and retaining additional key personnel.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(a) Exhibits.
11.1 Computation of Earnings Per Share
27.1 Financial Data Schedule
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the quarter
ended September 30, 1997.
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SIGNATURE
================================================================================
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
Registrant
/s/Alex Davern
----------------------------------
BY: Alex Davern
Acting Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer(principal financial
and accounting officer)
Dated: November 13, 1997
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Description Page
11.1 Statement Regarding Computation 20
of Earnings per Share
27.1 Financial Data Schedule 21