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Arotech Corporation Reports
45% Increase in Revenues for the First Quarter, 2005
Company reconfirms 2005 guidance
for at least 25% revenue growth and triple adjusted EBITDA compared
to 2004
May
11, 2005 - Arotech Corporation (NasdaqNM: ARTX), a provider
of quality defense and security products for the military, law enforcement
and security markets, today reported results for the quarter ending
March 31, 2005.
Revenues for the first quarter,
2005, reached $10.4 million, an increase of 45% over the corresponding
period in 2004.
For the quarter, Arotech recorded
negative adjusted EBITDA of $356,000, compared to negative adjusted
EBITDA of $681,000 for the corresponding period in 2004. Arotech’s
EBITDA was attributable to a seasonally weaker first quarter, as
previously guided by the Company. Arotech believes that information
concerning EBITDA enhances overall understanding of its current
financial performance. Arotech computes EBIDTA, which is a non-GAAP
financial measure, as reflected in the table below.
Net loss for the quarter before
a deemed dividend to certain shareholders was $2.5 million, or ($0.03)
per share, compared to a net loss of $2.5 million, or ($0.04) per
share, in the corresponding period last year. Net loss is primarily
due to non-cash charges associated with acquisitions and financings.
“During the quarter, we made
solid progress towards achieving our 2005 goals,” said Robert
S. Ehrlich, Chairman and CEO of Arotech Corporation. “Our
product divisions each recorded significant revenue increases over
the year ago quarter and continued to focus on enhancing their portfolios
for future growth. The quarter was highlighted by the award of a
new $24 million IDIQ zinc-air battery contract from the U.S. Army,”
added Ehrlich.
“Our backlog remains strong
and we continue to maintain our outlook for substantial growth from
existing operations in 2005, while remaining focused on prospective
strategic acquisitions that will significantly contribute to our
operating results,” concluded Ehrlich.
Backlog
The Company’s backlog stood
at $21.7 million at the end of the quarter.
Guidance
For the full year, 2005, Arotech reiterates its guidance for at
least 25% revenue growth compared to the previous year. Adjusted
EBITDA from existing operations is projected to triple, primarily
reflected in a stronger second half of 2005, compared to 2004.
For the second quarter 2005, revenues
are expected to increase by over 30% compared to the second quarter
of 2004. The Company expects adjusted EBITDA to be breakeven or
above for the quarter.
Conference Call
Arotech Corporation will hold a
conference call to discuss its first quarter 2005 results, today,
Wednesday May 11, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Those wishing to take
part in the conference call should call 1-866-550-6338 (US) or +1-850-521-5100
(international) a few minutes before the 10:00 a.m. ET start time.
In addition, a replay option will be available from Wednesday, May
11, 2005 at 2:00 p.m. ET until Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 11:00 p.m.
ET. The replay telephone number is 1-888-203-1112 (US); +1-719-457-0820
(international). The replay passcode is: 4276913.
Results for the first
quarter
Revenues for the quarter
ended March 31, 2005 increased to $10.4 million as compared with
$7.2 million for the corresponding period of 2004. This increase
is attributed to an increase in sales across all three divisions.
Adjusted Earnings Before
Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA),
adjusted to eliminate certain non-cash charges described below and
in the table below, for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 was negative
$356,000 as compared with a negative adjusted EBITDA of $681,000
for the corresponding period of 2004. Arotech believes that information
concerning adjusted EBITDA enhances overall understanding of its
current financial performance and its progress towards cash-flow
break even and toward GAAP profitability. Arotech computes adjusted
EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as reflected in the
table below.
Net loss before a deemed
dividend to certain shareholders for the quarter ended
March 31, 2005 was $2.5 million or ($0.03) per share as compared
with a net loss of $2.5 million or ($0.04) per share for the corresponding
quarter of 2004.
Net loss attributable to
shareholders of common stock (after a deemed dividend to certain
shareholders) for the quarter ended March 31, 2005 was
$2.5 million or ($0.03) per share as compared with net loss per
share of $3.7 million or ($0.06) per share for the corresponding
period of 2004.
Cash Position at Quarter
End
Cash-on-hand and cash equivalents,
restricted collateral deposits and other restricted cash, and available-for-sale
marketable securities at March 31, 2005, stood at $2.7
million in cash, $7.0 million in restricted collateral securities
and cash deposits due within one year (reserved for payment in connection
with the earnout contracted in Arotech’s acquisition of FAAC),
$4.0 million in long-term restricted securities and deposits, and
$136,000 in available-for-sale marketable securities, as compared
with $6.7 million in cash, $7.0 million in restricted collateral
securities and restricted held to maturity securities due within
a year, $4.0 million in long-term restricted deposits, and $136,000
in available-for-sale marketable securities at December 31, 2004.
Stockholders’ equity
at the end of the quarter was approximately $63 million.
About Arotech Corporation
Arotech Corporation is a leading
provider of quality defense and security products for the military,
law enforcement and homeland security markets, including multimedia
interactive simulators/trainers, lightweight armoring and advanced
zinc-air and lithium batteries and chargers. Arotech operates through
three major business divisions: Armor, Simulation and Security and
Battery and Power Systems.
Arotech is incorporated in Delaware,
with corporate offices in Auburn, Alabama, and research, development
and production subsidiaries in Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, California
and Israel.
Except for the historical information
herein, the matters discussed in this news release include forward-looking
statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, as they are subject to various
risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary significantly.
These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks
relating to: product and technology development; the uncertainty
of the market for Arotech’s products; changing economic conditions;
delay, cancellation or non-renewal, in whole or in part, of contracts
or of purchase orders; and other risk factors detailed in Arotech’s
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, and other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Arotech assumes no
obligation to update the information in this release. Reference
to the Company’s website above does not constitute incorporation
of any of the information thereon into this press release.
Tables:
AROTECH CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
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