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Arotech Corporation Reports
Results
for the First Quarter, 2006
- Backlog Now Stands at $39 Million -
May
15, 2006 - 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, 2006.
First Quarter Results
Revenues for the first quarter were $8.9 million, compared to $10.4
million for the corresponding period in 2005.
Gross Profit for the quarter was
$2.2 million or 25.2% of revenues, compared to $4.0 million or 38.7%
of revenues for the corresponding period in 2005. The decline in
gross margins was attributable to the decrease in revenues in the
Armor and Battery and Power Systems Divisions, as well as a change
in the mix of products and customers in 2006 in comparison to 2005
and substantial expenses incurred in respect of production of a
new product in the Armor Division.
The Operating Loss for the quarter
was $2.8 million compared to a loss of $1.7 million for the corresponding
period in 2005. The Company recorded a net loss of $4.2 million
or ($0.05) per share for the quarter, before a deemed dividend,
compared to a loss of $2.5 million or ($0.03) per share for the
first quarter of 2005.
“We are disappointed with
our results for the quarter,” said Robert S. Ehrlich, Chairman
and CEO of Arotech Corporation. “In addition to the expected
seasonal pattern of a weaker first quarter, we needed to defer the
billing of a substantial Armor order to the second quarter, which
negatively impacted our results.”
“We remain confident, however,
in our ability to achieve better results for the remainder of the
year, which will be primarily reflected in a stronger second half.
We recently received several substantial orders contributing to
our current funded backlog of close to $40 million. Our Simulation
Division continues to perform well and experience strong demand,
which we anticipate will carry on throughout the year.
“We recently announced a
strategic breakthrough for our Armor Division with the receipt of
$22 million in orders from the Israel Defense Force for “David”
combat armored vehicles. The David is an ultra-light armored personnel
carrier for combat missions designed for the urban low intensity
conflict. We believe the David can be appropriate to many urban
warfare situations, and we are planning on presentations of the
David to other militaries facing similar urban warfare situations.
With the receipt of these orders, we anticipate an improvement in
the Armor division’s performance in the coming quarters.
“During the first quarter,
we continued to progress with our restructuring and consolidation
program, resulting in a decrease in operating expenses. We remain
focused on achieving sustainable profitable growth through existing
operations and believe that the steps we have taken to monitor our
costs, together with our funded backlog, will enable us to enhance
market share and show overall growth in revenues and improvement
in operating results going forward,” concluded Ehrlich.
Cash Position at March
31, 2006
Cash-on-hand and cash equivalents, restricted collateral deposits
and other restricted cash at the end of the quarter stood at $5.3
million in cash, $6.8 million in restricted collateral securities
and restricted held-to-maturity securities due within one year and
$525,000 in long term restricted deposits, as compared with $6.2
million in cash, $3.9 million in restricted collateral securities
and restricted held-to-maturity securities due within one year and
$779,000 million in long-term restricted securities and deposits
at the end of 2005.
Backlog
The Company’s backlog stood at $38.8 million at the end of
the quarter and at $38.7 million at the end of April, 2006.
Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholders’ equity at the end of the quarter was approximately
$47.6 million.
Nasdaq Update
Arotech is still awaiting a decision in respect of the April 27,
2006 Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Panel review of the Nasdaq Staff
Determination regarding the proposed delisting of Arotech’s
stock from the Nasdaq National Market. Arotech will update the public
promptly upon its receipt of a decision.
Conference Call
Arotech Corporation will hold a conference call to discuss its first
quarter 2006 results, today, May 15, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Those
wishing to take part in the conference call should call U.S. (800)
474-8920 or International 1 (719) 457 2727 a few minutes before
the 5:00 p.m. ET start time. In addition, a replay option will be
available Monday, May 15, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. ET until Wednesday,
May 17, 2006 at 11:59 p.m. ET. The replay telephone number is U.S.
(888) 203-1112 or International 1 (719) 457-0820. The replay passcode
is: 6502914.
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 Training and
Battery and Power Systems.
Arotech is incorporated in Delaware, with corporate offices in Ann
Arbor, Michigan, 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, including the results of our restructuring program.
Forward-looking statements reflect management’s current knowledge,
assumptions, judgment and expectations regarding future performance
or events. Although management believes that the expectations reflected
in such statements are reasonable, 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 materially. These risks and uncertainties include,
but are not limited to, risks relating to: the ineffectiveness of
Arotech’s internal control over financial reporting and disclosure
controls and procedures; 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; Arotech’s
ability to remain listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market in accordance
with the Nasdaq’s $1.00 minimum bid price and other continued
listing standards; dilution resulting from issuances of Arotech’s
common stock upon conversion or payment of its outstanding convertible
debt, which would be increasingly dilutive if and to the extent
that the market price of Arotech’s stock decreases; and other
risk factors detailed in Arotech’s most recent Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 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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