Strong Sequential Growth in Revenue, Operating Profit, and EBITDA

Pulse Electronics Corporation (NYSE:PULS), a leading provider of electronic components, today reported results for its second quarter ended June 27, 2014.

Second Quarter Highlights

• Net sales were $93.6 million, up 6.0 percent from $88.3 million in the prior-year quarter, and up 14.6 percent from $81.7 million in the first quarter.
• Operating profit (U.S. GAAP) was $1.7 million compared with a profit of $1.6 million in the prior-year quarter and a loss of $1.4 million in the first quarter.
• Non-GAAP operating profit was $2.9 million, compared with $2.2 million in the prior-year quarter and $0.1 million in the first quarter.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $4.8 million, compared to $4.0 million in the prior-year quarter and $1.9 million in the first quarter. As a percentage of revenue, Adjusted EBITDA margin was 5.1 percent, compared to 4.6 percent in the prior-year quarter and 2.3 percent in the first quarter.
• Completed the company’s financial restructuring with redemption of remaining convertible notes.

CEO Comments

“Our operating results in the second quarter for revenue and non-GAAP operating profit were higher both sequentially and year-over-year, as we expected based on the strength in industry demand we experienced in the first quarter,” said interim Chief Executive Officer Alan Benjamin. “Shipments in key network and power product lines were strong following higher order rates coming into the quarter, and higher demand in our smartphone programs bolstered revenue in the wireless segment.

“Pulse’s overall strategy remains unchanged: we continue to focus on aggressive EBITDA growth through margin improvement, cost and expense reductions, and growth in new channels. This quarter’s increase in EBITDA margin demonstrates our ability to generate good growth in EBITDA with increases in revenue,” Mr. Benjamin continued. “We will continue to pursue cost and expense reductions in the third quarter with the objective of further improving our EBITDA margin.

“We saw improvements in our wireless segment this quarter,” added Mr. Benjamin. “Higher demand for our existing products compared to the first quarter improved capacity utilization, resulting in higher operating margins despite increasing industry price pressure. Additionally, the new antenna manufacturing technology we discussed last quarter gained traction with our customers, and we look forward to this exciting technology adding to the segment’s operating results in future quarters.

“Entering the third quarter, we see demand across our business segments continuing at levels roughly in line with the second quarter,” concluded Mr. Benjamin.

Second Quarter Operating Performance

Net sales were $93.6 million compared to $88.3 million in the prior-year quarter due to broadly increased demand across key markets and customers in all segments. Increased order rates for network and power in the first quarter resulted in strong shipments in the second quarter, and demand for wireless products in both the consumer and infrastructure markets increased over the prior year. Sequentially, net sales increased 14.6 percent compared to first quarter net sales of $81.7 million due primarily to improved market demand and normal seasonality.

Cost of sales increased 9.4 percent to $73.8 million from $67.5 million in the prior-year quarter. The company’s gross profit margin was 21.1 percent compared with 23.5 percent in the prior-year quarter and 21.5 percent in the first quarter. Gross profit margin decreased compared to the prior year mainly due to lower market prices for consumer wireless products and higher production costs, particularly labor costs in China, partially offset by manufacturing efficiency improvement initiatives. Sequentially, gross margin declined slightly mainly due to product mix and higher labor costs.

Operating expenses were $17.0 million, a decline of 10.4 percent from the second quarter of 2013, mainly due to results of actions related to the previously announced expense reduction initiative. Operating expenses decreased 5.0 percent sequentially as certain cost reductions were implemented and achieved full effect.

Operating profit (U.S. GAAP) was $1.7 million compared with $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2013, mainly due to lower operating expenses offset by $1.0 million of severance costs in the current-year quarter associated with production cost and operating expense reductions. Non-GAAP operating profit was $2.9 million compared with $2.2 million in the prior-year quarter and $0.1 million in the first quarter.

The company had $24.8 million of cash and cash equivalents at June 27, 2014 compared with $26.9 million at December 27, 2013. The decrease in cash mainly reflects the payment of cash consideration for the previously announced convertible bond exchange transactions, refinancing transaction fees and expenses, and capital expenditures, partially offset by temporary reductions in working capital. Additionally, in the second quarter the company redeemed the remaining senior convertible notes outstanding after the exchange transaction for $1.6 million in cash. As a result, all of the company’s debt is now comprised of long-term loans which mature in late 2017.

Conference Call

The company will conduct a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time) today. The conference call will be available via telephone and the Internet. The dial-in number is 1-800-860-2442 (international 1-412-858-4600). A link to the earnings press release, the Internet web cast and a slide presentation that will accompany management’s prepared remarks will be available on the “Investor Relations” section of the company’s web site www.pulseelectronics.com for two weeks.

About Pulse Electronics Corporation

Pulse Electronics is a leading electronic components partner that helps customers build the next great product by providing the needed technical solutions. Pulse Electronics has a long operating history of innovation in magnetics, antennas and connectors, as well as the ability to ramp quickly into high-quality, high-volume production. The company serves the wireless and wireline communications, power management, military/aerospace and automotive industries. Pulse Electronics is a participating member of the IEEE, SFF, OIF, HDBaseT Alliance, CommNexus, and MoCA. Visit the Pulse Electronics website at www.pulseelectronics.com.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains statements, including projections of future business objectives and financial results, that are "forward-looking" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on the company's current information and expectations. There can be no assurance these forward-looking statements will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially due to the risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC reports including, but not limited to, those discussed in its Current Reports on Form 8-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Reports on Form 10-K. All such risk factors are incorporated herein by reference as though set forth in full. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward looking statement.

Non-GAAP Measures

In this press release and in other public statements, Pulse presents certain non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations and may not be comparable with similar non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Set forth in Schedule A are the reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These reconciliations should be carefully evaluated. Prior disclosures of non-GAAP figures may not exclude the same items and as such should not be used for comparison purposes. Management believes that these measures enhance investors' understanding of the company's financial performance and the comparability of the company's operating results to prior periods, as well as against the performance of other companies.

Copyright © 2014 Pulse Electronics Corporation. All rights reserved. All brand names and trademarks are properties of their respective holders.

        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) (in thousands, except per-share data) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended   6/27/14     6/28/13     6/27/14     6/28/13     Net sales $ 93,567 $ 88,258 $ 175,219 $ 173,064 Cost of sales   73,830     67,508     137,956     132,133   Gross profit 19,737 20,750 37,263 40,931 Operating expenses 17,026 19,008 34,948 38,182 Severance, impairment and other associated costs 976 93 1,937 112 Legal reserve   11     37     22     75   Operating profit 1,724 1,612 356 2,562   Interest expense, net (6,361 ) (6,774 ) (13,479 ) (11,888 ) Other income (expense), net   318     (408 )   245     (2,940 ) Loss before income taxes (4,319 ) (5,570 ) (12,878 ) (12,266 ) Income tax (expense) benefit   (3,520 )   349     (3,992 )   (84 ) Net loss (7,839 ) (5,221 ) (16,870 ) (12,350 ) Less: Net (loss) earnings attributable to non-controlling interest   (30 )   9     (16 )   (5 ) Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation $ (7,809 ) $ (5,230 ) $ (16,854 ) $ (12,345 )   Basic shares outstanding 17,322 7,994 14,992 7,976 Basic loss per share (0.45 ) (0.65 ) (1.12 ) (1.55 )   Diluted shares outstanding 17,322 7,994 14,992 7,976 Diluted loss per share (0.45 ) (0.65 ) (1.12 ) (1.55 )           BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (in thousands) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended   6/27/2014     6/28/2013     6/27/2014     6/28/2013   Net Sales Network $ 42,157 $ 38,454 $ 77,099 $ 74,285 Power 28,086 29,554 54,573 57,139 Wireless   23,324     20,250     43,547     41,640   Total net sales 93,567 88,258 175,219 173,064   Operating profit (loss) Network 2,078 922 3,009 2,254 Power 2,195 1,910 3,512 3,079 Wireless   (1,562 )   (1,090 )   (4,206 )   (2,584 ) Operating profit excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, and legal reserve costs 2,711 1,742 2,315 2,749 Severance, impairment and other associated costs 976 93 1,937 112 Legal reserve   11     37     22     75   Operating profit $ 1,724 $ 1,612 $ 356 $ 2,562   FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED) (in thousands)   6/27/2014     12/27/2013     Cash and cash equivalents $ 24,774 $ 26,902 Accounts receivable, net 64,381 62,185 Inventory, net 30,920 36,726 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 17,490 18,966 Net property, plant and equipment 25,655 27,955 Other assets   17,229     16,100   Total assets 180,449 188,834     Accounts payable 69,112 70,871 Current portion of long-term debt - 22,315 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 38,089 36,335 Long-term debt 116,231 90,030 Other long-term liabilities   23,815     22,841   Total liabilities 247,247 242,392 Total deficit   (66,798 )   (53,558 )   Total liabilities and deficit $ 180,449 $ 188,834   Shares outstanding 17,304 7,956          

Schedule A

NON-GAAP MEASURES (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per-share amounts)

    1. Operating profit excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, legal reserve costs, and non-cash stock-based compensation expenses   Quarter Ended Six Months Ended   6/27/14     6/28/13     6/27/14     6/28/13     Operating profit $ 1,724 $ 1,612 $ 356 $ 2,562 Pre-tax severance, impairment and other associated costs 976 93 1,937 112 Pre-tax non-cash stock-based compensation expenses 237 423 743 1,002 Pre-tax legal reserve   11     37     22     75     Operating profit excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, legal reserve costs, and non-cash stock-based compensation expenses $ 2,948 $ 2,165 $ 3,058 $ 3,751     2. Net loss per diluted share excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, legal reserve costs, and non-cash stock-based compensation expenses   Quarter Ended Six Months Ended   6/27/14     6/28/13     6/27/14     6/28/13     Net loss per diluted share $ (0.45 ) $ (0.65 ) $ (1.12 ) $ (1.55 ) After-tax severance, impairment and other associated costs, per share 0.04 0.01 0.09 0.01 After-tax non-cash stock-based compensation expenses, per share 0.01 0.03 0.03 0.08 After-tax legal reserve, per share   0.00     0.01     0.00     0.01     Net loss per diluted share excluding severance, impairment and other associated costs, legal reserve costs, and non-cash stock-based compensation expenses $ (0.40 ) $ (0.60 ) $ (1.00 ) $ (1.45 )   3. Adjusted EBITDA Quarter Ended   6/27/14     6/28/13     Net loss attributable to Pulse Electronics Corporation $ (7,809 ) $ (5,230 ) Non-controlling interest (30 ) 9 Income tax expense (benefit) 3,520 (349 ) Interest expense, net 6,361 6,774 Non-cash stock-based compensation expenses 237 423 Depreciation and amortization 1,829 1,862 Other (income) expense, net (318 ) 408 Severance, impairment and other associated costs 976 93 Legal reserve   11     37   Adjusted EBITDA $ 4,777 $ 4,027  

Pulse ElectronicsJim ButlerSr. Director of Finance and Treasurer858-674-8183jbutler@pulseelectronics.com