BTN Ballantyne Strong Inc

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTN), a diversified provider of digital technology services, products and solutions, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Net revenues were $22.5 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared with $22.0 million in the same period of the prior year.

Net loss totaled $10.2 million, or ($0.72) per share, in the first quarter of 2015, compared with a net loss of $594,000, or ($0.04) per share, in the same period of the prior year. Financial results for the first quarter of 2015 include a nonrecurring, non-cash charge totaling $10.1 million relating to a valuation allowance against the Company’s U.S. tax jurisdiction deferred tax assets.

Excluding the valuation allowance, adjusted net loss totaled $92,000, or ($0.01) per share, in the first quarter of 2015.

Chris Stark, President of Ballantyne Strong, commented, “We had a solid performance in the first quarter from our Systems Integration segment driven by strong sales of our screens and library management systems. However, this was offset by a weaker-than-expected performance from our Managed Services segment, as a result of slow conversion of customers from pilot programs to full deployments. We are highly focused on improving the Company’s overall performance and we are realigning and redeploying our resources to produce better results in the second half of the year. The management team is looking forward to working with the new composition of the Board to implement new strategies and ideas that will support improved performance and shareholder value.”

Q1 2015 Financial Summary

Managed Services revenues were $7.0 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared with $8.4 million in the same period of the prior year. The decrease is primarily attributable to lower project revenues in the digital media business.

Systems Integration revenues were $15.7 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared with $14.0 million in the same period of the prior year. The increase is primarily attributable to higher sales of digital projectors in Asia, higher sales of library management systems, and higher sales of screens.

Consolidated gross profit was $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared with $4.2 million in the same quarter of the prior year. Gross margin was 19.0% in the first quarter of 2015, compared with 19.1% in the same quarter of the prior year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $5.5 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared with $5.4 million in the same quarter of the prior year. The increase in SG&A was primarily attributable to expenses related to the proxy contest.

Income tax expense was $9.7 million in the first quarter of 2015, which included a non-cash charge totaling $10.1 million relating to a valuation allowance against the Company’s U.S. tax jurisdiction deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance resulted from negative evidence in the form of operating losses in the U.S. in recent years. Should the Company’s taxable income increase in the future, it is possible that some or all of the valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets could be reversed. The Company is taking actions to strengthen the profitability of U.S. operations to utilize these deferred tax assets and this will be a primary focus of management and the Board in the future.

Balance Sheet

Ballantyne’s cash and cash equivalents balance at March 31, 2015 was $23.9 million, an increase from the $22.5 million at the end of the prior quarter. The increase in cash and cash equivalents balance was primarily attributable to strong collections of accounts receivable and a refund relating to fiscal 2013 tax payments.

Conference Call and Webcast

A conference call to discuss 2015 first quarter financial results will be held on Monday, May 11, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 10:30 a.m. Central Time. Investors and analysts are invited to access the conference call by dialing 866-652-5200 (domestic) or 412-317-6060 (international), and referencing “Ballantyne Strong.” There will also be a live webcast of the call available at the Investor Relations section of http://www.strong-world.com.

After the live webcast, a replay will remain available in the Investor Relations section of Ballantyne Strong’s website. A replay of the call will be available at 877-344-7529 (domestic) or 412-317-0088 (international) through May 21, 2015, conference ID 10064990.

About Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (www.strong-world.com)

Ballantyne Strong designs, integrates, and installs technology solutions for a broad range of applications; develops and delivers out-of-home messaging, advertising and communications; manufactures projection screens and lighting products; and provides managed services including monitoring of networked equipment. The Company focuses on serving the cinema, retail, financial, and government markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information in this press release, it includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, quarterly fluctuations in results; customer demand for the Company’s products; the development of new technology for alternate means of motion picture presentation; domestic and international economic conditions; the management of growth; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Actual results may differ materially from management’s expectations.

     

 Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

March 31,2015

December 31,2014

  (Unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 23,882 $ 22,491 Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $690 and $679, respectively) 15,099 20,266 Inventories: Finished goods, net 9,710 11,195 Work in process 512 632 Raw materials and components, net 1,860 2,281 Total inventories, net 12,082 14,108 Recoverable income taxes 147 1,255 Deferred income taxes 996 3.541 Other current assets 3,315 2,956 Total current assets 55,521 64,617 Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $5,900 and $5,834, respectively) 13,755 13,914   Intangible assets, net 1,037 1,168 Goodwill 943 1,029 Notes receivable 3,121 2,985 Deferred income taxes — 4,910 Other assets 1,145 1,447 Total assets $ 75,522 $ 90,070 Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 6,356 $ 9,039 Accrued expenses 4,932 4,366 Customer deposits/deferred revenue 4,266 5,473 Income tax payable 690 1,009 Total current liabilities 16,244 19,887 Deferred revenue 1,986 2,230 Deferred income taxes 1,583 715 Other accrued expenses, net of current portion 1,422 1,776   Total liabilities 21,235 24,608 Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; Authorized 1,000 shares, none outstanding — — Common stock, par value $.01 per share; Authorized 25,000 shares; issued 16,869 and 16,809 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively; 14,138 and 14,078 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively 168 168 Additional paid-in capital 38,768 38,657 Accumulated other comprehensive income: Foreign currency translation (3,446 ) (2,325 ) Postretirement benefit obligations 139 139 Retained earnings 36,897 47,062 72,526 83,701

Less 2,731 of common shares in treasury, at cost at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

(18,239

)

(18,239

)

Total stockholders’ equity 54,287 65,462 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 75,522 $ 90,070          

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

    2015     2014    

Net product sales

$ 17,142 $ 14,834 Net service revenues   5,328     7,187   Total net revenues   22,470     22,021     Cost of products sold 14,795 12,450 Cost of services   3,414     5,355   Total cost of revenues   18,209     17,805   Gross profit 4,261 4,216 Selling and administrative expenses: Selling 1,677 1,546 Administrative   3,799     3,893   Total selling and administrative expenses 5,476 5,439 Gain on sale or disposal of assets   2     7   Loss from operations

(1,213

)

 

(1,216 ) Equity in income of joint venture — 95 Other income (expense): Interest income 164 177 Interest expense

(19

)

 

(9

)

 

Other income, net   645     209   Total other income   790     377   Loss before income taxes

(423

)

 

(744 ) Income tax (expense) benefit   (9,741 )   150   Net loss

$

(10,164

)

 

$ (594 ) Basic earnings (loss) per share

$

(0.72

)

 

$ (0.04 ) Diluted loss per share

$

(0.72

)

 

$ (0.04 ) Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic   14,091     14,026   Diluted   14,091     14,026          

Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

  2015 2014   Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss

$

(10,164

)

$ (594 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Provision for doubtful accounts 18 69 Provision for obsolete inventory

(49

)

(8 ) Provision for warranty 99 (134 ) Depreciation and amortization 569 434 Equity in income of joint venture — (95 ) Loss on forward contracts — 348 Gain on disposal or transfer of assets

(2

)

(7 ) Deferred income taxes 8,692 519 Share-based compensation expense 111 101 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions: Accounts receivable, unbilled and notes receivable 5,062 3,709 Inventories

 

1,920 (179 )

Other current assets

(410

)

(200

)

Accounts payable

(2,651 ) (3,314 ) Accrued expenses (480 ) (1,343 ) Customer deposits/deferred revenue (1,448 ) (208 )

Current income taxes

849 (1,599 ) Other assets   10     (56 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   2,126     (2,557 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (161 ) (258 ) Proceeds from sales of assets   5     56   Net cash used in investing activities   (156 )   (202 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Payments on capital lease obligations (14 ) — Excess tax benefits from share-based arrangements   19     —   Net cash used in financing activities 5 — Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (584 )   (541 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,391 (3,300 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   22,491     28,791   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 23,882   $

 

25,491

  Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:     Capital lease obligations for property and equipment $ 226   $ —  

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted EPS Reconciliation

Adjusted net loss and adjusted EPS are non-GAAP measures. The Company believes these measures provide a useful indication of profitability and basis for assessing the operations of the Company without the impact of deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

Adjusted net loss should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net loss or other profitability metrics prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted net loss, as presented, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Set forth below is a reconciliation of net loss to adjusted net loss. There were no similar items noted during the three months ended March 31, 2014.

    Unaudited, in thousands except per share

Three months ended March 31, 2015

Net loss $ (10,164 ) Deferred tax valuation allowance 7,659 Change in foreign tax treatment due to valuation allowance   2,413   Adjusted net loss $ (92 ) Basic and diluted shares outstanding 14,091 Adjusted EPS-basic and diluted $ (0.01 )

Ballantyne Strong, Inc.Nate LegbandChief Financial Officer402-829-9404orFinancial ProfilesTony Rossi310-622-8221trossi@finprofiles.com