ELRC Electro Rent Corp. (MM)

Electro Rent Corporation (Nasdaq: ELRC) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended May 31, 2013.

“We finished fiscal 2013 with all of our rental businesses showing gains, and our used sales equipment business growing meaningfully,” said Daniel Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of Electro Rent. “Globally, we continued to make good progress. Domestically, our telecom unit generated healthy growth. As sequestration became an ongoing reality, demand for RF microwave test and measurement equipment, a key component of our inventory, was impacted. Events this fall in Washington should hopefully provide a clearer idea of the role research and development will play both in defense spending and in other sectors of the economy.”

Total revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 were $60.4 million, compared with $68.2 million last year. Rental and lease revenues increased 5.0% to $35.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, up from $33.8 million a year ago. Sales of equipment and other revenues amounted to $24.9 million for the most recent fourth fiscal quarter, compared with $34.4 million last year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses equaled $14.9 million, or 24.7% of total revenues, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, compared with $13.9 million, or 20.5% of total revenues, for the corresponding quarter last year. The increase principally related to the continuing enhancement of Electro Rent’s sales and sales support organizations, and its administrative infrastructure, to allow the company to better capitalize on future growth opportunities. Total operating expenses were $50.6 million for the fiscal 2013 fourth quarter, versus $58.0 million last year.

Operating profit for fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 totaled $9.8 million, or 16.2% of total revenues, compared with $10.2 million, or 14.9% of total revenues, a year ago.

Net income was $6.4 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, versus $6.3 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for the same quarter last year.

Fiscal 2013 total revenues were $248.7 million, versus $248.6 million for the prior fiscal year. Rental and lease revenues for fiscal 2013 increased 5.3% to $136.6 million from $129.7 million last year. Equipment sales and other revenues equaled $112.1 million for fiscal 2013, compared with $118.8 million for fiscal 2012.

Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $56.5 million, or 22.7% of total revenues, for fiscal 2013, compared with $53.3 million, or 21.4% of total revenues, last year. Total operating expenses for fiscal 2013 were $212.0 million, versus $212.5 million for fiscal 2012.

Fiscal 2013 operating profit was $36.7 million, or 14.8% of total revenue, up from $36.1 million, or 14.5% of total revenue, for the prior-year period.

Net income for the fiscal 2013 full year amounted to $22.8 million, or $0.94 per diluted share, versus $25.8 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, for fiscal 2012, which included a one-time bargain purchase gain of $3.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, associated with the acquisition of Equipment Management Technology (EMT).

The company’s effective tax rate was 35.0% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, compared with 39.5% for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012. The change primarily related to a reduction in foreign losses, for which there is a 100% valuation allowance, and lower state taxes resulting from income apportionment revisions. For fiscal 2013, the company’s effective tax rate was 38.7%, compared with 35.6% for fiscal 2012. The increase resulted from the bargain purchase gain recorded for fiscal 2012. Bargain purchase gains are recorded net of deferred taxes and are treated as permanent differences, resulting in a lower effective tax rate in the period recorded.

Rental equipment additions for the fiscal 2013 fourth quarter were $16.2 million, compared with $19.1 million last year. Rental equipment additions for the full fiscal 2013 year were $63.5 million, versus $113.2 million for the full fiscal 2012 year, including $15.8 million of rental equipment acquired in connection with the company’s EMT acquisition. The book value of Electro Rent's equipment was $234.9 million at May 31, 2013, compared with $243.2 million at May 31, 2012.

Electro Rent had a sales order backlog for test and measurement equipment relating to its Agilent resale agreement of $7.6 million at May 31, 2013, versus $8.4 million last year, primarily resulting from shorter manufacturing lead times and a decrease in new sales orders reflecting lower demand. The majority of the backlog is expected to be delivered to customers within the next six months.

Electro Rent paid dividends of $4.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and $43.8 million for the full fiscal year, which included a special dividend of $1.00 per common share. On an annualized basis, Electro Rent’s current quarterly dividend of $0.20 per common share represents a 4.5% yield on the August 13, 2013 closing share price of $17.62.

Total shareholders' equity at May 31, 2013 was $228.5 million, or $9.52 per share, compared with $248.1 million, or $10.34 per share, at May 31, 2012.

Electro Rent’s cash and cash equivalents balance grew to $10.4 million at May 31, 2013, compared with $9.3 million at May 31, 2012. Bank borrowings at May 31, 2013 were $10.0 million, down from the fiscal 2013 high of $23.0 million in December 2012, when the company paid its special dividend. There were no bank borrowings at May 31, 2012.

“Over the last several years, Electro Rent has built considerable intellectual capital, an industry-leading equipment pool, and a strong and flexible balance sheet, giving us confidence in our ability to operate soundly, regardless of external challenges,” Greenberg said. “We will continue to adapt to marketplace changes and build our business for the long-term, while keeping customers’ needs our strongest priority. In a more positive climate, opportunities should emerge that will allow Electro Rent’s customers to utilize our many resources as part of their forward planning.”

About Electro Rent

Electro Rent Corporation (www.ElectroRent.com) is one of the largest global organizations devoted to the rental, leasing and sales of general purpose electronic test equipment, personal computers and servers.

“Safe Harbor" Statement:

Except for the historical statements and discussions in this press release, the company’s statements above constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements reflect Electro Rent’s management's current views with respect to future events and financial performance; however, you should not put undue reliance on these statements. When used, the words "expect" and "will" and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. The company believes its assumptions are reasonable; nonetheless, it is likely that at least some of these assumptions will not come true. Accordingly, Electro Rent’s actual results will probably differ from the outcomes contained in any forward-looking statement, and those differences could be material. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, among others, those risks and uncertainties discussed in the company’s periodic reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of the risks discussed, or any other risks, materialize, or should one or more of our underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the company’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, expected or projected. In light of the risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will in fact prove to be correct. Electro Rent undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

  ELECTRO RENT CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data)                     Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended May 31, May 31, 2013 2012 2013 2012   Revenues: Rentals and leases $ 35,514 $ 33,812 $ 136,591 $ 129,737 Sales of equipment and other revenues   24,852   34,370   112,140   118,817   Total revenues   60,366   68,182   248,731   248,554   Operating expenses: Depreciation of rental and lease equipment 14,335 14,073 56,795 53,651 Costs of rentals and leases, excluding depreciation 4,137 4,119 17,788 17,320 Cost of sales of equipment and other revenues 17,210 25,865 80,894 88,247 Selling, general and administrative expenses   14,914   13,948   56,543   53,250   Total operating expenses   50,596   58,005   212,020   212,468   Operating profit 9,770 10,177 36,711 36,086   Gain on bargain purchase, net of deferred taxes - - - 3,435   Interest income, net   58   157   402   484   Income before income taxes 9,828 10,334 37,113 40,005   Income tax provision   3,436   4,081   14,359   14,233   Net income $ 6,392 $ 6,253 $ 22,754 $ 25,772   Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.26 $ 0.26 $ 0.94 $ 1.07 Diluted $ 0.26 $ 0.26 $ 0.94 $ 1.07   Shares used in per share calculation: Basic   24,240   23,988   24,226   23,983 Diluted   24,306   24,197   24,269   24,152    

ELECTRO RENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (in thousands, except share numbers)           May 31, 2013 2012 ASSETS   Cash and cash equivalents $ 10,402 $ 9,290 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $457 and $522 34,350 35,915 Rental and lease equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $224,397 and $204,108 234,856 243,173 Other property, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $18,873 and $17,832 13,826 13,871 Goodwill 3,109 3,109 Intangibles, net of amortization of $1,468 and $1,304 1,037 1,201 Other   21,346   23,272 $ 318,926 $ 329,831   LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   Liabilities: Bank borrowings $ 10,000 $ - Accounts payable 7,479 8,555 Accrued expenses 15,866 11,870 Deferred revenue 7,292 6,904 Deferred tax liability   49,740   54,371 Total liabilities   90,377   81,700   Commitments and contingencies   Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock, $1 par - shares authorized 1,000,000, none issued or outstanding - - Common stock, no par - shares authorized 40,000,000;

issued and outstanding 2013 - 23,995,626; 2012 - 23,987,826

37,724 36,179 Retained earnings   190,825   211,952 Total shareholders' equity   228,549   248,131 $ 318,926 $ 329,831

Electro Rent CorporationDaniel Greenberg, Chairman and CEO818-786-2525orPondelWilkinson Inc.Roger Pondel/Laurie Berman310-279-5980pwinvestor@pondel.com