Arctic Cat Reports Fiscal 2010 Second Quarter Results.Increased second quarter operating profit Operating profit (or loss) Revenue from a firm's regular activities less costs and expenses and before income deductions. operating profit See operating income. 7% on lower sales; Continued to lower cost structure, improve gross margin percentage and strengthen balance sheet; Company maintains annual revenue guidance, remains focused on achieving continued operational efficiencies MINNEAPOLIS -- Arctic Cat Arctic Cat is a producer of all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles in the United States. Located in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, they are a top competitor with other snowmobile companies such as Polaris, Ski-Doo by Bombardier, and Yamaha Motor Company Ltd.. Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : ACAT ACAT See: Automated Customer Account Transfer ) today reported net earnings of $14.8 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, on net sales Net Sales The amount a seller receives from the buyer after costs associated with the sale are deducted. Notes: This amount is calculated by subtracting the following items from gross sales: merchandise returned for credit, allowances for damaged or missing goods, freight of $166.3 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2009. Arctic Cat reported net earnings in the fiscal 2008 second quarter of $16.9 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, on net sales of $204.3 million. For the six months ended September 30, 2009, Arctic Cat's net earnings were $8.8 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, on net sales of $235.7 million. In the first six months of last year, the company reported net earnings of $10.0 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, on net sales of $298.2 million. Commented Arctic Cat's chairman and chief executive officer Christopher A. Twomey: "We continued to face difficult selling conditions during the second quarter, given the global economic environment. Despite this, we are pleased with the company's continued progress on our goals to reduce the company's cost structure and strengthen the balance sheet." Among the highlights of Arctic Cat's 2010 second quarter financial results versus the same quarter last year: * Gross margins increased 410 basis points in the quarter and 230 basis points year to date; * Operating expenses Operating expenses The amount paid for asset maintenance or the cost of doing business, excluding depreciation. Earnings are distributed after operating expenses are deducted. declined 12 percent to $23.3 million from $26.6 million, and fell 17 percent year-to-date; * Operating profit rose 7 percent to $21.9 million from $20.5 million; * Inventories were reduced 23 percent to $133.6 million from $172.3 million; * Total cash and short-term investments at quarter end rose to $11.2 million from $3.7 million; and * The company had no short-term debt Short-term debt Debt obligations, recorded as current liabilities, requiring payment within the year. at quarter end compared to $14.8 million a year ago. "Through strong inventory management, expense controls and a rescaled business, we continue to remain on track to deliver improved operating results this fiscal year on lower sales," said Twomey. Arctic Cat announced on October 20, 2009 that the company has entered into an agreement for GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance to become the exclusive provider of floorplan financing for Arctic Cat's U.S. dealers. The new multi-year financing program will replace Arctic Cat's current financing agreement with Textron Financial Corporation, which had previously announced its intent to exit the dealer floorplan business. The new financing program is expected to begin December 1, 2009. "We are very pleased to partner with GE Capital, and we expect that this agreement will continue to provide our ATV (1) (Advanced TV) An early name for the digital TV standard proposed by the Advisory Committee on Advanced Television Service (ACATS). See ACATS. See also ATV Forum. (2) (Analog TV) Refers to the NTSC, PAL and SECAM analog TV standads. and snowmobile snowmobile, vehicle designed to travel over snow, ice, and similar surfaces that offer limited traction and weight-supporting capability. As the performance of the vehicle depends to a large extent on keeping its weight as low as possible, there is no enclosure for dealers with innovative financing programs and superior service," said Twomey. Business Line Results "Our continued focus on achieving our operating efficiency initiatives has enabled Arctic Cat to increase our gross margin percentage, despite lower demand for recreational vehicle products at this time," said Twomey. "We expect that Arctic Cat will be well-positioned as a stronger, leaner company as our markets recover." Snowmobile sales totaled $85.7 million in the second quarter compared to $98.4 million in the prior-year quarter. Year to date, snowmobile sales were $103.7 million versus $119.8 million in the same period last year. Although Arctic Cat continues to anticipate lower worldwide snowmobile orders in fiscal 2010 as a result of the recession, the company expects to maintain or increase its North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. market share by offering consumers leading-edge technologies, such as the new powered up 800cc engine that is being used in its models across all market segments. All-terrain vehicle all-ter·rain vehicle n. Abbr. ATV A small, open motor vehicle having one seat and three or more wheels fitted with large tires. It is designed chiefly for recreational use over roadless, rugged terrain. (ATV) sales totaled $51.7 million in the second quarter versus $71.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Year to date ATV sales were $83.9 million compared to $125.4 million in the first six months of fiscal 2009. With retail industry ATV sales continuing to decline during the recession, Arctic Cat has worked to reduce dealer inventories and, at the same time, increase market share. Sales of parts, garments and accessories (PG&A) in the second quarter totaled $28.8 million versus $34.3 million in the prior-year quarter. Year to date, PG&A sales were $48.1 million compared to $52.9 million in the year-ago period. Outlook Arctic Cat is implementing operational efficiency initiatives aimed at returning the company to long-term profitability on lower anticipated sales volumes. The company's fiscal 2010 outlook includes the following assumptions: the continuation of the weak global economic environment negatively impacting sales of recreational products; increasing gross margins up to 300 basis points through global low-cost sourcing, improved commodity pricing and greater efficiencies from lean manufacturing Lean manufacturing is the production of goods using less of everything compared to mass production: less human effort, less manufacturing space, less investment in tools, and less engineering time to develop a new product. ; achieving a 12 percent to 17 percent reduction in operating expenses; improving cash flow from operations Cash flow from operations A firm's net cash inflow resulting directly from its regular operations (disregarding extraordinary items such as the sale of fixed assets or transaction costs associated with issuing securities), calculated as the sum of net income plus noncash expenses ; and ending the year with more cash on the balance sheet by lowering inventory. Arctic Cat continues to estimate sales for its fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 in the range of $425 million to $460 million, based on achieving ATV sales of $188 million to $203 million, snowmobile sales in the range of $140 million to $152 million and PG&A sales of $97 million to $105 million. Arctic Cat has not provided fiscal 2010 earnings per share guidance, although the company expects improved per share results compared with fiscal 2009. Commenting on the company's outlook, Twomey said: "This is a challenging year for the recreational products industry. Near-term, we remain focused on conservatively managing our business to meet lower anticipated demand. We are continuing our efforts to improve the company's operational performance. We also are taking appropriate actions to preserve cash and maintain dealer health, as well as developing select innovative products that position Arctic Cat to emerge as a stronger company once the economy recovers." Conference Call A conference call is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT (11:30 a.m. ET) today. To listen to the live webcast or replay of this call via the Internet, go to the corporate portion of the company's website at www.arcticcat.com. To listen to a telephone replay of the conference call, dial 800-406-7325 and enter conference call passcode 4175232. The telephone replay will be available through Thursday, November 5, 2009. About Arctic Cat Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles under the Arctic Cat[R] brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. Its common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol Ticker Symbol An arrangement of characters (usually letters) representing a particular security listed on an exchange or otherwise traded publicly. When a company issues securities to the public marketplace, it selects an available ticker symbol for its securities which investors "ACAT." More information about Arctic Cat and its products is available at www.arcticcat.com. Forward-Looking Statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995 provides a safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. for certain forward-looking statements. The Company's Annual Report, as well as the Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. , its Quarterly Report on Form 8-K Form 8-K The form required by the SEC when a publicly held company incurs any event that might affect its financial situation or the share value of its stock. Form 8-K See 8-K. and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company's press releases and oral statements made with the approval of an authorized au·thor·ize tr.v. au·thor·ized, au·thor·iz·ing, au·thor·iz·es 1. To grant authority or power to. 2. To give permission for; sanction: executive officer, contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. The words "aim," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate" and other expressions that indicate future events and trends identify forward-looking statements. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: product mix and volume; competitive pressure on sales and pricing; cost and availability of financing for the Company, our dealers and our suppliers; increase in material or production cost which cannot be recouped in product pricing; changes in the sourcing of snowmobile engines from Suzuki; warranty expenses; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; product liability claims and other legal proceedings All actions that are authorized or sanctioned by law and instituted in a court or a tribunal for the acquisition of rights or the enforcement of remedies. in excess of insured amounts; environmental and product safety regulatory activity; effects of the weather; overall economic conditions; and consumer demand and confidence. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] |
|
||||||||||||||||

Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion