logo

For Immediate Release - April 23, 1998

CALIFORNIA MICROWAVE REPORTS $.19 FOR THIRD
QUARTER FY1998; IMPLEMENTS SEGMENT REPORTING

SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA - CALIFORNIA MICROWAVE, INC. (Nasdaq National Market: CMIC) today reported results from continuing operations for its fiscal 1998 third quarter ended March 31, 1998. Continuing operations for all periods presented exclude the operating results of Microwave Networks (MN) and Satellite Transmission Systems (STS), which have been divested. Third-quarter income from continuing operations was $3.1 million, or $.19 per share, on sales of $66.6 million. This compares to a profit of $1.9 million, or $.11 per share, on sales of $58.6 million reported for last year's third quarter.

New orders booked in the third quarter decreased 8% to $69.5 million, compared to $75.3 million for the comparable period last year, driven primarily by timing of large government orders. For the nine-month-period ended March 31, new orders booked increased 10% in California Microwave's commercial businesses ($135 million compared to $123 million) and decreased 11% in the government sector, for a net bookings increase of 3%. International orders for the commercial business totaled $64.3 million for the latest nine months versus $58.2 million in last year's comparable period. Activity was strongest in Latin America, where both the terrestrial microwave and satellite communications businesses have good distribution. Sales and bookings into China were strong and offset any major impact from the continued softness in the remaining Asia markets where the company has limited presence. Backlog at March 31, 1998, totaled $104.8 million, compared to $119.8 million at March 31, 1997.

"Our government sales growth has been impacted by contracting cycles and has reduced our year-to-date growth rates as some business has shifted between quarters. On the commercial side, however, we are pleased with the market prospects and our net year-to-year sales growth. In our terrestrial microwave business, Microwave Data Systems (MDS) is continuing to see strong business growth in its new line of digital signal processing-based multiple address radios, including both licensed products for international markets and spread-spectrum products, which are primarily for domestic applications. And, while we are pleased with the heightened interest from broadcasters in Microwave Radio Communications' (MRC) new digital video radios, the conversion from analog to digital transmission is not expected to gain real momentum until the 1999-2000 time frame. From a return perspective, we continue to be on track despite the shifts in government business, and expect to achieve our goal of 33% gross margin for FY98, which is driven by a changing business mix (commercial business growing faster than lower-margin government business), and increased product gross margins in our commercial business. Our focus in the fourth quarter is to reduce working capital and operating expenses as we begin our operational excellence initiative to consolidate and standardize our transaction processing throughout the commercial segments of the company," stated Donna S. Birks, executive vice president and chief financial officer.

Beginning with this quarterly earnings release, the company has adopted segment reporting to conform with its Strategic Plan, which was announced today. The three segments are aligned as follows:

  • Satellite Communications is the company's commercial satellite products segment, represented by the EF Data business unit. Previously, the Satellite Communications segment also included Government division sales of satellite products and the teleport segment of the Services division.

  • Terrestrial Microwave is the company's commercial terrestrial microwave products segment and represents the combination of MRC and MDS. Previously called Radio Products, it historically has included a small piece of the Services division business related to radio retrofit and repair.

  • Government is the company's Department of Defense contracted sales of products and includes the Government Electronics Division, Airborne Systems Integration Division and the Services Division, which is about 10% of the segment. Previously called Information Collection and Communications, this group typically has both fixed-price and cost-plus long-term contracts. Both the Satellite Communications and Terrestrial Microwave divisions sell products to government customers on commercial-off-the-shelf terms, but will account for those sales in their respective segments.

Further, additional segment information highlighting profitability and other relevant operating characteristics of the businesses has been added to provide a better understanding of the company's performance.

"We believe we can provide better insight into the focus and performance of the company by reporting in more detail by each division. The company will continue to review the data published each quarter to ensure adequate and relevant performance metrics are readily available. This is consistent with our focus on shareholder value," stated Donna Birks.

As previously announced, the company completed sale of its STS division to L3 during the quarter and announced the sale of its Microwave Networks Division (MN) to Tadiran, which was completed on April 21. As announced on March 2, 1998, an additional provision of $12.5 million, or $.76 per share, was recorded in the third quarter to reflect the actual loss on sale of MN.

Separately, California Microwave announced today its strategic plan for future growth and the appointment of retired General George A. Joulwan to its board of directors.

Statements made in this press release that are not historical facts, including any statements about expectations for fiscal year 1998 and beyond are forward-looking statements, involving certain risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from management's projections, estimates and expectations include, but are not limited to, delays in the receipt of orders or in the shipment of products, the company's success in implementing its strategic plan, and other factors referred to in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

California Microwave, Inc. (http://www.calmike.com) is a leading U.S. supplier of satellite earth station and microwave radio infrastructure products and information and collection systems


CALIFORNIA MICROWAVE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended
March 31
Nine Months Ended
March 31
19981997
% Change
19981997
% Change
Net Sales $ 66,631 $ 58,559 + 14 $197,612 $ 183,090 + 8
Cost of products sold 44,062
 40,197
 + 10
 131,074
 134,080
 - 2
Gross margin 22,569 18,362+ 23 66,53849,010+ 36
Expenses:
    Research & development		 4,881 4,154 + 18 14,643 13,426 + 9
    Marketing & administration 11,630 9,659 + 20 34,705 33,180 + 5
    Amortization of intangible assets 344
 373
 - 8
 1,032
 1,063
 - 3
Total expenses 16,855 14,186 + 19 50,380 47,669 + 6
Operating income 5,714 4,176 + 37 16,158 1,341 NM
Interest expense net (880) (1,406) -37 (2,886) (4,060) - 29
Litigation settlement -- --  (1,900) - NM
Gain on sale of subsidiary--
--
 
--
 2,744
 NM
Income from continuing operations
   before income taxes		 4,834 2,770 + 75 11,372 25 NM
Provision for income taxes 1,729
 915
 + 89
 4,083
 8
 NM
Income from continuing operations 3,105 1,855 + 67 7,289 17 NM
Loss from discontinued operations (12,500)
 (7,859)
 + 59
 (12,500)
 (33,289)
 - 62
Net loss $ (9,395) $(6,004) +56 $ (5,211) $(33,272) - 84
Per share (basic and diluted)
Income(loss) from continuing operations		 $0.19 $0.11 + 73 $0.44 $0.00 NM
Loss from discontinued operations(.76)
(.48)
+58
(.76)
(2.06)
- 63
Net loss $ (.57) $(.37) + 54 $ (.32) $(2.06) - 84
Average shares 16,505 16,273 + 1 16,509 16,182 + 2
Average shares and equivalents
(Thousands)		 16,780 16,407 + 2 16,753 16,300 + 3
Bookings$69,549 $ 75,262 - 8$211,377 $205,808 + 3
Backlog 104,847 119,826 - 12 104,847 119,826 - 12


NM = Not Meaningful


CALIFORNIA MICROWAVE, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)

March 31
1998
June 30
1997
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,265 $ 4,974
Receivables 55,159 35,701
Inventories 50,819 50,353
Income tax refunds and deferred tax assets 28,653 35,855
Net assets of discontinued businesses 47,485 79,656
Property, plant and equipment (net) 23,696 22,812
Intangible assets 28,231 29,488
Other assets 10,028 7,534
$ 247,336 $ 266,373
Liabilities and stockholders' equity:  
Current liabilities $ 77,295 $ 72,058
Long-term liabilities 62,485 76,291
Stockholders' equity 107,556 118,024
$ 247,336 $ 266,373



CALIFORNIA MICROWAVE, INC.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Dollars in millions)

Fiscal 1998
Fiscal 1997
Q1
Q2
Q3
9M YTD
Q3
9M YTD
BOOKINGS
Satellite Communications $24.3 $25.0 $22.2 $71.5 $21.9 $65.4
Terrestrial Microwave 19.1
 23.9
 20.7
 63.6
 21.1
 57.3
  Commercial 43.4 48.9 42.9 135.1 43.0 122.7
Government 13.5 37.9 25.8 77.2 33.1 86.8
Eliminations -1.6
 -0.2
 0.8
 -0.9
 -0.8
 -3.7
Total 55.3 86.6 69.5 211.4 75.3 205.8
BOOKINGS MIX
Commercial
   International		 34% 29% 29% 30% 28% 28%
   Domestic 42%
 27%
 34%
 33%
 28%
 30%
   Subtotal 76% 56% 63% 63% 56% 58%
Government 24% 44% 37% 37% 44% 42%
BOOK-TO-BILL
Satellite Communications 109% 98% 96% 101% 123% 117%
Terrestrial Microwave 103%
 107%
 97%
 102%
 120%
 106%
   Commercial 106% 102% 97% 101% 122% 111%
Government 54%
 184%
 116%
113%
 134%
 113%
Total 86% 130% 104% 107% 129% 112%
BACKLOG
Satellite Communications $15.2 $14.6 $13.7  $19.8 
Terrestrial Microwave 12.3
 13.8
 13.2
  15.3
 
   Commercial 27.5 28.4 26.9  35.1 
Government 56.9
 74.2
 77.9
  88.4
 
Eliminations-2.5
 -0.7
 0.0
  -3.7
 
Total 81.9 101.9 104.8  119.8 
SALES
Satellite Communications $22.3 $25.7 $23.1 $71.1$17.7 $56.1
Terrestrial Microwave 18.5
 22.3
 21.3
 62.1
 17.6
 54.1
   Commercial 40.8 48.0 44.4 133.2 35.3 110.2
Government 25.2 20.6 22.3 68.0 24.6 76.8
Eliminations -1.6
 -2.0
 -0.1
 -3.6
 -1.3
 -3.9
Total 64.4 66.6 66.6 197.6 58.6 183.1
SALES MIX
Commercial
   International		 31% 34% 32% 33% 28% 27%
   Domestic 30%
 35%
 35%
 33%
 32%
 32%
   Subtotal 61% 69% 67% 66% 60% 59%
Government 39% 31% 33% 34% 40% 41%
GROSS MARGIN
Commercial 38% 39% 38% 38% 37% 33%
Government 20%
 22%
 24%
 22%
 20%
 17%
Total 32% 35% 34% 34% 31% 27%
EBIT1
Satellite Communications $2.3 $3.1 $1.8 $7.2 $1.0 $(1.6)
Terrestrial Microwave 2.3
 3.7
 3.8
 9.8
 2.0
 6.4
   Commercial 4.6 6.8 5.6 17.0 3.0 4.8
Government 2.2 1.4 2.3 5.9 2.2 4.7
Other -2.1
 -4.4
 -2.2
 -8.6
 -1.0
 -5.4
Total 4.7 3.8 5.7 14.3 4.2 4.1
EBITDA2
Commercial $6.1 $8.4 $7.4 $21.9 $4.5 $9.3
Government 2.5 1.8 2.9 7.1 2.5 5.6
Other -1.4
 -4.0
 -1.7
 -7.0
 -0.2
 -3.4
Total 7.2 6.2 8.6 22.0 6.8 11.5

1. Earnings Before Interest and Taxes
2. Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization

For More Information Contact:
Stephanie M. Day
Vice President
Corporate Communications
(408) 743-3429
sday@califmicro.com 		Investor Information Line:
(Toll-free) 1-888-225-6789
http://www.calmike.com.
 Deborah Passik
William Dunk Partners, Inc.
(919) 929-4100

CONTACT US WHAT'S NEW? ABOUT THE COMPANY LOCATIONS NEWS RELEASES
PRODUCTS APPLICATIONS INVESTOR RELATIONS TRADE SHOWS & EVENTS

©1996-1998 California Microwave, Inc. All rights reserved webmaster@calmike.com

CalMike