AVAV AeroVironment Inc

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) today reported financial results for its third quarter ended January 31, 2015.

"During the quarter, our team continued to execute our strategy successfully and we delivered results in-line with our full-year plan, including revenue of $68.4 million and gross profit margin of 39.5 percent," said Tim Conver, AeroVironment chairman and chief executive officer. "Equally important was the progress we achieved in key investment areas that will position AeroVironment to enhance value for our stockholders. We expanded our commercial UAS information services, achieved success demonstrating our initial Switchblade variant and generated additional interest in our tactical missile systems from existing and potential new customers. In our core business, we were selected as the first of four pathfinder projects for the United States-India Technology Transfer Initiative, launched our TurboDock workplace EV charging solution and delivered Wasp AE systems to the Marine Corps, all of which will position us for continued growth."

FISCAL 2015 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

Revenue for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 was $68.4 million, down 1% from third quarter fiscal 2014 revenue of $69.2 million. The decrease in revenue resulted from decreased sales in our Efficient Energy Systems (EES) segment of $1.3 million offset by an increase in sales in our Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) segment of $0.5 million.

Gross margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 was $27.0 million, down 0% from third quarter fiscal 2014 gross margin of $27.1 million. The decrease in gross margin was due to lower product margins of $0.5 million offset by higher service margins of $0.4 million. As a percentage of revenue, gross margin remained at 39%.

Income from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 was $5.1 million compared to income from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 of $8.6 million. The decrease in income from operations was a result of lower revenue, resulting in $0.1 million lower gross margin, higher research and development (R&D) expense of $3.3 million and higher selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expense of $0.1 million.

Other expense, net, for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 was $0.1 million compared to other income, net, for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 of $4.9 million. The third quarter of fiscal 2014 included a $4.7 million increase in fair value of the embedded conversion feature of our convertible bond investment.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, we did not have any convertible bond investments.

Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 was $2.3 million compared to net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 of $11.2 million.

Earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 were $0.10 compared to earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 of $0.49. Earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of fiscal 2015 were not impacted by our equity investment. Earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 included an increase of $0.15 per share due to the increase in fair value of the conversion option of our convertible bond investment.

FISCAL 2015 YEAR-TO-DATE RESULTS

Revenue for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 was $172.9 million, down 3% from first nine months’ fiscal 2014 revenue of $178.2 million. The decrease in revenue resulted from decreased sales in our UAS segment of $6.5 million offset by an increase in sales in our EES segment of $1.2 million.

Gross margin for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 was $58.9 million, down 7% from first nine months’ fiscal 2014 gross margin of $63.5 million. The decrease in gross margin was due to lower service margins of $5.2 million offset by higher product margins of $0.7 million. As a percentage of revenue, gross margin decreased from 36% to 34%.

Loss from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 was $5.5 million compared to income from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 of $5.5 million. The loss from operations was the result of lower revenue, resulting in a $4.6 million decrease in gross margin, higher R&D expense of $4.9 million and higher SG&A expense of $1.4 million.

Other income, net, for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 was $0.4 million compared to other expense, net, for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 of $0.4 million. During the first nine months of fiscal 2014, other expense was primarily related to the conversion feature of two convertible bonds that decreased in value. During the first nine months of fiscal 2015, only one bond remained and it was converted into equity securities on August 11, 2014.

Net loss for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 was $4.2 million compared to net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 of $5.7 million.

Loss per share for the first nine months of fiscal 2015 was $0.18 compared to earnings per share for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 of $0.25. Loss per share was reduced by $0.01 per share due to the change in fair value of the conversion option of our convertible bond investment and related sales of stock. Earnings per diluted share for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 included a reduction of $0.03 per share due to the decrease in fair value of the conversion option of our convertible bond investment.

BACKLOG

As of January 31, 2015, funded backlog (unfilled firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to us under a customer contract) was $89.3 million compared to $65.9 million as of April 30, 2014.

FISCAL 2015 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR

For fiscal 2015, the company continues to expect to generate revenue of between $250 million and $270 million and gross profit margin of between 34.5 percent and 37.5 percent at the respective revenue levels. Planned increases in research and development and business development investments for Tactical Missile Systems, Commercial UAS and Global Observer business areas in fiscal 2015 may largely offset operating profit in the current fiscal year.

The foregoing estimates are forward looking and reflect management’s view of current and future market conditions, including certain assumptions with respect to our ability to obtain and retain government contracts, changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending, changes in the demand for our products and services, activities of competitors, changes in the regulatory environment, and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Investors are reminded that actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

CONFERENCE CALL

In conjunction with this release, AeroVironment, Inc. will host a conference call today, Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at 1:30 pm Pacific Time that will be broadcast live over the Internet. Timothy E. Conver, chairman and chief executive officer, Teresa Covington, interim chief financial officer and Steven A. Gitlin, vice president of investor relations, will host the call.

4:30 PM ET3:30 PM CT2:30 PM MT1:30 PM PT

Investors may dial into the call at (877) 561-2749 (U.S.) or (678) 809-1029 (international) five to ten minutes prior to the start time to allow for registration.

Investors with Internet access may listen to the live audio webcast via the Investor Relations page of the AeroVironment, Inc. website, http://investor.avinc.com. Please allow 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software.

Audio Replay Options

An audio replay of the event will be archived on the Investor Relations page of the company's website, at http://investor.avinc.com. The audio replay will also be available via telephone from Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time through Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Dial (855) 859-2056 and enter the passcode 75333022. International callers should dial (404) 537-3406 and enter the same passcode number to access the audio replay.

ABOUT AEROVIRONMENT, INC.

AeroVironment is a technology solutions provider that designs, develops, produces, supports and operates an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and electric transportation solutions. The company's electric-powered, hand-launched unmanned aircraft systems generate and process data to deliver powerful insight, on-demand, to people engaged in military, public safety and commercial activities around the world. AeroVironment's electric transportation solutions include a comprehensive suite of electric vehicle (EV) charging systems, installation and network services for consumers, automakers, utilities and government agencies, power cycling and test systems for EV developers and industrial electric vehicle charging systems for commercial fleets. More information about AeroVironment is available at www.avinc.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “plan,” or words or phrases with similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control, that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, reliance on sales to the U.S. government; changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending; changes in the supply and/or demand and/or prices for our products and services; the activities of competitors; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to expand into new markets; changes in significant operating expenses, including components and raw materials; failure to develop new products; changes in the regulatory environment; and general economic and business conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

AeroVironment, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(In thousands except share and per share data)

    Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended January 31, January 25, January 31,   January 25, 2015 2014 2015 2014   Revenue: Product sales $ 56,308 $ 57,041 $ 141,993 $ 135,752 Contract services 12,089 12,180 30,934 42,453 68,397 69,221 172,927 178,205 Cost of sales: Product sales 32,901 33,193 91,477 85,891 Contract services 8,503 8,976 22,532 28,839 41,404 42,169 114,009 114,730 Gross margin: Product sales 23,407 23,848 50,516 49,861 Contract services 3,586 3,204 8,402 13,614 26,993 27,052 58,918 63,475 Selling, general and administrative 13,268 13,168 40,141 38,711 Research and development 8,577 5,241 24,232 19,292 Income (loss) from operations 5,148 8,643 (5,455 ) 5,472 Other income (expense): Interest income 224 197 629 597 Other (expense) income (284 ) 4,675 (276 ) (1,026 ) Income (loss) before income taxes 5,088 13,515 (5,102 ) 5,043 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 2,763 2,299 (917 ) (618 ) Net income (loss) $ 2,325 $ 11,216 $ (4,185 ) $ 5,661 Earnings (loss) per share data: Basic $ 0.10 $ 0.50 $ (0.18 ) $ 0.25 Diluted $ 0.10 $ 0.49 $ (0.18 ) $ 0.25 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 22,890,502 22,321,368 22,856,962 22,278,225 Diluted 23,109,354 22,883,583 22,856,962 22,722,795  

AeroVironment, Inc.

Reconciliation of Earnings (Loss) per Share (Unaudited)

    Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended January 31,   January 25, January 31,   January 25, 2015 2014 2015   2014   Earnings (loss) per diluted share as adjusted $ 0.10 $ 0.34 $ (0.19 ) $ 0.28 Increase (decrease) in fair value of CybAero investment   —   0.15   0.01     (0.03 ) Earnings (loss) per diluted share as reported $ 0.10 $ 0.49 $ (0.18 ) $ 0.25    

AeroVironment, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands except share data)

  January 31,2015 April 30,2014 (Unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 125,977 $ 126,969 Short-term investments 77,581 70,639 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $622 at January 31, 2015 and $791 at April 30, 2014 37,834 31,739 Unbilled receivables and retentions 8,345 10,929 Inventories, net 48,799 50,699 Income tax receivable 1,940 6,584 Deferred income taxes 5,217 5,038 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,203 4,260 Total current assets 309,896 306,857 Long-term investments 54,575 50,505 Property and equipment, net 16,143 19,997 Deferred income taxes 4,638 6,721 Other assets 1,219 874 Total assets $ 386,471 $ 384,954 Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 16,215 $ 13,906 Wages and related accruals 12,968 14,083 Customer advances 4,213 2,984 Other current liabilities 10,264 6,762 Total current liabilities 43,660 37,735 Deferred rent 1,336 1,239 Liability for uncertain tax positions 645 3,513 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value: Authorized shares — 10,000,000; none issued or outstanding — — Common stock, $0.0001 par value: Authorized shares — 100,000,000 Issued and outstanding shares — 23,330,876 at January 31, 2015 and 23,176,576 at April 30, 2014 2 2 Additional paid-in capital 147,374 143,648 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,441 ) (263 ) Retained earnings 194,895 199,080 Total stockholders’ equity 340,830 342,467 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 386,471 $ 384,954  

AeroVironment, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

  Nine Months Ended January 31,2015   January 25,2014 Operating activities Net (loss) income $ (4,185 ) $ 5,661 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 6,368 6,799 Provision for doubtful accounts (101 ) 269 Deferred income taxes (202 ) (333 ) Gain on sale of equity securities (182 ) — Stock-based compensation 2,714 2,687 Foreign currency losses 361 — (Increase) decrease in fair value of conversion feature of convertible bonds (73 ) 1,032 Tax benefit from exercise of stock options 13 304 Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation (343 ) — Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (5,994 ) (23,116 ) Unbilled receivables and retentions 2,584 2,668 Inventories 1,900 7,120 Income tax receivable 4,644 5,925 Other assets (76 ) 662 Accounts payable 2,309 (1,009 ) Other liabilities 3,806 (5,197 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 13,543 3,472 Investing activities Acquisitions of property and equipment (2,326 ) (6,751 ) Acquisitions of intangible assets (150 ) (750 ) Purchases of held-to-maturity investments (88,737 ) (48,247 ) Redemptions of held-to-maturity investments 66,158 68,635 Sales of available-for-sale investments 9,498 175 Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (15,557 ) 13,062 Financing activities Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options 343 — Tax withholding payment related to net settlement of equity awards (36 ) — Exercise of stock options 715 883 Net cash provided by financing activities 1,022 883 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (992 ) 17,417 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 126,969 75,332 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 125,977 $ 92,749   Supplemental disclosure:

Unrealized loss (gain) on available-for-sale investments recorded inother comprehensive (loss) income, net of deferred taxes of $785 and$(57), respectively

$ 1,178 $ (87 ) Accrued acquisition of intangible assets $ 250 $ — Forfeiture of vested stock-based compensation $ 23 $ —  

Reportable Segment Results are as Follows (Unaudited):

(In thousands)

    Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended January 31, January 25, January 31, January 25, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revenue: UAS $ 58,026 $ 57,491 $ 142,257 $ 148,781 EES 10,371 11,730 30,670 29,424 Total 68,397 69,221 172,927 178,205 Cost of sales: UAS 33,259 33,565 91,849 93,444 EES 8,145 8,604 22,160 21,286 Total 41,404 42,169 114,009 114,730 Gross margin: UAS 24,767 23,926 50,408 55,337 EES 2,226 3,126 8,510 8,138 Total 26,993 27,052 58,918 63,475 Selling, general and administrative 13,268 13,168 40,141 38,711 Research and development 8,577 5,241 24,232 19,292 Income (loss) from operations 5,148 8,643 (5,455 ) 5,472 Other income (expense): Interest income 224 197 629 597 Other (expense) income (284 ) 4,675 (276 ) (1,026 ) Income (loss) before income taxes $ 5,088 $ 13,515 $ (5,102 ) $ 5,043  

Additional AV News: http://avinc.com/resources/news/AV Media Gallery: http://avinc.com/media_gallery/Follow us: www.twitter.com/aerovironmentFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/AeroVironment-Inc/91762492182

AeroVironment, Inc.Steven Gitlin, +1 (626) 357-9983ir@avinc.com