AVAV AeroVironment Inc

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended August 1, 2015.

"Strong order flow in the first quarter resulted in funded backlog of $89 million, an increase of 37 percent over the prior quarter and a solid start to fiscal 2016," said Tim Conver, AeroVironment chairman and chief executive officer. "Our market leading core businesses remain on track for our fiscal 2016 plan, and we continue to make meaningful progress moving our growth portfolio forward."

Conver concluded, "We will continue to manage strategic R&D and SG&A investments and monitor the progress of our initiatives to create new market opportunities and enhance stockholder value."

FISCAL 2016 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 was $47.1 million, down 9% from first quarter fiscal 2015 revenue of $51.9 million. The decrease in revenue resulted from a decrease in sales in our Efficient Energy Systems (EES) segment of $3.8 million and a decrease in sales in our Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) segment of $1.0 million.

Gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 was $16.0 million, up 14% from first quarter fiscal 2015 gross margin of $14.1 million. The increase in gross margin was due to an increase in service margin of $4.1 million offset by a decrease in product margin of $2.1 million. As a percentage of revenue, gross margin increased to 34% from 27%.

Loss from operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 was $9.1 million compared to loss from operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 of $6.5 million. The increase in loss from operations was a result of an increase in research and development (R&D) of $2.7 million and in selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expense of $1.9 million, offset by an increase in gross margin of $2.0 million.

Other expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 was $2.4 million compared to other income for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 of $0.6 million. The decrease is primarily due to the recording of an other-than-temporary impairment loss on our CybAero equity securities in the three months ended August 1, 2015. During the three months ended August 2, 2014, no impairment loss was recorded.

Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 was $7.0 million compared to net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 of $3.6 million.

Loss per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 was $0.30 compared to loss per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 of $0.16. Loss per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 was impacted by both the impairment loss and losses on sales of our CybAero equity securities. Loss per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was reduced by $0.02 per share due to the increase in fair value of the conversion option of our CybAero convertible bond investment and related sales of stock.

Our investment in CybAero produced a favorable economic return for the company. The initial $3.0 million investment in CybAero convertible bonds in fiscal 2013 included an embedded conversion option which resulted in a cumulative increase in fair value of $8.0 million, recorded in other income from the time of investment through the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The conversions of these bonds into CybAero common shares in fiscal 2014 and 2015, the related sales of these shares through the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and the subsequent sale of all remaining shares in August 2015, produced cumulative cash proceeds of $7.8 million, net of cumulative recognized losses of $3.2 million.

BACKLOG

As of August 1, 2015, funded backlog (unfilled firm orders for which funding is currently appropriated to us under a customer contract) was $89.0 million compared to $64.7 million as of April 30, 2015.

FISCAL 2016 — OUTLOOK FOR THE FULL YEAR

For fiscal 2016, the company expects to generate revenue between $260 million and $280 million, and a gross profit margin between 36 percent and 37.5 percent. Planned increases in strategic R&D and SG&A investments for Commercial UAS in fiscal 2016 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, September 1, 2015, at 1:30 pm Pacific Time that will be broadcast live over the Internet. Timothy E. Conver, chairman and chief executive officer, Raymond D. Cook, 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, September 1, 2015, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time through Tuesday, September 9, 2015, at 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Dial (855) 859-2056 and enter the passcode 5527860. 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 UASs 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 EV 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; availability of U.S. government funding for defense procurement and R&D programs; changes in the timing and/or amount of government spending; potential need for changes in our long-term strategy in response to future developments; unexpected technical and marketing difficulties inherent in major research and product development efforts; changes in the supply and/or demand and/or prices for our products and services; the activities of competitors and increased competition; failure of the markets in which we operate to grow; failure to remain a market innovator and create new market opportunities; changes in significant operating expenses, including components and raw materials; failure to develop new products; the extensive regulatory requirements governing our contracts with the U.S. government; product liability, infringement and other claims; 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 August 1,   August 2, 2015 2014   Revenue: Product sales $ 26,639 $ 42,811 Contract services 20,411 9,055 47,050 51,866 Cost of sales: Product sales 16,765 30,797 Contract services 14,262 7,015 31,027 37,812 Gross margin: Product sales 9,874 12,014 Contract services 6,149 2,040 16,023 14,054 Selling, general and administrative 15,256 13,403 Research and development 9,831 7,124 Loss from operations (9,064) (6,473) Other income (expense): Interest income 224 212 Other (expense) income (2,389) 591 Loss before income taxes (11,229) (5,670) Benefit for income taxes (4,248) (2,061) Net loss $ (6,981) $ (3,609) Loss per share data: Basic $ (0.30) $ (0.16) Diluted $ (0.30) $ (0.16) Weighted average shares outstanding:

22,947,487

22,804,127 Basic 22,947,487 22,804,127 Diluted     AeroVironment, Inc. Reconciliation of Earnings per Share (Unaudited)   Three Months Ended August 1,   August 2, 2015 2014 Loss per share as adjusted $ (0.24) $ (0.18) Other-than-temporary impairment loss and losses on sale (.06) — Increase in convertible bond and related equity investment   —   0.02 Loss per share as reported $ (0.30) $ (0.16)       AeroVironment, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands except share data)   August 1,2015 April 30,2015 (Unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 146,450 $ 143,410 Short-term investments 71,018 85,381 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $306 at August 1, 2015 and $606 at April 30, 2015 28,205 33,607 Unbilled receivables and retentions 13,998 17,356 Inventories, net 43,921 39,414 Income tax receivable 5,569 — Deferred income taxes 5,062 5,265 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,958 4,599 Total current assets 318,181 329,032 Long-term investments 44,727 46,769 Property and equipment, net 13,023 13,499 Deferred income taxes 6,671 7,426 Other assets 672 741 Total assets $ 383,274 $ 397,467 Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 12,944 $ 19,243 Wages and related accruals 10,438 13,395 Income taxes payable — 692 Customer advances 4,259 4,235 Other current liabilities 8,757 9,170 Total current liabilities 36,398 46,735 Deferred rent 1,330 1,381 Liability for uncertain tax positions 439 439 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 — 23,530,660 at August 1, 2015 and 23,314,640 at April 30, 2015 2 2 Additional paid-in capital 150,337 148,293 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (226) (1,358) Retained earnings 194,994 201,975 Total stockholders’ equity 345,107 348,912 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 383,274 $ 397,467     AeroVironment, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In thousands)   Three Months Ended August 1,2015   August 2,2014 Operating activities Net loss $ (6,981) $ (3,609) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash (used in) provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 1,402 2,192 Impairment of available-for-sale equity securities 2,186 — Provision for doubtful accounts (147) (141) Loss from equity method investments 65 50 Deferred income taxes 203 291 Loss (gain) on sale of equity securities 145 (473) Stock-based compensation 1,039 846 Foreign currency losses 58 183 Change in fair value of conversion feature of convertible bonds — (393) Tax benefit from exercise of stock options 196 11 Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation (95) (313) Amortization of held-to-maturity investments 1,149 1,152 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 5,549 8,667 Unbilled receivables and retentions 3,358 3,271 Inventories (4,507) 4,258 Income tax receivable (5,569) 3,124 Other assets 710 940 Accounts payable (6,299) (781) Other liabilities (3,766) (3,545) Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (11,304) 15,730 Investing activities Acquisitions of property and equipment (906) (29) Equity method investment (85) (210) Purchases of held-to-maturity investments (22,970) (28,771) Redemptions of held-to-maturity investments 37,507 24,695 Sales of available-for-sale investments 217 8,676 Net cash provided by investing activities 13,763 4,361 Financing activities Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options 95 313 Tax withholding payment related to net settlement of equity awards (29) — Exercise of stock options 515 679 Net cash provided by financing activities 581 992 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 3,040 21,083 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 143,410 126,969 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 146,450 $ 148,052   Supplemental disclosure: Unrealized change in fair value of investments recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of deferred taxes $ 2 $ 48 Reclassification from share-based liability compensation to equity $ 228 $ —     AeroVironment, Inc. Reportable Segment Results are as Follows (Unaudited): (In thousands)   Three Months Ended August 1,   August 2, 2015 2014 Revenue: UAS $ 40,167 $ 41,186 EES 6,883 10,680 Total 47,050 51,866 Cost of sales: UAS 26,466 31,015 EES 4,561 6,797 Total 31,027 37,812 Gross margin: UAS 13,701 10,171 EES 2,322 3,883 Total 16,023 14,054 Selling, general and administrative 15,256 13,403 Research and development 9,831 7,124 Loss from operations (9,064) (6,473) Other income (expense): Interest income 224 212 Other (expense) income (2,389) 591 Loss before income taxes $ (11,229) $ (5,670)  

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