UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)
For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2007
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP. INDEX
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PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATIONCOMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(Unaudited)
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COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIESCONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(Unaudited)
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COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIESNOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Unaudited)
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, information relating to our future performance and financial condition, our plans and objectives and our assumptions regarding such future performance, financial condition, plans and objectives that involve certain significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors not under our control which may cause actual results, future performance and financial condition, and achievement of our plans and objectives to be materially different from the results, performance or other expectations implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include the timing of receipt of, and our performance on, new orders that can cause significant fluctuations in net sales and operating results, the timing and funding of government contracts, adjustments to gross profits on long-term contracts, risks associated with international sales, rapid technological change, evolving industry standards, frequent new product announcements and enhancements, changing customer demands, changes in prevailing economic and political conditions, and other factors described herein and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
OVERVIEW
We design, develop, produce and market innovative products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions. We believe many of our solutions play a vital role in providing or enhancing communication capabilities when terrestrial communications infrastructure is unavailable or ineffective.
We conduct our business through three complementary operating segments: telecommunications transmission, mobile data communications and RF microwave amplifiers. We sell our products to a diverse customer base in the global commercial and government communications markets. We believe we are a leader in the market segments that we serve.
Our telecommunications transmission segment provides sophisticated equipment and systems that are used to enhance satellite transmission efficiency and that enable wireless communications in environments where terrestrial communications are unavailable, inefficient or too expensive. Our telecommunications transmission segment also operates our high-volume technology manufacturing center that is utilized, in part, by our mobile data communications and RF microwave amplifiers segments. Accordingly, our telecommunications segment benefits from the related increased operating efficiencies. Our mobile data communications segment provides customers with an integrated solution, including mobile satellite transceivers and satellite network support, to enable global satellite-based communications when mobile, real-time, secure transmission is required for applications including logistics, support and battlefield command and control. Our RF microwave amplifiers segment designs, manufactures and markets solid-state, high-power, broadband RF microwave amplifier products.
A substantial portion of our sales may be derived from a limited number of relatively large customer contracts, such as our Movement Tracking System (MTS) contract with the U.S. Army and our U.S. Armys Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below command and control systems (also known as Blue Force Tracking (BFT)) contract, for which the timing of revenues cannot be predicted. Quarterly and period-to-period sales and operating results may be significantly affected by one or more of such contracts. In addition, our gross profit is affected by a variety of factors, including the mix of products, systems and services sold, production efficiencies, estimates of warranty expense, price competition and general economic conditions. Our gross profit may also be affected by the impact of any cumulative adjustments to contracts that are accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method. Our contracts with the U.S. government can be terminated at any time and orders are subject to unpredictable funding, deployment and technology decisions by the U.S. government. Some of these contracts, such as the MTS and BFT contracts, are indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts, and as such, the U.S. Army is not obligated to purchase any equipment or services under the contracts. Accordingly, we can experience significant fluctuations in sales and operating results from quarter-to-quarter and period-to-period comparisons may not be indicative of a trend or future performance.
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Revenue from the sale of our products is generally recognized when the earnings process is complete, upon shipment or customer acceptance. Revenue from contracts relating to the design, development or manufacture of complex electronic equipment to a buyers specification or to provide services relating to the performance of such contracts is generally recognized under AICPA Statement of Position No. 81-1, Accounting for Performance of Construction-Type and Certain Production-Type Contracts (SOP No. 81-1). Revenue from contracts that contain multiple elements that are not accounted for under SOP No. 81-1 are generally accounted for in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 00-21, Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables. Revenue from these contracts is allocated to each respective element based on each elements relative fair value and is recognized when the respective revenue recognition criteria for each element are met.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We also address customer acceptance provisions in assessing our ability to perform our contractual obligations under long-term contracts. Our inability to perform on our long-term contracts could materially impact our results of operations and financial condition. Historically, we have been able to perform on our long-term contracts.
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Provision for Warranty Obligations. We provide warranty coverage for most of our products, including products under long-term contracts, for a period of at least one year from the date of shipment. We record a liability for estimated warranty expense based on historical claims, product failure rates and other factors. Some of our warranties are provided under long-term contracts, the costs of which are incorporated into our estimates of total contract costs. There exist inherent risks and uncertainties in estimating warranty expenses, particularly on larger or longer-term contracts. As such, if we do not accurately estimate our warranty costs, any changes to our original estimates could be material to our results of operations and financial condition.
Accounting for Income Taxes. Our deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, applying enacted tax rates expected to be in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The provision for income taxes is based on domestic and international statutory income tax rates in the tax jurisdictions where we operate, permanent differences between financial reporting and tax reporting and available credits and incentives. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The U.S. Federal government is our most significant income tax jurisdiction.
Significant judgment is required in determining income tax provisions and tax positions. We may be challenged upon review by the applicable taxing authority and positions taken by us may not be sustained. As discussed in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements Note (10) Income Taxes, on August 1, 2007 we adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (FIN No. 48).
We recognize all or a portion of the benefit of income tax positions only when we have made a determination that it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, based upon the technical merits of the position. For tax positions that are determined to be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination, the tax benefit recognized is the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The development of reserves for income tax positions requires consideration of timing and judgments about tax issues and potential outcomes, and is a subjective critical estimate. In certain circumstances, the ultimate outcome of exposures and risks involves significant uncertainties. If actual outcomes differ materially from these estimates, they could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
Provisions for Excess and Obsolete Inventory. We record a provision for excess and obsolete inventory based on historical and future usage trends. Other factors may also influence our provision, including decisions to exit a product line, technological change and new product development. These factors could result in a change in the amount of excess and obsolete inventory on hand. Additionally, our estimates of future product demand may prove to be inaccurate, in which case we may have understated or overstated the provision required for excess and obsolete inventory. In the future, if we determine that our inventory was overvalued, we would be required to recognize such costs in our financial statements at the time of such determination. Any such charges could be material to our results of operations and financial condition.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We perform credit evaluations of our customers and adjust credit limits based upon customer payment history and current creditworthiness, as determined by our review of our customers current credit information. Generally, we will require cash in advance or payment secured by irrevocable letters of credit before an order is accepted from an international customer that we do not do business with regularly. In addition, we seek to obtain insurance for certain international customers. We monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and the allowances established, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past. Measurement of such losses requires consideration of historical loss experience, including the need to adjust for current conditions, and judgments about the probable effects of relevant observable data, including present economic conditions such as delinquency rates and the financial health of specific customers. Changes to the estimated allowance for doubtful accounts could be material to our results of operations and financial condition.
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COMPARISON OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2007 AND OCTOBER 31, 2006
Net Sales. Consolidated net sales were $115.1 million and $97.1 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, representing an increase of $18.0 million, or 18.5%. The increase in net sales reflects significant growth in both our mobile data communications and RF microwave amplifiers segments, partially offset by lower net sales in our telecommunications transmission segment.
Net sales in our telecommunications transmission segment were $48.9 million and $52.0 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, a decrease of $3.1 million, or 6.0%. The decrease in net sales in this segment primarily reflects decreased sales of our over-the-horizon microwave systems, partially offset by an increase in sales of our satellite earth station products. Sales of over-the-horizon microwave systems for the three months ended October 31, 2007 were lower than the three months ended October 31, 2006 primarily due to lower sales of our 16 Mbps troposcatter modem upgrade kits for use on the U.S. Department of Defenses (DoD) AN/TRC-170 digital troposcatter terminals and lower sales, both direct and indirect, to our North African country end-customer. We believe our North African end-customer is between major phases of a multi-year roll-out of a large project. Sales of our satellite earth station products for the three months ended October 31, 2007 were higher than the three months ended October 31, 2006 as we continue to benefit from increased demand for our bandwidth efficient satellite earth station modems, including those used to support cellular backhaul applications. Our telecommunications transmission segment represented 42.5% of consolidated net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2007 as compared to 53.6% for the three months ended October 31, 2006.
Sales and profitability in our telecommunications transmission segment can fluctuate from period-to-period due to many factors including (i) the book-and-ship nature of our satellite earth station products and (ii) the timing of, and our related performance on, contracts from the U.S. government and international customers for our over-the-horizon microwave products. That notwithstanding, we believe that sales in our telecommunications transmission segment should increase in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 based on expectations of continued strong satellite earth station product bookings and the receipt of additional orders from the U.S. DoD for AN/TRC-170 equipment. Although we anticipate receiving another contract relating to our North African end-customer in fiscal 2008, we do not expect that it will contribute significantly to revenue until fiscal 2009.
Net sales in our mobile data communications segment were $53.0 million and $35.7 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, an increase of $17.3 million, or 48.5%. The increase in net sales was due to the significant increase in deliveries to the U.S. Army in connection with our new MTS and BFT contracts that were awarded in August 2007. Net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2006 included sales of $1.2 million relating to a favorable gross profit adjustment on our original MTS contract. Our mobile data communications segment represented 46.0% of consolidated net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2007 as compared to 36.7% for the three months ended October 31, 2006.
Sales and profitability in our mobile data communications segment can fluctuate dramatically from period-to-period due to many factors including unpredictable funding, deployment and technology decisions by the U.S. government. In addition, our new MTS and BFT contracts are indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts (IDIQ), and as such, the U.S. Army is not obligated to purchase any equipment or services under the contracts. Based on our current backlog and expected new MTS and BFT contract orders and the expected timely receipt of certain components by the U.S. government that are provided to us for incorporation into our mobile satellite transceivers, we currently anticipate that our mobile data communications segments annual sales will grow in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007. We currently expect sales for the three months ending January 31, 2008 to be a peak quarter for fiscal 2008 as we expect to ship against a significant amount of orders that we received during the three months ended October 31, 2007, including previously announced orders from the Army National Guard.
Net sales in our RF microwave amplifiers segment were $13.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 compared to $9.4 million for the three months ended October 31, 2006, an increase of $3.8 million, or 40.4%. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher sales of our amplifiers and high-power switches that are incorporated into defense-related systems, including sales associated with our participation in the Counter Remote-Control Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare 2.1 program (CREW 2.1). Our RF microwave amplifiers segment represented 11.5% of consolidated net sales for the three months ended October 31, 2007 as compared to 9.7% for the three months ended October 31, 2006.
Based on the amount of our current backlog and anticipated future orders, we currently expect annual sales in our RF microwave amplifiers segment, including sales of amplifiers and high-power switches related to our participation in the CREW 2.1 program, to increase in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007.
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As an investment for the future, we are continually enhancing our existing products and developing new products and technologies. Whenever possible, we seek customer funding for research and development to adapt our products to specialized customer requirements. During the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, customers reimbursed us $0.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively, which is not reflected in the reported research and development expenses, but is included in net sales with the related costs included in cost of sales.
Amortization of Intangibles. Amortization of intangibles for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006 was $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The amortization primarily relates to intangibles with finite lives that we acquired in connection with various acquisitions.
Operating Income. Operating income for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006 was $18.7 million and $15.0 million, respectively. The $3.7 million, or 24.7% increase, was primarily the result of the higher consolidated sales and gross margins during the three months ended October 31, 2007, partially offset by increased operating expenses as discussed above.
Operating income in our telecommunications transmission segment decreased to $10.9 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 from $12.9 million for the three months ended October 31, 2006, as a result of lower net sales, as discussed above, and increased operating expenses, partially offset by increased gross margins.
Our mobile data communications segment generated operating income of $12.8 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 compared to $6.1 million for the three months ended October 31, 2006. The increase in operating income was primarily due to the increase in net sales, operating efficiencies achieved and a favorable product mix during the quarter, partially offset by increased spending on research and development activities. As discussed above under Gross Profit, included in operating income for the three months ended October 31, 2006, is a positive impact from the cumulative adjustment related to our original MTS contract with the U.S. Army of $1.0 million.
Operating income in our RF microwave amplifiers segment increased to $1.0 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 from $0.9 million for the three months ended October 31, 2006 due primarily to increased net sales partially offset by lower gross margins, as discussed above, and our increased spending on research and development activities.
Unallocated operating expenses increased to $6.0 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 from $4.9 million for the three months ended October 31, 2006 due to higher payroll-related expenses (primarily increased amortization of stock-based compensation), as well as increased other costs associated with growing our business. Amortization of stock-based compensation expense increased to $2.7 million in the three months ended October 31, 2007 from $1.8 million in the three months ended October 31, 2006. This increase is primarily attributable to an increase in both the number and related fair value of stock-based awards that are being amortized over their respective service periods for the three months ended October 31, 2007 as compared to the three months ended October 31, 2006.
Interest Expense. Interest expense was $0.7 million for both the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006. Interest expense primarily relates to our 2.0% convertible senior notes.
Interest Income and Other. Interest income and other for the three months ended October 31, 2007 was $4.4 million, as compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended October 31, 2006. The $1.2 million increase was primarily due to an increase in investable cash since October 31, 2006, partially offset by a slight decline in interest rates.
Provision for Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $7.7 million and $6.6 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 34.5% and 38.0% for the three months ended October 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to (i) the passage of legislation extending the Federal research and experimentation credit through December 2007, (ii) anticipated deductions associated with cash incentive awards expected to be paid under our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan without limitation under §162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (iii) the scheduled phase-in of the deduction for domestic production activities, offset by the repeal of the extraterritorial income exclusion. In addition, we recorded a discrete tax benefit of approximately $0.1 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 relating to disqualifying dispositions of incentive stock options. Excluding discrete items, we currently expect that our effective tax rate for fiscal 2008 will approximate 34.75%.
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Our Federal income tax return for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004 is currently being audited by the Internal Revenue Service. Additional income tax returns for other fiscal years may also be examined. If the outcome of the audit differs materially from our original income tax provisions, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents decreased to $333.4 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 from $342.9 million at July 31, 2007.
Net cash used in operating activities was $9.7 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007 compared to $3.6 million of net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended October 31, 2006. Net cash used during the three months ended October 31, 2007 primarily reflects a significant increase in accounts receivable due to the timing of shipments in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 to our customers (primarily the U.S. government), a buildup of inventory anticipated to be shipped throughout fiscal 2008, payment of fiscal 2007 incentive compensation awards and the net impact of normal changes in other working capital accounts, primarily associated with timing.
Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended October 31, 2007 was $3.6 million, of which $3.2 million was for purchases of property, plant and equipment including expenditures related to the continued expansion of our high-volume technology manufacturing center located in Tempe, Arizona.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.9 million for the three months ended October 31, 2007, primarily due to the exercises of stock-based awards, including the related income tax benefit.
FINANCING ARRANGEMENT
On January 27, 2004, we issued $105.0 million of our 2.0% convertible senior notes in a private offering pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For further information concerning this financing, seeNotes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 9 - 2.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2024.
COMMITMENTS
In the normal course of business, we routinely enter into binding and non-binding purchase obligations primarily covering anticipated purchases of inventory and equipment. We do not expect that these commitments, as of October 31, 2007, will materially adversely affect our liquidity.
At October 31, 2007, we had contractual cash obligations to repay our 2.0% convertible senior notes, operating lease obligations (including satellite lease expenditures relating to our mobile data communications segment contracts) and the financing of a purchase of proprietary technology. Payments due under these long-term obligations, excluding interest on the 2.0% convertible senior notes, are as follows:
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Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
COMTECH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP.(Registrant)
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