Universal Electronics Reports Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091105006353/en

- Posts Record Quarterly Sales of $83.2 Million in the Third Quarter of 2009 -
CYPRESS, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI), (NASDAQ:UEIC) reported financial results for
the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

"The third quarter of 2009 marked the first time that the company has reported
more than $80 million in sales during a quarter, which is positive particularly
during these difficult economic times," stated Paul Arling, UEI's Chairman and
CEO. "In addition, sales over the trailing four quarters have climbed over the
$310 million mark for the first time in our company`s 23-year history. This
growth has been driven by our continued focus and execution on innovation
leading to key customer wins as well as expanding relationships with satisfied
existing customers and growth into new markets. One example of this innovation
occurred in September when we began supplying Onkyo Corporation with our
Quickset interface and XMP-2 technology for its latest line of audio video
receivers. Looking ahead, we are excited about 2010 and intend to demonstrate an
array of new control technology advances at the Consumer Electronics Show in
January."

Financial Results for the Quarter Ended September 30: 2009 Compared to 2008

* Net sales were $83.2 million, compared to $76.5 million.

* Business Category revenue was $67.0 million, compared to $61.3 million. The
Business Category contributed 81% of total net sales, compared to 80%.
* Consumer Category revenue was $16.2 million, compared to $15.2 million. The
Consumer Category contributed 19% of total net sales, compared to 20%.

* Gross margins were 31.3 %, compared to 32.6%.
* Total operating expenses were $19.4 million, compared to $19.0 million.
* Operating income was $6.6 million, compared to $5.9 million.
* Interest income was $110,000, compared to $859,000.
* Net income was $4.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to $4.0
million, or $0.28 per diluted share.
* At September 30, 2009, the cash and cash equivalents and term deposit balance
was $79.2 million.

Bryan Hackworth, UEI`s CFO, commented "The increase in revenue for the quarter
reflects our strong market position. In addition, we have leveraged our
operating expenses as evidenced by the 140 basis point improvement in total
operating expenses as a percent of revenue for the quarter. Operating expenses
were 23.4% of revenue for the third quarter 2009, compared to 24.8% in the same
period last year."

Financial Results for the Nine-months Ended September 30: 2009 Compared to 2008

* Net sales were $232.6 million, compared to $208.4 million.
* Gross margins were 31.4%, compared to 34.0%.
* Total operating expenses were $59.1 million, compared to $57.9 million.
* Operating income was $13.9 million, compared to $13.0 million.
* Interest income was $376,000, compared to $2.6 million.
* Net income was $8.8 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, compared to $10.0
million, or $0.68 per diluted share.

Financial Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2009, net sales are expected to range between $81
million and $84 million, compared to $78.7 million in the fourth quarter of
2008. The company anticipates gross margins for the fourth quarter of 2009 to be
approximately 33.5% of sales, plus or minus one point, compared to 32.2% of
sales in the fourth quarter of 2008. For the fourth quarter of 2009, operating
expenses are expected to range from $19.0 million to $19.6 million, compared to
fourth quarter 2008 operating expenses of $17.5 million. Earnings per diluted
share for the fourth quarter of 2009 are expected to range from $0.38 to $0.42,
compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.42 in the fourth quarter of 2008.

For the full 2009 year, net sales are expected to range between $313 million and
$317 million, compared to $287.1 million in 2008. For 2009, operating expenses
are expected to range from $78 million to $79 million, compared to 2008
operating expenses of $75.4 million. Earnings per diluted share for 2009 are
expected to range from $1.02 to $1.06, compared to earnings per diluted share of
$1.09 in 2008.

Conference Call Information

UEI`s management team will hold a conference call today, Thursday, November 5,
2009 at 4:30 p.m. ET / 1:30 p.m. PT, to discuss its third quarter 2009 earnings
results, review the quarterly activity and answer questions. To access the call
in the U.S. please dial 877-655-6895 and for international calls dial
706-758-0299 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference. The
conference ID is 35717601. The conference call will also be broadcast live over
the Internet and available for replay for one year at www.uei.com. In addition,
a replay of the call will be available via telephone for two business days,
beginning two hours after the call. To listen to the replay, in the U.S., please
dial 800-642-1687 and internationally, 706-645-9291. Enter access code 35717601.

About Universal Electronics Inc.

Founded in 1986, Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) is the global leader in
wireless control technology for the connected home. UEI designs, develops, and
delivers innovative solutions that enable consumers to control entertainment
devices, digital media, and home systems. The company`s broad portfolio of
patented technologies and database of infrared control software have been
adopted by many Fortune 500 companies in the consumer electronics, subscription
broadcast, and computing industries. UEI sells and licenses wireless control
products through distributors and retailers under the One For All brand name.
UEI also delivers complete home control solutions in the professional custom
installation market under the brand name Nevo. For additional information,
please visit our website at www.uei.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to
the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timing and
success of the Company's new control technologies; the ability of the Company to
continue creating innovative products and technologies leading to new customer
wins and expansion of existing relationships; the Company's ability to maintain
its worldwide market share; the continued softness in our worldwide markets due
to the current economic environment; general economic conditions; and other
factors described in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially
from any forward looking statement due to such risks and uncertainties. The
Company undertakes no obligations to revise or update any forward-looking
statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the
date of this release.

- Tables Follow -

UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share-related data)

(Unaudited)

September 30, 2009 December 31, 2008
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 30,099 $ 75,238
Term deposit 49,125 -
Accounts receivable, net 55,961 59,825
Inventories, net 43,628 43,675
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,333 3,461
Deferred income taxes 2,407 2,421
Total current assets 183,553 184,620
Equipment, furniture and fixtures, net 9,399 8,686
Goodwill 13,770 10,757
Intangible assets, net 11,821 5,637
Other assets 908 609
Deferred income taxes 7,620 7,246
Total assets $ 227,071 $ 217,555

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS` EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 39,692 $ 44,705
Accrued sales discounts, rebates and royalties 5,451 4,848
Accrued income taxes 2,761 2,334
Accrued compensation 4,945 3,617
Other accrued expenses 7,874 6,813
Total current liabilities 60,723 62,317
Long-term liabilities:
Deferred income taxes 151 130
Income tax payable 1,442 1,442
Other long-term liabilities 124 313
Total liabilities 62,440 64,202

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders` equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding - -
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 19,040,652 and 18,715,833 shares issued at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively 190 187
Paid-in capital 126,768 120,551
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,936 750
Retained earnings 113,149 104,314
242,043 225,802

Less cost of common stock in treasury, 5,340,021 and 5,070,319 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively (77,412 ) (72,449 )
Total stockholders` equity 164,631 153,353
Total liabilities and stockholders` equity $ 227,071 $ 217,555

UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended

September 30,
September 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008
Net sales $ 83,182 $ 76,532 $ 232,611 $ 208,407
Cost of sales 57,112 51,604 159,609 137,532
Gross profit 26,070 24,928 73,002 70,875

Research and development expenses 2,251 1,985 6,411 6,302
Selling, general and administrative expenses 17,175 17,033 52,724 51,623

Operating income 6,644 5,910 13,867 12,950
Interest income, net 110 859 376 2,649
Other income (expense), net 25 (417 ) (161 ) (237 )

Income before provision for income taxes 6,779 6,352 14,082 15,362
Provision for income taxes (2,556 ) (2,347 ) (5,247 ) (5,389 )
Net income $ 4,223 $ 4,005 $ 8,835 $ 9,973

Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.31 $ 0.29 $ 0.65 $ 0.71
Diluted $ 0.30 $ 0.28 $ 0.63 $ 0.68

Shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic 13,687 13,919 13,656 14,144
Diluted 14,008 14,420 13,940 14,643

UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,
2009 2008
Cash provided by operating activities:
Net income $ 8,835 $ 9,973
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 5,019 4,365
Provision for doubtful accounts 181 107
Provision for inventory write-downs 2,861 1,695
Benefit for deferred income taxes (297 ) (446 )
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options 374 416
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation (198 ) (337 )
Shares issued for employee benefit plan 530 443
Stock-based compensation 3,184 3,307

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 4,474 (1,600 )
Inventories (1,931 ) (8,060 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets 883 (814 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (3,241 ) 9,346
Accrued income taxes 202 (250 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 20,876 18,145

Cash used for investing activities:
Term deposit (49,125 ) -
Acquisition of equipment, furniture and fixtures (4,142 ) (4,803 )
Acquisition of intangible assets (988 ) (1,058 )
Acquisition of assets from Zilog, Inc. (9,502 ) -
Net cash used for investing activities (63,757 ) (5,861 )

Cash used for financing activities:
Proceeds from stock options exercised 2,412 983
Treasury stock purchased (5,242 ) (21,565 )
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation 198 337
Net cash used for financing activities (2,632 ) (20,245 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 374 (2,789 )

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (45,139 ) (10,750 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 75,238 86,610

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 30,099 $ 75,860

UEI
Paul Arling, 714-820-1000
or
IR Agency
Kirsten Chapman, 415-433-3777

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