XLTC Excel Tech (MM)

Excel Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLTC) announced record quarterly results for the period ended September 29, 2006. Sales for the quarter were $40.3 million and pretax income was $3.7 million and net income was $2.5 million ($0.20 per diluted share), which included $2.1 million (net of taxes) of special items. Excluding the $2.1 million (net of taxes) of special items ($0.17 per diluted share), the Company�s pretax profit was $6.8 million and net income was $4.6 million ($0.36 per diluted share). Sales: The Company realized record sales of $40.3 million, an increase of 6.5% or $2.5 million, for the three months ended September 29, 2006 and $116.2 million, an increase of 14.6% or $14.8 million, for the nine months ended September 29, over the comparable periods in 2005. Pretax Profits: Pretax profits, excluding special items was $6.8 million for the third quarter of the year as compared to $6.0 million in the same period last year, an increase of 14%. For the nine months ended September 29, 2006 pretax profits, excluding special items were $20.4 million compared to $14.7 for the same period in 2005, an increase of 38.8%. Profits: Net income, excluding special items was $4.6 million for the third quarter of this year as compared to $4.4 million in the same period last year, an increase of 4.6%. For the nine months ended September 2006, net income, excluding special items was $13.8 million compared to $10.9 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of 26.8%. EPS: Net income per share, including special items, is $0.20 per diluted share for the quarter and $0.83 per diluted share for the nine months ending September 29, 2006. Net income per share, excluding special items, was $0.36 on a diluted basis for the quarter ended September 29, 2006, and $0.36 per share on a diluted basis reported for the same period in 2005. For the nine months ended September 29, 2006, net income per share, excluding special items, was $1.10 on a diluted basis in 2006 compared to $0.89 on a diluted basis for 2005, a 23.6% increase. Antoine Dominic, Chief Executive Officer, stated �We are quite pleased with our quarter and year to date results considering that we achieved these results while having to work within the framework of the merger contract, the uncertainty in the market and lack of new efforts to further expand our market presence due to the pending merger. Now that the merger is officially terminated, we are committed to growing Excel by expanding our product portfolio and markets organically and through acquisitions. Our year to date sales growth of 14.6% was good because it was all organic. However, our year to date pre-tax income growth of 38.8% (excluding special items) was even more satisfying as we increased our operational efficiencies. We need to continue our emphasis on organic growth as the ratio of sales increase to profitability is far greater as evidenced this year. During the year the Company has introduced several new products that have been well received in the market and we plan to enter 2007 with a record product portfolio that should aid in our organic growth. We also have a fairly healthy cash balance that we hope will enable us to expand our acquisition objectives and also to utilize it wisely for share repurchases.� Alice Hughes Varisano, Chief Financial Officer, concluded, �The third quarter of 2006 was the Company�s fifth straight quarter of record sales, pre tax profits, net income and earnings per share (excluding special items). Sales increased 6.5% during the quarter and 14.6% for the first nine months compared to the same period last year. Pre tax profits (excluding special items) increased 14% to $6.8 million for the third quarter and for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased 38.8% to $20.4 million compared to the same period last year. Profits for the quarter increased 4.6% and for the nine months 26.8% (excluding special items), less of an increase than pre tax profits due to the effective tax rate increasing from 27% to 33% in 2006. This increase in the tax rate was due in part to the suspension of the R&D credit, non deductibility of certain merger related costs, and the reduction of a tax exposure liability due to a settlement in 2005 that did not reoccur in 2006. The Company generated $9 million of cash during the first nine months, resulting in a cash and investment balance of $59.0 million as of September 30, 2006; with no debt. Year to date bookings at September 30, 2006 were $118 million, an increase of over 11% or $12.0 million over the same period in the prior year. The backlog at the end of the third quarter 2006 was $36.5 million an increase of 16.0% or $5.0 million compared to $31.5 million backlog for the third quarter 2005, which is quite strong.� Excel and its wholly owned subsidiaries manufacture and market photonics-based solutions, consisting of laser systems and electro-optical components, primarily for industrial/commercial and scientific applications. FINANCIAL SUMMARY (unaudited and in thousands, except per share data) � FOR THE QUARTER FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 (unaudited) (unaudited) 2006� 2005� 2006� 2005� Net Sales & Services $ 40,299� $ 37,842� $ 116,154� $ 101,352� Cost of Sales and Services $ 22,350� $ 19,803� $ 62,890� $ 53,068� Gross Profit $ 17,949� $ 18,039� $ 53,264� $ 48,284� Operating Expenses: Selling & Marketing $ 4,611� $ 5,027� $ 14,352� $ 14,094� General & Administrative $ 3,724� $ 3,536� $ 9,689� $ 9,496� Research and Development $ 3,527� $ 3,757� $ 10,807� $ 10,848� Operating Income (without merger, merger related & deferred compensation expenses) $ 6,087� $ 5,719� $ 18,416� $ 13,846� Merger, Merger Related and Deferred Compensation Expense $ 3,085� $ 0� $ 5,069� $ 0� Interest Income $ 755� $ 337� $ 1,770� $ 794� Other Income (Expense) $ (43) $ (92) $ 230� $ 69� Pre-Tax Income $ 3,714� $ 5,964� $ 15,347� $ 14,709� Provision for Income Taxes $ 1,226� $ 1,610� $ 5,002� $ 3,853� Net Income $ 2,488* $ 4,354� $ 10,345* $ 10,856� Net Income Per Common Share - Diluted $ 0.20� $ 0.36� $ 0.83� $ 0.89� � Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted 12,522� 12,259� 12,505� 12,243� Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income and EPS Net income as reported under GAAP of $2,488 and $10,345, excluding the merger, merger related and deferred compensation expenses, net of tax effect, of approximately $2.1 million for the three months ending September 29, 2006 (or .17 cents per diluted share) and $3.4 million for the nine months ending September 29, 2006 (or .27 cents per diluted share) would have been $4,635 and $13,835 respectively (unaudited). EPS without these charges would have been $0.36 and $1.10 per diluted share for the three and nine months ending September 29, 2006, respectively (unaudited). BALANCE SHEET & SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA � SEPTEMBER 29, 2006 DECEMBER 31, 2005 Cash $ 9,774� $ 16,303� Investments $ 49,150� $ 34,000� Accounts Receivable, net $ 26,044� $ 22,879� Inventories $ 36,497� $ 30,269� Other Current Assets $ 2,855� $ 3,013� Total Current Assets $ 124,320� $ 106,464� Property, Plant & Equipment, net $ 25,158� $ 25,983� Other Non-Current Assets & Goodwill $ 32,142� $ 31,591� Total Assets $ 181,620� $ 164,038� Accounts Payable $ 6,950� $ 4,829� Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities $ 9,013� $ 5,882� Income Taxes Payable $ 436� $ 1,097� Total Current Liabilities $ 16,399� $ 11,808� Deferred Compensation $ 1,375� $ --� Other Non-Current Liabilities $ 3,478� $ 3,492� Minority Interest in Net Income of Subsidiary $ 89� $ 48� Stockholders' Equity $ 160,279� $ 148,690� Total Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity $ 181,620� $ 164,038� Working Capital $ 107,921� $ 94,656� Current Ratio 7.58� 9.02� Excel Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: XLTC) announced record quarterly results for the period ended September 29, 2006. Sales for the quarter were $40.3 million and pretax income was $3.7 million and net income was $2.5 million ($0.20 per diluted share), which included $2.1 million (net of taxes) of special items. Excluding the $2.1 million (net of taxes) of special items ($0.17 per diluted share), the Company's pretax profit was $6.8 million and net income was $4.6 million ($0.36 per diluted share). Sales: The Company realized record sales of $40.3 million, an increase of 6.5% or $2.5 million, for the three months ended September 29, 2006 and $116.2 million, an increase of 14.6% or $14.8 million, for the nine months ended September 29, over the comparable periods in 2005. Pretax Profits: Pretax profits, excluding special items was $6.8 million for the third quarter of the year as compared to $6.0 million in the same period last year, an increase of 14%. For the nine months ended September 29, 2006 pretax profits, excluding special items were $20.4 million compared to $14.7 for the same period in 2005, an increase of 38.8%. Profits: Net income, excluding special items was $4.6 million for the third quarter of this year as compared to $4.4 million in the same period last year, an increase of 4.6%. For the nine months ended September 2006, net income, excluding special items was $13.8 million compared to $10.9 million for the same period in 2005, an increase of 26.8%. EPS: Net income per share, including special items, is $0.20 per diluted share for the quarter and $0.83 per diluted share for the nine months ending September 29, 2006. Net income per share, excluding special items, was $0.36 on a diluted basis for the quarter ended September 29, 2006, and $0.36 per share on a diluted basis reported for the same period in 2005. For the nine months ended September 29, 2006, net income per share, excluding special items, was $1.10 on a diluted basis in 2006 compared to $0.89 on a diluted basis for 2005, a 23.6% increase. Antoine Dominic, Chief Executive Officer, stated "We are quite pleased with our quarter and year to date results considering that we achieved these results while having to work within the framework of the merger contract, the uncertainty in the market and lack of new efforts to further expand our market presence due to the pending merger. Now that the merger is officially terminated, we are committed to growing Excel by expanding our product portfolio and markets organically and through acquisitions. Our year to date sales growth of 14.6% was good because it was all organic. However, our year to date pre-tax income growth of 38.8% (excluding special items) was even more satisfying as we increased our operational efficiencies. We need to continue our emphasis on organic growth as the ratio of sales increase to profitability is far greater as evidenced this year. During the year the Company has introduced several new products that have been well received in the market and we plan to enter 2007 with a record product portfolio that should aid in our organic growth. We also have a fairly healthy cash balance that we hope will enable us to expand our acquisition objectives and also to utilize it wisely for share repurchases." Alice Hughes Varisano, Chief Financial Officer, concluded, "The third quarter of 2006 was the Company's fifth straight quarter of record sales, pre tax profits, net income and earnings per share (excluding special items). Sales increased 6.5% during the quarter and 14.6% for the first nine months compared to the same period last year. Pre tax profits (excluding special items) increased 14% to $6.8 million for the third quarter and for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased 38.8% to $20.4 million compared to the same period last year. Profits for the quarter increased 4.6% and for the nine months 26.8% (excluding special items), less of an increase than pre tax profits due to the effective tax rate increasing from 27% to 33% in 2006. This increase in the tax rate was due in part to the suspension of the R&D credit, non deductibility of certain merger related costs, and the reduction of a tax exposure liability due to a settlement in 2005 that did not reoccur in 2006. The Company generated $9 million of cash during the first nine months, resulting in a cash and investment balance of $59.0 million as of September 30, 2006; with no debt. Year to date bookings at September 30, 2006 were $118 million, an increase of over 11% or $12.0 million over the same period in the prior year. The backlog at the end of the third quarter 2006 was $36.5 million an increase of 16.0% or $5.0 million compared to $31.5 million backlog for the third quarter 2005, which is quite strong." Excel and its wholly owned subsidiaries manufacture and market photonics-based solutions, consisting of laser systems and electro-optical components, primarily for industrial/commercial and scientific applications. -0- *T FINANCIAL SUMMARY (unaudited and in thousands, except per share data) FOR THE QUARTER FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 ENDED SEPTEMBER 30 (unaudited) (unaudited) 2006 2005 2006 2005 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net Sales & Services $ 40,299 $ 37,842 $116,154 $101,352 Cost of Sales and Services $ 22,350 $ 19,803 $ 62,890 $ 53,068 --------- --------- --------- --------- Gross Profit $ 17,949 $ 18,039 $ 53,264 $ 48,284 Operating Expenses: Selling & Marketing $ 4,611 $ 5,027 $ 14,352 $ 14,094 General & Administrative $ 3,724 $ 3,536 $ 9,689 $ 9,496 Research and Development $ 3,527 $ 3,757 $ 10,807 $ 10,848 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating Income (without merger, merger related & deferred compensation expenses) $ 6,087 $ 5,719 $ 18,416 $ 13,846 Merger, Merger Related and Deferred Compensation Expense $ 3,085 $ 0 $ 5,069 $ 0 Interest Income $ 755 $ 337 $ 1,770 $ 794 Other Income (Expense) $ (43) $ (92) $ 230 $ 69 --------- --------- --------- --------- Pre-Tax Income $ 3,714 $ 5,964 $ 15,347 $ 14,709 Provision for Income Taxes $ 1,226 $ 1,610 $ 5,002 $ 3,853 --------- --------- --------- --------- Net Income $ 2,488* $ 4,354 $ 10,345* $ 10,856 ========= ========= ========= ========= Net Income Per Common Share - Diluted $ 0.20 $ 0.36 $ 0.83 $ 0.89 Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted 12,522 12,259 12,505 12,243 *T Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income and EPS -- Net income as reported under GAAP of $2,488 and $10,345, excluding the merger, merger related and deferred compensation expenses, net of tax effect, of approximately $2.1 million for the three months ending September 29, 2006 (or .17 cents per diluted share) and $3.4 million for the nine months ending September 29, 2006 (or .27 cents per diluted share) would have been $4,635 and $13,835 respectively (unaudited). EPS without these charges would have been $0.36 and $1.10 per diluted share for the three and nine months ending September 29, 2006, respectively (unaudited). -0- *T BALANCE SHEET & SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA SEPTEMBER 29, 2006 DECEMBER 31, 2005 Cash $ 9,774 $ 16,303 Investments $ 49,150 $ 34,000 Accounts Receivable, net $ 26,044 $ 22,879 Inventories $ 36,497 $ 30,269 Other Current Assets $ 2,855 $ 3,013 ------------------ ----------------- Total Current Assets $ 124,320 $ 106,464 Property, Plant & Equipment, net $ 25,158 $ 25,983 Other Non-Current Assets & Goodwill $ 32,142 $ 31,591 ------------------ ----------------- Total Assets $ 181,620 $ 164,038 ================== ================= Accounts Payable $ 6,950 $ 4,829 Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities $ 9,013 $ 5,882 Income Taxes Payable $ 436 $ 1,097 ------------------ ----------------- Total Current Liabilities $ 16,399 $ 11,808 Deferred Compensation $ 1,375 $ -- Other Non-Current Liabilities $ 3,478 $ 3,492 Minority Interest in Net Income of Subsidiary $ 89 $ 48 Stockholders' Equity $ 160,279 $ 148,690 ------------------ ----------------- Total Liabilities & Stockholders' Equity $ 181,620 $ 164,038 ================== ================= Working Capital $ 107,921 $ 94,656 Current Ratio 7.58 9.02 *T