Ballantyne Reports Financial Results for Fourth Quarter of 2014

OMAHA, Neb.--()--Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (NYSE MKT: BTN), a diversified provider of digital technology services, products and solutions, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014.

Net revenues were $28.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with $32.7 million in the same period of the prior year. Net income totaled $318,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with a net loss of $1.7 million, or ($0.12) per share, in the same period of the prior year.

Gary L. Cavey, President and CEO of Ballantyne Strong, commented, “Over the past year, we have repositioned Ballantyne Strong to become a more diversified company with greater exposure to higher growth markets in the digital media sector. We have made good progress on building up our business development capabilities in digital media and we are pleased with the quality of opportunities we have in our sales pipeline. With the higher margins we are generating, we are optimistic about our opportunities to deliver profitable growth in the years ahead and create additional value for our shareholders.”

Q4 2014 Financial Summary

Managed Services revenues were $9.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with $10.7 million in the same period of the prior year. The decrease is attributable to lower project revenues in the digital media business.

Systems Integration revenues were $19.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with $22.2 million in the same period of the prior year. The decline is primarily attributable to the continued softening in demand as the cinema industry’s shift to a digital equipment platform winds down.

Consolidated gross profit was $5.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with $4.9 million in the same quarter of the prior year. Gross margin was 19.7% in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with 15.0% in the same quarter of the prior year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) were $5.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2014, compared with $6.7 million in the same quarter of the prior year. The decrease in SG&A was primarily attributable to lower severance, acquisition-related costs and non-equity based incentive compensation compared to the fourth quarter of 2013.

Full Year Results

For the year ended December 31, 2014, net revenues were $95.1 million, compared with $103.6 million in 2013. Gross profit amounted to $18.2 million, or 19.1% of net revenues, compared to gross profit of $16.8 million, or 16.3% of net revenues, in the prior-year period. Net loss was $4,000, or $0.00 per diluted share, compared to net income of $163,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, in 2013.

Balance Sheet

Ballantyne’s cash and cash equivalents balance at December 31, 2014 was $22.5 million, compared with $24.0 million at the end of the prior quarter. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents balance was primarily attributable to a decrease in accounts payable.

Conference Call and Webcast

A conference call to discuss 2014 fourth quarter financial results will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time / 10:30 a.m. Central Time. Investors and analysts are invited to access the conference call by dialing 866-652-5200 (domestic) or 412-317-6060 (international), and referencing “Ballantyne Strong.” There will also be a live webcast of the call available at the Investor Relations section of http://www.strong-world.com.

After the live webcast, a replay will remain available in the Investor Relations section of Ballantyne Strong’s website. A replay of the call will be available at 877-344-7529 (domestic) or 412-317-0088 (international) through March 13, 2015, conference ID 10061779.

About Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (www.strong-world.com)

Ballantyne Strong designs, integrates, and installs technology solutions for a broad range of applications; develops and delivers out-of-home messaging, advertising and communications; manufactures projection screens and lighting products; and provides managed services including monitoring of networked equipment. The Company focuses on serving the retail, financial, government and cinema markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information in this press release, it includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, quarterly fluctuations in results; customer demand for the Company’s products; the development of new technology for alternate means of motion picture presentation; domestic and international economic conditions; the management of growth; and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Actual results may differ materially from management’s expectations.

 
Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands)
 
      December 31,       December 31,
2014 2013
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 22,491 $ 28,791
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $679 in 2014 and $703 in 2013) 20,266 20,047
Inventories, net 14,108 15,185
Recoverable income taxes 1,255 2,207
Deferred income taxes 3,541 2,264
Other current assets   2,956     3,609  
Total current assets 64,617 72,103
Property, plant and equipment, net 13,914 14,721
Intangible assets, net 1,168 895
Goodwill 1,029 1,123
Notes receivable 2,985 2,497
Deferred income taxes 4,910 1,393
Other assets   1,447     2,712  
Total assets $ 90,070   $ 95,444  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 9,039 $ 12,844
Accrued expenses 4,366 6,236
Customer deposits/deferred revenue 5,473 3,474
Income tax payable   1,009     888  
Total current liabilities 19,887 23,442
Deferred revenue 2,230 3,008
Deferred income taxes 715 790
Other accrued expenses, net of current portion   1,776     1,748  
Total liabilities 24,608 28,988
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; Authorized 1,000 shares, none outstanding
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; Authorized 25,000 shares; issued 16,809 and 16,741 shares at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; 14,078 and 14,010 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively 168 167
Additional paid-in capital 38,657 38,231
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation (2,325 ) (959 )
Postretirement benefit obligation 139 190
Retained earnings   47,062     47,066  
83,701 84,695
Less 2,731 of common shares in treasury, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, at cost   (18,239

)

 

  (18,239 )
Total stockholders’ equity   65,462     66,456  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 90,070   $ 95,444  
 
 
Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
      Three Months Ended       Twelve Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
2014       2013 2014       2013
Net revenues $ 28,374 $ 32,745 $ 95,086 $ 103,610
Cost of revenues   22,734     27,831     76,926     86,765  
Gross profit 5,640 4,914 18,160 16,845
Selling and administrative expenses:
Selling 2,288 1,379 7,235 3,965
Administrative   2,959     5,295     12,740     12,773  
Total selling and administrative expenses 5,247 6,674 19,975 16,738
Gain (loss) on the sale/disposal/transfer of assets   (2 )   (16 )   10     (8 )
Income (loss) from operations 391 (1,776 )

(1,805

)

99
Net interest income 166 181 657 350
Equity income (loss) of joint venture (17 ) 92 78 (25 )
Other income, net   260     64     601     527  
Income (loss) before income taxes 800 (1,439 ) (469 ) 951
Income tax benefit (expense)   (482 )   (286 )   465     (788 )
Net earnings (loss) $ 318   $ (1,725 ) $ (4 ) $ 163  
Basic earnings (loss) per share $ 0.02   $ (0.12 ) $ 0.00   $ 0.01  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ 0.02   $ (0.12 ) $ 0.00   $ 0.01  
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic   14,078     14,009     14,061     13,999  
Diluted   14,215     14,042     14,061     14,031  
 
 
Ballantyne Strong, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
      Years Ended December 31,
2014       2013       2012
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss) $ (4 ) $ 163 $ 5,542
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for doubtful accounts 92 273 626
Provision for obsolete inventory (200 )

(111

)

(350 )
Provision for warranty 430 538
Depreciation and amortization 1,924 1,511 1,268
Equity in (income) loss of joint venture (78 ) 25 (10 )
(Gain) loss on forward contracts 145 380 (145 )
(Gain) loss on disposal or transfer of assets (11 ) 8 (1,332 )
Deferred income taxes (4,533 ) 1,339 71
Share-based compensation expense 426 461 393
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, unbilled and notes receivable 759 8,932 6,402
Inventories 1,149 689 4,265
Other current assets 8 1,826 2,605
Accounts payable (3,732 ) (4,813 ) (15,534 )
Accrued expenses (1,904 ) (235 ) 572
Customer deposits/deferred revenue 1,229 (3,327 ) (88 )
Current income taxes 1,145 685 (5,382 )
Other assets   (87 )   268     130  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   (3,672 )   8,504     (429 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired (18,810 )
Distribution from joint venture

2,509

Capital expenditures (1,982 ) (529 ) (2,541 )
Proceeds from sales of assets   57     5     3,334  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   (1,925 )   (19,334 )   3,302  
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock

(2,756

)

Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 4 8
Payments on capital lease obligations (14 )
Excess tax benefits from share-based arrangements   (7 )   16     2  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (21 ) 20 (2,746 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   (682 )   (567 )   152  
Net increase decrease in cash and cash equivalents (6,300 ) (11,377 ) 279
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   28,791     40,168     39,889  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 22,491   $ 28,791   $ 40,168  
Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:
Interest $ 34 $ 27 $ 22
Income Taxes $ 1,724 $ 961 $ 4,469
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital lease obligations for property and equipment $ 310 $ $
 

Contacts

Ballantyne Strong, Inc.
Nate Legband, 402-829-9404
Chief Financial Officer
or
Financial Profiles
Tony Rossi, 310-622-8221
trossi@finprofiles.com

Contacts

Ballantyne Strong, Inc.
Nate Legband, 402-829-9404
Chief Financial Officer
or
Financial Profiles
Tony Rossi, 310-622-8221
trossi@finprofiles.com