EX-99.1 3 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE, DATED OCTOBER 23, 2003, ISSUED BY COBRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION Press release, dated October 23, 2003, issued by Cobra Electronics Corporation

Exhibit 99-1

 

[COBRA LOGO APPEARS HERE]

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

   

Investor Contact:        

  Michael Smith
        Senior Vice President and CFO
        Cobra Electronics Corporation
        773-804-6281
        msmith@cobra.com
         
   

Media Contact:        

  Jenny Courtad
        312-729-4312
        jcourtad@golinharris.com
        Marlene Wechselblatt
        212-309-1427
        mwechselblatt@golinharris.com
         

COBRA ELECTRONICS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

 

CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 23, 2003 – Cobra Electronics Corporation (Nasdaq: COBR), a leading global manufacturer of mobile communications products, today announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2003.

 

For the quarter, Cobra reported net income of $391,000, or $.06 per diluted share, compared to net income of $338,000, or $.05 per diluted share, one year ago. The company reported net sales of $26.3 million, down from $35.9 million one year ago. Gross margin for the third quarter increased to 26.9 percent from 23.4 percent in the third quarter of 2002. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $6.6 million, more than 14 percent below the $7.7 million incurred in the third quarter of 2002.

 

“Cobra is pleased to announce an improvement in net income for the third quarter relative to last year,” said Jim Bazet, Cobra’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This increase reflects improved gross margins and tight controls over expenses, as our team increases its focus on managing the ‘controllable’ elements of our business in a continued difficult business environment. Cobra also benefited from favorable currency movements from sales in our European markets, as well as from an increase in the cash surrender value of certain life insurance policies, offsetting the substantial decline in the value of these assets over the past several quarters.”

 

Mr. Bazet added that third quarter sales include shipments of Cobra’s first two handheld GPS models, the GPS 100 and the GPS 500. “We are pleased with the initial market

 

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Cobra Electronics Third Quarter Results – 2

 

acceptance of the Cobra GPS products, endorsing our efforts to build the fastest and most user-friendly products in the market today,” noted Mr. Bazet. “As we approach the first quarter of 2004 launch of our third handheld GPS product, featuring Rand-McNally mapping software with street-level maps and points of interest, as well as our mobile GPS navigation products, we are confident that we have established a base of enthusiastic retailers and consumers for Cobra GPS.” Mr. Bazet discussed sales results, noting the intensified competition in the two-way radio market. “The continuing efforts of retailers to control inventory levels and build store traffic with low price-point promotions led to a significant decline in two-way radio sales.”

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, Cobra reported net income of $345,000, or $.05 per diluted share, as compared to $723,000, or $.11 per diluted share, for the prior year period. The decline was primarily due to the decline in net sales to $73.5 million for the nine-month period versus $93.2 million for the same period in 2002. This decline was offset, in part, by improved gross margins and lower selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Cobra maintained its strong balance sheet position during the third quarter. The company had net interest-bearing debt (long-term bank debt less cash) of $2.0 million, as of September 30, 2003, as compared to $2.4 million one year earlier. Inventory increased to $30.5 million from $24.0 million the prior year, primarily due to the timing of inventory receipts. Accordingly, purchase commitments were $10.9 million less than the prior year. Accounts receivable at the end of the quarter decreased to $15.3 million from $25.3 million as a result of lower sales and increased collections activity. Net book value per share on September 30, 2003 increased to $8.82 from $8.60 one year ago.

 

Mr. Bazet also provided the company’s outlook for the fourth quarter. “While some economic uncertainty remains, Cobra is forecasting a strong fourth quarter, with sales equal to or exceeding those of last year. We are also continuing to manage margins and expenses closely and expect that earnings will exceed those of last year. For the full year, we anticipate that our continued cost containment program will permit Cobra to generate net income in excess of 2002 levels although sales will decline from 2002 levels.”

 

Cobra will be conducting a conference call on October 23, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. EDT to discuss the third quarter results as well as its current strategies and outlook. The call can also be accessed live or through replay via the Internet at http://www.cobra.com.

 

About Cobra Electronics

Cobra Electronics Corporation (Nasdaq: COBR) is a leading global manufacturer of mobile communications products for consumers, having attained a leadership position in every market in which it currently does business. The FRS/GMRS (Family Radio Service/General Mobile Radio Service) market is one of the largest categories of mobile communications, and Cobra is a leading provider in the U.S., Canada and Europe. In addition, 2003 marks Cobra’s entry into the GPS (Global Positioning System) market with the development of another innovative mobile communications product line. Cobra, ranked among Forbes’ 200 Best Small Companies for two of the past three years, has a track record of designing innovative and award-winning products. To learn more about Cobra Electronics, please visit the Cobra site at www.cobra.com.

 

 

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Cobra Electronics Third Quarter Results – 3

 

Safe Harbor

The statements in this release concerning the company’s sales and profit growth are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, the acceptance of the company’s new and existing products by customers, continued success of the company’s cost containment efforts and continuation of key distribution channel relationships. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that the company believes to be reasonable. No assurance can be given that the assumptions will prove to be correct, and the difference between assumptions and actual results could be material.

 

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Cobra Electronics Third Quarter Results – 4

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited)

 

     For the Three Months Ended

    For the Nine Months Ended

 
    

September 30,

2003


   

September 30,

2002


   

September 30,

2003


   

September 30,

2002


 

Net sales

   $ 26,304     $ 35,924     $ 73,481     $ 93,231  

Cost of sales

     19,232       27,528       53,538       70,851  
    

 

Gross profit

     7,072       8,396       19,943       22,380  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     6,615       7,729       19,483       20,900  
    

 

Operating income

     457       667       460       1,480  

Other income (expense):

                                

Interest expense

     (43 )     (43 )     (103 )     (183 )

Other, net

     238       (70 )     214       (23 )
    

 

Income before taxes

     652       554       571       1,274  

Tax provision

     261       216       226       551  
    

 

Net income

   $ 391     $ 338     $ 345     $ 723  
    

 

Net income per common share:

                                

Basic

   $ 0.06     $ 0.05     $ 0.05     $ 0.11  

Diluted

   $ 0.06     $ 0.05     $ 0.05     $ 0.11  
    

 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                                

Basic

     6,420       6,407       6,420       6,357  

Diluted

     6,506       6,553       6,491       6,515  
    

 

                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  

 

4


Cobra Electronics Third Quarter Results – 5

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2003


   December 31,
2002


   September 30,
2002


ASSETS:

                    

Current assets:

                    

Cash

   $ 2,360    $ 2,829    $ 1,555

Accounts receivable, net

     15,250      24,784      25,302

Inventories, net

     30,466      20,956      23,962

Other current assets

     11,289      10,420      10,962
    

  

  

Total current assets

     59,365      58,989      61,781

Net property, plant and equipment

     6,665      7,420      7,683

Total other assets

     12,523      8,773      7,526
    

  

  

Total assets

   $ 78,553    $ 75,182    $ 76,990
    

  

  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                    

Current liabilities:

                    

Accounts payable

   $ 5,324    $ 4,292    $ 4,782

Accrued liabilities

     4,286      7,153      4,939
    

  

  

Total current liabilities

     9,610      11,445      9,721
    

  

  

Non-current liabilities:

                    

Deferred taxes

     3,673      3,673      4,385

Deferred compensation

     4,300      3,785      3,773

Long-term debt

     4,359      0      3,918
    

  

  

Total non-current liabilities

     12,332      7,458      12,076
    

  

  

Total shareholders’ equity

     56,611      56,279      55,193
    

  

  

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 78,553    $ 75,182    $ 76,990