EX-99 2 ex99042804.htm EXHIBIT 99 Exhibit 99


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: APRIL 28, 2004
CONTACT:    BOB READY OR
           RON STOWELL
           (513) 793-3200

LSI INDUSTRIES INC. REPORTS OPERATING RESULTS
FOR THE THIRD QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2004,
AND DECLARES REGULAR QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND

Cincinnati, April 28, 2004 – LSI Industries Inc. (Nasdaq:LYTS) today reported operating results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2004.

Financial Highlights
(In thousands, except per
share data; unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31

Nine Months Ended
March 31

2004
2003
% Change
2004
2003
% Change
Net Sales     $ 51,500   $ 44,228    16.4 % $ 174,715   $ 157,548    10.9 %
 
Operating Income   $ 1,478   $ 841    75.7 % $ 12,169   $ 7,987    52.4 %
 
Income Before Cumulative  
  Effect of Accounting Change   $ 920   $ 468    96.6 % $ 7,527   $ 5,370    40.2 %
 
Net Income (Loss)   $ 920   $ 468    96.6 % $ 7,527   $ (13,171 )  n/m  
 
Earnings Per Share Before  
  Cumulative Effect of  
  Accounting Change (diluted)   $ 0.05   $ 0.02    150.0 % $ 0.38   $ 0.27    40.7 %
 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share  
  (diluted)   $ 0.05   $ 0.02    150.0 % $ 0.38   $ (.66 )  n/m  

3/31/04
6/30/03
Working Capital $  61,546  $  59,633 
Total Assets $167,118  $162,776 
Shareholders' Equity $129,037  $124,905 

Third Quarter 2004 Results

        Net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2004 were $51.5 million, a 16% increase from last year’s third quarter net sales of $44.2 million. Fiscal 2004 third quarter net income of $0.9 million ($0.05 per share) increased 97% from the $0.5 million ($0.02 per share) reported last year. Lighting Segment net sales increased 22% to $34.6 million, and Graphics Segment net sales increased 7% to $16.9 million. Net sales to the petroleum / convenience

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LSI Industries Inc. Third Quarter Results
April 28, 2004

store market, the Company’s major market, represented 27% and 30% of total net sales in the third quarters of fiscal years 2004 and 2003, respectively. Earnings per share for all periods represent diluted earnings per share.

2004 Nine Month Results

        Net sales in the first nine months of fiscal 2004 were $174.7 million, an 11% increase from last year’s nine month net sales of $157.5 million. Fiscal 2004 net income of $7.5 million ($0.38 per share) increased 40% from the $5.4 million (before the cumulative effect of a non-cash accounting change related to goodwill impairment) ($0.27 per share) reported last year. After consideration of the cumulative effect of the accounting change related to the Fiscal 2003 write down of goodwill pursuant to the Company’s implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, the fiscal 2003 nine month net loss was $13.2 million or $(.66) per share as compared to fiscal 2004 nine month net income of $7.5 million or $0.38 per share. Lighting Segment net sales increased 15% to $112.5 million, and Graphics Segment net sales increased 4% to $62.2 million. Net sales to the petroleum / convenience store market, the Company’s major market, represented 30% of total net sales in the first nine months of fiscal years 2004 and 2003.

Balance Sheet

        The balance sheet at March 31, 2004 included current assets of $87.7 million, current liabilities of $26.1 million, working capital of $61.5 million with a strong current ratio of 3.36 to 1.0. Long-term debt obligations of $11.4 million compared to shareholders’ equity of $129.0 million. The Company currently has borrowing capacity of $38.5 million under its $50 million commercial bank facility, which was recently renewed in the third quarter. With continued strong cash flow, a sound and conservatively capitalized balance sheet, and a $50 million credit facility, LSI Industries’ financial condition is sound and capable of supporting the Company’s planned growth.

Company Comments

        Bob Ready, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Sales results of the third quarter were much as expected, however there were some additional opportunities we were not able to capitalize on as our lighting segment was focused on the implementation of the J.D. Edwards OneWorld business operating system in the Cincinnati and Kentucky operations. Sales volume trends are up early in the fourth quarter from levels reported in the third quarter, partially due to improved weather conditions. As previously mentioned, certain one-time expenses affected results of the third quarter, including documentation and testing of internal controls as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the cost of additional hiring and staffing to meet expected demand.

         Mr. Ready commented further, “In general, I am pleased with the response of our markets to the improving economy. We expect the projects we have been working on over that past many months to make LSI more efficient and effective in the commercial & industrial lighting markets. These projects include: the recently completed consolidation of our graphics companies; training of all new lighting sales reps; the introduction of new catalogs and the first-ever LSI total lighting products buyers guide; and the beginning of the consolidation of our lighting companies. Our lighting segment business has felt the impact of increased steel prices used in both pole and fixture manufacturing. As a response we are following the lighting

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LSI Industries Inc. Third Quarter Results
April 28, 2004

industry practice of passing on price increases or surcharges to our customers in order to cover our higher cost of materials. Our core strategy of combining lighting and graphics to create image continues to work well with our customer base. This strategy allows us to approach our various markets with a powerful competitive advantage which leverages the importance of LSI with our customers. Our business continues to gain strength and the outlook remains positive as the general economy continues its recovery. We remain very optimistic about our business prospects and growth, both near-term as well as long-term.”

Cash Dividend Action

        The Board of Directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.072 per share, payable May 18, 2004 to shareholders of record as of May 11, 2004. This quarterly dividend currently represents an indicated annual rate of $0.288 per share, a 50% increase over fiscal 2003.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This document contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous assumptions, risks or uncertainties. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “believes,” “should” and similar expressions and by the context in which they are used. Such statements are based upon current expectations of the Company and speak only as of the date made. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and services, product demand and market acceptance risks, reliance on key customers, financial difficulties experienced by customers, the adequacy of reserves and allowances for doubtful accounts, fluctuations in operating results or costs, unexpected difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, and the ability to retain key employees of acquired businesses.

About the Company

        LSI Industries is an integrated design, manufacturing and technology company supplying its own high quality lighting fixtures, graphics elements and narrowcast digital messaging for both exterior and interior applications. The Company’s Lighting Segment produces high performance products dedicated to the outdoor, architectural outdoor, indoor, architectural indoor and accent/downlight markets. The Graphics Segment provides a vast array of graphic products (including illuminated and non-illuminated menu board systems), design support, engineering and project management for custom programs for today’s retail environment. LSI’s major markets are the petroleum / convenience store, multi-site retail (including automobile dealerships, restaurants and national retail accounts) and the commercial / industrial lighting markets. LSI employs approximately 1,700 people in sixteen facilities located in Ohio, California, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and Washington. The Company’s common shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol LYTS.

For further information, contact either Bob Ready, Chief Executive Officer and President, or Ron Stowell, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer at (513) 793-3200.

Additional note: Today’s news release, along with past releases from LSI Industries, are available on the Company’s internet site at www.lsi-industries.com or by email or fax, by calling the Investor Relations Department at (513) 793-3200.

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LSI INDUSTRIES INC.

Three Months Ended
March 31

Nine Months Ended
March 31

Condensed Income Statements
2004
2003
2004
2003
(in thousands, except per
share data; unaudited)
 
Net sales     $ 51,500   $ 44,228   $ 174,715   $ 157,548  
Cost of products sold    39,689    33,647    129,362    116,893  




     Gross profit    11,811    10,581    45,353    40,655  
 
Selling and administrative expenses    10,333    9,740    33,184    32,668  




     Operating income    1,478    841    12,169    7,987  
 
Other (income) expense, net    54    93    260    305  




     Income before income taxes    1,424    748    11,909    7,682  
 
Income tax expense    504    280    4,382    2,312  




     Income before cumulative effect  
       of accounting change    920    468    7,527    5,370  
 
Cumulative effect of accounting  
    change, net of tax    --    --    --    18,541  




Net income (loss)   $ 920   $ 468   $ 7,527   $ (13,171 )




Earnings (loss) per common share  
     Basic  
     Earnings per share before  
        effect of accounting change   $ .05   $ .02   $ .38   $ .27  




     Earnings (loss) per share   $ .05   $ .02   $ .38   $ (.67 )




Earnings (loss) per common share  
     Diluted  
     Earnings per share before  
        effect of accounting change   $ .05   $ .02   $ .38   $ .27  




     Earnings (loss) per share   $ .05   $ .02   $ .38   $ (.66 )





Condensed Balance Sheets
March 31, 2004
June 30, 2003
(in thousands, unaudited)
 
Current Assets     $ 87,666   $ 83,505  
Property, Plant and Equipment, net    54,997    55,009  
Other Assets    24,455    24,262  


    $ 167,118   $ 162,776  


Current Liabilities   $ 26,120   $ 23,872  
Other Long-Term Liabilities    11,961    13,999  
Shareholders' Equity    129,037    124,905  


    $ 167,118   $ 162,776  


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