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•Product order backlog was $267.2 million(2) at July 27, 2024 compared to $316.9 million at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 and $323.7 million at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2024 as past periods' overbuilt backlog continues to be worked down through reductions in manufacturing lead times

Reece Kurtenbach, Daktronicsʹ Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented "We are off to a great start to the year against a record prior-year quarter. We built upon our fiscal 2024 accomplishments, focusing on efficient manufacturing and throughput and on-time deliveries for sports installs, especially in our Live Events and High School Parks and Recreation (HSPR) business units. We executed well to deliver year over year order growth, sequential revenue growth, and higher margins to generate returns above our cost of capital. Excluding a change in the fair value of our convertible note relating to our higher stock price, adjusted net income was $16.6 million, resulting in operating cash flow generation of $19.5 million against last year’s difficult comparison.”

Kurtenbach added, “These results indicate significant progress during the first quarter along our roadmap of strategic priorities with respect to our digital transformation, product innovation, and penetration of our addressable markets and we are on track to achieve specific milestones in fiscal 2025. In a culmination of a multi-year effort, our information systems teams are preparing for releases to be completed before fiscal year-end of critical technologies to upgrade our service and systems maintenance solutions. These tools modernize our service operating systems and further automate tasks to improve productivity and customer satisfaction. We are also on track to upgrade to new enterprise performance management tools during fiscal Q3 and Q4 to improve and broaden the collection of data for business performance reporting and analysis. Following these back-office improvements, our next goal is to redesign our front-end quoting and sales processes, building in automation, efficiency, and effective customer reach – this is planned to launch across multiple phases, the first releasing

(1) Adjusted net income is not a measure defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), to report our results exclusive of items that are non-recurring or not core to our operating business. We believe presenting this non-GAAP financial measurement provides investors with a consistent way to analyze our performance. For more information, see the supplemental calculation contained later in this release.

(2) Orders and backlog metrics are not measures defined by GAAP, and our methodology for determining orders and backlog may vary from the methodology used by other companies in determining their orders and backlog amounts. For more information related to backlog, see Part I, Item 1. Business of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 27, 2024.

early in fiscal 2026. On the control systems front, our Show Control solution is undergoing major advancements to enhance the live entertainment experience and improve workflow efficiencies. These enhancements will empower our customers to deliver dynamic cloud-based and locally stored presentations using cutting-edge scoring and timing software, 3D data visualizations, real-time rendering, and integrated data through sport-specific applications and are slated for release by fiscal year-end.

"We enter our second fiscal quarter with good momentum, expectations of higher orders in fiscal 2025, and with backlog at $267.2 million driven by strong sequential order flow across our businesses from our Commercial, Transportation, HSPR and International businesses and solid demand in Live Events. We expect seasonality to continue to normalize in fiscal 2025, with sales typically strongest in the first half of the fiscal year and lower in fiscal Q3. For the remainder of this fiscal year, we are investing in a wide-ranging transformation plan designed to cement and accelerate our progress to date and make further advancement in generating shareholder returns above our cost of capital."

Orders for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 increased by 11.1 percent from the first quarter of fiscal 2024 driven by rebounding demand in the On-Premise, Spectacular and Out‐of‐Home markets in our Commercial business unit, and solid growth in the High School Parks and Recreation and Transportation business units. These higher orders offset an order decrease in the Live Events and International business units. Variability in orders comparatively is natural in these large project business areas. Global geopolitical events and related macroeconomic trends created uncertainty in the market outside of the U.S. for digital display systems and large-sized projects, causing the decrease in International orders comparatively.

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 decreased by 2.8 percent as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2024. The sales decrease was driven by comparatively lower volumes in the Commercial, High School Park and Recreation, and International business units. These lower sales were partially offset by order fulfillments in the Live Events and Transportation business units. Sales during the first quarter fiscal 2024 were atypical as supply chains normalized post pandemic and we reduced pent-up backlog during that period. Net sales increased 4.7 percent sequentially from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, as production and deliveries ramped up for sports installs, especially for Live Events and High School Park and Recreation.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 26.4 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to 30.6 percent a year earlier primarily due to the record first quarter 2024 sales activity. On a sequential basis, gross margin expanded from 25.7 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 as a result of volume and mix as well as some price improvement.

Operating expenses increased by 19.6 percent to $37.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to $30.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Operating expenses reflect investments in staffing to support information technology and digital transformation as well as sales team expansion to support future growth.

The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 produced an abnormal tax rate primarily due to the impact of the fair value adjustment to expense that is not deductible for tax purposes in proportion to the period's small pre-tax income. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2024 was 31.7 percent.

Cash, restricted cash and marketable securities totaled $97.2 million at July 27, 2024, and $76.0 million of total current and long-term debt was outstanding as of that date, which includes $38.5 million of face value, $38.1 million of adjustments to fair value, and is net of $0.6 million of debt issuance costs. There were no draw-downs on the asset-based revolving credit facility during the first three months of fiscal 2025 and $38.6 million available to draw at July 27, 2024. In the first three

months of fiscal 2025, Daktronics generated $19.5 million of cash from operations and used $5.1 million for purchases of property and equipment. At the end of the fiscal 2025 first quarter, the working capital ratio was 2.2 to 1. Inventory levels dropped 2.2 percent since the end of the 2024 fiscal year on April 27, 2024. Management’s focus remains on managing working capital through expected growth of the company.

The company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its financial results today at 10:00 am (Central Time). This call will be broadcast live at http://investor.daktronics.com where related presentation materials will also be posted prior to the conference call. A webcast will be available for replay shortly after the event.

Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and is the world's largest supplier of, large-screen video displays, electronic scoreboards, LED text and graphics displays, and related control systems. The company excels in the control of display systems, including those that require integration of multiple complex displays showing real-time information, graphics, animation, and video. Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and services display systems for customers around the world in four domestic business units: Live Events, Commercial, High School Park and Recreation, and Transportation, and one International business unit. For more information, visit the company's website at: www.daktronics.com.

Cautionary Notice: In addition to statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is intended to enjoy the protection of that Act. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The Company cautions that these and similar statements involve risk and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations, including, but not limited to, changes in economic and market conditions, management of growth, timing and magnitude of future contracts and orders, fluctuations in margins, the introduction of new products and technology, the impact of adverse weather conditions, increased regulation, and other risks described in the company's SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2024 fiscal year. Forward-looking statements are made in the context of information available as of the date stated. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.


	Three Months Ended
	July 27, 2024		July 29, 2023
Net sales	$	226,088	$	232,531
Cost of sales	166,390		161,384
Gross profit	59,698		71,147

Operating expenses:
Selling	15,636		12,929
General and administrative	11,723		9,599
Product design and development	9,623		8,403

	36,982		30,931
Operating income	22,716		40,216

Nonoperating (expense) income:
Interest (expense) income, net	(71)		(881)
Change in fair value of convertible note	(21,590)		(7,260)
Other expense and debt issuance costs write-off, net	(835)		(3,979)

Income before income taxes	220		28,096
Income tax expense	5,166		8,900
Net (loss) income	$	(4,946)	$	19,196

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	46,311		45,645
Diluted	46,311		46,198

Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	(0.11)	$	0.42
Diluted	$	(0.11)	$	0.42


	July 27, 2024		April 27, 2024
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	96,809	$	81,299
Restricted cash	379		379

Accounts receivable, net	132,021		117,186
Inventories	134,949		138,008
Contract assets	54,129		55,800
Current maturities of long-term receivables	436		298
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,579		8,531
Income tax receivables	110		448
Total current assets	427,412		401,949

Property and equipment, net	73,613		71,752
Long-term receivables, less current maturities	119		562
Goodwill	3,197		3,226
Intangibles, net	767		840
Debt issuance costs, net	2,220		2,530
Investment in affiliates and other assets	20,708		21,163
Deferred income taxes	25,850		25,862
TOTAL ASSETS	$	553,886	$	527,884


	July 27, 2024		April 27, 2024
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	1,500	$	1,500
Accounts payable	67,265		60,757
Contract liabilities	71,782		65,524
Accrued expenses	39,448		43,028
Warranty obligations	16,408		16,540
Income taxes payable	543		4,947
Total current liabilities	196,946		192,296

Long-term warranty obligations	22,467		21,388
Long-term contract liabilities	17,378		16,342
Other long-term obligations	4,270		5,759
Long-term debt, net	74,472		53,164


Deferred income taxes	142		143
Total long-term liabilities	118,729		96,796

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred Shares, no par value, authorized 50 shares; no shares issued and outstanding	—		—
Common Stock, no par value, authorized 115,000 shares; 48,523 and 48,121 shares issued at July 27, 2024 and April 27, 2024, respectively	69,242		65,525
Additional paid-in capital	52,566		52,046
Retained earnings	133,085		138,031
Treasury Stock, at cost, 1,907 shares at July 27, 2024 and April 27, 2024, respectively	(10,285)		(10,285)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,397)		(6,525)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	238,211		238,792
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$	553,886	$	527,884


	Three Months Ended
	July 27, 2024		July 29, 2023
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income	$	(4,946)	$	19,196
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	4,893		4,669
(Gain) loss on sale of property, equipment and other assets	(20)		11
Share-based compensation	520		557
Equity in loss of affiliates	931		690
Provision for doubtful accounts, net	265		(65)
Deferred income taxes, net	13		12
Non-cash impairment charges	—		442
Change in fair value of convertible note	21,590		7,260
Debt issuance costs write-off	—		3,353
Change in operating assets and liabilities	(3,765)		(16,875)
Net cash provided by operating activities	19,481		19,250

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property and equipment	(5,081)		(4,547)
Proceeds from sales of property, equipment and other assets	45		27


Purchases of equity and loans to equity investees	(933)		(1,186)
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,969)		(5,706)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on notes payable	—		40,000
Payments on notes payable	(983)		(17,750)
Principal payments on long-term obligations	(103)		(102)
Debt issuance costs	—		(5,838)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,148		46

Net cash provided by financing activities	2,062		16,356

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH	(64)		(240)
NET INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH	15,510		29,660

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH:
Beginning of period	81,678		24,690
End of period	$	97,188	$	54,350


	Three Months Ended
(in thousands)	July 27, 2024		July 29, 2023		Dollar Change		Percent Change
Net Sales:
Commercial	$	34,199	$	46,883	$	(12,684)	(27.1)	%
Live Events	108,608		91,999		16,609		18.1
High School Park and Recreation	48,006		56,234		(8,228)		(14.6)
Transportation	22,490		21,369		1,121		5.2
International	12,785		16,046		(3,261)		(20.3)
	$	226,088	$	232,531	$	(6,443)	(2.8)	%
Orders:
Commercial	$	42,122	$	32,434	$	9,688	29.9	%
Live Events	50,899		52,203		(1,304)		(2.5)
High School Park and Recreation	46,447		35,739		10,708		30.0
Transportation	22,759		18,985		3,774		19.9
International	13,943		19,269		(5,326)		(27.6)
	$	176,170	$	158,630	$	17,540	11.1	%

*In evaluating its business, Daktronics considers and uses free cash flow as a key measure of its operating performance. The term free cash flow is not defined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and is not a measure of operating income, cash flows from operating activities or other GAAP figures and should not be considered alternatives to those computations. Free cash flow is intended to provide information that may be useful for investors when assessing period to period results.

*Adjusted net income. We disclose adjusted net income as a non-GAAP financial measurement in order to report our results exclusive of items that are non-recurring or not core to our operating business. We believe presenting this non-GAAP financial measurement provides investors with a consistent way to analyze our performance.


	July 27, 2024		April 27, 2024


Mortgage	$	13,500	$	13,875
Convertible note	25,000		25,000
Long-term debt, gross	38,500		38,875
Debt issuance costs, net	(668)		(761)
Change in fair value of convertible note	38,140		16,550
Current portion	(1,500)		(1,500)
Long-term debt, net	$	74,472	$	53,164