Ultralife Corporation, Newark, New York, (NASDAQ: ULBI) reported operating income of $0.7 million on revenue of $24.4 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020. For the third quarter of 2019, the Company reported operating income of $1.3 million on revenue of $27.5 million.
“Effective execution of both our end-market diversification strategy and operating discipline during the third quarter sustained profitability and positive cash flows, despite a reduction in total Company results largely due to the continuing global economic impact of the pandemic,” said Michael D. Popielec, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Within Battery & Energy Products, we posted record quarterly medical sales which increased 102% over last year, and a 23% increase in government/defense sales. These strong gains were offset by economic weakness in the oil and gas sector and lower sales for our Communications Systems business. In response, we continued our spending control, matching the overall percentage decline in our revenue with a comparable reduction in operating expenses. By preserving profitability and continuing to improve working capital management, during the quarter we also further reduced debt by $7.1 million. Supported by a solid balance sheet and resilient business model, we are committed to completing our strategic growth projects and are well positioned to withstand current economic headwinds.”
Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Revenue was $24.4 million, a decrease of $3.1 million, or 11.4%, compared to $27.5 million for the third quarter of 2019, as a 22.2% increase in core battery sales across diversified end-markets was offset by lower oil & gas market and Communications Systems sales. Total Company commercial sales decreased 10.8% and government/defense sales decreased 12.5% from the 2019 period. Battery & Energy Products revenues declined 3.4% to $21.8 million, compared to $22.6 million last year, as a 102.1% increase in medical battery sales, especially those used in ventilators, respirators and infusion pumps, and a 23.4% increase in government/defense sales, were offset by a 68.7% decline in oil & gas market sales. Communications Systems sales decreased 48.3% to $2.5 million compared to $4.9 million for the same period last year, primarily reflecting 2019 shipments of vehicle amplifier-adaptor systems to support the U.S. Army’s Network Modernization initiatives under the delivery orders announced in October 2018. These orders were completed in the second quarter of 2020. The net adverse impact of COVID-19 on revenues for the 2020 period was approximately $2.9 million as a substantial increase in demand for medical batteries was more than offset by weakened demand in the oil & gas and international industrial markets. Logistics disruptions also delayed certain shipments.
Gross profit was $6.5 million, or 26.7% of revenue, compared to $7.9 million, or 28.6% of revenue, for the same quarter a year ago. Battery & Energy Products’ gross margin was 26.0%, compared to 27.1% last year, primarily due to the mix impact of lower oil & gas market sales in 2020. Communications Systems gross margin was 32.8%, compared to 35.5% last year, due to lower factory throughput in 2020 and sales mix.
Operating expenses were $5.8 million compared to $6.6 million last year, a reduction of 11.5%. Operating expenses were 23.8% of revenue equal to that of the year-earlier period.
Operating income was $0.7 million compared to $1.3 million last year, and operating margin was 2.9% compared to 4.8% last year. The net adverse impact of COVID-19 on operating income for the 2020 period was approximately $1.0 million.
Net income was $0.4 million or $0.03 per diluted share on a GAAP basis using the U.S. statutory tax rate, compared to net income of $0.9 million, or $0.06 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2019. Adjusted EPS was $0.04 on a diluted basis for the third quarter of 2020, compared to $0.07 for the 2019 period. Adjusted EPS excludes the provision for deferred taxes which primarily represents non-cash charges of $0.2 million for U.S. taxes which will be fully offset by net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits for the foreseeable future. The net adverse impact of COVID-19 on Adjusted EPS for the 2020 period was approximately $0.06.
Adjusted EBITDA, defined as EBITDA including non-cash, stock-based compensation expense, for the trailing twelve-month period was $10.9 million or 9.9% of sales.
During the third quarter of 2020, the Company continued its strong working capital management reducing the debt related to the May 2019 acquisition of Southwest Electronic Energy Corporation by $7.1 million, or 64.6%, to $3.9 million while increasing its cash on hand by $5.4 million, or 64.2%, to $13.8 million.
See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release for a reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to EPS and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income Attributable to Ultralife Corporation.
About Ultralife Corporation
Ultralife Corporation serves its markets with products and services ranging from power solutions to communications and electronics systems. Through its engineering and collaborative approach to problem solving, Ultralife serves government, defense and commercial customers across the globe.
Headquartered in Newark, New York, the Company’s business segments include Battery & Energy Products and Communications Systems. Ultralife has operations in North America, Europe and Asia.