Westell Technologies Reports Profitable Fiscal 2010 First Quarter Results

Westell Technologies Fiscal 2010 First Quarter Highlights

Fiscal first quarter consolidated revenue of $40.5 million. Non-GAAP fiscal first quarter consolidated revenue of $53.8 million[1], which includes deferred revenue from UltraLine Series3 gateways. Fiscal first quarter net income of $1.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share. Non-GAAP net income during the fiscal first quarter of $2.9 million[1], or $0.04 per diluted share[1]. First profitable quarter since March 2007. Cash and cash equivalents increased by $3.2 million in the quarter to $49.2 million.

AURORA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westell Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTL), a leading provider of broadband products, gateways and conferencing services, today announced results for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2009. Total revenue for the fiscal first quarter was $40.5 million, up 6.3% from $38.1 million in the same quarter last year. Net income during the quarter was $1.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $5.5 million, or a loss of $0.08 per diluted share, in the same period last year.

On a non-GAAP basis, revenue for the fiscal first quarter was $53.8 million[1], up 41.4%[1] from the same quarter last year. The increase in the current quarter compared to the prior-year quarter is due primarily to shipments of UltraLine Series3 gateways, which started in the fiscal third quarter of 2009. Non-GAAP net income during the fiscal first quarter was $2.9 million[1], or $0.04 per diluted share[1], compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $5.6 million[1], or a loss of $0.08 per diluted share[1], in the prior year. The non-GAAP earnings per share were positively impacted by increased shipments, higher gross profits and lower operating expenses that resulted from recent restructuring and cost containment initiatives.

Total cash and cash equivalents were $49.2 million at June 30, 2009, up $3.2 million compared to the balance at March 31, 2009.

"We are pleased with our solid results for the first quarter of fiscal 2010, which is the first profitable quarter for Westell since March of 2007," commented Rick Gilbert, President and Chief Executive Officer of Westell Technologies. "Although current economic conditions make future financial results very hard to predict, we remain rigorously focused on profit and cash generation for the remainder of the fiscal year."

The Company supplements its financial analysis of the business using non-GAAP measures which may provide additional insight into current operating performance. The presentation at the end of this press release includes financial tables that reconcile non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures. There are two non-GAAP adjustments affecting the fiscal first quarter of 2010. First, during the quarter, the Company continued to ship UltraLine Series3 next-generation gateways which support a major customer's fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) offering. Fiscal first quarter revenues totaling $13.3 million, together with certain related direct costs for these product shipments, are deferred and not recognized in the quarter, based on the required accounting for related software deliverables. This adjustment adds $0.7 million to non-GAAP net income for the quarter. Second, the Company recognized restructuring expense of $0.6 million in the quarter that represents the termination benefits for 50 employees whose positions were eliminated to reduce ongoing operating costs.

Conference Call Information

Management will address financial and business results during Westell's first quarter fiscal 2010 earnings conference call on Wednesday, July 22, 9:30 AM ET. Conference Plus, Inc. (ConferencePlus), a Westell subsidiary, will manage Westell's earnings conference call using its EventManager(TM) Service.

Participants can register for the Westell conference by going to the URL: http://www.conferenceplus.com/westell.

With EventManager, participants can quickly register online in advance of the conference through a customizable web page that can be used to gather multiple pieces of information from each participant, as specified by the event arranger. After registering, participants receive dial-in numbers, a passcode, and a personal identification number (PIN) that is used to uniquely identify their presence and automatically join them into the audio conference. If a participant experiences any technical difficulties after joining the conference call on July 22, he or she can press *0 for support.

If a participant does not wish to register, he or she can participate in the call on July 22, by dialing ConferencePlus at 1-877-875-0056 no later than 9:15 AM, Eastern Time and using confirmation number 24962143. International participants may dial 1-847-585-4340. Westell's press release on earnings and related information that may be discussed on the earnings conference will be posted on the Investor Relations' section of Westell's website, http://www.westell.com. An archive of the entire conference will be available on Westell's website or via Digital Audio Replay following the conclusion of the conference until October 21, 2009. The replay of the conference can be accessed by dialing 1-888-843-8996 or 1-630-652-3044 and entering 9783733#.

About Westell

Westell Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, is a holding company for Westell, Inc. and ConferencePlus, Inc. Westell, Inc. designs and develops broadband telecommunications access products. ConferencePlus, Inc. is a leading global provider of audio, web, video and IP conferencing services. Additional information can be obtained by visiting Westell's Web site at http://www.westell.com.

About ConferencePlus

ConferencePlus, a Westell Technologies, Inc. subsidiary, is a leading global provider of audio, web, video and IP conferencing services. ConferencePlus is dedicated to providing high quality, innovative conferencing solutions to its domestic and international clients and telecommunications resellers. ConferencePlus is recognized for outstanding customer service and support to help clients meet their business objectives. The Company is headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an international headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. Additional information can be obtained by visiting the ConferencePlus web site at http://www.conferenceplus.com.

"Safe Harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995:

Certain statements contained herein that are not historical facts or that contain the words "believe", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "plan", "should", or derivatives thereof and other words of similar meaning are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, product demand and market acceptance risks, need for financing, economic weakness in the United States ("U.S.") economy and telecommunications market, the impact of competitive products or technologies, competitive pricing pressures, product cost increases, new product development, excess and obsolete inventory, commercialization and technological delays or difficulties (including delays or difficulties in developing, producing, testing and selling new products and technologies), the effect of Westell's accounting policies, the need for additional capital, the effect of economic conditions and trade, legal social and economic risks (such as import, licensing and trade restrictions), retention of key personnel and other risks more fully described in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 under the section entitled Risk Factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect current events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, or otherwise.

[1] This is non-GAAP information. A reconciliation of these items to the most comparable GAAP measures is presented as an exhibit to this news release. Except as noted, all references to financial results within this news release are presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Non-GAAP financial measures adjust results to remove the effects of certain unusual or one-time items. Westell believes that non-GAAP measures provide investors and management with a useful representation of the Company's underlying financial performance. Non-GAAP information should not be considered superior to or a substitute for data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Financial Tables to Follow:


Westell Technologies, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations

(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

                                                Three Months ended June 30,

                                                2009           2008

Revenues

OSPlant Systems                                 $ 13,776       $ 14,882

CNS                                             15,585         10,666

ConferencePlus                                  11,113         12,510

Total revenues                                  40,474         38,058

Gross profit

OSPlant Systems                                 5,994          5,909

CNS                                             3,336          1,348

ConferencePlus                                  5,449          5,590

Total gross profit                              14,779         12,847

Gross margin

OSPlant Systems                                 43.5     %     39.7     %

CNS                                             21.4     %     12.6     %

ConferencePlus                                  49.0     %     44.7     %

Total gross margin                              36.5     %     33.8     %

Operating expenses

Sales & marketing                               4,938          6,489

General & administrative                        3,772          5,485

Research & development                          3,687          5,634

Restructuring                                   609        (1) (58      )   (2)

Intangibles amortization                        157            459

Total operating expenses                        13,163         18,009

Operating income (loss)                         1,616          (5,162   )

Other income                                    91             347

Interest (expense)                              (2       )     -

Income (loss) before minority interest and      1,705          (4,815   )
taxes

Income taxes                                    154            27

Minority interest                               -              36

Income (loss) from continuing operations        1,551          (4,878   )

Income (loss) from discontinued operations net
of tax                                          -              (643     )   (3)
of $0 in the June 30, 2008 period

Net income (loss)                               $ 1,551        $ (5,521 )

Net income (loss) per common share:

Basic                                           $ 0.02         $ (0.08  )

Diluted                                         $ 0.02         $ (0.08  )

Average number of common shares outstanding:

Basic                                           68,356         70,723

Diluted                                         68,442         70,723




     The Company terminated approximately 50 employees primarily in the CNS and
(1)  ConferencePlus segments as a cost reduction action in the first quarter of
     fiscal 2010.

(2)  The Company adjusted a restructuring accrual balance established in a prior
     period.

(3)  The Company discontinued the operations of its Westell Limited entity
     located in the United Kingdom in the first quarter of fiscal 2009.




Westell Technologies, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Dollars in thousands)

                                            June 30,     March 31,  June 30,

                                            2009         2009       2008

                                            (unaudited)  (audited)  (unaudited)

Assets:

Cash and cash equivalents                   $ 49,238     $ 46,058   $ 59,949

Accounts receivable, net                    22,325       20,827     18,704

Inventories                                 16,971       20,178     16,844

Prepaids and other current assets           5,950        7,487      2,329

Total current assets                        94,484       94,550     97,826

Property and equipment, net                 6,438        6,895      8,901

Goodwill                                    2,062        2,009      3,287

Intangibles, net                            4,301        4,333      5,956

Deferred costs                              37,207       24,612     -

Deferred income taxes and other assets      7,643        7,777      7,645

Total assets                                $ 152,135    $ 140,176  $ 123,615

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:

Accounts payable                            $ 15,400     $ 17,883   $ 13,182

Accrued liabilities                         8,250        9,479      10,608

Deferred revenue                            2,141        2,119      116

Total current liabilities                   25,791       29,481     23,906

Deferred revenue long-term                  38,587       25,258     -

Other long-term liabilities                 9,310        9,079      7,825

Total liabilities                           73,688       63,818     31,731

Minority interest                           -            -          3,346

Total stockholders' equity                  78,447       76,358     88,538

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 152,135    $ 140,176  $ 123,615




Westell Technologies, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

                                                     Three Months ended June 30,

                                                     2009        2008

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss)                                    $ 1,551     $ (5,521 )

Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization                        978         1,500

Stock-based compensation                             189         375

Restructuring                                        609         156

Other, net                                           (100     )  (40      )

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable and inventory                    1,933       1,872

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities             (4,165   )  (5,955   )

Long term deferred revenue and deferred costs        756         -

Prepaid and other current assets                     1,562       675

Other long term assets                               119         (588     )

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  3,432       (7,526   )

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment                  (331     )  (1,205   )

Proceeds from the sale of equipment                  -           90

Sale (purchase) of investments                       -           2,602

Net cash (provided by) used in investing activities  (331     )  1,487

Cash flows from financing activities:

Borrowing (repayment) of debt and leases payable     (14      )  125

Proceeds from stock options exercised                -           121

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (14      )  246

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash              93          (5       )

Net increase (decrease) in cash                      3,180       (5,798   )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period       46,058      65,747

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period             $ 49,238    $ 59,949





Westell Technologies, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)

(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

                Three Months ended June 30, 2009    Three Months ended June 30, 2008

                As        Non-GAAP                  As        Non-GAAP

                reported  Adjustments     Non-GAAP  reported  Adjustments     Non-GAAP

Revenues

OSPlant         $ 13,776  $ -             $ 13,776  $ 14,882  $ -             $ 14,882
Systems

CNS             15,585    13,329      (1) 28,914    10,666    -               10,666

ConferencePlus  11,113    -               11,113    12,510    -               12,510

Total revenues  40,474    13,329          53,803    38,058    -               38,058

Gross profit

OSPlant         5,994     -               5,994     5,909     -               5,909
Systems

CNS             3,336     734         (2) 4,070     1,348     -               1,348

ConferencePlus  5,449     -               5,449     5,590     -               5,590

Total gross     14,779    734             15,513    12,847    -               12,847
profit

Gross margin

OSPlant         43.5%                     43.5%     39.7%                     39.7%
Systems

CNS             21.4%                     14.1%     12.6%                     12.6%

ConferencePlus  49.0%                     49.0%     44.7%                     44.7%

Total gross     36.5%                     28.8%     33.8%                     33.8%
margin

Total
operating       13,163    (609)       (3) 12,554    18,009    58          (3) 18,067
expenses

Operating       1,616     1,343           2,959     (5,162)   (58)            (5,220)
income (loss)

Other income    91        -               91        347       -               347

Interest        (2)       -               (2)       -         -               -
(expense)

Income (loss)
before
minority        1,705     1,343           3,048     (4,815)   (58)            (4,873)
interest and
taxes

Income tax      154       -           (4) 154       27        -               27

Minority        -         -               -         36        -               36
interest

Income (loss)
from
discontinued    -         -               -         (643)     -               (643)
operations net
of tax

Net income      $ 1,551   $ 1,343         $ 2,894   $         $ (58)          $
(loss)                                              (5,521)                   (5,579)

Net income
(loss) per
common share:

Basic           $ 0.02    $ 0.02          $ 0.04    $ (0.08)  $ (0.00)        $ (0.08)

Diluted         $ 0.02    $ 0.02          $ 0.04    $ (0.08)  $ (0.00)        $ (0.08)

Average number
of common
shares
outstanding:

Basic           68,356    68,356          68,356    70,723    70,723          70,723

Diluted         68,442    68,442          68,442    70,723    70,723          70,723




Footnotes:

(1)  Adjustment to revenue to include the shipments of UltraLine Series3 (ULS3)
     product, which are deferred under GAAP software accounting rules.

(2)  Adjustment to gross profit to include the shipments of ULS3 product, which
     are deferred under GAAP software accounting rules.

(3)  Adjustment to exclude non-recurring restructuring costs.

     The Company has a full valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. The net
(4)  tax impact of the adjustments is zero based on the Company's use of fully
     reserved tax assets to offset tax liabilities.




Westell Technologies, Inc.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Non-GAAP Net Income
(Loss)

(Amounts in thousands except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

                                          Three Months ended June 30,

                                          2009     2008

GAAP net income (loss)                    $ 1,551  $ (5,521 )

Adjustments: (1)

UltraLine Series 3 shipments              734      -

Restructuring                             609      (58      )

Total adjustments                         1,343    (58      )

Non-GAAP net income (loss)                $ 2,894  $ (5,579 )

Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted EPS:

GAAP net income (loss)                    $ 0.02   $ (0.08  )

Adjustments:

UltraLine Series 3 shipments              0.01     -

Restructuring                             0.01     (0.00    )

Total adjustments                         0.02     (0.00    )

Non-GAAP net income (loss)                $ 0.04   $ (0.08  )




    Source: Westell Technologies, Inc.