ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX), a leading manufacturer and distributor of automotive and consumer technologies for global markets, today announced its financial results for its Fiscal 2019 third quarter and nine-months ended November 30, 2018. 

Pat Lavelle, President and CEO of VOXX International Corporation stated, "The steps we have and continue to take to improve gross margins and lower expenses resulted in a modest improvement in operating income, despite a $27 million reduction in sales. We have begun taking aggressive actions to restructure our Consumer Accessories segment and realign our international Premium Audio segment; actions we believe will result in a stronger and more profitable company going forward. We are focusing R&D resources to develop unique product solutions that will help VOXX expand sales in new and growing categories. Further, our balance sheet continues to improve as evidenced by the increase in our cash position and lower debt position compared to the Fiscal 2019 second quarter. We will be providing updates on our strategy and financial expectations as a result of the changes underway over the next quarter. All of us at VOXX with the support of our Board are focused on doing what is necessary to improve shareholder value."

Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018 Third Quarter Results Comparisons

Net sales for the Fiscal 2019 third quarter ended November 30, 2018 were $129.6 million as compared to net sales of $156.6 million in the comparable year-ago period, a decline of $26.9 million or 17.2%, the majority of which was in the Consumer Accessories segment, as anticipated.

• Fiscal 2019 third quarter Automotive segment sales were $45.1 million as compared to $40.6 million for the comparable Fiscal 2018 third quarter, an increase of $4.4 million or 10.9%. The year-over-year increase was driven by higher Automotive OEM sales, which increased by $6.6 million or 36.7%, partially offset by a $2.2 million or 9.5% reduction in Automotive aftermarket sales. The increase in OEM sales was related to higher sales of the Company's EVO rear-seat entertainment system to several Automotive OEM customers, including General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Nissan, and Mazda.
  
  
• Fiscal 2019 third quarter Premium Audio segment sales were $49.7 million as compared to $57.4 million for the comparable Fiscal 2018 third quarter, a decrease of $7.7 million or 13.5%. The decline in year-over-year sales was primarily driven by lower sales of certain discontinued products, lower sales in the European markets and a shift in sales strategy related to the e-commerce channel, partially offset by higher sales of commercial speakers in the custom installation channel. While Fiscal 2019 third quarter sales were lower on a year-over-year basis, domestic sales came in higher than the Company's internal forecast.
  
  
• Fiscal 2019 third quarter Consumer Accessories segment sales were $34.7 million as compared to $58.5 million in the comparable Fiscal 2018 third quarter, a decrease of $23.8 million or 40.7%. Lower year-over-year sales were due to several factors, including higher initial load-ins of wearable devices and wireless products in last year's Fiscal third quarter, and lower sales in reception due to a large program that did not repeat, as well as lower volume in other legacy categories. Additionally, the Company reported lower international sales when comparing the Fiscal third quarter periods. Offsetting these declines were higher sales of Singsation, EyeLock and Project Nursery products, as well as increases in the smart home and security categories. The Company had and continues to exit certain lower margin product categories as part of its SKU rationalization program discussed in the prior period, which also contributed to the year-over-year sales decline.

The gross margin for the Fiscal 2019 third quarter came in at 30.0% as compared to 26.5% for the same period last year, a year-over-year increase of 350 basis points. The Company reported gross margin improvements in all reporting segments: Automotive segment gross margins were 25.5% as compared to 23.5%, an increase of 200 basis points; Premium Audio segment gross margins were 36.7% as compared to 33.4%, an increase of 330 basis points; and Consumer Accessories gross margins were 25.3% as compared to 21.7%, an increase of 360 basis points.

Total operating expenses for the Fiscal 2019 third quarter were $33.2 million as compared to $35.9 million in the Fiscal 2018 third quarter, a reduction of $2.7 million or 7.4%. The year-over-year improvement was primarily driven by a continued focus on lowering fixed expenses throughout the Company. When comparing the Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018 third quarters, selling expenses declined by $1.0 million or 8.8%, and general and administrative expenses declined by $1.8 million or 9.7%, partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in Engineering and technical support expenses.

The Company reported operating income of $5.7 million in the Fiscal 2019 third quarter as compared to operating income of $5.6 million in the comparable year-ago period, a modest increase driven by improved gross margins and lower expenses, despite lower sales volumes.

Total other income, net for the Fiscal 2019 third quarter was $0.8 million as compared to total other income, net of $1.3 million in the comparable year ago period. The Fiscal 2019 third quarter included interest and bank charges of $(1.2) million, equity in income of equity investees of $1.7 million and other, net of $0.3 million. This compares to interest and bank charges of $(1.2) million, equity in income of equity investees of $2.0 million and other, net of $0.5 million in the Fiscal 2018 third quarter period.

The Company reported net income from continuing operations of $10.6 million in the Fiscal 2019 third quarter as compared to net income from continuing operations of $7.5 million in the comparable year-ago period.  The Fiscal 2018 third quarter includes a net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax of $0.4 million. Additionally, the Fiscal 2019 third quarter includes an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $(4.1) million as compared to an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $(0.6) million in the Fiscal 2018 third quarter. Excluding the net loss attributable to VOXX International Corporations non-controlling interest, net income attributable to VOXX International Corporation was $12.2 million in the Fiscal 2019 third quarter as compared to $8.6 million in the comparable year-ago period, a year-over-year improvement of $3.6 million.

On a per share basis, the Company reported basic and diluted income per share attributable to VOXX International Corporation of $0.50 in the Fiscal 2019 third quarter as compared to basic earnings per share attributable to VOXX International Corporation of $0.36 and diluted earnings per share attributable to VOXX International Corporation of $0.35 in the Fiscal 2018 third quarter. Note, the Fiscal 2018 third quarter includes a basic and diluted loss per share of $(0.02) related to discontinued operations.

The Company reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") of $11.5 million and $12.0 million for the Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018 third quarters, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA for the Fiscal 2019 third quarter was $11.6 million as compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $12.2 million in the comparable year-ago period.

Discontinued Operations

On August 31, 2017, the Company completed its sale of Hirschmann Car Communication GmbH and its subsidiaries (collectively, "Hirschmann") to a subsidiary of TE Connectivity Ltd. The consideration received by the Company was €148.5 million. The purchase price, at the exchange rate as of the close of business on the Closing Date, approximated $177.0 million and is subject to adjustment based upon the final working capital. The Hirschmann subsidiary group, which was previously included within the Automotive segment, qualified to be presented as a discontinued operation in accordance with ASC 205-20 beginning in the Company's second quarter ended August 31, 2017 and is reflected as such during the three and nine-months ended November 30, 2018.

Balance Sheet Update

As of November 30, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $48.7 million as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $51.7 million as of February 28, 2018. On a sequential basis, cash and cash equivalents improved by $4.5 million when compared to the period ending August 31, 2018. Total debt as of November 30, 2018 was $18.2 million as compared to total of $18.9 million as of February 28, 2018. Total long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs as of November 30, 2018 was $5.8 million as compared to $8.5 million as of February 28, 2018, an improvement of $2.7 million. Further details can be found in Footnote 16 of the Company's Form 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company will be hosting its conference call and webcast on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. Interested parties can participate by visiting www.voxxintl.com, and clicking on the webcast in the Investor Relations section or via teleconference (toll-free: 877-303-9079; international: 970-315-0461 / conference ID: 4481589). A replay will also be available on the Company's website approximately one hour after completion of the call.

Non-GAAP Measures

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Diluted Adjusted EBITDA per common share are not financial measures recognized by GAAP. EBITDA represents net (loss) income attributable to VOXX International Corporation, computed in accordance with GAAP, before interest expense and bank charges, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, impairment charges, gains on the sale of discontinued operations, losses on certain forward contracts, and investment gains. Depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation and asset impairment charges are non- cash items. Diluted Adjusted EBITDA per common share represents the Company's diluted earnings per common share based on Adjusted EBITDA.

We present EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Diluted Adjusted EBITDA per common share in this Form 10-Q because we consider them to be useful and appropriate supplemental measures of our performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Diluted Adjusted EBITDA per common share help us to evaluate our performance without the effects of certain GAAP calculations that may not have a direct cash impact on our current operating performance. In addition, the exclusion of certain costs or gains relating to non-recurring events allows for a more meaningful comparison of our results from period-to-period. These non-GAAP measures, as we define them, are not necessarily comparable to similarly entitled measures of other companies and may not be an appropriate measure for performance relative to other companies. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Diluted Adjusted EBITDA per common share should not be assessed in isolation from, are not intended to represent, and should not be considered to be more meaningful measures than, or alternatives to, measures of operating performance as determined in accordance with GAAP.

About VOXX International Corporation

VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX) has grown into a worldwide leader in many automotive and consumer electronics and accessories categories, as well as premium high-end audio. Today, VOXX International is a global company, with an extensive distribution network that includes power retailers, mass merchandisers, 12-volt specialists and most of the world's leading automotive manufacturers. The Company has an international footprint in Europe, Asia and Latin America, and a growing portfolio, which is comprised of over 30 trusted brands. For additional information, please visit our website at www.voxxintl.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for historical information contained herein, statements made in this release that would constitute forward-looking statements may involve certain risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements made in this release are based on currently available information and the Company assumes no responsibility to update any such forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from the results suggested in the forward-looking statements. The factors include, but are not limited to risks that may result from changes in the Company's business operations; our ability to keep pace with technological advances; significant competition in the automotive, premium audio and consumer accessories businesses; our relationships with key suppliers and customers; quality and consumer acceptance of newly introduced products; market volatility; non-availability of product; excess inventory; price and product competition; new product introductions; foreign currency fluctuations and concerns regarding the European debt crisis; restrictive debt covenants; the possibility that the review of our prior filings by the SEC may result in changes to our financial statements; and the possibility that stockholders or regulatory authorities may initiate proceedings against VOXX International Corporation and/or our officers and directors as a result of any restatements. Risk factors associated with our business, including some of the facts set forth herein, are detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018.

Company Contact:
Glenn Wiener, President
GW Communications
Tel: 212-786-6011
Email: gwiener@GWCco.com 

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SOURCE VOXX International Corporation