Daktronics, Inc. Announces 2024 Fiscal Second Quarter Results

Andrew Siegel Appointed New Lead Independent Director


BROOKINGS, S.D., Dec. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Daktronics, Inc. (NASDAQ - DAKT) today reported results for its fiscal 2024 second quarter which ended October 28, 2023.

Q2 FY2024 financial highlights:

  • Sales of $199.4 million, a 6.4 percent increase from the second quarter of fiscal 2023
  • Gross profit as a percentage of net sales of 27.2 percent as compared to 16.9 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2023
  • Operating income of $19.4 million as compared to $1.5 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2023
  • Product order backlog was $306.9 million(1) at October 28, 2023 compared to $400.7 million at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and $463.1 million in the year-earlier period.

"Our second quarter performance reflect strong gross profit margin expansion and cash flow generation, contributing to a record first half year of financial results. I attribute our success to our teams strong execution across all business areas and pricing strategies that we undertook over the past several quarters. In addition, our backlog reduction reflects our efforts to reduce lead times and the more stable operating environment, allowing more consistent output," stated Reece Kurtenbach, Daktronics' Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer."

Andrew Siegel Appointed New Lead Independent Director
Daktronics, Inc. also announced the appointment of Andrew Siegel as Lead Independent Director, succeeding Kevin McDermott who has served as Lead Director since June 2020.

“Kevin provided outstanding leadership to the Board as our Lead Independent Director during a challenging time, including the pandemic business climate, post-pandemic supply-chain crisis, and our recent successful financing," Kurtenbach said. "We thank Kevin for his significant leadership and commitment to Daktronics. We appreciate that his contributions will continue as Chair of the Audit Committee.”

Andrew Siegel joined the Board in July 2022 part of the Company’s ongoing Board refreshment process. He currently manages Prairieland Holdco LLC, which entered into a Cooperation Agreement with the Company at that time, and co-manages, with Lawrence B. Benenson, TLI Bedrock, LLC, a private multi-strategy investment firm.

Mr. Siegel commented, “As an investment firm we were drawn to Daktronics because of its values and culture, its leadership position in its industry, and the exciting prospects as technology continues to enable new applications and markets for the Company’s products, systems and services. As a member of the Board, I am thrilled to have supported the Company’s achievements over the past several quarters, and look forward to working diligently with my fellow directors toward Daktronics strategic vision of profitable growth.”

Second Quarter Income Statement Highlights
Orders for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 were similar to the second quarter of fiscal 2023 though the order volume from our business units differed from that of the year earlier period. Higher orders from customers in the International and Transportation business units offset decreases in the Spectacular and Out-of-Home markets in our Commercial business unit.

Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 increased by 6.4 percent as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Sales growth was driven by fulfilling orders in backlog, especially in the High School Park and Recreation, Commercial, and Transportation business units. The increase is attributable to a stable operating environment, increased manufacturing capacity and realization of price increases.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 27.2 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to 16.9 percent a year earlier. The gross profit improvement is due to strategic pricing, our ability to efficiently generate more sales volume over our cost structure and due to the more stable operating environment.

Operating expenses increased 15.2 percent to $34.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2024 as compared to $30.2 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2023. This increase primarily attributable to increases in employee compensation and benefits.

Operating income percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 was 9.7 percent, compared to 0.8 percent for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 due to the combined factors discussed above.

The increase in interest (expense) income, net for the second quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to the same period one year ago was primarily due to the closing in May 2023 on the financing transactions at higher values and interest rates than were in effect under our previous line of credit during the 2023 second quarter.

For the three months ended October 28, 2023, we recorded a $10.7 million expense for the non-cash change in fair value of the convertible note payable which is accounted for under the fair value option.

The effective tax rate of 64.8 percent resulted in $4.0 million of income tax expense for the second quarter of fiscal 2024. Income before tax includes the impacts of the change in the convertible note fair value; however, these changes are not deductible resulting in the high effective tax rate. The $14.0 million tax expense for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 was primarily a result of a $13.0 million valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets. Absent any major tax changes, we expect our full year effective tax rate to be in the mid-twenties before the impacts of fair value accounting for the convertible note.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
At the end of the fiscal 2024 second quarter, our working capital ratio was 2.0 to 1. Inventory levels dropped slightly since the end of the fiscal year ended April 29, 2023. Our focus remains on managing working capital through expected growth of the company. Cash, restricted cash and marketable securities totaled $73.5 million, and $56.6 million of long-term debt was outstanding. The long-term debt includes the face value of the debt of $39.6 million, $17.9 million adjustment to fair value, and $0.9 million of debt issuance costs, net. Restricted cash consists of cash and cash equivalents held in bank deposit accounts to secure issuances of foreign bank guarantees and letters of credit outstanding under a previous credit agreement. There were no draw-downs on our line of credit during the first six months of fiscal 2024. In the first six months of fiscal 2024, we generated $44.3 million from operations and used $9.2 million for purchases of property and equipment.

Fiscal Year 2024 and Beyond Priorities and Strategies
Kurtenbach added, “As we look ahead, we expect growth in the global use of sophisticated audio-visual communication systems in both traditional and in new applications. Our attention remains focused on our multi-year journey to capture the market's expected growth and broaden our leading market position by offering best in class technology, capabilities and services to both our traditional customer base as well as new and adjacent markets."

Looking forward, our focus is to:

  • Grow our business profitably while generating cash through working capital management, strategic pricing adjustments, product mix enhancements and careful expense management
  • Improve operational efficiency to lower costs, reduce lead times and improve the customer experience
  • Develop additional markets for new customers and channels while continuing to grow in the markets where the company been a leader to date
  • Implement robust integrated business planning systems to generate data-based insights for improved decision making
  • Investing in high-return projects and technologies, including digital technologies for both internal and customer facing uses
  • Monitor and then adjust as necessary to the ever-evolving geopolitical and global economic environment to maintain profitability and cash generation

Webcast Information
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 and be available for replay shortly after the event.

About Daktronics
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, email the company at investor@daktronics.com, call (605) 692-0200 or toll-free (800) 843-5843 in the United States, or write to the company at 201 Daktronics Dr., P.O. Box 5128, Brookings, S.D. 57006-5128.

Safe Harbor Statement
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 2023 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.

(1)Orders and backlog are not measures defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("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 29, 2023. this release does not include a reconciliation of orders or backlog, as it would be impractical to do so without unreasonable effort.

For more information contact:
INVESTOR RELATIONS:
Sheila M. Anderson, Chief Financial Officer
Tel (605) 692-0200
Investor@daktronics.com

 
Daktronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 October 28,
2023
 October 29,
2022
 October 28,
2023
 October 29,
2022
Net sales$199,369  $187,439  $431,900  $359,359 
Cost of sales 145,170   155,735   306,554   301,861 
Gross profit 54,199   31,704   125,346   57,498 
        
Operating expenses:       
Selling 14,653   14,525   27,582   28,958 
General and administrative 10,889   8,687   20,488   18,128 
Product design and development 9,221   6,966   17,624   14,405 
  34,763   30,178   65,694   61,491 
Operating income (loss) 19,436   1,526   59,652   (3,993)
        
Nonoperating (expense) income:       
Interest (expense) income, net (1,326)  (263)  (2,207)  (323)
Change in fair value of convertible note (10,650)     (17,910)   
Other expense and debt issuance costs write-off, net (1,303)  (208)  (5,282)  (955)
        
Income (loss) before income taxes 6,157   1,055   34,253   (5,271)
Income tax expense 3,992   14,039   12,892   13,039 
Net income (loss)$2,165  $(12,984) $21,361  $(18,310)
        
Weighted average shares outstanding:       
Basic 46,030   45,317   45,838   45,258 
Diluted 46,705   45,317   46,454   45,258 
        
Earnings (loss) per share:       
Basic$0.05  $(0.29) $0.47  $(0.40)
Diluted$0.05  $(0.29) $0.46  $(0.40)
 


Daktronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 October 28,
2023
 April 29,
2023
ASSETS   
CURRENT ASSETS:   
Cash and cash equivalents$64,740 $23,982
Restricted cash 8,246  708
Marketable securities 546  534
Accounts receivable, net 115,052  109,979
Inventories 141,646  149,448
Contract assets 45,210  46,789
Current maturities of long-term receivables 766  1,215
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 10,137  9,676
Income tax receivables   326
Total current assets 386,343  342,657
    
Property and equipment, net 72,619  72,147
Long-term receivables, less current maturities 151  264
Goodwill 3,198  3,239
Intangibles, net 970  1,136
Debt issuance costs, net 3,150  3,866
Investment in affiliates and other assets 27,705  27,928
Deferred income taxes 16,812  16,867
TOTAL ASSETS$510,948 $468,104
 


Daktronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 October 28,
2023
 April 29,
2023
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   
CURRENT LIABILITIES:   
Current portion of long-term debt$1,500  $ 
Accounts payable 53,645   67,522 
Contract liabilities 78,293   91,549 
Accrued expenses 39,773   36,005 
Warranty obligations 13,378   12,228 
Income taxes payable 3,347   2,859 
Total current liabilities 189,936   210,163 
    
Long-term warranty obligations 21,435   20,313 
Long-term contract liabilities 15,390   13,096 
Other long-term obligations 5,686   5,709 
Long-term debt, net 55,087   17,750 
Deferred income taxes 193   195 
Total long-term liabilities 97,791   57,063 
    
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:   
Preferred Shares, no par value, authorized 50,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding     
Common Stock, no par value, authorized 115,000,000 shares; 46,022,885 and 45,488,595 shares issued at October 28, 2023 and April 29, 2023, respectively 64,643   63,023 
Additional paid-in capital 51,047   50,259 
Retained earnings 124,771   103,410 
Treasury Stock, at cost, 1,907,445 shares at October 28, 2023 and April 29, 2023, respectively (10,285)  (10,285)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (6,955)  (5,529)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 223,221   200,878 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY$510,948  $468,104 
 


Daktronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 Six Months Ended
 October 28,
2023
 October 29,
2022
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:   
Net income (loss)$21,361  $(18,310)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization 9,494   8,225 
Loss (gain) on sale of property, equipment and other assets 101   (412)
Share-based compensation 1,091   985 
Equity in loss of affiliates 1,461   1,701 
Provision for doubtful accounts, net 240   573 
Deferred income taxes, net 20   13,037 
Non-cash impairment charges 654    
Change in fair value of convertible note 17,910    
Debt issuance costs write-off 3,353    
Change in operating assets and liabilities (11,374)  (27,737)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 44,311   (21,938)
    
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:   
Purchases of property and equipment (9,226)  (16,237)
Proceeds from sales of property, equipment and other assets 52   432 
Proceeds from sales or maturities of marketable securities    3,495 
Purchases of equity and loans to equity investees (2,899)  (2,882)
Net cash used in investing activities (12,073)  (15,192)
    
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:   
Borrowings on notes payable 40,000   190,608 
Payments on notes payable (18,125)  (164,190)
Principal payments on long-term obligations (204)   
Debt issuance costs (6,454)   
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 1,005    
Tax payments related to RSU issuances (303)  (140)
Net cash provided by financing activities 15,919   26,278 
    
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH 139   (13)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH 48,296   (10,865)
    
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH:   
Beginning of period 24,690   18,008 
End of period$72,986  $7,143 
 


Daktronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Net Sales and Orders by Business Unit
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
(in thousands)October
28, 2023
 October
29, 2022
 Dollar
Change
 Percent
Change
 October
28, 2023
 October
29, 2022
 Dollar
Change
 Percent
Change
Net Sales:               
Commercial$42,453 $37,047 $5,406  14.6 % $89,336 $77,165 $12,171  15.8 %
Live Events 68,210  69,239  (1,029) (1.5)   160,209  125,622  34,587  27.5  
High School Park and Recreation 48,942  42,006  6,936  16.5    105,176  77,815  27,361  35.2  
Transportation 20,243  16,679  3,564  21.4    41,612  36,219  5,393  14.9  
International 19,521  22,468  (2,947) (13.1)   35,567  42,538  (6,971) (16.4) 
 $199,369 $187,439 $11,930  6.4 % $431,900 $359,359 $72,541  20.2 %
Orders: (1)               
Commercial$34,209 $42,711 $(8,502) (19.9% $66,643 $90,389 $(23,746) (26.3%
Live Events 79,016  80,999  (1,983) (2.4)   131,219  132,752  (1,533) (1.2) 
High School Park and Recreation 32,800  31,898  902  2.8    68,539  69,477  (938) (1.4) 
Transportation 21,500  16,583  4,917  29.7    40,485  32,287  8,198  25.4  
International 16,168  10,616  5,552  52.3    35,437  28,125  7,312  26.0  
 $183,693 $182,807 $886  0.5 % $342,323 $353,030 $(10,707) (3.0) %
 


Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow*
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 Six Months Ended
 October 28,
2023
 October 29,
2022
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$44,311  $(21,938)
Purchases of property and equipment (9,226)  (16,237)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment 52   432 
Free cash flow$35,137  $(37,743)
 
* 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.
 


Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Income (loss)*
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
 October 28,
2023
 October 29,
2022
 October 28,
2023
 October 29,
2022
Net income (loss)$2,165 $(12,984) $21,361 $(18,310)
Change in fair value of convertible note 10,650     17,910   
              
Debt issuance costs expensed due to fair value of convertible note, net of taxes      2,092   
Adjusted net income (loss)$12,815 $(12,984) $41,363 $(18,310)
 
* 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 measurements provides investors with a consistent way to analyze our performance.
 


Reconciliation of Long-term Debt
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Long-term debt consists of the following:
 
 October 28,
2023
 April 29,
2023
Prior line of credit$  $17,750 
Mortgage 14,625    
Convertible note 25,000    
Long-term debt, gross 39,625   17,750 
Debt issuance costs, net (948)   
Change in fair value of convertible note 17,910    
Current portion (1,500)   
Long-term debt, net$55,087  $17,750