Bell Industries Reports 2006 Second Quarter Results


EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 14, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Bell Industries, Inc. (AMEX:BI) today reported financial results for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006.

For the 2006 second quarter, revenues from continuing operations amounted to $31.2 million, compared with $35.3 million in the prior-year period. Net income totaled $5.2 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, including a pre-tax gain on the sale of the company's J.W. Miller division of $6.1 million, or $5.2 million net of tax. This compares with net income of $948,000, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the year-ago second quarter.

"We have made significant progress with our strategy to concentrate on core business operations and align resources to position the company to become leaders in the key markets we serve," said John A. Fellows, chief executive officer of Bell Industries. "Reflecting our dedication to these efforts, subsequent to the close of the second quarter, we announced that Bell's Technology Solutions division received a number of new services contracts. Though we will incur start-up costs for the next few months, we expect these new service relationships to generate approximately $30 million in revenues with favorable margins in 2007.

"With the sharpened focus and recent operational enhancements to our largest operating division, we are confident that Bell's Technology Solutions business is well positioned to emerge as a leading technology, product and services provider in the years ahead," Fellows said.

2006 second quarter revenues for Bell's Technology Solutions business were $16.7 million, compared with $21.4 million in the prior-year period. Product sales amounted to $9.8 million, compared with $13.9 million in the 2005 second quarter. Services revenues totaled $6.9 million in the current second quarter, compared with $7.5 million a year earlier. The division sustained an operating loss of $914,000 in the current second quarter, compared with operating income of $307,000 in the 2005 comparable period.

At Bell's Recreational Products Group (RPG), net revenues for the 2006 second quarter benefited from strong marine sales and rose to $14.5 million, from $13.9 million in the year-ago period. Operating income increased to $922,000 for the 2006 second quarter from $834,000 a year earlier.

Corporate costs for the 2006 second quarter include approximately $160,000 in stock-based compensation expense, for stock options granted during this period, in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004).

Revenues from continuing operations for the first half of 2006 were $56.1 million, compared with $62.1 million in the comparable 2005 period. Including the sale of its J.W. Miller division, net income for the 2006 year-to-date period rose to $3.9 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, from $271,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the 2005 six-month period.

Bell continues to maintain a strong balance sheet, strengthened further by the J.W. Miller sale, and with no bank debt. At June 30, 2006, cash and cash equivalents totaled $14.5 million, and net working capital rose to $23.6 million. At the end of the 2006 second quarter, shareholders' equity rose to $24.4 million, or $2.85 per share.

About Bell Industries, Inc.

Bell is comprised of two diversified business units, Bell's Technology Solutions business and Recreational Products Group. Bell's Technology Solutions business offers a comprehensive portfolio of technology products and managed lifecycle services, including planning, product sourcing, deployment and disposal, and support services. Bell's Recreational Products Group distributes after-market parts and accessories primarily to the recreational vehicle and boating markets.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, including, but not limited to the new engagements adding approximately $30 million in incremental revenues with favorable margins during 2007, are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including uncertainties as to the nature of our industry, including changing customer demand, the impact of competitive products and pricing, dependence on existing management and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.



                        Bell Industries, Inc.
                    Consolidated Operating Results
                (In thousands, except per share data)
                             (Unaudited)

                               Three months ended     Six months ended
                                    June 30               June 30
                                2006       2005       2006       2005
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net revenues
  Products                    $24,302    $27,815    $41,395    $47,434
  Services                      6,859      7,462     14,729     14,666
                              -------    -------    -------    -------
                               31,161     35,277     56,124     62,100
                              -------    -------    -------    -------
 Costs and expenses
  Cost of products sold        19,466     22,276     33,156     38,168
  Cost of services provided     5,220      5,835     11,877     11,847
  Selling and administrative    7,481      6,734     14,015     12,792
  Interest, net                  (134)       (36)      (209)       (88)
                              -------    -------    -------    -------
                               32,033     34,809     58,839     62,719
                              -------    -------    -------    -------
 Income (loss) from continuing
  operations before income tax   (872)       468     (2,715)      (619)
 Income tax expense (benefit)    (892)        30       (877)        45
                              -------    -------    -------    -------
 Income (loss) from continuing
  operations                       20        438     (1,838)      (664)
 Income from discontinued
  operations, net of tax           39        510        577        935
 Gain on sale of discontinued
  operations, net of tax        5,153         --      5,153         --
                              -------    -------    -------    -------
 Net income                   $ 5,212    $   948    $ 3,892    $   271
                              =======    =======    =======    =======
 Basic and diluted share data
  Income (loss) from continuing
   operations
    Basic                     $    --    $   .05    $  (.22)   $  (.08)
                              =======    =======    =======    =======
    Diluted                   $    --    $   .05    $  (.22)   $  (.08)
                              =======    =======    =======    =======
  Net income
    Basic                     $   .61    $   .11    $   .45    $   .03
                              =======    =======    =======    =======
    Diluted                   $   .61    $   .11    $   .45    $   .03
                              =======    =======    =======    =======
  Weighted average common stock
   Basic                        8,565      8,460      8,564      8,457
                              =======    =======    =======    =======
   Diluted                      8,593      8,493      8,590      8,513
                              =======    =======    =======    =======
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 OPERATING RESULTS BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

 Net revenues
  Technology Solutions
   Products                   $ 9,803    $13,895    $16,239    $22,123
   Services                     6,859      7,462     14,729     14,666
                              -------    -------    -------    -------
                               16,662     21,357     30,968     36,789
  Recreational Products        14,499     13,920     25,156     25,311
                              -------    -------    -------    -------
                              $31,161    $35,277    $56,124    $62,100
                              =======    =======    =======    =======
 Operating income (loss)
  Technology Solutions        $  (914)   $   307    $(2,158)   $  (460)
  Recreational Products           922        834      1,112      1,052
  Corporate costs              (1,014)      (709)    (1,878)    (1,299)
                              -------    -------    -------    -------
                               (1,006)       432     (2,924)      (707)
 Interest, net                    134         36        209         88
 Income tax benefit (expense)     892        (30)       877        (45)
                              -------    -------    -------    -------
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations       $    20    $   438    $(1,838)   $  (664)
                              =======    =======    =======    =======

                        Bell Industries, Inc.
                 Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet
                            (In thousands)
                             (Unaudited)
                                            June 30,       December 31,
                                              2006            2005
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 ASSETS

 Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                 $14,455        $ 7,331
   Accounts receivable                        15,645         15,306
   Inventories                                10,079         12,764
   Prepaid expenses and other                  2,906          2,701
                                             -------        -------
     Total current assets                     43,085         38,102
                                             -------        -------

 Fixed assets, net                             2,313          3,143
 Other assets                                  2,557          3,108
                                             -------        -------
                                             $47,955        $44,353
                                             =======        =======
 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Current liabilities:
   Floor plan payables                       $    57        $    68
   Accounts payable                           11,624         11,023
   Accrued payroll and liabilities             7,854          8,440
                                             -------        -------
     Total current liabilities                19,535         19,531
                                             -------        -------

 Long-term liabilities                         4,041          4,518
 Shareholders' equity                         24,379         20,304
                                             -------        -------
                                             $47,955        $44,353
                                             =======        =======


            

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