NEWARK, N.Y., Oct. 31, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultralife Corporation (Nasdaq:ULBI) reported operating income from continuing operations of $0.7 million on revenue of $20.4 million for the quarter ended September 29, 2013. For the third quarter of 2012, the company reported operating income from continuing operations of $1.8 million on revenue of $26.2 million.

"On a sequential basis, revenue increased $3.1 million benefiting from closing Communications Systems orders that had been delayed in the second quarter. As a result of higher sales, improved gross margins and lower operating expenses, we restored profitability this quarter improving operating income $2.5 million from last quarter's operating loss," said Michael D. Popielec, Ultralife's president and chief executive officer. "In the face of difficult market conditions, we remain focused on protecting the P&L and maintaining a strong balance sheet. On the strength of a $3.2 million inventory reduction, we ended the quarter with a net cash balance of $10.8 million giving us ample liquidity to support our growth initiatives."

Popielec continued, "Growing the top-line remains our highest priority. As we expand our opportunities in commercial end markets, we are very encouraged by the level of interest in the company's new products serving the medical cart and emergency response markets. This validates our approach of leveraging our proven military grade battery systems through multi-generational product planning for use in applications in the commercial sector."

Third Quarter 2013 Financial Results

Discontinued operations reflect the operating results of RedBlack, which was sold on September 28, 2012. All revenue, gross margin and operating expense amounts presented below represent results from continuing operations.

Revenue was $20.4 million, compared to $26.2 million for the third quarter of 2012, a 22% decline. Battery & Energy Products sales declined by $3.1 million to $13.5 million, primarily due to the continued slowdown in the government and defense order rate for rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries. Communications Systems sales were $6.9 million, compared to $9.5 million for the same period last year, a decrease of $2.7 million. Included in the prior year Communications Systems' sales was $3.4 million related to the final shipment of SATCOM systems units. Absent the SATCOM shipment, Communications Systems sales increased 11% reflecting higher shipments of amplifiers to US and international customers.

Gross profit was $6.1 million, or 30.1% of revenue, compared to $8.2 million, or 31.4% of revenue, for the same quarter a year ago, a decrease of 130 basis points. Battery & Energy Products' gross margin was 26.7%, compared to 28.7% last year, a 200 basis point decrease reflecting lower overhead absorption as a consequence of strict inventory control. Communications Systems' gross margin was 36.9%, compared to 36.1% last year, an increase of 80 basis points reflecting favorable mix.

Operating expenses declined $1.0 million or 15% to $5.5 million, compared to $6.5 million a year ago, primarily due to reductions in general and administrative expense and continued focus on controlling discretionary spending. As a percent of revenue, operating expenses were 26.9%, compared to 24.7% a year ago.

Operating profit was $0.7 million, compared to $1.8 million for the same period in 2012, reflecting lower gross profit including the impact of the SATCOM shipment, partially offset by operating expense reductions. Operating margin was 3.2%, compared to 6.7% for the year-earlier period.

Net income from continuing operations was $0.6 million, or $0.04 per share, compared to net income of $1.5 million, or $0.09 per share, for the third quarter of 2012. Net income from discontinued operations was $0.0 million, or $0.00 per share, compared to $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, for the same quarter last year.

Outlook

For 2013, although the Company's pending project pipelines are growing, the continuing U.S. Government budget challenges have muddled our predictability of converting Communication Systems' sales opportunities in the timeframe originally forecasted. Primarily for this reason, management now expects that an overall year-over-year revenue decline could be approximately 20%, with Communications Systems revenues down in a comparable range for the year versus our prior expectations. Given the potential for reduced revenue, management now expects to report operating results in the range of breakeven to a modest operating loss for the year.

Management cautions that the timing of orders and shipments may cause variability in quarterly results.

About Ultralife Corporation

Ultralife Corporation serves its markets with products and services ranging from portable 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. For more information, visit www.ultralifecorp.com.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: uncertain global economic conditions, increased competitive environment and pricing pressures, disruptions related to restructuring actions and delays. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's analysis only as of today's date. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Further information on these factors and other factors that could affect Ultralife's financial results is included in Ultralife's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Conference Call Information

Ultralife will hold its third quarter earnings conference call today at 10:00 AM ET. To participate, please call (800) 915-4836, identify yourself and ask for the Ultralife call. The conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet at http://investor.ultralifecorp.com. To listen to the call, please go to the web site at least fifteen minutes early to download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live webcast, a replay of the webcast will be available shortly after the call at the same location.

ULTRALIFE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(unaudited)
September 29, December 31,
ASSETS 2013 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents  $ 10,785  $ 10,078
Trade accounts receivable, net  15,571  20,913
Inventories  27,829  30,370
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  1,955  2,461
Total current assets 56,140 63,822
Property and equipment  10,836  12,415
Other assets:
Goodwill, intangible and other assets 21,699 21,481
Total Assets  $ 88,675  $ 97,718
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt  $ --  $ --
Accounts payable  6,057  11,357
Other current liabilities  5,026  8,535
Total current liabilities 11,083 19,892
Long-term liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities  4,357  4,370
Shareholders' equity:
Ultralife equity:
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share 1,888 1,886
Capital in excess of par value 174,541 173,791
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (567) (620)
Accumulated deficit (94,873) (93,878)
80,989 81,179
Less -- Treasury stock, at cost 7,658 7,658
Total Ultralife equity 73,331 73,521
Noncontrolling interest  (96)  (65)
Total shareholders' equity 73,235 73,456
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity  $ 88,675  $ 97,718
ULTRALIFE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
Three Month Periods Ended  Nine Month Periods Ended
September 29, September 30, September 29, September 30,
2013 2012 2013 2012
Revenues:
Battery & energy products  $ 13,507  $ 16,633  $ 41,216  $ 52,238
Communications systems  6,854  9,548  17,443  20,150
Total revenues 20,361 26,181 58,659 72,388
Cost of products sold:
Battery & energy products  9,906  11,863  31,025  39,762
Communications systems  4,328  6,099  10,606  13,347
Total cost of products sold  14,234  17,962  41,631  53,109
Gross profit  6,127  8,219  17,028  19,279
Operating expenses:
Research and development  1,418  1,596  4,456  5,706
Selling, general, and administrative  4,057  4,869  13,419  16,041
Total operating expenses  5,475  6,465  17,875  21,747
Operating income (loss)  652  1,754  (847)  (2,468)
Other income (expense):
Interest income  13  1  27  4
Interest expense  (66)  (97)  (199)  (316)
Miscellaneous  (8)  (15)  (31)  17
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 591 1,643 (1,050) (2,763)
Income tax provision (benefit)-current  (19)  120  42  387
Income tax provision-deferred  3  55  93  50
Total income taxes  (16)  175  135  437
Net income (loss) from continuing operations  607  1,468  (1,185)  (3,200)
Discontinued operations:
 Income from discontinued operations, net of tax  15  200  159  178
Net income (loss)  622  1,668  (1,026)  (3,022)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  22  11  31  31
Net income (loss) attributable to Ultralife  $ 644  $ 1,679  $ (995)  $ (2,991)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 Foreign currency translation adjustments  32  (204)  53  (81)
Comprehensive income (loss) loss attributable to Ultralife  $ 676  $ 1,475  $ (942)  $ (3,072)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - basic
 Continuing operations  $ 0.04  $ 0.09  $ (0.07)  $ (0.18)
 Discontinued operations  $ 0.00  $ 0.01  $ 0.01  $ 0.01
 Total  $ 0.04  $ 0.10  $ (0.06)  $ (0.17)
Net income (loss) attributable to Ultralife common shareholders - diluted
 Continuing operations  $ 0.04  $ 0.09  $ (0.07)  $ (0.18)
 Discontinued operations  $ 0.00  $ 0.01  $ 0.01  $ 0.01
 Total  $ 0.04  $ 0.10  $ (0.06)  $ (0.17)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic  17,467  17,418  17,461  17,390
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted  17,532  17,418  17,461  17,390 

CONTACT: Company Contact:

         Ultralife Corporation

         Philip Fain

         (315) 332-7100

         pfain@ulbi.com

         

         Investor Relations Contact:

         Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates

         Jody Burfening

         (212) 838-3777

         jburfening@lhai.com

distributed by