American Superconductor Corporation (Form: 8-K)  

 


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

     
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported):   July 29, 2010

American Superconductor Corporation
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

     
Delaware 0-19672 04-2959321
_____________________
(State or other jurisdiction
_____________
(Commission
______________
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
      
64 Jackson Road, Devens, Massachusetts   01434
_________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)
  ___________
(Zip Code)
     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (978) 842-3000

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


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Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On July 29, 2010, American Superconductor Corporation announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The full text of the press release issued in connection with the announcement is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Form 8-K (including Exhibit 99.1) shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.





Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

The following exhibit relating to Item 2.02 shall be deemed to be furnished, and not filed:

99.1 Press release issued by American Superconductor Corporation on July 29, 2010.






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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

         
    American Superconductor Corporation
          
July 29, 2010   By:   /s/ David A. Henry
       
        Name: David A. Henry
        Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


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Exhibit Index


     
Exhibit No.   Description

 
99.1
  Press release issued by American Superconductor Corporation on July 29, 2010.
EX-99.1
     
Press Release
    

AMSC REPORTS FIRST QUARTER
FISCAL YEAR 2010 FINANCIAL RESULTS

     
-
- -
- -
 
First Quarter Revenues Increased 33 Percent Year Over Year to a Record $97 Million
Earnings More Than Doubled Year Over Year
Revenue and Earnings Forecasts Increased for Full Year Fiscal 2010

DEVENS, Mass., July 29, 2010 – American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: AMSC), a global power technologies company, today reported financial results for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2010 ended June 30, 2010.

Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 increased 33 percent to $97.2 million from $73.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 was 40.1 percent, which compares with 30.9 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

AMSC generated net income of $9.2 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2010. This compares with net income of $1.8 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Non-GAAP net income was $13.0 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2010. This compares with non-GAAP net income of $5.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2009. Please refer to the financial table included below for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP results.

Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted cash at June 30, 2010 were $120.7 million. This compares with $155.1 million as of March 31, 2010. The decrease was due primarily to some customer payments shifting from June to July 2010, an increase in capital expenditures in line with the company’s plan and changes in the dollar value of cash held in foreign currencies.

The company reported backlog as of June 30, 2010 of approximately $952 million compared with approximately $588 million as of March 31, 2010. This increase is related primarily to a multi-year order worth approximately US$445 million the company received in May 2010 from Sinovel Wind Group Co., Ltd.

“American Superconductor has achieved six consecutive quarters of rapid, profitable growth, and we are now well positioned to exceed our original forecasts for revenues and earnings for full fiscal 2010,” said Greg Yurek, AMSC’s founder and chief executive officer. “We achieved a record level of backlog in our first quarter, which gives us very good visibility to continued profitable growth over the next several years. The bulk of our sales during this period are expected to continue to be to Asian wind turbine manufacturers who are building out capacity to meet increased domestic demand and who are also preparing to export wind turbines to Western markets. We also expect our sales to customers in Western countries to start ramping significantly during that time.”

Yurek added, “In our AMSC Superconductors business unit, we made good progress during the first fiscal quarter in migrating to our 100-millimeter superconductor wire manufacturing process. We ramped our capital expenditures for superconductor manufacturing, as planned, and have now begun to install and qualify the additional equipment that will be needed to meet expected wire demand for Korean and Chinese superconductor power grid projects, the Tres Amigas SuperStation in the U.S., and SeaTitanTM superconductor wind turbines for offshore wind farms in the years ahead.”

Financial Forecast
“We are increasing our revenue forecast for full year fiscal 2010 from a range of $415 million to $425 million to a range of $420 million to $430 million,” said David Henry, AMSC’s senior vice president and chief financial officer. “We also are increasing our net income forecast for the full fiscal year from a range of $37.5 million to $40.0 million, or $0.80 to $0.85 per diluted share, to a range of $39.5 million to $42.0 million, or $0.85 to $0.90 per diluted share. Our non-GAAP net income guidance is similarly increased from a range of $54.0 million to $56.5 million, or $1.15 to $1.20 per diluted share, to a range of $56.0 million to $58.5 million, or $1.20 to $1.25 per diluted share.”

Conference Call Reminder
In conjunction with this announcement, AMSC management will participate in a conference call with investors beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET today to discuss the company’s results and its business outlook. Those who wish to listen to the live conference call webcast should visit the "Investors” section of the company’s website at www.amsc.com/investors. The live call also can be accessed by dialing 913-312-0950 and using conference ID 3274268. A telephonic playback of the call will be available from 1:00 p.m. ET on July 29 through 1:00 p.m. ET on August 5. Please call 719-457-0820 and refer to conference ID 3274268 to access the playback.

About American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC)
AMSC offers an array of proprietary technologies and solutions spanning the electric power infrastructure – from generation to delivery to end use. The company is a leader in renewable energy providing proven, megawatt-scale wind turbine designs and electrical control systems. The company also offers a host of Smart Grid technologies for power grid operators that enhance the reliability, efficiency and capacity of the grid, and seamlessly integrate renewable energy sources into the power infrastructure. These include superconductor power cable systems, grid-level surge protectors and power electronics-based voltage stabilization systems. AMSC’s technologies are protected by a broad and deep intellectual property portfolio consisting of hundreds of patents and licenses worldwide. More information is available at .

# # # #

American Superconductor and design, Revolutionizing the Way the World Uses Electricity, AMSC, Powered by AMSC, D-VAR, dSVC, PowerModule, PQ-IVR, PQ-SVC, Secure Super Grids, SuperGEAR, SeaTitan and, Windtec and design are trademarks or registered trademarks of American Superconductor Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

Any statements in this release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the company, including our expectations regarding the future financial performance of the company and other statements containing the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “forecast,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are a number of important factors that could materially impact the value of our common stock or cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: we have a history of operating losses, and we may incur losses in the future; our operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and may fall below expectations in any particular fiscal quarter; a significant portion of our revenues are derived from a single customer and revenues from this customer may decline in future periods; adverse changes in domestic and global economic conditions could adversely affect our business; changes in exchange rates could adversely affect our financial results; we may not realize all of the sales expected from our backlog of orders and contracts; we rely upon third party suppliers for the components and subassemblies of many of our products, making us vulnerable to supply shortages and price fluctuations; we have not manufactured our 344 superconductors in commercial quantities, and a failure to manufacture our 344 superconductors in commercial quantities at acceptable cost and quality levels would substantially limit our future revenue and profit potential; and our patents may not provide meaningful protection for our technology, which could result in us losing some or all of our market position. Reference is made to these and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the company’s most recent quarterly or annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the company’s views as of the date of this release. While the company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause the company’s views to change, the company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date this press release is issued.

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UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)

                 
    Three months ended
    June 30,
    2010   2009
Revenues:
               
Power Systems
  $ 94,928     $ 70,696  
Superconductors
    2,281       2,304  
 
               
Total revenues
    97,209       73,000  
Cost of revenues
    58,224       50,417  
 
               
Gross profit
    38,985       22,583  
 
               
Operating expenses:
               
Research and development
    7,335       4,528  
Selling, general and administrative
    15,183       10,885  
Amortization of acquisition related intangibles
    386       445  
Restructuring and impairments
          334  
Total operating expenses
    22,904       16,192  
 
               
Operating income
    16,081       6,391  
Interest income
    175       243  
Other income (expense), net
    171       (1,976 )
 
               
Income before income tax expense
    16,427       4,658  
Income tax expense
    7,257       2,866  
 
               
Net income
  $ 9,170     $ 1,792  
 
               
Net income per common share
               
Basic
  $ 0.20     $ 0.04  
 
               
Diluted
  $ 0.20     $ 0.04  
 
               
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
               
Basic
    45,242       43,789  
 
               
Diluted
    45,983       44,533  
 
               

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UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)

                         
            June 30,   March 31,
            2010   2010
ASSETS
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
          $ 64,844     $ 87,594  
Marketable securities
            44,632       54,469  
Accounts receivable, net
            90,212       62,203  
Inventory
            41,022       35,858  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
            16,315       15,381  
Restricted cash
            5,265       5,713  
Deferred tax assets
            2,022       1,776  
 
                       
Total current assets
            264,312       262,994  
 
                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
            70,191       64,315  
Goodwill
            37,934       36,696  
Intangibles, net
            8,016       7,770  
Marketable securities
            5,961       7,342  
Deferred tax assets
            3,652       3,043  
Other assets
            19,967       18,024  
 
                       
Total assets
          $ 410,033     $ 400,184  
 
                       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
                       
Current liabilities:
                       
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
          $ 79,113     $ 84,319  
Deferred revenue
            25,272       19,970  
Deferred tax liabilities
            3,360       471  
 
                       
Total current liabilities
            107,745       104,760  
 
                       
Non-current liabilities
                       
Deferred revenue
            15,241       13,302  
Deferred tax liabilities
            660       777  
Other
            422       380  
 
                       
Total liabilities
            124,068       119,219  
 
                       
 
                       
 
                       
 
                       
Stockholders’ equity:
                       
Common stock
            455       448  
Additional paid-in capital
            706,741       698,417  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
            (19,512 )     (7,011 )
Accumulated deficit
            (401,719 )     (410,889 )
Total stockholders’ equity
            285,965       280,965  
 
                       
 
                       
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
          $ 410,033     $ 400,184  
 
                       

3

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

                 
    For the three months ended
    June 30,
    2010   2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 9,170     $ 1,792  
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    2,654       2,301  
Stock-based compensation expense
    3,499       3,066  
Stock-based compensation expense—non-employee
    79       30  
Impairment charges on long-lived assets
           
Inventory write-down charges
           
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    957       (657 )
Deferred income taxes
    2,027       (707 )
Other non-cash items
    320       207  
Changes in operating asset and liability accounts:
               
Accounts receivable
    (35,848 )     (13,068 )
Inventory
    (5,654 )     3,903  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (1,616 )     513  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (2,140 )     (10,176 )
Deferred revenue
    8,073       (1,340 )
 
               
 
               
Net cash used in operating activities
    (18,479 )     (14,136 )
 
               
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (8,185 )     (1,660 )
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
          23,003  
Purchase of marketable securities
    (15,061 )     (12,441 )
Proceeds from the maturity of marketable securities
    24,189       23,008  
Change in restricted cash
    257       (399 )
Acquisition costs, net of cash acquired in acquisitions
           
Purchase of intangible assets
    (1,230 )     (369 )
Change in other assets
    (11 )     (427 )
 
               
 
               
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (41 )     7,712  
 
               
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from follow-on public offering, net
           
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options
    561       1,494  
 
               
 
               
Net cash provided by financing activities
    561       1,494  
 
               
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (4,791 )     1,039  
 
               
 
               
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (22,750 )     (3,891 )
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of quarter
    87,594       70,674  
 
               
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter
  $ 64,844     $ 66,783  
 
               
 
               

4

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income
(In thousands, except per share data)

                 
    Three months ended
    June 30,
    2010   2009
Net income
  $ 9,170     $ 1,792  
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles
    386       445  
Restructuring and impairments
          334  
Stock-based compensation
    3,499       3,066  
Tax effects
    (83 )     (88 )
 
               
Non-GAAP net income
  $ 12,972     $ 5,549  
 
               
Non-GAAP earnings per share
  $ 0.28     $ 0.12  
 
               
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
    45,983       44,533  
 
               

Reconciliation of Forecast GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income for Fiscal Year 2010
(In millions, except per share data)

                 
    Low   High
Net Income
  $ 39.50     $ 42.00  
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles
    1.6       1.6  
Stock-based compensation
    15.3       15.3  
Tax effects
    -0.4       -0.4  
 
               
Non-GAAP net income
  $ 56.00     $ 58.50  
 
               
Non-GAAP net income per share
  $ 1.20     $ 1.25  
 
               
Diluted shares outstanding
    46.7       46.7  
 
               

Note: Non-GAAP net income (loss) is defined by the company as net income (loss) before amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, restructuring and impairments, stock-based compensation, other unusual charges and any tax effects related to these items. The company believes non-GAAP net income (loss) is an important measurement for management and investors given the effect that these non-cash or non-recurring charges have on the company’s net income (loss). The company regards non-GAAP net income (loss) as a useful measure of operating performance and cash flow to complement operating income, net income (loss) and other GAAP financial performance measures.

Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP measures included in this release, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP net income (loss) is set forth in the table above.

AMSC Contact:
Jason Fredette
Managing Director, Corporate Communications
Phone: 978-842-3177
Email: jfredette@amsc.com

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