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): February 3, 2009

 

 

American Superconductor Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   0-19672   04-2959321

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

64 Jackson Road, Devens, MA   01434
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (978) 842-3265

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))

 

 

 


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On February 3, 2009, American Superconductor Corporation announced its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. 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 February 3, 2009.


SIGNATURE

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
Date: February 3, 2009     By:  

/s/ David A. Henry

      David A. Henry
      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1

  Press release issued by American Superconductor Corporation on February 3, 2009.
Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

Press Release

LOGO

AMSC REPORTS THIRD QUARTER

FISCAL 2008 FINANCIAL RESULTS

DEVENS, Mass., February 3, 2009 – American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: AMSC), a leading energy technologies company, today reported financial results for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2008 ended December 31, 2008.

Revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 were $41.3 million, a 27 percent increase over $32.6 million in revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Gross margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was 23.2 percent, which compares with 30.9 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2007. The company attributed the year-over-year reduction in gross margin primarily to higher than expected costs on certain long-term turnkey SVC and wind turbine design contracts, a charge for excess inventory related to PowerModule™ PM1000 subassemblies at one of AMSC’s subcontractors, and unfavorable foreign exchange effects.

The company’s net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2008 was $7.8 million, or $0.18 per share. This compares with a net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 of $7.3 million, or $0.18 per share. Net loss in each period includes non-cash, pre-tax charges for amortization of acquisition-related intangibles and stock compensation. The company’s results in the year-ago period also included mark-to-market adjustments on a stock warrant that was exercised in full in August 2008. Such items totaled $2.8 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008, compared to $4.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2007.

Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted cash at December 31, 2008 were $122.6 million. This compares with $128.9 million at September 30, 2008. The decrease was due to the company’s loss in the quarter, cash used for working capital and unfavorable foreign exchange effects.

The company reported backlog as of December 31, 2008 of approximately $602 million compared with $597 million as of September 30, 2008 and $168 million as of December 31, 2007.

Earnings before interest, taxes, other income and expense, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation (EBITDAS) were a negative $1.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008. This compares with an EBITDAS loss of $1.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Please refer to the financial schedules attached to this press release for reconciliation of EBITDAS to GAAP net loss.

“Our two core growth drivers – the Chinese wind power market and the U.S. power grid market – remained strong through our third fiscal quarter, a trend we expect to continue for the foreseeable future,” said Greg Yurek, AMSC’s founder and chief executive officer. “Wind continues to be our growth engine; however, more than $27 million of our $46 million in third-quarter bookings were for our D-VAR® Smart Grid solutions. With these new orders, we now have more than $175 million out of the total of $602 million in backlog that we expect to recognize as revenue in fiscal 2009. Our backlog position for both fiscal 2009 and the following two fiscal years and the strength of our core markets position us for strong growth in fiscal 2009 and beyond.”

Financial Forecast

“We expect to generate our first GAAP profit in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008,” said David Henry, senior vice president and chief financial officer. “For full fiscal 2008, we have narrowed our revenue guidance from a range of $175 million to $185 million to a range of $178 million to $182 million. We are maintaining the guidance we provided on January 20 for a full fiscal 2008 net loss in a range of $17 million to $18 million, or


$0.40 to $0.42 per share. We also are narrowing our EBITDAS forecast for fiscal 2008 from a range of $7 million to $10 million to a range of $8 million to $9 million.”

“For fiscal 2009, we continue to expect that we will generate a GAAP profit on more than $225 million in revenues. While the investments we intend to make in fiscal 2009 to help achieve our long-term growth plans may limit us to earnings of a few cents per share for full fiscal 2009, profitability is our top priority,” Henry concluded.

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 913-312-1294 and using conference ID 1576540. A telephonic playback of the call will be available from 1:00 p.m. ET on February 3, 2009 through 1:00 p.m. ET on February 10, 2009. Please call 888-203-1112 and refer to conference ID 1576540 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 alternative 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 www.amsc.com.

# # # #

American Superconductor and design, Revolutionizing the Way the World Uses Electricity, AMSC, Powered by AMSC, D-VAR, dSVC, PowerModule, PQ-IVR, Secure Super Grids, Windtec and SuperGEAR 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. The Windtec logo and design is a registered European Union Community Trademark.

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,” “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 cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: uncertainties regarding the company’s ability to obtain anticipated funding from corporate and government contracts, to successfully develop, manufacture and market commercial products, and to secure anticipated orders; the risk that the increasingly uncertain domestic and global economic conditions could result in customers delaying or reducing purchases of our products; the risk that a robust market may not develop for the company’s products; the risk that strategic alliances and other contracts may be terminated; the risk that certain technologies utilized by the company will infringe intellectual property rights of others; and the competition encountered by the company. 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, the 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.


UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
    Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Revenues:

        

Power Systems

   $ 38,277     $ 28,936     $ 109,783     $ 62,490  

Superconductors

     3,057       3,688       11,743       11,526  
                                

Total revenues

     41,334       32,624       121,526       74,016  

Cost of revenues

     31,764       22,537       89,630       54,728  
                                

Gross profit

     9,570       10,087       31,896       19,288  
                                

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

     5,305       3,956       14,906       11,962  

Selling, general and administrative

     9,400       7,737       27,142       21,006  

Amortization of acquisition related intangibles

     433       1,634       1,417       4,568  

Restructuring and impairments

     168       2,910       668       3,821  
                                

Total operating expenses

     15,306       16,237       44,133       41,357  
                                

Operating loss

     (5,736 )     (6,150 )     (12,237 )     (22,069 )

Interest income

     697       1,342       2,273       2,892  

Other expense, net

     (423 )     (1,393 )     (2,413 )     (2,558 )
                                

Loss before income tax expense

     (5,462 )     (6,201 )     (12,377 )     (21,735 )

Income tax expense

     2,310       1,108       5,566       1,900  
                                

Net loss

   $ (7,772 )   $ (7,309 )   $ (17,943 )   $ (23,635 )
                                

Net loss per common share

        

Basic and Diluted

   $ (0.18 )   $ (0.18 )   $ (0.42 )   $ (0.61 )
                                

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

        

Basic and Diluted

     43,024       40,882       42,596       38,464  
                                


UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

     December 31,
2008
    March 31,
2008
 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 55,588     $ 67,834  

Marketable securities

     59,049       38,398  

Accounts receivable, net

     39,128       37,108  

Inventory

     22,333       10,907  

Restricted cash

     6,607       12,312  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     5,618       4,467  

Deferred tax assets, net

     1,186       2,293  
                

Total current assets

     189,509       173,319  

Property, plant and equipment, net

     55,188       54,308  

Goodwill

     27,536       18,530  

Intangibles, net

     9,589       11,583  

Restricted cash

     1,406       860  

Other assets

     3,196       2,634  
                

Total assets

   $ 286,424     $ 261,234  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     43,678       38,356  

Deferred revenue

     16,337       10,629  
                

Total current liabilities

     60,015       48,985  

Non-current liabilities

    

Deferred revenue

     3,893       2,043  

Deferred tax liabilities, net

     780       1,244  

Other non-current liabilities

     53       510  
                

Total liabilities

     64,741       52,782  
                

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock

     433       415  

Additional paid-in capital

     650,631       615,017  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (936 )     3,522  

Accumulated deficit

     (428,445 )     (410,502 )
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     221,683       208,452  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 286,424     $ 261,234  
                


UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (17,943 )   $ (23,635 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     6,192       8,169  

Stock-based compensation expense

     7,586       4,358  

Stock-based compensation expense—non-employee

     18       242  

Impairment charges on long-lived assets

     —         757  

Inventory write-down charges

     —         933  

Re-valuation of warrant

     1,334       2,482  

Deferred income taxes

     427       (634 )

Other non-cash items

     2,118       215  

Changes in operating asset and liability accounts, excluding the effect of acquisitions:

    

Accounts receivable

     (5,735 )     (9,033 )

Inventory

     (11,531 )     (1,662 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (1,433 )     (2,359 )

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     9,602       (316 )

Deferred revenue

     8,523       2,982  
                

Net cash used in operating activities

     (842 )     (17,501 )
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchase of property, plant and equipment, net

     (5,249 )     (6,321 )

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

     2       1,182  

Purchase of marketable securities

     (77,602 )     (167,262 )

Proceeds from the maturity of marketable securities

     57,080       150,375  

Change in restricted cash

     5,030       (12,501 )

Acquisition costs, net of cash acquired in acquisitions

     —         (102 )

Purchase of intangible assets

     (845 )     (749 )

Change in other assets

     (80 )     22  
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (21,664 )     (35,356 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from follow-on public offering, net

     —         93,606  

Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options

     12,230       13,974  
                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     12,230       107,580  
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (1,970 )     683  
                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (12,246 )     55,406  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     67,834       15,925  
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 55,588     $ 71,331  
                

Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:

    

Issuance of common stock in connection with acquisitions

   $ —       $ 4,349  

Non-cash contingent consideration in connection with acquisitions

     11,008       —    

Non-cash issuance of common stock

     443       1  


Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDAS

(In thousands)

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
    Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Net loss

   $ (7,772 )   $ (7,309 )   $ (17,943 )   $ (23,635 )

Interest income

     (697 )     (1,342 )     (2,273 )     (2,892 )

Other expense, net

     423       1,393       2,413       2,558  

Income tax expense

     2,310       1,108       5,566       1,900  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,058       2,908       6,192       8,169  
                                

EBITDA

     (3,678 )     (3,242 )     (6,045 )     (13,900 )

Stock-based compensation

     2,392       1,335       7,586       4,358  
                                

EBITDAS

   $ (1,286 )   $ (1,907 )   $ 1,541     $ (9,542 )
                                

Reconciliation of Forecast Net Loss to Forecast EBITDAS for Fiscal Year 2008

(In thousands)

 

     High     Low  

Net Loss

   $ (17,000 )   $ (18,000 )

Interest income

     (3,000 )     (3,000 )

Other income (expense), net

     2,400       2,400  

Income tax expense

     8,500       8,500  

Depreciation and amortization

     8,100       8,100  
                

EBITDA

     (1,000 )     (2,000 )

Stock-based compensation

     10,000       10,000  
                

EBITDAS

   $ 9,000     $ 8,000  
                

Note: EBITDAS is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the company as net income before interest, taxes, other income and expense, depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation. The company believes EBITDAS is an important measurement for management and investors given the increasing effect that non-cash charges such as stock compensation, amortization related to acquisitions, taxes associated with AMSC Windtec and AMSC China, and depreciation of capital equipment will have on the company’s net income (loss). The company regards EBITDAS as a useful measure of operating performance and cash flow to complement operating income, net income and other GAAP financial performance measures. Additionally, management believes that EBITDAS will provide meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results. 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. This measure, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of EBITDAS to GAAP net loss is set forth in the table above.

Contact Information:

Jason Fredette

Director of Investor & Media Relations

American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: AMSC)

978-842-3177

jfredette@amsc.com