Electro Rent Corp. reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended May 31, 2012.
“During fiscal 2012 we strengthened many areas of our business by making additional investments in people and product, two key drivers of our long-term success,” said Daniel Greenberg, chairman and CEO of Electro Rent. “We completed a strategic acquisition, added new sales, marketing and technical talent, reorganized our sales force and purchased more than $113.0 million of equipment during the year. These steps will further enhance our ability to provide customers with highly flexible alternatives for their equipment needs, a key competitive advantage as they, and we, adjust to shifting business requirements in an uncertain environment.”
Total revenues grew to $68.2 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012 from $65.2 million for the same quarter last year. Sales of equipment and other revenues were $34.4 million for the most recent fiscal quarter, compared with $34.3 million for the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter. Rental and lease revenues rose to $33.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, from $30.9 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011. The increase was primarily related to increased rental activity and rates in North America and Europe, as the integration of Electro Rent’s new resale organization with its existing test and measurement sales force provided additional rental opportunities to an expanding customer base. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in leasing demand in Electro Rent’s profitable data products business, which remains one of the largest personal computer and server rental organizations in the country.
Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $16.4 million, or 24.1% of total revenues, for the fiscal 2012 fourth quarter, compared with $15.9 million, or 24.4% of total revenues, for last year’s fourth quarter. The increase in SG&A expenses reflected enhancements to Electro Rent’s sales organization in support of its Agilent resale channel, higher rental demand and future growth opportunities. Total operating expenses amounted to $58.0 million for the fiscal 2012 fourth quarter, compared with $54.7 million last year.
Operating profit for the fiscal 2012 fourth quarter was $10.2 million, or 14.9% of total revenues, versus $10.5 million, or 16.1% of total revenues, a year ago.
Net income for the fiscal 2012 fourth quarter was $6.3 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, the same as for the fiscal 2011 fourth quarter. Net income for the fiscal 2012 period was impacted by higher depreciation expense related to Electro Rent’s substantially increased average rental and lease equipment pool, as well as higher selling, general and administrative expenses.
Total revenues for the full fiscal 2012 year grew 8.7% to $248.6 million from $228.7 million last year. Equipment sales and other revenues rose 7.4% to $118.8 million for fiscal 2012, from $110.7 million for fiscal 2011. Rental and lease revenues for fiscal 2012 increased 9.9% to $129.7 million from $118.1 million last year.
Net income for the fiscal 2012 year improved 8.5% to $25.8 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, from $23.8 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the fiscal 2011 year. Net income included a one-time gains associated with acquisitions of $3.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, for fiscal 2012 and $202,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, for fiscal 2011. Net income for fiscal 2011 also included a reversal of accrued interest and penalties of $1.4 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, related to the effective settlement of Electro Rent’s uncertain tax positions.
SG&A expenses were $64.0 million, or 25.7% of total revenues, for fiscal 2012, versus $57.4 million, or 25.1% of total revenues, for last year. Total operating expenses for fiscal 2012 were $212.5 million compared with $192.0 million for fiscal 2011.
Operating profit for fiscal 2012 was $36.1 million, or 14.5% of total revenue, versus $36.7 million, or 16.1% of total revenue, for the prior year.
Electro Rent’s effective tax rate for the full fiscal year was 35.6%, compared with 36.3% for fiscal 2011. Electro Rent’s effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 included a bargain purchase gain, net of deferred taxes, of $3.4 million resulting from the purchase of Equipment Management Technology (EMT). Bargain purchase gains are recorded net of deferred taxes and are treated as permanent differences, resulting in a lower effective tax rate in the period recorded. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2011 benefited from a $1.4 million reduction of the income tax provision related to the effective settlement of Electro Rent’s uncertain tax positions.
Rental equipment purchases for the fiscal 2012 fourth quarter and full year were $19.1 million and $113.2 million, respectively, compared with $19.4 million and $90.2 million, respectively, for the same periods last year. The book value of Electro Rent's equipment increased significantly to $243.2 million at May 31, 2012 from $195.6 million at the same time last year.
As of May 31, 2012, Electro Rent had a sales order backlog for test and measurement equipment relating to the company’s Agilent resale agreement of $8.4 million, versus $17.0 million at May 31, 2011. The majority of the backlog is expected to be delivered to customers within the next six months.
Electro Rent paid dividends of $4.8 million for the fiscal 2012 fourth quarter. On an annualized basis, Electro Rent’s current quarterly dividend of $0.20 per common share represents a 4.8% yield on the July 31, 2012 closing share price of $16.76.
Total shareholders' equity at May 31, 2012 grew to $248.1 million, or $10.34 per share, from $240.4 million, or $10.02 per share, last year.
Electro Rent had $9.3 million in cash and cash equivalents at May 31, 2012, compared with $41.4 million at the end of fiscal 2011. The decrease related primarily to the company’s acquisition of EMT, equipment purchases and dividend payments. Electro Rent’s balance sheet remains debt free, and the company has the full amount available on its $25.0 million bank line of credit.