RF Industries’ (RFIL) Third Quarter Sales Increase 51% to a Record $7,472,000

RF INDUSTRIES, LTD. (NASDAQ:RFIL) today announced record quarterly sales and consolidated net income for the third quarter ended July 31, 2012. Net sales increased 51% to a quarterly record $7,472,000 compared to $4,948,000 in the same quarter last year. Consolidated net income was a quarterly record $735,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, compared to consolidated net income of $65,000, or $0.01 per diluted share in the same quarter last year. Consolidated net income for the third quarter last year was affected by non-recurring expenses of approximately $562,000 associated with the acquisition of Cables Unlimited and certain stockholder issues and activities.

RFI also announced that its Board declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per common share, payable October 15, 2012 to shareholders of record on September 30, 2012.

Third Quarter Review

“Our focus in the acquisition of Cables Unlimited (CU) in June 2011 was to capitalize on RFI’s strong product distribution to the wireless industry. Working closely with our distributors, Cables Unlimited designed and introduced the new OptiFlex™ power and fiber optic cabling system for high-speed wireless antenna towers. Multiple larger orders for OptiFlex supports our strategy of leveraging RFI’s wireless product line by incorporating fiber optic and power components.

“Total operating profits increased to $1,094,000 compared to breakeven in the same period last year. We anticipate that strong performance from all business segments should lead to record sales in the fourth quarter ending October 31, 2012,” said Howard Hill, RFI’s CEO.

RF Connector and Cable Assembly segment sales increased 18% to a record $3,871,000 compared to $3,274,000 in the same quarter last year. Operating income for this segment was $669,000, compared to an operating loss of $99,000 in the same period last year. The segment’s loss in the third quarter last year was due to the total of $562,000 in non-recurring acquisition related and other expenses, as discussed above.

Cables Unlimited’s third quarter sales were a record $2,728,000, compared to sales of $909,000 for the 46 day period after its acquisition on June 15, 2011 last year. Gross margin was 35% compared to 37% of sales in the same quarter last year, while operating profitability significantly improved to $446,000, or 16% of sales, compared to $97,000, or 11% of sales in the same quarter last year.

“During the third quarter, CU announced receipt of orders totaling $1,400,000 for its newly designed OptiFlex™ Hybrid Custom Fiber Optic & DC Power Cabling solution and shipped a significant portion of these orders during the quarter. We are extremely encouraged by the subsequent receipt of additional similar-sized orders for this new product,” said Hill.

Bioconnect sales increased 12% to a third quarter record $570,000 compared to $510,000 in the same period last year. Gross margin declined to 39% from 41% of sales due to higher raw materials costs. Operating income declined slightly to $116,000 compared to $121,000 in the same quarter last year as Bioconnect increased hiring and invested in the development of new products for the coming year.

RF Wireless sales increased 19% to $304,000 from $255,000 in the same quarter last year. A change in product mix, combined with customer requested rescheduling of RadioMobile product shipments to a public service organization lowered segment gross margin to 26% compared to 39% of sales in the same quarter last year. The operating loss for this segment was $138,000 compared to $118,000 in the same quarter last year.

“RadioMobile’s product shipments associated with its $2,600,000 contract with the Los Angeles County Fire Department have been rescheduled for delivery in the current fourth quarter and remainder of calendar 2012. We anticipate significant improvement in RF Wireless sales and profitability in the next two quarters,” said Hill.

As of July 31, 2012, RFI reported cash and cash equivalents of $5,630,000, working capital of $13,719,000, a current ratio of 6 to 1, no long-term debt and stockholders’ equity of $19,094,000, or $2.77 per outstanding share.

Nine Months Review

For the nine months ended July 31, 2012, sales increased 46% to $19,703,000 compared to $13,479,000 in the same period last year. Gross margin for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 declined to 45% compared to 51% of sales, primarily due to higher sales of lower-margin products at Cables Unlimited. Consolidated net income increased 77% to $1,455,000, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to $823,000, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the same period last year.

For the nine month period RF Connector and Cable Assembly segment sales increased 2% to $10,391,000 from $10,144,000 in the same period last year, led by a 6% increase in sales at the RF Connector division. Segment gross margin was 52% compared to 54% in the same period last year. Operating income for this segment was $1,155,000 compared to $1,136,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2011.

Sales at Cables Unlimited were $6,008,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2012, compared to sales of $909,000 in the 46 day period after CU’s acquisition on June 15, 2011. Gross margin was 34% compared to 37% of sales for the comparable periods. Operating income was $648,000, or 11% of sales for the nine month period, compared to $97,000, or 11% of sales in the same period last year.

Bioconnect sales increased 11% to $2,012,000 for the nine month period, compared to $1,809,000 in the same period last year, helping to raise gross margin to 42% from 39% of sales in the same period last year. Higher gross margin and lower selling and general expenses, as a percent of sales, increased operating income 30% to $556,000 compared to $427,000 for the same period last year.

RF Wireless segment sales increased 109% to $1,293,000, compared to $617,000 in the same period last year. Gross margin for both periods was 42%. Higher sales and reduced selling and general expenses improved operating profits by $366,000, resulting in a nine month operating loss of $143,000 compared to an operating loss of $509,000 for the same period of fiscal 2011.

For fiscal 2012 to date, under the Company’s previously announced stock repurchase program, RFI has repurchased 324,871 common shares in open market or private transactions.

Third Quarter Conference Call

RFI has scheduled a conference call this morning, Monday, September 10, 2012, at 12:00 p.m. EDT to discuss its results for the quarter. The dial in number is 800-901-5213 and the passcode is #19367094. A simultaneous webcast of the call can be accessed from the Investor Info page at www.rfindustries.com. A replay will be available after 2:00 p.m. EDT at this same Internet address. For a telephone replay, dial 888-286-8010, passcode #41930510, after 2:00 p.m. EDT.

About RF Industries

RFI manufactures, designs and distributes Radio Frequency (RF) connectors and cable assemblies, medical cabling products, RF wireless products, and fiber optic cable products. Coaxial connectors, cable assemblies and custom microwave RF connectors are used for Wi-Fi, PCS, radio, test instruments, computer networks, antenna devices, aerospace, OEM and Government agencies. Medical Cabling and Interconnector products are specialized custom electrical cabling products for the medical equipment monitoring market. RF Wireless products include digital data transceivers for industrial monitoring, wide area networks, GPS tracking and mobile wireless network solutions. Fiber optic cable, connector and harness products serve computer, aerospace, computer networking and specialty applications.

Safe Harbor Statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to future events which are subject to a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: changes in the telecommunications industry; the operations of the Cables Unlimited division which was acquired in June 2011; unexpected difficulties or delays in implementing the new wireless system upgrade to the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s existing remote communications equipment; and the Company’s reliance on certain distributors for a significant portion of anticipated revenues. Further discussion of these and other potential risk factors may be found in the Company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov), including its Form 10-K. All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to the Company on the date they are published and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or new information after the date of this release.

RF INDUSTRIES, LTD.

PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share and share amounts) (unaudited)

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

July 31,

July 31,

2012

2011

2012

2011

Net sales

$

7,472

$

4,948

$

19,703

$

13,479

Cost of sales

4,119

2,532

10,825

6,657

Gross profit

3,353

2,416

8,878

6,822

Operating expenses:

Engineering

261

274

835

904

Selling and general

1,998

2,141

5,847

4,768

Total operating expenses

2,259

2,415

6,682

5,672

Operating income

1,094

1

2,196

1,150

Interest income

11

1

35

23

Income before provision for income taxes

1,105

2

2,231

1,173

Provision for income taxes

370

(63

)

776

350

Consolidated net income

735

65

1,455

823

Net income attributable to deconsolidation of VIE

—

1

2

1

Net income attributable to RF Industries & Subsidiary

$

735

$

64

$

1,453

$

822

Basic earnings per share:

Attributable to RF Industries & Subsidiary

$

0.11

$

0.01

$

0.21

$

0.13

Attributable to VIE

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Consolidated basic earnings per share

$

0.11

$

0.01

$

0.21

$

0.13

Diluted earnings per share:

Attributable to RF Industries & Subsidiary

$

0.10

$

0.01

$

0.19

$

0.12

Attributable to VIE

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Consolidated diluted earnings per share

$

0.10

$

0.01

$

0.19

$

0.12

Weighted average shares outstanding

Basic

6,867,073

6,486,577

6,914,450

6,131,944

Diluted

7,625,085

7,463,169

7,657,546

7,085,996

Dividends paid and payable

343,178

2,313,354

1,038,408

2,528,675

RF INDUSTRIES, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARY
PRELIMINARY CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share and share amounts)

Jul. 31, Oct. 31,
2012 2011
ASSETS (unaudited)

CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,630 $ 1,761
Restricted cash — 67
Certificates of deposit — 4,095
Trade accounts receivable, net 3,140 2,606
Inventories 6,756 6,189
Prepaid income taxes — 572
Other current assets 594 512
Deferred tax assets 611 611

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 16,731 16,413

Property and equipment, net 1,206 2,443
Goodwill 3,076 3,076
Amortizable intangible assets, net 1,682 1,866
Non-amortizable intangible assets 410 410
Note receivable from stockholder 67 67
Other assets 32 103

TOTAL ASSETS $ 23,204 $ 24,378

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 1,182 $ 521
Accrued expenses 1,691 1,580
Mortgages payable — 1,394
Income taxes payable 139 —

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 3,012 3,495

Deferred tax liabilities 1,072 1,072
Other long-term liabilities 26 133

TOTAL LIABILITIES 4,110 4,700

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

Common stock – authorized 20,000,000 shares of $0.01 par value; 6,889,424 and 7,110,507 shares issued and outstanding
69 71
Additional paid-in capital 11,682 11,382
Retained earnings 7,343 8,011

Total RF Industries Ltd. and Subsidiary 19,094 19,464

Noncontrolling interest — 214

TOTAL EQUITY 19,094 19,678

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 23,204 $ 24,378

THIRD QUARTER SEGMENT SALES AND OPERATING INCOME
(in thousands) (unaudited)

RF Connector & Cables RF
Cable Assembly Unlimited Bioconnect Wireless Total

Fiscal 2012

Net sales $ 3,871 $ 2,728 $ 570 $ 304 $ 7,472
Operating Income 669 446 116 (138 ) 1,094

Fiscal 2011

Net Sales 3,274 909

(2)
510 255 4,948
Operating Income $ (99 )

(1)
$ 97 $ 121 $ (118 ) $

1

(1) Operating income in Q3 2011 was affected by $562,000 in non-recurring and other one-time expenses.

(2) Reflects partial quarter results from Cables Unlimited, acquired on June 15, 2011.