Stoneridge Reports Strong First-Quarter 2018 Results

Stoneridge Reports Strong First-Quarter 2018 Results

INCREASES 2018 GUIDANCE FOR SALES AND ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE; REAFFIRMS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED MARGIN GUIDANCE

ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT PENDING BUSINESS AWARDS IN KEY TECHNOLOGIES GLOBALLY

NOVI, Mich., May 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ --

2018 First-Quarter Results

    --  Earnings per diluted share attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. ("EPS") of
        $0.46
    --  Adjusted EPS of $0.50 (adjustments related to the step-up in the fair
        value of the earn-outs related to the Orlaco and PST transactions and
        certain business realignment costs)
    --  Sales of $225.9 million, an increase of 10.6% over Q1 2017
    --  Gross profit of $68.0 million (30.1% of sales), an increase of 9.4% over
        Q1 2017 adjusted gross profit
    --  Operating income of $16.8 million
    --  Adjusted operating income of $18.0 million (8.0% of sales), an increase
        of 3.5% over Q1 2017
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $26.9 million (11.9% of sales), an increase of 12.9%
        over Q1 2017

2018 Full-Year Guidance Improvement for Sales and Adjusted EPS; Reaffirm Margin Guidance

    --  Sales of $870.0-$890.0 million, an increase in the midpoint of $30.0
        million relative to the previous guidance (midpoint implies 7% annual
        revenue growth)
    --  Adjusted EPS of $2.05-$2.20, an increase in the midpoint of $0.13 from
        previous guidance
    --  Previously provided adjusted gross margin, operating margin and EBITDA
        margin guidance is reaffirmed

Stoneridge, Inc. (NYSE: SRI) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018, with sales of $225.9 million and earnings per share of $0.46. Adjusted EPS was $0.50 for the first quarter, considering adjustments related to the step-up in the fair value of the earn-outs related to the Orlaco and PST transactions in 2017 and certain business realignment costs.

For the first quarter of 2018, Stoneridge reported gross profit of $68.0 million (30.1% of sales). Operating income was $16.8 million and adjusted operating income was $18.0 million (8.0% of sales). Adjusted EBITDA was $26.9 million (11.9% of sales).

Jon DeGaynor, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Stoneridge delivered another strong quarter of financial performance. Our team continues to drive performance throughout our business. In addition to our financial success during the first quarter, we are announcing some very large pending awards that set the stage for continued growth. This evening we announced a pending award for our first OEM MirrorEye application with a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer scheduled to start production in 2020. MirrorEye will facilitate a change in the commercial vehicle safety environment and both our OE and fleet partners are recognizing the potential of this technology."

DeGaynor continued, "In addition to MirrorEye, we announced a pending award for our connectivity products scheduled to start production in early 2019. This award will build on our existing technology platform and utilize our global footprint, including our capabilities in Brazil, to deliver connectivity solutions to a new OEM partner. This win is another example of deepened relationships with our customers and their confidence in our ability to deliver high-quality, technologically advanced systems to their global platforms."

First Quarter in Review
Net sales in the Control Devices segment decreased by 1.8% relative to the first quarter of 2017 primarily as a result of planned program volume reductions by customers in North America. This was partially offset by an increase in sales volume in the commercial vehicle and Chinese automotive markets as well as favorable foreign currency translation during the first quarter of 2018. Control Devices gross margin improved slightly due to a decrease in overhead as a percentage of net sales. Control Devices adjusted operating margin decreased in the current quarter due to an increase in SG&A and D&D costs in a period of significant new program launches.

Net sales in the Electronics segment increased due to an increase in sales volume in the Company's European and North American commercial vehicle products, increased sales of European and North American off-highway vehicle products and a favorable foreign currency translation. Electronics gross margin decreased primarily due to higher production related costs as a percentage of sales, partially offset by higher sales and a favorable mix related to Orlaco product sales. Electronics adjusted operating income increased due to an increase in sales, partially offset by an increase in SG&A and D&D costs to support new program launches and product development.

PST's net sales decreased primarily due to a decrease in product sales volume due to seasonality as well as an unfavorable foreign currency translation. This was partially offset by a slight increase in monitoring product and service revenues. PST segment gross and adjusted operating margin improved due to a favorable sales mix and continued cost management actions which resulted in lower direct material and SG&A costs as a percentage of sales.

DeGaynor added, "Each of our segments contributed to another quarter of strong financial performance and drove both top and bottom line growth for the Company. As expected, Control Devices delivered sales growth in our emissions and certain actuator products which was offset by expected volume reductions in our shift-by-wire products. The growth in Electronics was driven by strong performance at Orlaco as well as the ramp-up of recently launched programs in our driver information systems and connectivity product segments. We continue to invest in our engineering and development activities, including our MirrorEye technology, to execute launches, deliver quality products to our customers globally and develop future products that will drive growth for the business. Finally, PST continues to drive improvement in margin due to fixed-cost leverage and growth in favorable product lines, including our track and trace business."

Cash and Debt Balances
As of March 31, 2018, Stoneridge had cash and cash equivalent balances totaling $57.4 million. Total debt as of March 31, 2018, was $122.9 million. Total debt less cash and cash equivalents yields a current net debt to trailing-twelve-month ("TTM") adjusted EBITDA ratio of approximately 0.7x.

2018 Outlook
The Company revised its 2018 sales guidance to $870.0-$890.0 million from $840.0-$860.0 million, an increase of $30.0 million to the midpoint of the guidance to $880.0 million. The increased midpoint implies revenue growth of approximately 7% versus 2017 results.

The Company reaffirmed its previously provided margin guidance of adjusted gross margin of 31.0%-32.0%, adjusted operating margin of 9.0%-10.0% and adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.5%-13.5%.

As a result of the improved outlook for 2018 sales as well as reaffirmed margin guidance, the Company revised its 2018 adjusted EPS guidance to $2.05-$2.20 from adjusted EPS of $1.90-$2.10, excluding (i) the expense resulting from the step-up in the fair value of the earn-out due to Orlaco outperformance, (ii) the expense related to the step-up in the fair value of the earn-out related to the acquisition of the remaining 26% minority interest in PST and (iii) certain business realignment costs. The raised guidance represents an increase of $0.13 to the midpoint of the guidance to $2.13. The midpoint of the guided adjusted EPS range of $2.13 implies year-over-year growth in adjusted EPS of 36%.

Conference Call on the Web
A live Internet broadcast of Stoneridge's conference call regarding 2018 first-quarter results can be accessed at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at www.stoneridge.com, which will also offer a webcast replay.

About Stoneridge, Inc.
Stoneridge, Inc., headquartered in Novi, Michigan, is an independent designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems principally for the automotive, commercial, motorcycle, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets. Additional information about Stoneridge can be found at www.stoneridge.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release contain "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements appear in a number of places in this report and may include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, with respect to, among other things, our (i) future product and facility expansion, (ii) acquisition strategy, (iii) investments and new product development, (iv) growth opportunities related to awarded business and (v) operational expectations. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words "will," "may," "should," "designed to," "believes," "plans," "projects," "intends," "expects," "estimates," "anticipates," "continue," and similar words and expressions. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other factors:

    --  the reduced purchases, loss or bankruptcy of a major customer or
        supplier;
    --  the costs and timing of business realignment, facility closures or
        similar actions;
    --  a significant change in automotive, commercial, off-highway, motorcycle
        or agricultural vehicle production;
    --  competitive market conditions and resulting effects on sales and
        pricing;
    --  the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on sales, costs
        and results, particularly the Argentinian peso, Brazilian real, Chinese
        renminbi, euro, Mexican peso and Swedish krona;
    --  our ability to achieve cost reductions that offset or exceed
        customer-mandated selling price reductions;
    --  customer acceptance of new products;
    --  our ability to successfully launch/produce products for awarded
        business;
    --  adverse changes in laws, government regulations or market conditions
        affecting our products or our customers' products;
    --  our ability to protect our intellectual property and successfully defend
        against assertions made against us;
    --  liabilities arising from warranty claims, product recall or field
        actions, product liability and legal proceedings to which we are or may
        become a party, or the impact of product recall or field actions on our
        customers;
    --  labor disruptions at our facilities or at any of our significant
        customers or suppliers;
    --  the ability of our suppliers to supply us with parts and components at
        competitive prices on a timely basis;
    --  the amount of our indebtedness and the restrictive covenants contained
        in the agreements governing our indebtedness, including our revolving
        credit facility;
    --  capital availability or costs, including changes in interest rates or
        market perceptions;
    --  the failure to achieve the successful integration of any acquired
        company or business;
    --  risks related to a failure of our information technology systems and
        networks, and risks associated with current and emerging technology
        threats and damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access,
        cyber-attack and other similar disruptions; and
    --  the items described in Part I, Item IA ("Risk Factors") of our 10-K
        filed with the SEC.

In addition, the forward-looking statements contained herein represent our estimates only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, whether to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release contains information about Stoneridge's financial results which is not presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Such non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled to their closest GAAP financial measures at the end of this press release. The provision of these non-GAAP financial measures for 2017 and 2018 is not intended to indicate that Stoneridge is explicitly or implicitly providing projections on those non-GAAP financial measures, and actual results for such measures are likely to vary from those presented. The reconciliations include all information reasonably available to the Company at the date of this press release and the adjustments that management can reasonably predict.

Management believes the non-GAAP financial measures used in this press release are useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's financial position and results of operations. In particular, management believes that adjusted gross profit, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA are useful measures in assessing the Company's financial performance by excluding certain items that are not indicative of the Company's core operating performance or that may obscure trends useful in evaluating the Company's continuing operating activities. Management also believes that these measures are useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's results of operations and provide improved comparability between fiscal periods. Management believes that free cash flow is useful to both management and investors in their analysis of the Company's ability to service and repay its debt.

Adjusted gross profit, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for gross profit, operating income, net income, earnings per share, cash provided by operating activities or other income statement or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP.


     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

     (Unaudited)



     Three months ended March 31, (in thousands, except per share data)     2018     2017
     -----------------------------------------------------------------      ----     ----


     Net sales                                                          $225,930 $204,311


     Costs and expenses:

     Cost of goods sold                                                  157,961  143,160

     Selling, general and administrative                                  37,261   34,266

     Design and development                                               13,861   11,721
                                                                          ------   ------


     Operating income                                                     16,847   15,164


     Interest expense, net                                                 1,354    1,410

     Equity in earnings of investee                                        (521)   (180)

     Other (income) expense, net                                           (599)     190
                                                                            ----      ---


     Income before income taxes                                         16,613   13,744


     Provision for income taxes                                          3,233    4,571
                                                                         -----    -----


     Net income                                                           13,380    9,173


     Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest                          -    (30)
                                                                             ---     ---


     Net income attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.                         $13,380   $9,203
                                                                         =======   ======


     Earnings per share attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.:

     Basic                                                                 $0.47    $0.33
                                                                           =====    =====

     Diluted                                                               $0.46    $0.32
                                                                           =====    =====


     Weighted-average shares outstanding:

     Basic                                                                28,249   27,917
                                                                          ======   ======

     Diluted                                                              28,936   28,580
                                                                          ======   ======


     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                                                        March 31, December 31,

     (in thousands)                                                                          2018          2017
     -------------                                                                           ----          ----

                                                                                      (Unaudited)

     ASSETS


     Current assets:

     Cash and cash equivalents                                                            $57,404       $66,003

     Accounts receivable, less reserves of $913 and $1,109, respectively                156,513       142,438

     Inventories, net                                                                      78,628        73,471

     Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                             26,148        21,457
                                                                                           ------

     Total current assets                                                                 318,693       303,369
                                                                                          -------       -------


     Long-term assets:

     Property, plant and equipment, net                                                   114,940       110,402

     Intangible assets, net                                                                74,699        75,243

     Goodwill                                                                              39,439        38,419

     Investments and other long-term assets, net                                           32,431        31,604
                                                                                           ------        ------

     Total long-term assets                                                               261,509       255,668

     Total assets                                                                        $580,202      $559,037
                                                                                         ========      ========


     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


     Current liabilities:

     Current portion of debt                                                               $4,160        $4,192

     Accounts payable                                                                      87,095        79,386

     Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                                        54,223        52,546

     Total current liabilities                                                            145,478       136,124
                                                                                          -------       -------


     Long-term liabilities:

     Revolving credit facility                                                            116,000       121,000

     Long-term debt, net                                                                    2,706         3,852

     Deferred income taxes                                                                 19,605        18,874

     Other long-term liabilities                                                           36,796        35,115
                                                                                           ------        ------

     Total long-term liabilities                                                          175,107       178,841
                                                                                          -------       -------


     Shareholders' equity:

     Preferred Shares, without par value, 5,000 shares authorized, none issued                  -            -

     Common Shares, without par value, 60,000 shares authorized,

          28,966 and 28,966 shares issued and 28,490 and 28,180 shares outstanding at

     March 31, 2018, and December 31, 2017, respectively, with no stated value             -            -

     Additional paid-in capital                                                           227,561       228,486

     Common Shares held in treasury, 476 and 786 shares at March 31, 2018

     and December 31 2017, respectively, at cost                                          (8,505)      (7,118)

     Retained earnings                                                                    105,432        92,264

     Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                (64,871)     (69,560)
                                                                                          -------       -------

     Total shareholders' equity                                                           259,617       244,072
                                                                                          -------       -------

     Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                          $580,202      $559,037
                                                                                         ========      ========


     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


     (Unaudited)

     Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)                                              2018       2017
     ------------------------------------------                                               ----       ----



     OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

     Net income                                                                            $13,380     $9,173

     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

     Depreciation                                                                            6,061      5,063

     Amortization, including accretion of deferred financing costs                           1,807      1,472

     Deferred income taxes                                                                   (243)     2,082

     Earnings of equity method investee                                                      (521)     (180)

     Share-based compensation expense                                                        1,404      2,339

     Tax benefit related to share-based compensation expense                                 (830)     (681)

     Change in fair value of earn-out contingent consideration                                 904          -

     Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of business combination:

     Accounts receivable, net                                                             (14,821)  (18,648)

     Inventories, net                                                                      (4,694)   (2,445)

     Prepaid expenses and other assets                                                     (3,647)   (4,760)

     Accounts payable                                                                        7,841     15,734

     Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                                  3,030        661

        Net cash provided by operating activities                                            9,671      9,810
                                                                                             -----      -----


     INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

     Capital expenditures                                                                 (10,505)   (7,265)

     Proceeds from sale of fixed assets                                                          9          -

     Insurance proceeds for fixed assets                                                     1,403          -

     Business acquisition, net of cash acquired                                                  -  (77,538)

        Net cash used for investing activities                                             (9,093)  (84,803)
                                                                                            ------    -------


     FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

     Revolving credit facility borrowings                                                    5,000     81,000

     Revolving credit facility payments                                                   (10,000)   (7,000)

     Proceeds from issuance of debt                                                            155        886

     Repayments of debt                                                                    (1,378)   (4,135)

     Other financing costs                                                                       -      (47)

     Repurchase of Common Shares to satisfy employee tax withholding                     (3,713)   (1,820)
                                                                                          ------     ------

        Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities                               (9,936)    68,884
                                                                                            ------     ------

     Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents                              759        629
                                                                                               ---        ---

     Net change in cash and cash equivalents                                               (8,599)   (5,480)

     Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                       66,003     50,389
                                                                                            ------     ------

     Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                            $57,404    $44,909
                                                                                           =======    =======


     Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

     Cash paid for interest                                                                 $1,438     $1,450

     Cash paid for income taxes, net                                                        $5,056     $1,252


                                                              Regulation G Non-GAAP Financial Measure Reconciliations


    Reconciliation to US GAAP


    Exhibit 1 - Adjusted EPS
    ------------------------


                                                                    Reconciliation of Q1 2018 Adjusted EPS
                                                                    --------------------------------------


    (USD in millions)                                                                                                 Q1 2018       Q1 2018 EPS
                                                                                                                      -------       -----------

    Net Income Attributable to Stoneridge                                                                                     $13.4              $0.46


    Add: After-Tax Step-Up in Fair Value of Earn-Out (Orlaco)                                                                   0.4               0.01

    Add: After-Tax Step-Up in Fair Value of Earn-Out (PST)                                                                      0.5               0.02

    Add: After-Tax Business Realignment Costs                                                                                   0.2               0.01

    Adjusted Net Income                                                                                                       $14.4              $0.50
                                                                                                                              -----              -----





    Exhibit 2 - Adjusted Gross Profit
    ---------------------------------


                                                                    Reconciliation of Adjusted Gross Margin
                                                                    ---------------------------------------


    (USD in millions)                                                                                                 Q1 2017         Q1 2018
                                                                                                                      -------         -------

    Gross Profit                                                                                                              $61.2              $68.0


    Add: Pre-Tax Step-Up in Acquired Inventory from Orlaco                                                                      1.0

    Adjusted Gross Profit                                                                                                     $62.1              $68.0
                                                                                                                              -----              -----





    Exhibit 3 - Adjusted Operating Income
    -------------------------------------


                                                                  Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income
                                                                  -------------------------------------------


    (USD in millions)                                                                                                 Q1 2017         Q1 2018
                                                                                                                      -------         -------

    Operating Income                                                                                                          $15.2              $16.8


    Add: Pre-Tax Step-Up in Acquired Inventory from Orlaco                                                                      1.0

    Add: Pre-Tax Transaction Costs Adjustment (Orlaco)                                                                          1.2

    Add: Pre-Tax Step-Up in Fair Value of Earn-Out (Orlaco)                                                                                     0.4

    Add: Pre-Tax Step-Up in Fair Value of Earn-Out (PST)                                                                                        0.5

    Add: Pre-Tax Business Realignment Costs                                                                                                     0.2

    Adjusted Operating Income                                                                                                 $17.4              $18.0
                                                                                                                              -----              -----



    Exhibit 4 - Adjusted EBITDA
    ---------------------------


                                                                          Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA
                                                                          ---------------------------------


    (USD in millions)                                       Q1 2017                Q2 2017                    Q3 2017        Q4 2017            Q1 2018          TTM Q1 2018
                                                            -------                -------                    -------        -------            -------          -----------

    Income Before Tax                                               $13.7                               $14.1          $11.9              $12.9            $16.6                    $55.4

    Interest expense, net                                             1.4                                 1.5            1.5                1.3              1.4                      5.7

    Depreciation and amortization                                     6.5                                 7.1            7.1                7.3              7.8                     29.3

    EBITDA                                                          $21.6                               $22.7          $20.5              $21.5            $25.8                    $90.4
                                                                    -----                               -----          -----              -----            -----                    -----

    Add: Pre-Tax Step-Up in Acquired Inventory from Orlaco            1.0                                 0.7                                                                      0.7

    Add: Pre-Tax Transaction Costs Adjustment (Orlaco)                1.2                                                                                                           -

    Add: Pre-Tax Step-Up in Fair Value of Earn-Out (Orlaco)                                            2.1            1.8                0.9              0.4                      5.2

    Add: Pre-Tax Step-Up in Fair Value of Earn-Out (PST)                                               0.2            0.5                1.9              0.5                      3.1

    Add: Pre-Tax Business Realignment Costs                                                                                            1.2              0.2                      1.4

    Less: Pre-Tax PP&E Gain on Insurance Proceeds                                                                                    (1.9)                                   (1.9)

    Adjusted EBITDA                                                 $23.8                               $25.7          $22.8              $23.5            $26.9                    $98.9
                                                                    -----                               -----          -----              -----            -----                    -----

CONTACT: For more information, contact Matthew R. Horvath, Director Investor Relations and Corporate Development (Matthew.Horvath@Stoneridge.com)

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