Universal Technical Institute Reports Fiscal Year 2019 First Quarter Results

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), the leading provider of transportation technician training, reported financial results for the fiscal 2019 first quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Kim McWaters, UTI's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Our first quarter fiscal 2019 start growth of 14.8% reflects the continued execution of our growth initiatives and transformation plan. We believe we have hit an inflection point and are now clearly achieving traction as demonstrated by start growth in our core business, at our new campus and with our new welding program. In particular, we are pleased that our transformation plan is beginning to positively impact the adult student segment as evidenced by 8.5% start growth in a robust economy. Given the historically high correlation between student start growth and unemployment, if unemployment were to rise, we believe we would see an acceleration in our start growth.

"Given the significant investments made in a number of accretive initiatives during 2018, this year we are laser focused on driving cash flow growth through new student starts, cost efficiencies and foot-print rationalization. Our newest metro campus, Bloomfield, NJ, is performing very well against plan with strong demand from prospective students. Overall, we remain on track to grow our total new student starts by mid-to-high single digits for the full year and exit the year with a higher average student population than at the beginning of the year."

Financial Results for the Three-Month Period Ended December 31: 2018 Compared to 2017

    --  Revenues increased 2.3% to $83.1 million, compared to $81.2 million for
        the prior year period. An additional earning day and higher average
        tuition with virtually flat average students led to increased revenues.
    --  Operating expenses were $90.3 million, compared to $84.8 million for the
        prior year period. Of the $5.5 million increase, $4.2 million was due to
        the one-time transformation consultant termination cost. The growing
        student population at the Bloomfield campus added $1.6 million of direct
        costs year over year. We are on track to meet our operating expense
        objectives for 2019.
    --  Operating loss for the quarter was $7.2 million compared to an operating
        loss of $3.6 million for the prior year period. Adjusted operating loss
        for the quarter was $3.0 million, compared to an adjusted operating loss
        of $1.9 million for the prior year period. (See "Use of Non-GAAP
        Financial Information" below.)
    --  Net loss for the quarter was $7.7 million, compared to a net loss of
        $1.1 million for the prior year period, which included a $2.8 million
        tax benefit.
    --  Loss available for distribution to common shareholders was $9.0 million,
        or $0.36 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $2.5 million, or $0.10
        per diluted share, for the prior year period.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2018 was $1.3
        million, compared to $2.6 million for the prior year period.
    --  Cash flows from operating activities was $4.4 million. Adjusted free
        cash flow was $5.6 million in the quarter, improving $8.7 million over
        prior year quarter.



     
              Student Metrics




                                               Three Months Ended December 31,


                                          2018              2017

                                                            ---


     Total starts                       1,511                          1,316


      Average undergraduate full-time
       student enrollment               11,225                         11,261


      End of period undergraduate full-
       time student enrollment          10,540                         10,448

2019 Outlook

    --  UTI expects new student starts to grow in the mid-to-high single digits
        in fiscal 2019 across the existing campuses and UTI's new Bloomfield,
        New Jersey campus.
    --  Fiscal 2019 average student population is anticipated to be up low
        single digits as a result of the transformation plan initiatives and the
        Bloomfield, New Jersey campus.
    --  UTI expects fiscal year 2019 revenue to range between $322 million and
        $332 million, compared to $317 million in fiscal 2018, reflecting the
        expected increase in the average student population.
    --  Operating expenses in fiscal year 2019 are expected to range between
        $337 million and $347 million, compared to $352.2 million in fiscal
        2018. The decrease in operating expenses are driven across multiple
        expense categories.
    --  UTI expects an operating loss of between $10 million and $15 million.
        UTI expects an adjusted operating loss of between $6 million and $11
        million.
    --  UTI expects both cash flows from operating activities and free cash flow
        to be positive in fiscal 2019 with an ending cash balance at or above
        the same level as year-end 2018.
    --  Net loss is expected to range between $10 million and $15 million.
        Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be positive and range between $9 million
        and $15 million.
    --  Capital expenditures are now expected to range between $6 million and $8
        million.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call to discuss the 2019 first quarter results on Tuesday, February 5th at 1:30 p.m. PST (4:30 p.m. EST). This call can be accessed by dialing 412-317-6790 or 844-881-0138. Investors are invited to listen to the call live at http://uti.investorroom.com/. Please access the website at least 10 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay of the call will be available on the Investor Relations section of UTI's website for 90 days or the replay can be accessed through February 19, 2019 by dialing 412-317-0088 or 877-344-7529 and entering pass code 10127998.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release and the related conference call contains non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures, which are intended to supplement, but not substitute for, the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Management chooses to disclose to investors these non-GAAP financial measures because they provide an additional analytical tool to clarify the results from operations and help to identify underlying trends. Additionally, such measures help compare the company's performance on a consistent basis across time periods. Management defines adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and adjusted for items not considered as part of the company's normal recurring operations. Management defines adjusted operating income as operating income (loss), adjusted for items that affect trends in underlying performance from year to year and are not considered normal recurring cash operating expenses. Management defines free cash flow as cash flows from operating activities less capital expenditures. Management defines adjusted free cash flow as cash flows from operating activities less capital expenditures, adjusted for items not considered as part of the company's normal recurring operations. Management utilizes adjusted figures as performance measures internally for operating decisions, strategic planning, annual budgeting and forecasting. For the periods presented, this includes consulting fees incurred as part of the company's transformation initiative and startup costs related to the Bloomfield, New Jersey campus. To obtain a complete understanding of the company's performance, these measures should be examined in connection with net income (loss), operating income (loss) and cash flows from operating activities, determined in accordance with GAAP, as presented in the financial statements and notes thereto included in the annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Since the items excluded from these measures are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance under GAAP, these measures should not be considered to be an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss) or cash flows from operating activities as a measure of the company's operating performance or liquidity. Exclusion of items in the non-GAAP presentation should not be construed as an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Other companies, including other companies in the education industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than UTI does, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure across companies. A reconciliation of the historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included below.

Information reconciling forward-looking adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income and adjusted free cash flow to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is unavailable to the company without unreasonable effort. The company is not able to provide a quantitative reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income or adjusted free cash flow to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure because certain items required for such reconciliation are uncertain, outside of the company's control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted, including but not limited to the provision for (benefit from) income taxes. Preparation of such reconciliation would require a forward-looking statement of income and statement of cash flows prepared in accordance with GAAP, and such forward-looking financial statements are unavailable to the company without unreasonable effort.

Safe Harbor Statement

All statements contained herein, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the company's actual results include, among other things, changes to federal and state educational funding, changes to regulations or agency interpretation of such regulations affecting the for-profit education industry, possible failure or inability to obtain regulatory consents and certifications for new or expanding campuses, potential increased competition, changes in demand for the programs offered by UTI, increased investment in management and capital resources, the effectiveness of the recruiting, advertising and promotional efforts, changes to interest rates and unemployment, general economic conditions of the company and other risks that are described from time to time in the company's public filings. Further information on these and other potential factors that could affect the financial results or condition may be found in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the company expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in expectations, any changes in events, conditions or circumstances, or otherwise.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

With more than 200,000 graduates in its 53-year history, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the nation's leading provider of technical training for automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, and offers welding technology and computer numerical control (CNC) machining programs. The company has built partnerships with industry leaders, outfits its state-of-the-industry facilities with current technology, and delivers training that is aligned with employer needs. Through its network of 13 campuses nationwide, UTI offers post-secondary programs under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech). The company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information, visit uti.edu.

Company Contact:
Scott Yessner
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Universal Technical Institute, Inc.
(623) 445-0977

Investor Relations Contact:
Kirsten Chapman
LHA Investor Relations
(415) 433-3777
UTI@lhai.com

(Tables Follow)


                       
              
               UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                 
              
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS


                                          
              
                (UNAUDITED)




                                                                      Three Months Ended December 31,


                                                    2018                               2017



                                                                      (In thousands, except per share
                                                                           amounts)



     Revenues                                              $
              83,050                             $
       81,156



     Operating expenses:


      Educational services and
       facilities                                 45,735                                         44,081


      Selling, general and
       administrative                             44,520                                         40,679



      Total operating expenses                    90,255                                         84,760




     Loss from operations                       (7,205)                                       (3,604)



      Other income (expense):



     Interest expense, net                        (411)                                         (431)


      Equity in earnings of
       unconsolidated affiliate                       97                                             97



     Other income, net                             (65)                                          (26)



      Total other expense, net                     (379)                                         (360)



      Loss before income taxes                   (7,584)                                       (3,964)


      Income tax expense (benefit)                   133                                        (2,829)


      Net loss and comprehensive loss                      $
              (7,717)                           $
       (1,135)



      Preferred stock dividends                    1,323                                          1,323


      Loss available for distribution                      $
              (9,040)                           $
       (2,458)






     Loss per share:


      Net loss per share -basic                             $
              (0.36)                            $
       (0.10)


      Net loss per share -diluted                           $
              (0.36)                            $
       (0.10)


      Weighted average number of shares
       outstanding:



     Basic                                       25,321                                         25,008




     Diluted                                     25,321                                         25,008


                                          
            
         UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                                 
       
              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                       
            
                (UNAUDITED)




                                                                   December 31, 2018                                    September 30, 2018




     
                Assets                                        
              
                (In thousands)



     Current assets:


      Cash and cash equivalents                                                         $
              58,649                                $
      58,104



     Restricted cash                                                         14,782                             14,055



     Receivables, net                                                        10,417                             21,106


      Notes receivable, current
       portion                                                                 5,250                              5,183



     Prepaid expenses                                                        11,395                             10,320



     Other current assets                                                     7,821                              8,027




     Total current assets                                                   108,314                            116,795


      Property and equipment, net                                            113,014                            114,848



     Goodwill                                                                 8,222                              8,222


      Notes receivable, less current
       portion                                                                31,505                             31,194



     Other assets                                                            10,108                             11,219



     Total assets                                                                     $
              271,163                               $
      282,278





                   Liabilities and Shareholders'
                    Equity



     Current liabilities:


      Accounts payable and accrued
       expenses                                                                         $
              40,516                                $
      46,617



     Deferred revenue                                                        41,374                             38,236



     Accrued tool sets                                                        2,700                              2,397



     Dividends payable                                                        1,323


      Financing obligation, current
       portion                                                                 1,376                              1,319


      Other current liabilities                                                4,036                              3,893



      Total current liabilities                                               91,325                             92,462


      Deferred tax liabilities, net                                              329                                329


      Deferred rent liability                                                 11,545                             12,003



     Financing obligation                                                    40,348                             40,715



     Other liabilities                                                        9,435                             10,124



     Total liabilities                                                      152,982                            155,633





      Commitments and contingencies





     Shareholders' equity:


      Common stock, $0.0001 par value,
       100,000,000 shares authorized,
       32,230,311 shares issued and
       25,365,414 shares outstanding
       as of December 31, 2018 and
       32,168,795 shares issued and
       25,303,898 shares outstanding
       as of September 30, 2018                                                    3                                  3


      Preferred stock, $0.0001 par
       value, 10,000,000 shares
       authorized; 700,000 shares of
       Series A Convertible Preferred
       Stock issued and outstanding as
       of December 31, 2018 and
       September 30, 2018, liquidation
       preference of $100 per share


      Paid-in capital - common                                               187,308                            186,732


      Paid-in capital - preferred                                             68,853                             68,853


      Treasury stock, at cost,
       6,864,897 shares as of December
       31, 2018 and September 30, 2018                                      (97,388)                          (97,388)



     Retained deficit                                                      (40,595)                          (31,555)



      Total shareholders' equity                                             118,181                            126,645


      Total liabilities and
       shareholders' equity                                                            $
              271,163                               $
      282,278


                          
              
               UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                             
              
               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                               
             
                (UNAUDITED)




                                                                             Three Months Ended December 31,


                                                           2018                               2017



                                                           
              
                (In thousands)


      Cash flows from operating activities:



     Net loss                                                    $
              (7,717)                          $
      (1,135)


      Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
       cash used in operating activities:



     Depreciation and amortization                       3,205                                          3,362


      Amortization of assets subject to
       financing obligation                                 670                                            671



     Bad debt expense                                      337                                            338



     Stock-based compensation                              694                                            359



     Deferred income taxes                                                                           (2,812)


      Equity in earnings of unconsolidated
       affiliate                                           (97)                                          (97)


      Training equipment credits earned, net                 78                                          (224)



     Other losses                                          401                                             11


      Changes in assets and liabilities:



     Receivables                                         6,235                                          5,890


      Prepaid expenses and other assets                 (1,210)                                       (1,250)



     Other assets                                          720



     Notes receivable                                    (378)                                       (3,043)


      Accounts payable and accrued expenses             (1,578)                                       (4,952)



     Deferred revenue                                    3,138                                            542



     Income tax payable/receivable                         169                                          (156)


      Accrued tool sets and other current
       liabilities                                          588                                            360



     Deferred rent liability                             (458)                                         (553)



     Other liabilities                                   (387)                                            82



      Net cash provided by (used in) operating
       activities                                         4,410                                        (2,607)



      Cash flows from investing activities:


      Purchase of property and equipment                (2,779)                                       (2,556)


      Proceeds from disposal of property and
       equipment                                              5                                              2


      Proceeds received upon maturity of
       investments                                                                                        947


      Purchase of trading securities                                                                    (894)


      Proceeds from sales of trading
       securities                                                                                      40,902


      Return of capital contribution from
       unconsolidated affiliate                              64                                            101



      Net cash provided by (used in) investing
       activities                                       (2,710)                                        38,502



      Cash flows from financing activities:


      Payment of financing obligation                     (310)                                         (259)


      Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based
       compensation through shares withheld               (118)                                           (3)


      Net cash used in financing activities               (428)                                         (262)



      Change in cash, cash equivalents and
       restricted cash:


      Net increase in cash, cash equivalents
       and restricted cash                                1,272                                         35,633


      Cash, cash equivalents and restricted
       cash, beginning of period                         72,159                                         64,960



      Cash, cash equivalents and restricted
       cash, end of period                                         $
              73,431                           $
      100,593


                                 
              
                UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                                   
              
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                                     
              
                (UNAUDITED)




     The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed
      consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same amounts shown in the condensed consolidated statements of cash
      flows.




                                                              December 31, 2018                                                December 31, 2017



                                                           
              
                (In thousands)


     Cash and cash equivalents                                                    $
              58,649                                          $
      86,450


     Restricted cash                                                     14,782                                        14,143


     Total cash, cash
      equivalents and
      restricted cash shown in
      condensed consolidated
      statements of cash flows                                                    $
              73,431                                         $
      100,593


                     
              
                UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


        
              
                RECONCILIATION OF GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION


                                         
              
                (UNAUDITED)





     
                Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA


                                                                    Three Months Ended December 31,


                                                  2018                               2017



                                                                     (In thousands)


      Net loss, as reported                              $
              (7,717)                                   $
         (1,135)


      Interest expense, net                        411                                            431


      Income tax expense (benefit)                 133                                        (2,829)


      Depreciation and amortization              4,258                                          4,376



     EBITDA                                             $
              (2,915)                                       $
         843



      Non-recurring consulting fees
       for transformation
       initiative(1)                             4,224                                          1,400


      Start-up costs associated
       with Bloomfield, New Jersey
       campus opening                                                                            352


      Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP                            $
              1,309                                      $
         2,595








     
                Adjusted Free Cash Flow




                                                                    Three Months Ended December 31,


                                                  2018                               2017



                                                                     (In thousands)


      Cash flows provided by
       operating activities, as
       reported                                            $
              4,410                                    $
         (2,607)




      Purchase of Property and
       Equipment                               (2,779)                                       (2,556)


      Non-recurring consulting fees
       for transformation
       initiative(1)                             3,950                                          1,400


      Cash outflows associated with
       Bloomfield, New Jersey campus
       opening                                                                                   686



      Adjusted free cash flow, non-
       GAAP                                                $
              5,581                                    $
         (3,077)








     
                Adjusted Operating Loss




                                                                    Three Months Ended December 31,


                                                  2018                               2017



                                                                     (In thousands)


      Loss from operations, as
       reported                                          $
              (7,205)                                   $
         (3,604)


      Non-recurring consulting fees
       for transformation
       initiative(1)                             4,224                                          1,400


      Start-up costs associated
       with Bloomfield, New Jersey
       campus opening                                                                            352



      Adjusted income (loss) from
       operations, non-GAAP                              $
              (2,981)                                   $
         (1,852)



                            (1)In October 2018, we terminated
                             our agreement with the consultant
                             and paid a termination fee of
                             $3.95 million related to our
                             transformation plan.  The
                             consulting services covered
                             marketing, admissions, future
                             student processing, retention and
                             cost savings initiatives. We
                             determined that the Company has
                             developed sufficient expertise to
                             execute transformation plan
                             efforts internally. Total expense
                             recognized during the three months
                             ended December 31, 2018, related
                             to the consultant were $4.22
                             million.  During the three months
                             ended December 31, 2017, we also
                             incurred $1.4 million in fees to
                             the same consultant as we began
                             our transformation plan.


               
              
                UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


                         
              
                SELECTED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION


                                    
              
                (UNAUDITED)





     
                Selected Supplemental Financial Information




                                                                 Three Months Ended December 31,


                                              2018                            2017



                                                                    (In thousands)



     Salaries expense                               $
              35,007                          $
        34,036


      Employee benefits and tax              7,491                                     7,379



     Bonus expense                          2,830                                     1,762


      Stock-based compensation                 694                                       359


      Total compensation and
       related costs                                 $
              46,022                          $
        43,536





      Advertising expense                            $
              10,583                          $
        10,611


      Occupancy expense, net of
       subleases                                      $
              9,304                           $
        9,221


      Contract service expense                        $
              6,493                           $
        3,601


      Student expenses-housing                          $
              494                             $
        171


      Professional accounting
       services expense                                 $
              299                             $
        689

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SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.