Richardson Electronics, LTD.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Feb 27, 2010

Certain statements in this report may constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The terms “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continues,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, intentions or beliefs and are subject to a number of factors, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences or that might otherwise impact the business include the risk factors set forth in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to update any such factor or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should consider carefully the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, in addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

In addition, while we do, from time to time, communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose to them any material non-public information or other confidential commercial information. Accordingly, stockholders should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by any analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. Thus, to the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts, or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.

INTRODUCTION

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to assist the reader in better understanding our business, results of operations, financial condition, changes in financial condition, critical accounting policies and estimates, and significant developments. MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein. This section is organized as follows:

• Business Overview
• Results of Operations – an analysis and comparison of our consolidated results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended February 27, 2010, and February 28, 2009, as reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
• Liquidity, Financial Position, and Capital Resources – a discussion of our primary sources and uses of cash for the nine month period ended February 27, 2010, and February 28, 2009, and a discussion of changes in our financial position.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (“we”, “us”, “our”, and “the Company”) was originally incorporated in the state of Illinois in 1947 and is currently incorporated in the state of Delaware. We are a global provider of engineered solutions and a global distributor of electronic components to the radio frequency (“RF”), wireless and power conversion, electron device, and display systems markets. Utilizing our core engineering and manufacturing capabilities, our strategy is to provide specialized technical expertise and value-add, or “engineered solutions.” We provide solutions and add value through design-in support, systems integration, prototype design and manufacturing, testing, and logistics for end products of our customers. Design-in support includes component modifications or the identification of lower-cost product alternatives or complementary products.

Our products include RF and microwave components, power semiconductors, electron tubes, microwave generators, and visual technology solutions. These products are used to control, switch or amplify electrical power signals, or are used as display devices in a variety of industrial, commercial, and communication applications.

Our sales and marketing, product management, and purchasing functions are organized as follows:

*RF, Wireless & Power Division (“*RFPD”) serves the global RF and wireless communications market, including infrastructure, wireless networks, and the power conversion market.

*Electron Device Group (“*EDG”) provides engineered solutions and distributes electronic components to customers in diverse markets including the steel, automotive, textile, plastics, semiconductor manufacturing, and broadcast industries.

Canvys provides global integrated display products, systems and digital signage solutions serving financial, corporate enterprise, healthcare, and industrial markets.

We currently have operations in the following major geographic regions:

• North America;
• Asia/Pacific;
• Europe; and
• Latin America.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview – Three Months Ended February 27, 2010

• Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 were $121.3 million, up 10.0%, compared to net sales of $110.3 million during the prior year’s third quarter.
• Gross margin as a percent of net sales increased to 24.2% during the third quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to 21.5% during the third quarter of fiscal 2009.
• SG&A expenses decreased to $23.7 million, or 19.5% of net sales, during the third quarter of fiscal 2010, compared to $27.7 million, or 25.1% of net sales, during the prior year’s third quarter.
• Operating income during the third quarter of fiscal 2010 was $5.7 million, compared to an operating loss of $9.7 million during the third quarter of last year.
• Net income during the third quarter of fiscal 2010 was $4.5 million, or $0.25 per diluted common share, versus a net loss of $11.4 million during the prior year’s third quarter. The net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 included $9.7 million of significant charges.

Overview – Nine Months Ended February 27, 2010

• Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2010 were $346.8 million, down 9.2%, compared to net sales of $381.8 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009.
• Gross margin as a percent of net sales increased to 24.5% during the first nine months of fiscal 2010, compared to 23.5% during the first nine months of last year.
• SG&A expenses decreased to $70.3 million, or 20.3% of net sales, during the first nine months of fiscal 2010, compared to $84.1 million, or 22.0% of net sales, during the first nine months of fiscal 2009.
• Operating income during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was $14.6 million, or 4.2% of net sales, compared to an operating loss of $0.3 million during the first nine months of last year.
• Income from continuing operations during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was $10.7 million, or $0.60 per diluted common share, versus a loss from continuing operations of $1.8 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009.

Net Sales and Gross Profit Analysis

During the third quarter of fiscal 2010, consolidated net sales increased 10.0% compared to the prior year, as all three segments experienced an increase in net sales. During the first nine months of fiscal 2010, consolidated net sales declined 9.2% compared to the prior year, as all three segments experienced a net sales decline reflecting the overall weakening of the global economy.

Net sales by segment and percent change during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

Consolidated gross profit increased during the third quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2009, primarily due to the increase in net sales. Consolidated gross profit decreased during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2009, primarily due to the decline in net sales. Consolidated gross margin as a percentage of net sales increased to 24.2% and 24.5% during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010, respectively, as compared to 21.5% and 23.5% during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, respectively. The improvement in gross margin primarily reflects the sales mix of business between our segments as well as the sales mix between geographical regions. Gross margin during fiscal 2009 also included inventory write-downs of $2.0 million.

Gross profit reflects the distribution and manufacturing product margin less manufacturing variances, inventory obsolescence charges, customer returns, scrap and cycle count adjustments, engineering costs, and other provisions. Corporate gross profit includes certain freight costs and other miscellaneous charges.

Gross profit by segment and percent of segment net sales during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

Gross Profit

RF, Wireless & Power Division

RFPD net sales increased 9.1% to $87.9 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2010, from $80.6 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2009, as global economic conditions started showing signs of recovery during the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The improvement in net sales included the following product lines; power conversion, network access, and passive/interconnect. RFPD net sales decreased 7.6% to $250.2 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2010, from $270.9 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. The decline in net sales during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was due primarily to the weakened global economy during the first half of our fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009. Gross margin as a percent of net sales decreased to 21.6% and 21.8% during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010, respectively, from 22.1% during both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, due primarily to a shift in sales mix between product lines and geographic regions.

Electron Device Group

EDG net sales increased 18.0% to $21.2 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2010, from $18.0 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2009, as global economic conditions started showing signs of recovery during the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The improvement was due primarily to an increase in tube and semiconductor fabrication equipment sales in North America. EDG net sales declined 7.8% to $60.1 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2010, from $65.3 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. The decline in net sales during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was due primarily to the weakened global economy during the first half of our fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009. Gross margin as a percent of net sales increased to 33.3% and 34.4% during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010, respectively, as compared to 29.9% and 31.9% during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, respectively, due primarily to shifts in sales mix between product lines and geographic regions. Also, we recorded $0.2 million of inventory write-downs during the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

Canvys

Canvys net sales increased 3.7% to $12.2 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2010, from $11.7 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2009, as the overall global economy started showing signs of recovery during the third quarter of fiscal 2010. Canvys net sales declined 20.3% to $36.4 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2010, from $45.7 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. Canvys net sales declined during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 due to capital spending project delays within the healthcare and medical OEM sectors. Gross margin increased to 27.2% and 26.5% during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010, respectively, from 5.4% and 20.0% during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, respectively, due primarily to $1.8 million of inventory write-downs during the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased $4.0 million and $13.8 million to $23.7 million and $70.3 million during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010, respectively, from $27.7 million and $84.1 million during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, respectively. Severance expense recorded during the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 was $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Severance expense recorded during the third quarter and first nine months of 2009 was $1.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively. The decrease in SG&A expense during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010 reflects our ongoing cost reduction initiatives including headcount reductions, significant reductions in discretionary spending, and re-negotiating contracts.

Loss on disposal of assets

Loss on disposal of assets was less than $0.1 million during both the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010 as compared to a loss of $5.8 million and $5.9 million during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009, respectively. During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, management made the decision to not implement various modules of enterprise resource management software that were in the development stage and were capitalized in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 350-40, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. As a result, we recorded a loss on disposal of $5.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

Other (Income) Expense

Other (income) expense was $4.5 million of expense during the first nine months of fiscal 2010, as compared to $0.4 million of income during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. The change to expense from income during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was due primarily to unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar and a gain on retirement of long-term debt. Other (income) expense included a foreign exchange loss of $1.3 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2010, as compared to a foreign exchange gain of $2.6 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. Our foreign exchange gains and losses are primarily due to the translation of our U.S. currency we have in non-U.S. bank accounts. We currently do not utilize derivative instruments to mitigate our risk with respects to foreign currency. The first nine months of fiscal 2010 included a loss on retirement of long-term debt of $0.1 million as compared to a gain on retirement of long-term debt of $0.8 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. See Note 7 “Debt” of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion on the fiscal 2010 long-term debt retirements. During the first nine months of fiscal 2009, we retired $3.3 million of the 8% convertible senior subordinated notes at approximately 71% of par value, which resulted in a gain of $0.8 million, net of deferred financing costs of $0.1 million.

Income Tax Provision

The effective income tax rate from continuing operations during the third quarter of fiscal 2010 was a tax provision of 6.8% as compared to a tax provision of 5.2% during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The effective income tax rate from continuing operations during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was a tax benefit of 6.0% as compared to a tax provision of 1,806.8% during the first nine months of fiscal 2009.

The difference between the effective tax rate as compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 34% during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2010 resulted from our geographical distribution of taxable income or losses. The third quarter of fiscal 2010 included a tax benefit of less than $0.1 million related to prior year’s income taxes of certain of our foreign jurisdictions and a tax benefit of approximately

$0.1 million of reserve reversals related to expiring statutes of limitations. The first nine months of fiscal 2010 included a $0.6 million tax benefit related to prior year’s income taxes of certain of our foreign jurisdictions and a tax benefit of approximately $1.4 million of reserve reversals related to expiring statutes of limitations.

The difference between the effective tax rate as compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 34% during the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2009 resulted from our geographical distribution of taxable income or losses. The third quarter of fiscal 2009 included a tax benefit of $0.2 million related to the partial release of the valuation allowance related to net operating losses which was partially offset by a tax provision of $0.1 million related to prior year’s income tax of one of our foreign jurisdictions. The first nine months of fiscal 2009 included a tax benefit of $1.0 million related to the partial release of the valuation allowance related to net operating losses which was partially offset by a tax provision of $0.6 million related to prior year’s income tax of one of our foreign jurisdictions.

In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world. We are no longer subject to either U.S. federal, state, or local tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to fiscal year 2004. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to fiscal year 2003. Our primary foreign tax jurisdictions are China, Japan, Germany, Singapore, and the Netherlands. We have tax years open in Singapore beginning in fiscal year 2003; in Japan beginning in fiscal year 2004; in the Netherlands and Germany beginning in fiscal year 2005; and in China beginning in calendar year 2004.

As of February 27, 2010, our worldwide liability for uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties, was $3.3 million as compared to $4.3 million as of May 30, 2009. We record penalties and interest relating to uncertain tax positions in the income tax expense line item within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The net liability for uncertain tax positions decreased during the three months ended February 27, 2010, primarily due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitation.

It is reasonably possible that there will be a change in the unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, in the range of $0 to approximately $0.1 million due to the expiration of various statutes of limitations within the next 12 months.

Discontinued operations

See Note 3 “Discontinued Operations” of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion on the loss from discontinued operations.

Net Income and Per Share Data

Net income during the third quarter of fiscal 2010 was $4.5 million, or $0.25 per diluted common share and $0.23 per Class B diluted common share as compared to a net loss of $11.4 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2009, or $0.65 per diluted common share and $0.58 per Class B diluted common share. Net income during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was $9.5 million, or $0.53 per diluted common share and $0.49 per Class B diluted common share as compared to a net loss of $1.8 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009, or $0.10 per diluted common share and $0.09 per Class B diluted common share.

LIQUIDITY, FINANCIAL POSITION, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We have financed our growth and cash needs largely through income from operations, borrowings under the revolving credit facilities, issuance of convertible senior subordinated notes, and sale of assets. Liquidity is reduced by working capital requirements, debt service, capital expenditures, dividends, and business acquisitions. Liquidity is increased by proceeds from borrowings, disposition of businesses and assets, and improved working capital management.

Cash and cash equivalents were $51.6 million as of February 27, 2010, as compared to $43.9 million as of May 30, 2009.

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was $20.7 million, due primarily to lower inventory and higher accounts payable, partially offset by higher accounts receivable balances. The decline in inventory of $1.9 million, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange of $0.3 million, during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was due primarily to increased sales volume and a higher rate of inventory turns. The increase in accounts payable balances of $7.0 million, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange of $0.1 million, was due primarily to the timing of payments. The increase in accounts receivable balances of $0.4 million, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange of $0.6 million, during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was due primarily to higher sales volume during the third quarter.

Cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was $1.6 million, due primarily to lower accounts receivable, partially offset by higher inventory balances, lower accounts payable and lower accrued liability balances. The decline in accounts receivable balances of $8.7 million, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange of $8.2 million, during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was due primarily to a decline in sales volume. The increase in inventory balances of $6.2 million, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange of $5.0 million, during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was due primarily to inventory purchased during the first half of the fiscal year for anticipated future sales growth, partially offset by write-downs of $2.0 million. The decrease in accounts payable balances of $2.8 million, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange of $2.1 million, during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was due primarily to a reduction in inventory purchased during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The decline in accrued liability balances of $3.7 million, excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange of $0.8 million, during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was due primarily to the timing and payment of accrued payroll.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities of $1.7 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was due primarily to a $1.0 million settlement payment related to a prior year divestiture and $0.7 million of capital expenditures. See Note 3 “Discontinued Operations” of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion related to discontinued operations activity. Net cash used in investing activities of $0.7 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was due primarily to capital expenditures.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities of $11.6 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was due to the retirement of the long-term debt, the repurchase of common stock, and cash dividends paid. Net cash used in financing activities of $3.4 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was due to primarily to the retirement of long-term debt and cash dividends paid.

As of February 27, 2010, we maintained $43.8 million in long-term debt in the form of 7 3/4% notes.

On March 10, 2010, we notified the holders of our 7 3/4% notes that we elected to redeem, at par value, $10.0 million in aggregate principal outstanding. The $10.0 million of the 7 3/4% notes were redeemed on March 22, 2010. The redemption of $10.0 million of the 7 3/4% notes resulted in a loss of less than $0.1 million due to the write-off of the deferred financing costs associated with the 7 3/4% notes. As the revolving credit agreement allows us to retire up to $15.0 million of our outstanding notes or equity, we obtained a waiver to our credit agreement to allow for the $10.0 million redemption of the 7 3/4% notes.

On January 11, 2010, we redeemed all $7.7 million of the 8% convertible senior subordinated notes (8% notes) at par value. The redemption of the 8% notes resulted in a loss of approximately $0.2 million due to the write-off of the remaining deferred financing costs associated with the 8% notes. As the revolving credit agreement allows us to retire up to $15.0 million of our outstanding notes or equity, we did not need to obtain a waiver from our lending group to permit the retirement of the $7.7 million of the 8% notes.

On December 9, 2009, we retired $0.9 million of the 7 3/4% notes at approximately 97% of par value, which resulted in a gain of less than $0.1 million, net of deferred financing costs of less than $0.1 million. As the revolving credit agreement allows us to retire up to $15.0 million of our outstanding notes or equity, we did not need to obtain a waiver from our lending group to permit the retirement of the $0.9 million of the 7 3/4% notes.

We entered into a $40.0 million revolving credit agreement on July 27, 2007, which included a Euro sub-facility and a Singapore sub-facility. The U.S. facility is reduced by the amounts drawn on the Euro sub-facility and Singapore sub-facility. Pursuant to an amendment to the revolving credit agreement entered into on July 20, 2009, the total capacity was reduced from $40.0 million to $25.0 million. As of February 27, 2010, there were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit agreement. Outstanding letters of credit were approximately $0.1 million and we also had $2.5 million reserved for usage on our commercial credit card program, leaving an unused line of $22.4 million as of February 27, 2010. Based on our loan covenants, actual available credit as of February 27, 2010, was $22.4 million. We were in compliance with our loan covenants as of February 27, 2010.

Pursuant to an amendment to the revolving credit agreement entered into on July 20, 2009, the definition of the leverage ratio has been modified to exclude goodwill impairment charges, severance expense, and inventory write-downs in the calculation of adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”), for the fiscal year ended May 30, 2009. We were in compliance with our loan covenants as of May 30, 2009, without this amendment to our revolving credit agreement.

We believe that the existing sources of liquidity, including current cash, as well as cash provided by operating activities, supplemented as necessary with funds available under our credit arrangements, will provide sufficient resources to meet known capital requirements and working capital needs for the fiscal year ending May 29, 2010.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management of the Company, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of February 27, 2010.

Disclosure controls and procedures are intended to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during the third quarter of fiscal 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.