Arctic Cat Reports Fiscal 2010 Second Quarter Results

October 29, 2009 6:30 AM EDT

Increased second quarter operating profit 7% on lower sales;

Continued to lower cost structure, improve gross margin percentage and strengthen balance sheet;

Company maintains annual revenue guidance, remains focused on achieving continued operational efficiencies

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Arctic Cat Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAT) today reported net earnings of $14.8 million, or $0.81 per diluted share, on net sales of $166.3 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2009. Arctic Cat reported net earnings in the fiscal 2008 second quarter of $16.9 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, on net sales of $204.3 million.

For the six months ended September 30, 2009, Arctic Cat's net earnings were $8.8 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, on net sales of $235.7 million. In the first six months of last year, the company reported net earnings of $10.0 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, on net sales of $298.2 million.

Commented Arctic Cat's chairman and chief executive officer Christopher A. Twomey: "We continued to face difficult selling conditions during the second quarter, given the global economic environment. Despite this, we are pleased with the company's continued progress on our goals to reduce the company's cost structure and strengthen the balance sheet."

Among the highlights of Arctic Cat's 2010 second quarter financial results versus the same quarter last year:

    --  Gross margins increased 410 basis points in the quarter and 230 basis
        points year to date;
    --  Operating expenses declined 12 percent to $23.3 million from $26.6
        million, and fell 17 percent year-to-date;
    --  Operating profit rose 7 percent to $21.9 million from $20.5 million;
    --  Inventories were reduced 23 percent to $133.6 million from $172.3
        million;
    --  Total cash and short-term investments at quarter end rose to $11.2
        million from $3.7 million; and
    --  The company had no short-term debt at quarter end compared to $14.8
        million a year ago.

"Through strong inventory management, expense controls and a rescaled business, we continue to remain on track to deliver improved operating results this fiscal year on lower sales," said Twomey.

Arctic Cat announced on October 20, 2009 that the company has entered into an agreement for GE Capital, Commercial Distribution Finance to become the exclusive provider of floorplan financing for Arctic Cat's U.S. dealers. The new multi-year financing program will replace Arctic Cat's current financing agreement with Textron Financial Corporation, which had previously announced its intent to exit the dealer floorplan business. The new financing program is expected to begin December 1, 2009.

"We are very pleased to partner with GE Capital, and we expect that this agreement will continue to provide our ATV and snowmobile dealers with innovative financing programs and superior service," said Twomey.

Business Line Results

"Our continued focus on achieving our operating efficiency initiatives has enabled Arctic Cat to increase our gross margin percentage, despite lower demand for recreational vehicle products at this time," said Twomey. "We expect that Arctic Cat will be well-positioned as a stronger, leaner company as our markets recover."

Snowmobile sales totaled $85.7 million in the second quarter compared to $98.4 million in the prior-year quarter. Year to date, snowmobile sales were $103.7 million versus $119.8 million in the same period last year. Although Arctic Cat continues to anticipate lower worldwide snowmobile orders in fiscal 2010 as a result of the recession, the company expects to maintain or increase its North American market share by offering consumers leading-edge technologies, such as the new powered up 800cc engine that is being used in its models across all market segments.

All-terrain vehicle (ATV) sales totaled $51.7 million in the second quarter versus $71.6 million in the prior-year quarter. Year to date ATV sales were $83.9 million compared to $125.4 million in the first six months of fiscal 2009. With retail industry ATV sales continuing to decline during the recession, Arctic Cat has worked to reduce dealer inventories and, at the same time, increase market share.

Sales of parts, garments and accessories (PG&A) in the second quarter totaled $28.8 million versus $34.3 million in the prior-year quarter. Year to date, PG&A sales were $48.1 million compared to $52.9 million in the year-ago period.

Outlook

Arctic Cat is implementing operational efficiency initiatives aimed at returning the company to long-term profitability on lower anticipated sales volumes. The company's fiscal 2010 outlook includes the following assumptions: the continuation of the weak global economic environment negatively impacting sales of recreational products; increasing gross margins up to 300 basis points through global low-cost sourcing, improved commodity pricing and greater efficiencies from lean manufacturing; achieving a 12 percent to 17 percent reduction in operating expenses; improving cash flow from operations; and ending the year with more cash on the balance sheet by lowering inventory.

Arctic Cat continues to estimate sales for its fiscal year ending March 31, 2010 in the range of $425 million to $460 million, based on achieving ATV sales of $188 million to $203 million, snowmobile sales in the range of $140 million to $152 million and PG&A sales of $97 million to $105 million. Arctic Cat has not provided fiscal 2010 earnings per share guidance, although the company expects improved per share results compared with fiscal 2009.

Commenting on the company's outlook, Twomey said: "This is a challenging year for the recreational products industry. Near-term, we remain focused on conservatively managing our business to meet lower anticipated demand. We are continuing our efforts to improve the company's operational performance. We also are taking appropriate actions to preserve cash and maintain dealer health, as well as developing select innovative products that position Arctic Cat to emerge as a stronger company once the economy recovers."

Conference Call

A conference call is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT (11:30 a.m. ET) today. To listen to the live webcast or replay of this call via the Internet, go to the corporate portion of the company's website at www.arcticcat.com. To listen to a telephone replay of the conference call, dial 800-406-7325 and enter conference call passcode 4175232. The telephone replay will be available through Thursday, November 5, 2009.

About Arctic Cat

Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles under the Arctic Cat(R) brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. Its common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "ACAT." More information about Arctic Cat and its products is available at www.arcticcat.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for certain forward-looking statements. The Company's Annual Report, as well as the Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Report on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company's press releases and oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. The words "aim," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate" and other expressions that indicate future events and trends identify forward-looking statements. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: product mix and volume; competitive pressure on sales and pricing; cost and availability of financing for the Company, our dealers and our suppliers; increase in material or production cost which cannot be recouped in product pricing; changes in the sourcing of snowmobile engines from Suzuki; warranty expenses; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; product liability claims and other legal proceedings in excess of insured amounts; environmental and product safety regulatory activity; effects of the weather; overall economic conditions; and consumer demand and confidence. The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ARCTIC CAT INC.

Financial Highlights

(000s omitted, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

                              Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended

                              September 30,             September 30,

                              2009         2008         2009         2008

Net Sales

Snowmobile & ATV Units        $ 137,466    $ 170,025    $ 187,554    $ 245,216

Parts, Garments &               28,834       34,289       48,116       52,975
Accessories

Total Net Sales                 166,300      204,314      235,670      298,191

Cost of Goods Sold

Snowmobile & ATV Units          103,748      135,180      154,090      204,659

Parts, Garments &               17,341       22,012       28,821       33,533
Accessories

Total Cost of Goods Sold        121,089      157,192      182,911      238,192

Gross Profit                    45,211       47,122       52,759       59,999

Operating Expenses

Selling & Marketing             9,619        13,506       16,041       22,390

Research & Development          3,028        4,249        6,198        8,929

General & Administrative        10,652       8,847        17,286       16,314

Total Operating Expenses        23,299       26,602       39,525       47,633

Operating Profit                21,912       20,520       13,234       12,366

Other Income (Expense)

Interest Income                 -            27           4            99

Interest Expense                (175    )    (414    )    (247    )    (618    )

Total Other Income (Expense)    (175    )    (387    )    (243    )    (519    )

Earnings Before Income Taxes    21,737       20,133       12,991       11,847

Income Taxes                    6,957        3,218        4,158        1,895

Net Earnings                  $ 14,780     $ 16,915     $ 8,833      $ 9,952

Net Earnings Per Share

Basic                         $ 0.81       $ 0.94       $ 0.49       $ 0.55

Diluted                       $ 0.81       $ 0.93       $ 0.48       $ 0.55

Weighted Average Shares
Outstanding:

Basic                           18,227       18,078       18,212       18,049

Diluted                         18,252       18,091       18,225       18,056

                                    September 30,

Selected Balance Sheet Data:        2009         2008

Cash and Short-term Investments     $ 11,160     $ 3,733

Accounts Receivable, net              68,286       78,613

Inventories                           133,605      172,320

Total Assets                          286,900      343,755

Short-term Bank Borrowings            0            14,810

Total Current Liabilities             103,799      147,890

Long-term Debt                        0            0

Shareholders' Equity                  177,426      184,605

               Three Months Ended               Six Months Ended

               September 30,                    September 30,

Product Line   2009        2008        Change   2009        2008        Change
Data:

Snowmobiles    $ 85,739    $ 98,379    -13 %    $ 103,656   $ 119,795   -13 %

All-terrain      51,727      71,646    -28 %      83,898      125,421   -33 %
Vehicles

Parts,
Garments &       28,834      34,289    -16 %      48,116      52,975    -9  %
Accessories

Total Sales    $ 166,300   $ 204,314   -19 %    $ 235,670   $ 298,191   -21 %

    Source: Arctic Cat Inc.

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