NEWARK, N.Y., Feb. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ultralife Corporation (NASDAQ: ULBI) reported GAAP EPS of $0.13, Adjusted EPS of $0.17 and operating income of $1.2 million on revenue of $29.0 million for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020 compared to GAAP EPS of $0.10, Adjusted EPS of $0.13 and operating income of $2.5 million on revenue of $31.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2019.

For fiscal 2020, Ultralife produced GAAP EPS of $0.33, Adjusted EPS of $0.41 and operating income of $5.7 million on revenue of $107.7 million compared to GAAP EPS of $0.32, Adjusted EPS of $0.40 and operating income of $7.4 million on revenue of $106.8 million for 2019. In addition, during 2020, the Company reduced the debt related to its May 2019 acquisition of Southwest Electronic Energy Corporation by $15.8 million, or 91.5%, to $1.5 million as of December 31, 2020 while increasing its year-end cash-on-hand by $3.2 million, or 43.9%, to $10.7 million.

“Fourth quarter operating results were in line with our internal expectations and reflect the continuing negative economic impact of the global pandemic, including oil & gas market sluggishness. Battery & Energy Products medical sales were up 94% and government/defense sales were up 19%, yet these were offset by reductions in oil & gas and Communications Systems sales. During the quarter, we also recognized a $1.6 million gain upon resolution of Ultralife’s claim in a class action lawsuit,” said Michael D. Popielec, President and Chief Executive Officer.

“Notwithstanding the unprecedented challenges we faced during 2020, results for the year demonstrate the resiliency of our business model, the efficacy of our end-market diversification strategy and the strength of our balance sheet. We grew total year sales to the highest level in nine years, sustained profitability, generated operating cash flow and repaid nearly all of the SWE acquisition-related debt,” added Popielec. “While the outlook for demand in our end markets is less visible than we would like, we will remain focused on what we can control: organic growth initiatives, including completing transformational new product development projects and investments in strategic capital expenditure, and synergistic acquisitions.”

Fourth Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Revenue was $29.0 million, a decrease of $2.0 million or 6.6%, compared to $31.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2019, as a 25.7% increase in core battery sales across diversified end markets was offset by lower oil & gas market and Communications Systems sales. Battery & Energy Products revenues increased 0.7% to $25.3 million, compared to $25.1 million last year, as a 94.3% increase in medical battery sales, especially those used in ventilators, respirators and infusion pumps, and an 18.8% increase in government/defense sales, were offset by a 67.4% decline in oil & gas market sales. Communications Systems sales decreased 37.6% to $3.7 million compared to $5.9 million for the same period last year, primarily reflecting 2019 shipments of vehicle amplifier-adaptor systems to support the U.S. Army’s Network Modernization initiatives under the delivery orders announced in October 2018. These orders were completed in the second quarter of 2020. The net adverse impact of COVID-19 on revenues for the 2020 fourth quarter was approximately $2.6 million as a substantial increase in demand for medical batteries was more than offset primarily by weakened demand in the oil & gas and international industrial markets.

Gross profit was $7.4 million, or 25.4% of revenue, compared to $9.4 million, or 30.2% of revenue, for the same quarter a year ago. Battery & Energy Products’ gross margin was 25.2%, compared to 26.4% last year, primarily reflecting lower volume for oil & gas market batteries. Communications Systems gross margin was 26.3% compared to 46.1% last year, due to sales mix and lower volume in 2020.

Operating expenses were $6.1 million compared to $6.9 million last year, a reduction of 10.9%. Operating expenses were 21.2% of revenue compared to 22.2% for the year-earlier period.

Operating income was $1.2 million compared to $2.5 million last year, and operating margin was 4.2% compared to 8.0% last year. The net adverse impact of COVID-19 on operating income for the 2020 fourth quarter was approximately $1.2 million.

Other income of $1.6 million compared to other expense of $0.3 million last year, primarily reflecting a $1.6 million gain realized during the fourth quarter upon favorable resolution of Ultralife’s claim in a class action lawsuit.

Net income was $2.1 million or $0.13 per diluted share on a GAAP basis using the U.S. statutory tax rate, compared to net income of $1.6 million, or $0.10 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted EPS was $0.17 on a diluted basis for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $0.13 for the 2019 period. Adjusted EPS excludes the provision for deferred taxes of $0.6 million which primarily represents non-cash charges for U.S. taxes which we expect will be fully offset by net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits for the foreseeable future. The net adverse impact of COVID-19 on Adjusted EPS for the 2020 fourth quarter was approximately $0.07.

Adjusted EBITDA, defined as EBITDA including non-cash, stock-based compensation expense and excluding the $1.6 million gain on the class action settlement, for the fourth quarter was $2.2 million or 7.6% of sales and for the 2020 trailing twelve-month period was $9.7 million or 9.0% of sales.

See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this release for a reconciliation of Adjusted EPS to EPS and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income Attributable to Ultralife Corporation.

About Ultralife Corporation

Ultralife Corporation serves its markets with products and services ranging from power solutions to communications and electronics systems. Through its engineering and collaborative approach to problem solving, Ultralife serves government, defense and commercial customers across the globe.

Headquartered in Newark, New York, the Company's business segments include Battery & Energy Products and Communications Systems. Ultralife has operations in North America, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.ultralifecorporation.com.