Itron Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash.—February 17, 2010—Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2009. Highlights of the quarter and full year include:

• Quarterly and full year total revenues of $477 million and $1.69 billion;
• Quarterly and full year non-GAAP diluted EPS of 82 cents and $2.12;
• Full year cash flow from operations and free cash flow of $141 million and $88 million;
• Quarterly and full year adjusted EBITDA of $58 million and $189 million; and
• Record twelve-month backlog of $807 million; total backlog of $1.5 billion.

"Last quarter, we stated that we thought third quarter financial results were the low point," said Malcolm Unsworth, president and CEO. "We did see a pick-up in business in North America in the fourth quarter and made great progress in shipping OpenWay meters and modules in support of our AMI contracts. We have now shipped more than one million OpenWay units. That, combined with our record twelve month backlog of $807 million, gives us great confidence going into 2010."

Fourth Quarter – Operations Highlights:

Revenues – Total revenues of $477 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $44 million, or 10%, higher than 2008 fourth quarter revenues of $432 million. North America revenues of $196 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $27 million, or 16%, higher than the comparable 2008 period revenues of $169 million. The increase in revenue was primarily due to higher shipments of OpenWay meters and modules which were somewhat offset by fewer shipments of non-AMI electric meters and AMR modules. International revenues of $281 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $17 million, or 6%, higher than the comparable 2008 period revenues of $264 million. The increase in International revenues was due to foreign exchange rates which were partially offset by decreases in certain markets due to softening demand and economic conditions.

Gross Margin – Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2009 was 30%, which was lower than the 34% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Fourth quarter 2009 North America gross margin of 34% was lower than the 2008 gross margin of 37%. The decline in margin was primarily due to increased shipments of our first generation OpenWay meters, which currently have higher costs, and fewer AMR meter and module shipments. International gross margin of 28% was lower than the fourth quarter 2008 gross margin of 31% primarily due to expenses for discontinuing certain product lines and streamlining our service operations in Brazil. This negatively affected gross margin by 270 bps.

Operating Expenses – Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $130 million compared with $124 million in the same period of 2008. North America operating expenses were $43 million compared with $46 million in the same period of 2008. The decrease in North America operating expenses was primarily due to lower sales and compensation expenses. International operating expenses were $81 million in the 2009 period compared with $71 million in 2008. The increase in expenses was primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange rates. Corporate unallocated expenses of $7 million for the fourth quarter of 2009 were comparable with the same period in 2008.

Net Interest Expense – Net interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2009 was $17 million compared with $18 million in the same period of 2008. Amortization of debt placement fees, which is included in net interest expense, was $1.8 million and $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively. Amortization of debt placement fees varies depending on the amount of debt repayments made in a given period. During Q4 2009 we reduced our debt by approximately $39 million.

GAAP Income Taxes – We had a tax benefit of $6.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with an expense of $69,000 in the same period of 2008. The fourth quarter 2009 tax benefits are primarily due to foreign tax credits and lower US taxes on the repatriation of foreign earnings.

GAAP Net Income and Diluted EPS – Our GAAP net income and diluted EPS for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $5.2 million, or 13 cents per share, compared with $2.2 million, or 6 cents per share, in the same period in 2008.

Non-GAAP Operating Income – Non-GAAP operating income, which excludes amortization expense related to intangible assets, was $41 million, or 8.6% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with $48 million, or 11.2% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2008. The decreased operating income was primarily due to gross margin contraction and higher operating expenses.

Non-GAAP Income Taxes – We had a non-GAAP tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2009 compared with a tax expense in the same period of 2008. Our non-GAAP tax benefit for the fourth quarter of 2009 was 16% compared with a non-GAAP tax expense of 27% in 2008. The non-GAAP tax benefit in 2009 is due to lower income in higher tax jurisdictions, lower US taxes on the repatriation of foreign earnings, and the benefit for claiming foreign taxes as credits rather than deductions.

Non-GAAP Net Income and Diluted EPS – Non-GAAP net income, which excludes amortization expenses related to intangibles assets, amortization of debt placement fees, and the additional non-cash interest expense related to FSP APB 14-1 (ASC 470-20), was $33.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with $24.8 million in the 2008 period. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was 82 cents in the fourth quarter 2009 compared with 71 cents in the 2008 period. Fully diluted shares outstanding in the fourth quarter of 2009 were 5.8 million shares higher than the same period in 2008 primarily due to the convertible debt for stock exchange in the first quarter of 2009 and the equity offering in the second quarter of 2009.

Full Year – Operations Highlights:

Revenues – Total revenues for the full year ended December 31, 2009 were $1.7 billion compared with $1.9 billion in 2008. North America revenues of $616 million for the full year of 2009 were $81 million, or 12%, less than the comparable 2008 period. The decrease in North America revenues was primarily driven by the substantial completion of a number of AMR contracts in 2008 and fewer shipments of electric meters and AMR modules due to the economic downturn and uncertainty surrounding the stimulus funds announcements. This decline was somewhat offset by shipments of OpenWay meters and modules. International revenues declined $141 million in the full year 2009 compared with 2008. Approximately 68% of the decrease was driven by foreign currency exchange rates. The remainder of the decrease was primarily due to the completion of a smart metering/AMI project in 2008, softening of demand in some markets, and economic conditions in certain countries.

Gross Margin – Gross margin for the full year 2009 was 32% compared with 34% in 2008. North America gross margin of 34% for the full year 2009 was less than 2008 gross margin of 38%. The decline in North America gross margin was primarily driven by shipments of our first generation AMI meters, which currently have higher costs, fewer AMR meter and module shipments, and reduced overhead absorption resulting from lower overall production levels. International gross margin of 30% was less than the 2008 gross margin of 32%. The decline in gross margin was primarily due to expenses for discontinuing certain product lines and streamlining our service operations in Brazil.

Operating Expenses – Total operating expenses for the full year 2009 were $492 million, compared with $537 million in 2008. North America operating expenses in 2009 of $175 million were 28% of revenue, compared with operating expenses of $190 million, or 27% of revenue, in 2008. Lower sales expense and compensation costs contributed to the decline. International operating expenses of $288 million in 2009 were 27% of revenue compared with $309 million, or 25% of revenue, in 2008. Lower amortization expense and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates were offset by increases in product development and adjustments to litigation reserves. Corporate unallocated expenses of $30 million for the full year 2009 were $8 million lower than 2008 primarily due to decreased compensation and benefit costs, and lower financial integration and consulting expenses.

Net Interest Expense – Net interest expense was $69 million for the full year 2009 compared with $88 million in 2008. Amortization of debt placement fees, which is included in net interest expense, was $8 million in 2009 and $9 million in 2008. During 2009 we reduced our debt by approximately $390 million.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt – In 2009, we incurred a net loss on extinguishment of debt of $12.8 million due to a convertible debt for common stock exchange in January and the redemption of our senior subordinated notes in July. The debt for stock exchange resulted in a net loss of $10.3 million as the value of the shares of Itron's common stock issued under the exchange agreement differed from the value of the shares used to derive the amount payable under the original conversion agreement. The redemption of our 7.75% senior subordinated notes resulted in a net loss of $2.5 million. We paid $113.2 million to redeem the notes at 101.938% of the principal amount of $109.6 million.

Other Expense – Other expense was $9 million in 2009 compared with $3 million in 2008. The increase in 2009 is primarily due to foreign exchange losses caused by fluctuations in exchange rates from material purchases and related product sales denominated in different currencies. Legal and advisory fees associated with an amendment to our senior debt agreement, which was completed in the second quarter, also contributed to the increased expense.

GAAP Income Taxes – We had a tax benefit of $44 million in 2009 compared with a tax benefit of $1 million in 2008. The increased 2009 tax benefit is primarily due to lower income in higher tax jurisdictions, lower US taxes on the repatriation of foreign earnings, and the benefit for claiming foreign taxes as credits rather than deductions.

GAAP Net Income/Loss and Diluted EPS – Our GAAP net loss and diluted EPS for the full year 2009 was $2.2 million, or six cents per share, compared with net income of $19.8 million, or 57 cents per share, in 2008. The net loss in 2009 was primarily due to lower revenue, contraction of gross margins and the net loss on debt extinguishment.

Non-GAAP Operating Income – Non-GAAP operating income, which excludes amortization expense related to intangible assets, was $144 million, or 8.5% of revenues, for the full year 2009, compared with $230 million, or 12% of revenues, for the full year 2008. The decline in non-GAAP operating income and margin was primarily due to the combination of lower revenues and gross margins in 2009.

Non-GAAP Income Taxes – We had a non-GAAP tax benefit in 2009 of 2.9% compared with a non-GAAP tax expense of 27% in 2008. The non-GAAP tax benefit in 2009 is due to lower income in higher tax jurisdictions, lower US taxes on the repatriation of foreign earnings, and the benefit for claiming foreign taxes as credits rather than deductions.

Non-GAAP Net Income and Diluted EPS – Non-GAAP net income, which excludes amortization expenses related to intangibles assets, amortization of debt placement fees, the additional non-cash interest expense related to FSP APB 14-1 (ASC 470-20), and the non cash net loss associated with the convertible debt for stock exchange, was $82.5 million in 2009, compared with $117.6 million in 2008. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $2.12 in 2009 compared with $3.36 in 2008. Fully diluted shares outstanding in the full year 2009 were 4 million shares higher than in 2008 primarily due to the convertible debt for stock exchange in the first quarter of 2009 and the equity offering in the second quarter of 2009.

Other Financial Highlights:

Backlog and New Order Bookings – Total backlog was $1.5 billion at December 31, 2009 compared with $1.3 billion at December 31, 2008. Twelve month backlog of $807 million at December 31, 2009 was higher than the $418 million at December 31, 2008 due to the inclusion of a substantial amount of AMI contract shipments in the current twelve month backlog. New order bookings for the fourth quarter of 2009 were $397 million, compared with $733 million in the fourth quarter of 2008. New order bookings in the fourth quarter of 2008 included $334 million related to our AMI contract with CenterPoint Energy. Our book-to-bill ratios were .83 to 1 and 1.7 to 1 for the fourth quarter of 2009 and 2008, respectively. New order bookings for the full year 2009 were $1.8 billion compared with $2.5 billion in 2008. New order bookings in 2008 included $814 million related to our AMI contracts with Southern California Edison and CenterPoint Energy while new order bookings in 2009 included $260 million related to our AMI contract with San Diego Gas and Electric.

Cash Flows from Operations and Financial Condition – Net cash provided by operating activities during the full year 2009 was $141 million. This compares with $193 million in the same period in 2008. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (adjusted EBITDA) in the fourth quarter of 2009 was $58 million compared with $60 million for the same period in 2008. Adjusted EBITDA for the full year 2009 was $189 million compared with $280 million for the full year 2008. Free cash flow for the full year 2009 was $88 million compared with $130 million for the same period in 2008. Cash and equivalents were $122 million at December 31, 2009 compared with $144 million at December 31, 2008.

Non-GAAP Financial Information:
To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, we use certain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income and diluted EPS, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. We provide these non-GAAP financial measures because we believe they provide greater transparency and represent supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision making. Specifically, these non-GAAP financial measures are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of our current financial performance and our future anticipated performance by excluding infrequent costs, particularly those associated with acquisitions. We exclude these expenses in our non-GAAP financial measures as we believe the net result is a measure of our core business that is not subject to the variations of expenses associated with these infrequently occurring items. Non-GAAP performance measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, results prepared in accordance with GAAP. Finally, our non-GAAP financial measures may be different from those reported by other companies. A more detailed discussion of why we use non-GAAP financial measures, the limitations of using such measures, and reconciliations between non-GAAP and the nearest GAAP financial measures are included in this press release.