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Universal Technical Institute Reports Fiscal Year 2014 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Dec. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), the leading provider of automotive technician training, today reported revenues for the fourth quarter ended September 30, 2014 of $95.3 million, a 0.5 percent decrease from $95.8 million for the fourth quarter of the prior year.  Net income for the fourth quarter ended September 30, 2014 was $1.6 million, or 6 cents per diluted share, compared to $0.9 million, or 4 cents per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended September 30, 2013.  Severance costs of $1.3 million (pre-tax) impacted diluted earnings per share by approximately 4 cents for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 compared to severance costs of $1.6 million (pre-tax), or 3 cents per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2013.

Revenues for the year ended September 30, 2014 were $378.4 million, a 0.5 percent decrease from $380.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2013. Net income for the year ended September 30, 2014 was $2.0 million, or 8 cents per diluted share, compared to $3.9 million, or 16 cents per diluted share, for the year ended September 30, 2013.

"While headwinds in our industry made it challenging to attract new students in 2014, we significantly improved efficiencies and reduced expenses, which let us continue to invest in students and our business," said Kim McWaters, chairman and CEO. "In the coming year, we will work to make our programs more accessible and affordable by managing costs, driving efficiencies and opening our new campus, all of which should improve our ability to rebuild our student population and better meet industry's growing demand for skilled technicians."

Student Metrics


Three Months Ended Sept. 30,


Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30,


2014


2013


2014


2013


(Rounded to hundreds)

Total starts

6,400


6,900


13,600


15,000

Average undergraduate full-time student enrollment

13,900


14,600


14,400


15,000

End of period undergraduate full-time student enrollment

15,500


16,300


15,500


16,300









 

Fourth Quarter Operating Performance

For the fourth quarter of 2014, revenues were $95.3 million, a 0.5 percent decrease from $95.8 million for last year's fourth quarter.  The decrease in revenues primarily related to a decrease of 4.8 percent in average undergraduate full-time student enrollment.  The decrease was partially offset by an increase in revenue per student.  During the fourth quarter of 2014 and 2013, tuition excluded $4.8 million and $4.1 million, respectively, related to students participating in the Company's proprietary loan program which will be recognized as revenues when payments are received.

Operating income and margin for the fourth quarter of 2014 were $3.9 million and 4.1 percent, respectively, compared to operating income and margin of $1.4 million and 1.5 percent, respectively, in the same period last year.  The increases were primarily attributable to decreases in compensation and legal expense, partially offset by a decrease in revenues.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the fourth quarter of 2014 was $9.2 million compared to $7.1 million in the same period last year.  See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information" below.

Year Operating Performance

Revenues for the year ended September 30, 2014 were $378.4 million, a 0.5 percent decrease from $380.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2013. Tuition excluded $23.2 million and $19.5 million, respectively, related to students participating in the Company's proprietary loan program which will be recognized as revenues when payments are received.

Operating income and margin for the year ended September 30, 2014 were $6.3 million and 1.7 percent, respectively, compared to $6.0 million and 1.6 percent, respectively, for the year ended September 30, 2013. The increases in operating income and margin were related to decreases in  compensation costs, depreciation and amortization expense and legal expense, partially offset by the decrease in revenues and an increase in advertising expense.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the year ended September 30, 2014 was $29.1 million compared to $29.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2013. See "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information" below.

Liquidity

Cash, cash equivalents and investments totaled $96.1 million at September 30, 2014, compared to $96.3 million at September 30, 2013.  At September 30, 2014, shareholders' equity totaled $133.2 million as compared to $139.2 million at September 30, 2013.  We paid cash dividends of $0.10 per common share quarterly for an aggregate payment of approximately $9.9 million

We purchased 120,252 shares of stock during the year ended September 30, 2014 at an average price per share of $11.79 for a total cost of approximately $1.4 million pursuant to the previously announced share repurchase plan.  We did not purchase any shares during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Cash flow provided by operating activities was $17.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $21.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  Cash provided by operating activities was $27.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2014 compared to $26.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2013.

2015 Outlook

For the full year ending September 30, 2015, we expect new student starts as well as our average student population to be down in the mid-single digits.  While annual tuition increases will slightly offset the decline in average students, we expect revenue to decline approximately 3 to 4%. Despite lower revenue, with the efficiency improvements we have made, excluding the impact of pre-opening costs of our new campus, we expect to see year over year growth in operating income. During the second half of the year, we expect to see year over year growth in both new student applications and starts which should have a positive impact on 2016. Capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $24 million in 2015, of which approximately $13 million will be attributable to our new campus.  Due to the seasonality of our business and normal fluctuations in student populations, we would expect volatility in our quarterly results.

Conference Call

Management will hold a conference call to discuss the 2014 fourth quarter results today at 2:30 p.m. MST (4:30 p.m. EST). This call can be accessed by dialing 412-858-4600 or 800-860-2442.  Investors are invited to listen to the call live at http://uti.investorroom.com/.  Please access the website at least 15 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 60 days or the replay can be accessed through December 16, 2014 by dialing 412-317-0088 or 877-344-7529 and entering pass code 10056415.

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 helps to identify underlying trends.  Additionally, such measures help compare the Company's performance on a consistent basis across time periods. To obtain a complete understanding of the Company's performance these measures should be examined in connection with net income, 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 as a measure of the Company's operating performance or profitability.  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 non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are included below.

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.

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. With more than 180,000 graduates in its 49-year history, UTI offers undergraduate degree and diploma programs at 11 campuses across the United States, as well as manufacturer-specific training programs at dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system, UTI provides specialized post-secondary education 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). For more information visit www.uti.edu.

(Tables Follow)

 

 



UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



Three Months Ended Sept. 30,


Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30,


2014


2013


2014


2013


(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Revenues

$

95,313


$

95,811


$

 

378,393


 

$

380,322

Operating expenses:








Educational services and facilities

49,440


50,252


200,054


199,540

Selling, general and administrative

41,993


44,131


172,002


174,757

Total operating expenses

91,433


94,383


372,056


374,297

Income from operations

3,880


1,428


6,337


6,025

Other income:








Interest income, net

(507


54


(1,624


234

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate

128



471


Other income (expense)

(9


194


563


655

Total other income, net

(388


248


(590


889

Income before income taxes

3,492


1,676


5,747


6,914

Income tax expense

1,908


789


3,710


3,013

Net income

$

1,584


$

887


$

2,037


$

3,901

Earnings per share:












Net income per share - basic

$

0.06


$

0.04


$

0.08


$

0.16

Net income per share - diluted

$

0.06


$

0.04


$

0.08


$

0.16

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:












Basic


24,638



24,479



24,640



24,515

Diluted


24,965



24,746



24,920



24,704

Cash dividends declared per common share

$

0.10


$

0.10


$

0.40


$

0.40


UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)




Sept. 30, 2014


Sept. 30, 2013

Assets


(In thousands)

Current assets:














Cash and cash equivalents


$

38,985


$

34,596

Restricted cash


6,544


6,809

Investments, current portion


45,906


57,531

Receivables, net


12,118


12,137

Deferred tax assets, net


7,470


7,453

Prepaid expenses and other current assets


16,509


15,553

Total current assets


127,532


134,079

Investments, less current portion


11,257


4,188

Property and equipment, net


106,927


103,070

Goodwill


20,579


20,579

Deferred tax assets, net


11,923


8,835

Other assets


9,851


9,443

Total assets


$

288,069


 

$

280,194






Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity





Current liabilities:





Accounts payable and accrued expenses


$

38,827


$

39,229

Deferred revenue


46,365


47,025

Accrued tool sets


3,806


3,971

Construction liability


1,252


Financing obligation, current


5,234


Income tax payable


4,336


283

Other current liabilities


2,515


2,191

Total current liabilities


102,335


92,699

Deferred rent liability


10,323


11,933

Financing obligation


32,478


Construction liability



27,632

Other liabilities


9,741


8,766

Total liabilities


154,877


141,030






Commitments and contingencies










Shareholders' equity:





Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 30,838,460 shares issued and 24,825,881 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2014 and 30,535,847 shares issued and 24,643,520 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2013


3


3

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding



Paid-in capital


174,376


171,087

Treasury stock, at cost, 6,012,579 shares as of September 30, 2014 and 5,892,327 as of September 30, 2013


(90,769)


(89,346)

Retained earnings


49,582


57,420

Total shareholders' equity


133,192


139,164

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity


$

288,069


 

$

280,194








UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)




Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30,



2014


2013



(In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:





Net income


$

2,037


$

3,901

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:







     Depreciation and amortization


18,923


22,156

     Amortization of assets subject to financing obligation


1,551


     Amortization of held-to-maturity investments


2,393


2,023

     Bad debt expense


3,972


4,720

     Stock-based compensation


5,721


6,224

     Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation


(85)


     Deferred income taxes


(4,050)


(3,794)

     Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate


(471


     Training equipment credits earned, net


(1,002)


(1,926)

     Loss on disposal of property and equipment


402


184

     Changes in assets and liabilities:





     Restricted cash: Title IV credit balances


230


(6)

     Receivables


(2,701)


(1,338)

     Prepaid expenses and other current assets


(767


1,487

     Other assets


(514)


(1,222)

     Accounts payable and accrued expenses


(1,859)


(700

     Deferred revenue


(660)


(5,649)

     Income tax payable/receivable


4,053


(659)

     Accrued tool sets and other current liabilities


530


896

     Deferred rent liability


(1,610)


(1,013)

     Other liabilities


963


1,443

Net cash provided by operating activities


27,056


26,727

Cash flows from investing activities:





     Purchase of property and equipment


(12,024)


(9,352)

     Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment


42


54

     Purchase of investments


(61,729)


(111,848)

     Proceeds received upon maturity of investments


63,892


104,094

     Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate


568


     Restricted cash: proprietary loan program


49


(3,710)

Net cash used in investing activities


(9,202)


(20,762)

Cash flows from financing activities:





     Payment of cash dividends


(9,875)


(9,820)

     Repayment of financing obligation


(613


     Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld


(1,639)


(1,263)

     Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee plans



525

     Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation


85


     Purchase of treasury stock


(1,423)


(5,422)

Net cash used in financing activities


(13,465)


(15,980)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents


4,389


(10,015)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period


34,596


44,611

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period


$

38,985


$

34,596

 

 

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)


Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA



Three Months Ended Sept. 30,


Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30,


2014


2013


2014


2013


(In thousands)

Net income

$

1,584


$

887


$

2,037


$

3,901

Interest expense (income), net


507



(54)



1,624



(234)

Income tax expense


1,908



789



3,710



3,013

Depreciation and amortization


5,247



5,499



21,689



23,251

EBITDA

$

9,246


$

7,121


$

29,060


$

29,931

 

 

Reconciliation of Earnings Per Share Impact of Severance Costs
















Three Months Ended Sept. 30,


Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30,



2014


2013


2014


2013



(In thousands)

Net income, as reported


$

1,584


$

887


$

2,037


$

3,901

Severance costs


$

 

1,323


$

 

1,558


$

 

1,323


$

1,558

Less: tax effects of severance costs


$

(529)


$

(608)


$

(529)


$

(608)

Net income, adjusted for severance costs


$

2,378


$

1,837


$

2,831


$

4,851














Diluted earnings per share, as reported


$

0.06


$

0.04


$

0.08


$

0.16

Diluted earnings per share, adjusted for severance costs


$

0.10


$

0.07


$

0.11


$

0.20














Diluted weighted average shares outstanding



24,965



24,746



24,920



24,704

 


UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SELECTED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

(UNAUDITED)





Selected Supplemental Financial Information






Three Months Ended Sept. 30,


Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30,


2014


2013


2014


2013


(In thousands)

Salaries expense

$

39,918


$

41,729


$

 

160,244


 

$

 

160,272

Employee benefits and tax


7,764



7,295



31,452



32,152

Bonus expense


1,632



761



3,575



3,725

Stock-based compensation


1,400



1,788



5,721



6,224

Total compensation and related costs

$

50,714


$

51,573


$

200,992


$

202,373













Occupancy expense

$

9,547


$

10,135


$

38,720


$

39,690

Depreciation and amortization expense

$

5,246


$

5,499


$

21,689


$

23,251

Bad debt expense

$

1,103


$

1,073


$

3,972


$

4,720

Legal expense

$

325


$

1,028


$

1,330


$

2,431













 

Graduate Employment Rate




Twelve Months Ended Sept. 30,



2013


2012






Graduate employment rate


88%


85%

Graduates


10,600


12,200

Graduates available for employment


9,900


11,400

Graduates employed


8,700


9,600

The employment calculation is based on all graduates, including those that completed manufacturer specific advanced training programs, from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013 and October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012, respectively, excluding graduates not available for employment because of continuing education, military service, health, incarceration, death or international student status.

 

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute, Inc.

For further information: John Jenson, Vice President, Corporate Controller, Universal Technical Institute, Inc., (623) 445-0821
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