American Superconductor: First Quarter Financial Results

American Superconductor Corporation, a leading energy technologies company, today reported financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 ended June 30, 2008.

Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 were a record $39.8 million, a 101 percent increase from $19.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007. Gross margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was 29.2 percent, compared to 18.1 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

The company recorded a net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 of $6.1 million, or $0.15 per share. This compares to a net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 of $9.7 million, or $0.27 per share. Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 includes a non-cash charge of $2.4 million, or $0.06 per share, for a mark-to-market adjustment on an outstanding warrant driven by the increase in the company's stock price during the quarter. This compares with a $1.0 million, or $0.03 per share, mark-to-market charge in the first quarter of fiscal 2007. In addition to the mark-to-market adjustments on an outstanding warrant, net loss in each period includes non-cash, pre-tax charges for amortization of acquisition-related intangibles and stock-based compensation expense. Such charges totaled $5.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, compared to $3.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

Earnings before interest, taxes, other income and expense, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation (EBITDAS) was a positive $1.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. EBITDAS for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 was a negative $5.3 million. Please refer to the financial schedules attached to this press release for reconciliation of EBITDAS to GAAP net loss.

AMSC generated a record $3.2 million in cash from operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and restricted cash at June 30, 2008 were $131.5 million, an increase of $12.1 million from $119.4 million at March 31, 2008.

The company reported backlog as of June 30, 2008 of approximately $634 million compared with $199 million as of March 31, 2008 and $73 million as of June 30, 2007.

"We executed to our expectations in the first quarter, delivering continued sequential revenue growth, generating record bookings and achieving other key financial metrics, including positive EBITDAS and positive cash flow from operations," said Greg Yurek, AMSC's founder and chief executive officer. "Operationally, the quarter was marked by two significant highlights. First, we completed a multi-year project by commissioning the world's first superconductor power transmission cable system in a commercial power grid. Operating in the heart of Long Island Power Authority's grid since April, this system has sparked a new wave of interest in superconductor cables among electric utilities worldwide. Second, we received a $450 million order from China's Sinovel Wind for our wind turbine core electrical components, providing us with a significant platform for continued growth through calendar year 2011."

Financial Forecast

"AMSC's performance in the first quarter from a revenue and bookings perspective has positioned us for another strong year of growth in fiscal 2008," said David Henry, senior vice president and chief financial officer. "We are increasing our revenue guidance for the fiscal year by $10 million to a range of $175 million to $185 million. The increase in our revenue forecast will drive higher EBITDAS. We now expect EBITDAS for fiscal 2008 to be in the range of $7 million to $10 million, up from our previous guidance of $3 million to $7 million. Because of the significant increase in our stock valuation during the first quarter and the resulting increase in non-cash charges associated with stock compensation, the mark-to-market adjustment on our warrant and other non-operating factors, we are increasing our net loss guidance to a range of $13 million to $15 million, or $0.30 to $0.35 per share, compared with our previous range of $9 million to $12 million, or $0.21 to $0.28 per share."

Conference Call Reminder

In conjunction with this announcement, AMSC management will participate in a conference call with investors beginning at 10:00 a.m. ET today to discuss the company's results and its business outlook. Those who wish to listen to the live conference call webcast should visit the "Investors" section of the company's website at www.amsc.com/investors. The live call also can be accessed by dialing 913-905-3164 and using conference ID 3774017. A telephonic playback of the call will be available from 1:00 p.m. ET on August 5, 2008 through 1:00 p.m. ET on August 12, 2008. Please call (719) 457-0820 and refer to conference ID 3774017 to access the playback.

      UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                            (In thousands)

                                           Three months ended June 30,
                                           ---------------------------
                                               2008           2007
                                           -------------  ------------
Revenues:
 Power Systems                             $      35,930   $    14,369
 Superconductors                                   3,887         5,400
                                           -------------  ------------
  Total revenues                                  39,817        19,769

Cost of revenues                                  28,196        16,187
                                           -------------  ------------

Gross profit                                      11,621         3,582

Operating expenses:
 Research and development                          4,913         4,214
 Selling, general and administrative               8,893         6,118
 Amortization of acquisition related
  intangibles                                        503         1,162
 Restructuring and impairments                         -           818
                                           -------------  ------------
  Total operating expenses                        14,309        12,312
                                           -------------  ------------

Operating loss                                   (2,688)       (8,730)

Interest income                                      775           346
Other income (expense), net                      (2,471)       (1,014)
                                           -------------  ------------

Loss before income tax                           (4,384)       (9,398)

Income tax expense                                 1,719           255
                                           -------------  ------------

Net loss                                   $     (6,103)   $   (9,653)
                                           =============  ============

Net loss per common share
 Basic and Diluted                         $      (0.15)   $    (0.27)
                                           =============  ============

Weighted average number of common shares
 outstanding
 Basic and Diluted                                41,686        35,268
                                           =============  ============


           UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (In thousands)
                                                  June 30,  March 31,
                                                    2008       2008
                                                 ---------- ----------
                     ASSETS
Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                       $   69,570 $   67,834
 Marketable securities                               48,301     38,398
 Accounts receivable, net                            33,042     37,108
 Inventory                                           12,033     10,907
 Restricted cash                                     11,754     12,312
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets            6,411      4,467
 Deferred tax assets, net                               896      2,293
                                                 ---------- ----------
                Total current assets                182,007    173,319

Property, plant and equipment, net                   54,323     54,308
Goodwill                                             23,011     18,530
Intangibles, net                                     11,184     11,583
Long-term restricted cash                             1,856        860
Other assets                                          2,727      2,634
                                                 ---------- ----------

                Total assets                     $  275,108 $  261,234
                                                 ========== ==========

      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses               39,307     38,356
 Deferred revenue                                    11,025     10,629
                                                 ---------- ----------
                Total current liabilities            50,332     48,985

Non-current liabilities
 Deferred revenue                                     3,378      2,043
 Deferred tax liabilities, net                        1,147      1,244
 Other non-current liabilities                           64        510
                                                 ---------- ----------
                Total liabilities                    54,921     52,782

Stockholders' equity:
 Common stock                                           430        415
 Additional paid-in capital                         632,918    615,017
 Accumulated other comprehensive income               3,444      3,522
 Accumulated deficit                              (416,605)  (410,502)
                                                 ---------- ----------
                Total stockholders' equity          220,187    208,452
                                                 ---------- ----------

                Total liabilities and
                 stockholders' equity            $  275,108 $  261,234
                                                 ========== ==========


      UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                            (In thousands)

                                                     For the three
                                                    months ended June
                                                           30,
                                                   -------------------
                                                      2008      2007
                                                    --------  --------
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net loss                                          $ (6,103) $ (9,653)
 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
  used in operations:
  Depreciation and amortization                        2,124     2,310
  Stock-based compensation expense                     2,299     1,077
  Stock-based compensation expense - non-employee         78        83
  Impairment charges on long-lived assets                  -       607
  Inventory write-down charges                             -       933
  Re-valuation of warrant                              2,396       986
  Deferred income taxes                                1,300        85
  Other non-cash items                                   427         8
  Changes in operating asset and liability
   accounts, excluding the effect of acquisitions:
    Accounts receivable                                3,891   (2,694)
    Inventory                                        (1,126)     (179)
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets        (1,944)     (352)
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses            (1,890)   (4,722)
    Deferred revenue                                   1,731     3,247
                                                   --------- ---------
 Net cash provided by (used in) operating
  activities                                           3,183   (8,264)

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Purchase of property, plant and equipment, net     (1,526)   (1,479)
  Purchase of marketable securities                 (31,648)  (11,977)
  Proceeds from the maturity of marketable
   securities                                         21,602    16,042
  Increase in restricted cash                          (438)     (674)
  Acquisition costs, net of cash acquired in
   acquisitions                                            -     (102)
  Purchase of intangible assets                        (375)     (329)
  Change in other assets                                (30)        17
                                                   --------- ---------
 Net cash provided by (used in) investing
  activities                                        (12,415)     1,498

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options    10,913     5,971
                                                   --------- ---------
 Net cash provided by financing activities            10,913     5,971
                                                   --------- ---------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
 equivalents                                              55        12
                                                   --------- ---------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
 equivalents                                           1,736     (783)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period      67,834    15,925
                                                   --------- ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period         $  69,570 $  15,142
                                                   ========= =========

Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
  Issuance of common stock in connection with
   acquisitions                                    $       - $   4,349
  Noncash issuance of common stock                       147         -
  Noncash contingent consideration in connection
   with acquisitions                                   4,481         -


                Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDAS
                            (In thousands)

                                                       Three months
                                                       ended June 30,
                                                     -----------------
                                                       2008     2007
                                                     -------- --------
Net Loss                                             $(6,103) $(9,653)
Interest income                                         (775)    (346)
Other income (expense), net                             2,471    1,014
Income tax expense                                      1,719      255
Depreciation and amortization                           2,123    2,311
                                                     -------- --------
EBITDA                                                  (565)  (6,419)
Stock-based compensation                                2,299    1,077
                                                     -------- --------
EBITDAS                                              $  1,734 $(5,342)
                                                     ======== ========


       Reconciliation of Forecast Net Loss to Forecast EBITDAS
                         for Fiscal Year 2008
                            (In thousands)

                                                     High       Low
                                                   --------- ---------
Net Loss                                           $(13,000) $(15,000)
Interest income                                      (4,000)   (4,000)
Other income (expense), net                            4,000     4,000
Income tax expense                                     4,500     4,000
Depreciation and amortization                          8,000     8,000
                                                   --------- ---------
EBITDA                                                 (500)   (3,000)
Stock-based compensation                              10,500    10,000
                                                   --------- ---------
EBITDAS                                            $  10,000 $   7,000
                                                   ========= =========


Note: EBITDAS is a non-GAAP financial measure defined by the company as net income before interest, taxes, other income and expense, depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation. The company believes EBITDAS is an important measurement for management and investors given the increasing effect that non-cash charges such as stock compensation, amortization related to acquisitions, taxes associated with AMSC Windtec, and depreciation of capital equipment will have on the company's net income (loss). The company regards EBITDAS as a useful measure of operating performance and cash flow to complement operating income, net income and other GAAP financial performance measures. Additionally, management believes that EBITDAS will provide meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. This measure, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of EBITDAS to GAAP net loss is set forth in the table above.

About American Superconductor

AMSC is a leading energy technologies company offering an array of solutions based on two proprietary technologies: programmable power electronic converters and high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires. The company's products, services and system-level solutions enable cleaner, more efficient and more reliable generation, delivery and use of electric power. AMSC is a leader in alternative energy, offering grid interconnection solutions as well as licensed wind turbine designs and electrical systems. As the world's principal supplier of HTS wire, the company is enabling a new generation of compact, high-power electrical products, including power cables, grid-level surge protectors, Secure Super Grids(TM), motors, generators, and advanced transportation and defense systems. AMSC also provides utility and industrial customers worldwide with voltage regulation systems that dramatically enhance power grid capacity, reliability and security, as well as industrial productivity. The company's technologies are protected by a broad and deep intellectual property portfolio consisting of hundreds of patents and licenses worldwide. More information is available at www.amsc.com.

American Superconductor and design, Revolutionizing the Way the World Uses Electricity, AMSC, Powered by AMSC, D-VAR, PQ-IVR, PowerModule, Secure Super Grids, Windtec and SuperGEAR are trademarks or registered trademarks of American Superconductor Corporation or its subsidiaries.

Any statements in this release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the company, including our expectations regarding the future financial performance of the company and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will" and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: uncertainties regarding the company's ability to obtain anticipated funding from corporate and government contracts, to successfully develop, manufacture and market commercial products, and to secure anticipated orders; the risk that a robust market may not develop for the company's products; the risk that strategic alliances and other contracts may be terminated; the risk that certain technologies utilized by the company will infringe intellectual property rights of others; and the competition encountered by the company. Reference is made to these and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the company's most recent quarterly or annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the company's views as of the date of this release. While the company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause the company's views to change, the company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the company's views as of any date subsequent to the date this press release is issued.

    CONTACT: American Superconductor Corporation
             Jason Fredette, 978-842-3177
             Director of Investor & Media Relations
             [email protected]

    SOURCE: American Superconductor Corporation

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