Bel Reports Second Quarter Record Sales; Net Earnings Increase to $0.25 Per Class A Share and $0.27 Per Class B Share

Non-GAAP Net Earnings Increase to $0.38 Per Class A Share and $0.41 Per Class B Share

JERSEY CITY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bel Fuse Inc. (NASDAQ:BELFA)(NASDAQ:BELFB) today announced preliminary financial results for the second quarter and first six months of 2014.

Second Quarter Highlights

• Net sales increased 5.8% to $99.4 million versus $94.0 million for last year's second quarter.
• GAAP net earnings increased to $0.25 per Class A share and $0.27 per Class B share versus net earnings of $0.14 per Class A share and $0.15 per Class B share last year.
• Non-GAAP net earnings increased to $0.38 per Class A share and $0.41 per Class B share versus non-GAAP net earnings of $0.23 per Class A share and $0.25 per Class B share last year.
• GAAP income from operations increased to $3.7 million versus $1.7 million a year earlier.
• Non-GAAP income from operations increased to $6.3 million versus $3.3 million a year earlier.

CEO Comments

Daniel Bernstein, Bel's President and CEO, said, "Revenue increased to a new second quarter record, primarily reflecting sales of approximately $7.2 million from Power Solutions, which we acquired on June 19, 2014. Power Solutions is a leading provider of high efficiency and high density power conversion products for server, storage and networking equipment, industrial applications and power systems with a world class research and development center. We believe that the combination of Power Solutions with Bel's existing power business creates a dynamic enterprise capable of competing more effectively on a global basis. Bel has completed restructuring the Power Solutions U.S. management team and is focused on improving quality at the factory levels.

"On a comparable non-GAAP basis, operating income before restructuring charges and acquisition costs nearly doubled to $6.3 million versus $3.3 million, and net earnings for this year's second quarter increased 63.7% to $4.6 million compared to non-GAAP net earnings of $2.8 million for the second quarter of 2013. This improvement was led by our Cinch Connectors business, which returned to profitability after challenges associated with the 2012-2013 North American manufacturing reorganization were resolved and the benefits of that program are being realized.

"We are also pleased to have completed, after the end of the quarter, the acquisition of Emerson's Network Power Connectivity Solutions business, or CS. CS is a leading provider of high performance RF/microwave and harsh environment optical connectors and assemblies for military, aerospace, wireless communications, data communications, broadcast and industrial applications. The addition of CS is a major step forward in Bel's Cinch Connectors strategy to penetrate aerospace and military markets, where we believe that our technical expertise and premium quality products will be clear differentiators in customer purchasing decisions. CS also broadens our copper based connector portfolio with the addition of RF/Microwave products and the addition of the Stratos Optical Technologies Product Line brings active Optical Devices and enhances our emergence as a market leader in the deployment of Expanded Beam Fiber.

"Based on historical results, the acquisitions completed in the past 16 months will increase Bel's revenue from $287 million in 2012 to a current run rate of approximately $700 million annually. We remain committed to containing overhead costs even as we expand the business dramatically, a strategy that should allow us to deliver improved financial performance. We expect the recent acquisitions of Power Solutions and CS to be accretive to Bel's results beginning in the second half of 2014, taking into account the borrowing costs associated with these acquisitions. We have already identified annual cost savings of over $5 million and see additional opportunities to streamline our business in the future.

"Our accomplishments this past year, both in terms of successful acquisitions and operational improvements, have laid the foundation to enhance value for Bel's shareholders."

Second Quarter Results

For the three months ended June 30, 2014, net sales increased to $99.4 million compared to $94.0 million in the second quarter of 2013, as revenue from higher sales of power and interconnect products more than offset a decrease in magnetics product sales.

Operating income for the second quarter of 2014 increased to $3.7 million compared to operating income for the second quarter of 2013 of $1.7 million. Excluding restructuring charges and acquisition and other related costs detailed in the table reconciling GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures included in this release, non-GAAP operating income increased to $6.3 million compared to non-GAAP operating income for the second quarter of 2013 of $3.3 million.

Net earnings for the second quarter of 2014 were $3.1 million compared to net earnings for the second quarter of 2013 of $1.7 million. Excluding the amounts detailed in the table reconciling GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures mentioned above, non-GAAP net earnings for the second quarter of 2014 increased to $4.6 million compared to non-GAAP net earnings for the second quarter of 2013 of $2.8 million.

Net earnings per diluted Class A common share for the second quarter of 2014 were $0.25, compared to net earnings per diluted Class A common share of $0.14 for the second quarter of 2013. Adjusted to exclude the amounts referenced above, non-GAAP net earnings per diluted Class A common share for the second quarter of 2014 were $0.38, compared to non-GAAP net earnings per diluted Class A common share for the second quarter of 2013 of $0.23.

Net earnings per diluted Class B common share were $0.27 for the second quarter of 2014, compared to net earnings of $0.15 per diluted Class B common share for the first quarter of 2013. Adjusted to exclude the amounts referenced above, non-GAAP net earnings per diluted Class B common share were $0.41 for the second quarter of 2014, compared to non-GAAP net earnings per diluted Class B common share of $0.25 for the second quarter of 2013.

First Half Results

For the six months ended June 30, 2014, net sales increased to $182.1 million compared to $157.0 million for the first six months of 2013. Net earnings for this year's first half were $5.6 million compared to net earnings of $1.1 million for the first six months of 2013.

Net earnings for the first half of 2013 included an income tax benefit of $0.8 million, the result of pre-tax losses in North America and a favorable adjustment related to the Research and Experimentation ("R&E") credit.

Net earnings per diluted Class A common share for the first six months of 2014 were $0.45, compared to net earnings per diluted Class A common share for the first six months of 2013 of $0.09. Adjusted to exclude various amounts detailed in the reconciliation table included in this release, non-GAAP net earnings per diluted Class A common share were $0.59 for the first six months of 2014, compared to non-GAAP net earnings per diluted Class A share of $0.19 a year earlier.

Net earnings per diluted Class B common share for the first six months of 2014 were $0.49, compared to net earnings per diluted Class B share of $0.10 for the same period of 2013. Adjusted to exclude the amounts referenced above, non-GAAP net earnings per diluted Class B common share were $0.63 for the first six months of 2014, compared to non-GAAP net earnings per diluted Class B share of $0.21 a year earlier.

Balance Sheet Data

As of June 30, 2014 Bel had working capital of $189.9 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $87.8 million, a current ratio of 2.7-to-1, total long-term obligations of $151.3 million, and stockholders' equity of $234.6 million. In comparison, at December 31, 2013, Bel reported working capital of $137.2 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $62.1 million, a current ratio of 3.0-to-1, total long-term obligations of $12.5 million, and stockholders' equity of $228.7 million. The increase in long-term obligations primarily reflects borrowings that were used to fund the acquisition of Power Solutions on June 19, 2014.

Conference Call

Bel has scheduled a conference call at 11:00 a.m. EDT today. To participate, dial (720) 545-0088, conference ID #78153237. A simultaneous webcast of the conference call may be accessed online from the Events and Presentations link of the Investors page under the "About Bel" tab at www.BelFuse.com. The webcast replay will be available for a period of 20 days at this same Internet address. For a telephone replay, dial (404) 537-3406, conference ID #78153237 after 2:00 p.m. EDT.

About Bel

Bel (www.belfuse.com) is primarily engaged in the design, manufacture, and sale of products used in aerospace, data transmission, military, transportation, and consumer electronics. Bel's product groups include Magnetic Solutions (discrete components, power transformers and MagJack® connectors with integrated magnetics), Power Solutions and Protection (AC-DC power supplies, DC-DC converters, custom designs, miniature, micro, surface mount and resettable fuses) and Connectivity Solutions (micro, circular, filtered D Sub, fiber optic, RF connectors, microwave components, passive jacks, plugs and cable assemblies). The Company operates facilities around the world.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained in this press release, the matters discussed in this press release (including the statements regarding the impact of the Company's expertise and products on customer purchasing decisions, anticipated growth in revenues, the accretive nature and projected cost savings associated with the Power Solutions and CS acquisitions and potential future growth for the Company's shareholders) are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from Bel's projections. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements are: the market concerns facing our customers; the continuing viability of sectors that rely on our products; the effects of business and economic conditions; difficulties associated with integrating recently acquired companies; capacity and supply constraints or difficulties; product development, commercialization or technological difficulties; the regulatory and trade environment; risks associated with foreign currencies; uncertainties associated with legal proceedings; the market's acceptance of the Company's new products and competitive responses to those new products; and the risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports. In light of the risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will in fact prove to be correct. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements.

BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(000s omitted, except for per share data)
				Three Months Ended												Six Months Ended
				June 30,												June 30,
				2014						2013						2014						2013
				(unaudited)												(unaudited)
Net sales				$	99,439					$	93,981					$	182,085					$	157,009
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales					81,493						78,717						150,069						132,649
Selling, general and administrative					13,176						12,342						24,365						22,741
Restructuring charges					1,056						1,263						1,056						1,387
Total costs and expenses					95,725						92,322						175,490						156,777
Income from operations					3,714						1,659						6,595						232
Interest expense					(225	)					(5	)					(255	)					(8	)
Interest income and other, net					49						69						100						107
Earnings before provision (benefit) for income taxes					3,538						1,723						6,440						331
Provision (benefit) for income taxes					473						34						872						(800	)
Net earnings				$	3,065					$	1,689					$	5,568					$	1,131
Earnings per Class A common share - basic and diluted				$	0.25					$	0.14					$	0.45					$	0.09
Weighted average Class A common shares outstanding
- basic and diluted					2,175						2,175						2,175						2,175
Earnings per Class B common share - basic and diluted				$	0.27					$	0.15					$	0.49					$	0.10
Weighted average Class B common shares outstanding
- basic and diluted					9,332						9,213						9,333						9,217

* Prior period amounts have been restated to reflect adjustments arising during the measurement period related to the 2012 and 2013 acquisitions as if all such adjustments had been recognized on the dates of acquisition

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(000s omitted)
			Jun. 30,				Dec. 31,								Jun. 30,				Dec. 31,
ASSETS			2014				2013*					LIABILITIES & EQUITY			2014				2013*
			(unaudited)				(unaudited)								(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Current assets			$	298,877			$	204,155				Short-term borrowings			$	7,729			$	12,739
												and current maturities
Property, plant &												of long-term debt
equipment, net				67,051				40,896				Other current liabilities				101,209				54,242
												Long-term debt				137,750				--
Goodwill and intangibles				105,830				47,962				Noncurrent liabilities				13,571				12,458
Other assets				23,085				15,128				Stockholders' equity				234,584				228,702
Total Assets			$	494,843			$	308,141				Total Liabilities & Equity			$	494,843			$	308,141

BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-GAAP MEASURES (unaudited)
(000s omitted, except for per share data)
			Three Months Ended June 30, 2014																		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
			Income								Net earnings per				Net earnings per						Income									Net earnings per					Net earnings per
			from				Net				Class A common				Class B common						from				Net					Class A common					Class B common
			operations				earnings(2)				share - diluted(3)				share - diluted(3)						operations				earnings(2)					share - diluted(3)					share - diluted(3)
GAAP measures			$	3,714			$	3,065			$	0.25			$	0.27					$	6,595			$	5,568				$	0.45				$	0.49
Restructuring charges and severance				1,056				655				0.05				0.06						1,113				690					0.06					0.06
Acquisition and other related costs				1,509				919				0.08				0.08						1,518				925					0.08					0.08
Non-GAAP measures(1)			$	6,279			$	4,639			$	0.38			$	0.41					$	9,226			$	7,183				$	0.59				$	0.63
			Three Months Ended June 30, 2013																		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
			Income								Net earnings per				Net earnings per						Income									Net earnings per					Net earnings per
			from				Net				Class A common				Class B common						from				Net					Class A common					Class B common
			operations				earnings(2)				share - diluted(3)				share - diluted(3)						operations				earnings(2)					share - diluted(3)					share - diluted(3)
GAAP measures			$	1,659			$	1,689			$	0.14			$	0.15					$	232			$	1,131				$	0.09				$	0.10
Restructuring charges,
severance and reorganization costs				1,428				1,000				0.08				0.09						1,636				1,129					0.10					0.10
Acquisition and other related costs				172				145				0.01				0.01						574				510					0.04					0.05
Restoration of prior year R&E credit				--				--				--				--						--				(385	)				(0.03	)				(0.03	)
Non-GAAP measures(1)			$	3,259			$	2,834			$	0.23			$	0.25					$	2,442			$	2,385				$	0.19				$	0.21

(1) The non-GAAP measures presented above are not measures of performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). These measures should not be considered a substitute for, and the reader should also consider, income from operations, net earnings, earnings per share and other measures of performance as defined by GAAP as indicators of our performance or profitability. Our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to other similarly-titled captions of other companies due to differences in the method of calculation.

Based upon discussions with investors and analysts, we believe that the reader's understanding of Bel's performance and profitability is enhanced by reference to these non-GAAP measures. Removal of amounts such as charges for restructuring, severance, and reorganization; acquisition-related costs; and restoration of expired R&E credits facilitates comparison of our results among reporting periods. We believe that such amounts are not reflective of the relevant business in the period in which the gain or charge is recorded for accounting purposes.

(2) Net of income tax at effective rate in the applicable tax jurisdiction.

(3) Individual amounts of earnings per share may not agree to the total due to rounding.

Investor Contact:
Neil Berkman Associates
310-477-3118
info@berkmanassociates.com
or
Company Contact:
Bel Fuse Inc.
Daniel Bernstein, President
201-432-0463
ir@belf.com

Source: Bel Fuse Inc.

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