Bel Fourth Quarter Net Income Advances 44%
Bel Fourth Quarter Net Income Advances 44%
Twelve Month Net Earnings Increase 25% on 18% Sales Gain
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATELYFebruary 15, 2007
JERSEY
For the three months ended December 31, 2006, net sales rose 7% to $60,573,000 from $56,684,000 for the prior year. Net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2006 increased 44% to $4,697,000, compared to net earnings of $3,265,000, for the fourth quarter of 2005.
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, revenue increased 18% to a record $254,933,000 compared to $215,916,000 for 2005. Net earnings for 2006 increased 25% to $25,203,000, which included a pre-tax casualty loss of $1,030,000 and a gain on sale of marketable securities of $5,150,000. For 2005, net earnings were 20,233,000.
Bel has revised the method it uses to report earnings per share to utilize the two-class method, displaying earnings per share separately for both classes of Bel's common stock. For the three months ended December 31, 2006, net earnings per diluted Class A common share were $0.38, compared to $0.26 and net earnings per diluted Class B common share were $0.40 compared to $0.28. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, net earnings per diluted Class A common share were $2.03, compared to $1.67 and net earnings per diluted Class B common share were $2.15 compared to $1.77.
"Bel's product groups all experienced strong sales growth through the first three quarters of 2006. However, we experienced softness in many product categories in the fourth quarter. We are encouraged by the generally improved tone of orders so far in 2007," said Daniel Bernstein, president.
At December 31, 2006, Bel reported cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of approximately $92,300,000, working capital of approximately $144,677,000, a current ratio of 4.5, total long term obligations of $4,728,000 and shareholders' equity of $222,150,000.
Conference Call
Bel has scheduled a conference call at 11:00 a.m. EST today. A simultaneous webcast of the conference call may be accessed from the Investor Info link at www.BelFuse.com. A replay will be available after 1:00 p.m.
About Bel
Bel (www.belfuse.com) and its subsidiaries are primarily engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of products used in networking, telecommunications, high speed data transmission, and consumer electronics. Products include magnetics (discrete components, power transformers and MagJack®s), modules (DC-DC converters, integrated analog front end modules and custom designs), circuit protection (miniature, micro and surface mount fuses) and interconnect devices (passive jacks, plugs and cable assemblies). Bel operates facilities around the world.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained in this news release, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. 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 effect of business and economic conditions; capacity and supply constraints or difficulties; product development, commercializing or technological difficulties; the regulatory and trade environment; 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
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Bel Fuse Inc.
tel 201.432.0463
fax 201.432.9542
Investor Contact:
Neil Berkman Associates
(310) 277-5162
Company Contact:
Daniel Bernstein
President