TBUS Dri Corp. (MM)

DRI Corporation (NASDAQ: TBUS), a digital communications technology leader in the global surface transportation and transit security markets, announced today that it posted net sales of $19.8 million and net loss of $64 thousand, or 1 cent per basic and diluted common share outstanding, for third quarter 2011. The results compare to net sales of $19.9 million and a net loss of $545 thousand, or 5 cents per basic and diluted common share outstanding, for the same period a year ago.

David L. Turney, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our third quarter 2011 gross margins and operating income – both of which improved over the same period last year – reflect a favorable mix of products delivered and further progress toward our goal of reducing product costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses also were down and consistent with our stated plans even while covering significant unfavorable impact of currency exchange rates. We continue to make progress although the markets we serve remain volatile due to the well publicized U.S. federal funding for public transportation and global economic concerns – especially in countries of the European Union (“EU”).”

Earlier today, the Company filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended Sept. 30, 2011.

THIRD QUARTER 2011 RESULTS

For the period ended Sept. 30, 2011, net sales decreased by less than 1 percent to $19.8 million. The net loss applicable to common shareholders was $64 thousand, or 1 cent per basic and diluted common share outstanding. This compares to net sales of $19.9 million and a net loss of $545 thousand, or 5 cents per basic and diluted common share outstanding, for the same period last year.

Mr. Turney said: “The third quarter 2011 results included a tax charge not directly comparable to that of the same period of last year due to a change in the mix of pre-tax income subject to income tax under multiple tax reporting jurisdictions.”

Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three-month period were approximately 11.9 million each. This compares to basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of approximately 11.8 million each for the same period a year ago.

NINE-MONTH RESULTS

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2011, net sales decreased by 12.3 percent to $59.2 million and the net loss applicable to common shareholders was $10.4 million, or 87 cents per basic and diluted common share outstanding. This compares to net sales of $67.5 million and a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $777 thousand, or 7 cents per basic and diluted common share outstanding, for the same period last year. This was inclusive of a goodwill impairment charge addressed in second quarter 2011.

Mr. Turney said: “When considering the nine-month results, recall that in second quarter 2011, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge related to our international reporting unit. That goodwill impairment charge was a non-cash adjustment and had no effect on cash flows, liquidity, or tangible assets. Further, management does not expect that non-cash charge to affect the Company’s ongoing business operations or lender covenants, or for it to result in future cash expenditures. The goodwill impairment charge in second quarter 2011 was determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles to be $9.9 million. For more information on this charge, refer to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the press release for second quarter 2011.”

Basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the nine-month period were approximately 11.9 million each. This compares to basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding of approximately 11.8 million each for the same period a year ago.

U.S. TRANSIT FUNDING

Mr. Turney said: “Federal legislators approved a six-month extension of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (“SAFETEA-LU”) through March 31, 2012. This latest addition in a series of extensions for SAFETEA-LU, which expired in September 2009, provides spending authority at federal fiscal year 2011 levels and does not make any noteworthy program or policy changes. We believe the lack of passage of a well-funded, six-year, multi-modal surface transportation authorization bill continues to depress the U.S. transit market and that long-term federal funding legislation to replace SAFETEA-LU is not likely to occur until after the November 2012 elections. Congress is contemplating several specific legislative proposals; however, it is still too early to point to any one proposal as being the most likely front runner. We also believe the market impact of stalled new funding legislation has lessened.”

INTERNATIONAL FUNDING AND ECONOMIC ISSUES

Mr. Turney said: “Daily news reports address the ongoing economic stresses across the EU and around the world. We believe that the related uncertainty in countries such as Greece and Italy is not of noteworthy impact on the Company; however, we also believe that the unrest is having an indirect, adverse impact on the Company in other EU market sectors. This impact manifests itself in terms of customer-generated deferrals, delays, and rescheduling of orders and projects. Management is focusing on areas where economic conditions are less adverse, as well as on developing new markets to help counter this situation.”

OUTLOOK

Mr. Turney said: “We expect to see gradual market recovery as we proceed through fiscal year 2012, although the first half of next year is likely to be slow due to very specific technical and funding issues. While difficult to predict given the unstable U.S. federal funding for public transportation and well publicized global economic issues, fiscal year 2012 is likely to show revenues comparable to, or perhaps slightly above, those of fiscal year 2011. We expect projects and orders to be stalled, delayed, rescheduled, and otherwise modified in fourth quarter 2011 and throughout fiscal year 2012 as served markets and customers react to unsettling global economic news. Gross margin ratios should be comparable, or perhaps even moderately improve, in fiscal year 2012 subject to period-specific instances wherein the delivered product mix is less favorable than the norm. We certainly intend to continue emphasizing our ongoing cost reduction and expense containment initiatives to produce the best results possible.”

CONFERENCE CALL

Management will discuss third quarter 2011 results during an investors’ conference call on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at 11 a.m. (Eastern).

• To participate in the live conference call, dial one of the following telephone numbers approximately five minutes prior to the start time: domestic, (800) 853-3895; or international, (334) 323-7224. The confirmation code is “DRI.”
• Telephone replay will be available through March 30, 2012, via the following telephone numbers: domestic, (877) 870-5176; or international, (858) 384-5517. The replay code is 13036.
• To participate via webcast, go to http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=000090E7. The webcast will be archived until March 30, 2012.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• On or about March 30, 2012, the Company plans to file with the SEC a Form 10-K for the period ending Dec. 31, 2011.
• On or about April 2, 2012, management plans to discuss fiscal year 2011 results during an investors’ conference call.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

DRI Corporation is a digital communications technology leader in the global surface transportation and transit security markets. We manufacture, sell and service Mobitec® and TwinVision® electronic information display systems and Digital Recorders® engineered systems. These proprietary systems and other related products and services help increase the mobility, flow, safety and security of public transportation agencies and their passengers. From our inception in 1983 through our fiscal year-end on Dec. 31, 2010, we’ve grown our product installations to include public transit fleets in more than 50 countries, our annual sales revenues to $87.3 million, and our global workforce to 275 people. We presently have operations and/or sales offices in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Singapore, Sweden and the United States, a joint venture in India, and corporate administrative offices in Dallas, Texas. We also are expanding into Russia. The next time you see a bus, think of us.SM For more information, visit www.digrec.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements concerning the Company’s and/or management’s expectations for: the timing or amount of future revenues; profitability; business and revenue growth trends; impact of cost reduction initiatives; impact of the global economic slowdown on served markets and operations; status of U.S. federal funding legislation for public transportation; outlooks for fiscal years 2011 and 2012; as well as any statement, express or implied, concerning future events or expectations or which use words such as “suggest,” “expect,” “fully expect,” “expected,” “appears,” “believe,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “would,” “goal,” “potential,” “potentially,” “range,” “pursuit,” “run rate,” “stronger,” “preliminarily,” “guidance,” “may,” etc., is a forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including risks and uncertainties that the Company’s and/or management’s expectations may not prove accurate over time for: the timing or amount of future revenues; profitability; business and revenue growth trends; impact of cost reduction initiatives; impact of the global economic slowdown on served markets and operations; status of U.S. federal funding legislation for public transportation; outlooks for fiscal years 2011 and 2012; as well as other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed April 15, 2011 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed May 16, 2011, Aug. 15, 2011, and Nov. 21, 2011, particularly those identified in Risk Factors Affecting Our Business. There can be no assurance that any expectation, express or implied, in a forward-looking statement will prove correct or that the contemplated event or result will occur as anticipated.

      DRI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS   (In thousands, except shares and per share amounts) September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) December 31, 2010 ASSETS Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 909 $ 1,391 Trade accounts receivable, net 15,662 15,678 Note receivable - 86 Other receivables 34 300 Inventories, net 13,416 15,134 Prepaids and other current assets 1,799 1,389 Deferred tax assets, net 736   613   Total current assets 32,556   34,591     Property and equipment, net 1,317 1,388 Software, net 6,726 5,757 Goodwill 1,177 10,398 Intangible assets, net 562 651 Other assets 478   1,045   Total assets $ 42,816   $ 53,830   LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities Lines of credit $ 7,943 $ 8,454 Loans payable - 442 Current portion of long-term debt 6,681 944 Foreign tax settlement 172 550 Accounts payable 8,832 8,703 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 5,989 6,354 Preferred stock dividends payable 491   19   Total current liabilities 30,108   25,466     Long-term debt and capital leases, net 380   6,239     Deferred tax liabilities, net 37   84     Liability for uncertain tax positions 903   723     Commitments and contingencies   Shareholders' Equity Series K redeemable, convertible preferred stock, $0.10 par value, liquidation preference of $5,000 per share; 475 shares authorized; 439 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010; redeemable at the discretion of the Company at any time. 1,957 1,957 Series E redeemable, nonvoting, convertible preferred stock, $0.10 par value, liquidation preference of $5,000 per share; 80 shares authorized; 80 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010; redeemable at the discretion of the Company at any time. 337 337 Series G redeemable, convertible preferred stock, $0.10 par value, liquidation preference of $5,000 per share; 725 shares authorized; 536 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010; redeemable at the discretion of the Company at any time. 2,398 2,398 Series H redeemable, convertible preferred stock, $0.10 par value, liquidation preference of $5,000 per share; 125 shares authorized; 76 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010; redeemable at the discretion of the Company at any time. 332 332 Series AAA redeemable, nonvoting, convertible preferred stock, $0.10 par value, liquidation preference of $5,000 per share; 166 shares authorized; 160 and 166 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively; redeemable at the discretion of the Company at any time. 800 830 Common stock, $0.10 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized; 11,945,258 and 11,838,873 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. 1,195 1,184 Additional paid-in capital 30,236 30,374 Accumulated other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation 3,411 3,180 Accumulated deficit (29,967 ) (20,121 ) Total DRI shareholders' equity 10,699 20,471 Noncontrolling interest - Castmaster Mobitec India Private Limited 689   847   Total shareholders' equity 11,388   21,318   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 42,816   $ 53,830           DRI CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 AND 2010   (In thousands, except share and per share amounts)   Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011   2010   2011   2010     Net sales $ 19,840 $ 19,860 $ 59,231 $ 67,548 Cost of sales 12,743   13,352   39,089   47,946   Gross profit 7,097   6,508   20,142   19,602     Operating expenses Selling, general and administrative 5,686 5,726 17,545 17,541 Research and development 73 113 284 379 Goodwill impairment -   -   9,911   -   Total operating expenses 5,759   5,839   27,740   17,920     Operating income (loss) 1,338   669   (7,598 ) 1,682     Other income (loss) 93 (15 ) 146 (1 ) Foreign currency loss (151 ) (350 ) (294 ) (206 ) Interest expense (604 ) (394 ) (1,540 ) (1,116 ) Total other income and expense (662 ) (759 ) (1,688 ) (1,323 )   Income (loss) before income tax expense 676 (90 ) (9,286 ) 359   Income tax expense (631 ) (100 ) (718 ) (231 )   Net income (loss) 45 (190 ) (10,004 ) 128   Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, net of tax 77   (199 ) 158   (524 )   Net income (loss) attributable to DRI Corporation 122 (389 ) (9,846 ) (396 )   Provision for preferred stock dividends (186 ) (156 ) (541 ) (381 )   Net loss applicable to common shareholders of DRI Corporation $ (64 ) $ (545 ) $ (10,387 ) $ (777 )   Net loss per share applicable to common shareholders of DRI Corporation - basic and diluted $ (0.01 ) $ (0.05 ) $ (0.87 ) $ (0.07 )   Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted 11,925,332   11,826,249   11,886,261   11,792,501