LAFOX, Ill. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 9, 2013 — Richardson Electronics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: RELL) today reported sales and earnings for its first quarter ended August 31, 2013. The Company also announced that its Board of Directors declared a $0.06 per share quarterly cash dividend.

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 were $34.3 million, a 3.9% decrease compared to net sales of $35.7 million in the prior year. The sales decline primarily reflects a decline in demand for picture archive and communication systems (PAC) monitors as well as the conclusion of a significant North American based industrial Original Equipment Manufacturers ("OEM") monitor program. Gross margin declined to $10.2 million, or 29.8% of net sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $10.6 million, or 29.9% of net sales during fiscal 2013. Operating expenses remained flat for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and 2014. Operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $0.1 million, compared to operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 of $0.5 million.

Income from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $2.0 million, or $0.14 per diluted common share, compared to income from continuing operations of $0.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted common share during the first quarter of last year.

“We were pleased to see our EDG business stabilize during the first quarter, and are strategically investing in niche areas of EDG where we have identified potential growth opportunities. EDG continues to strengthen its service capabilities which will drive incremental end user sales of both laser and industrial tubes. At the same time, sales in the healthcare market of Canvys continue to be challenged by uncertainty regarding healthcare reform. However, we remain optimistic that new display opportunities will arise for Canvys once healthcare reform is finalized and with our continued focus on custom solutions for OEMs,” said Edward J. Richardson, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President.

“We believe our second quarter sales should be in the range of $35 to $37 million. We remain focused on building our business to achieve sustainable growth over the long term,” said Mr. Richardson.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY ─ THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2013

• Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 were $34.3 million, down 3.9%, compared to net sales of $35.7 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
• Gross margin was relatively flat at 29.8% during the first quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to 29.9% during the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
• Selling, general, and administrative expenses remained flat at $10.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, or 29.4% and 28.5% of net sales, respectively.
• Operating income during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $0.1 million, or 0.4% of net sales, compared to an operating income of $0.5 million, or 1.4% of net sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
• Income from continuing operations during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $2.0 million, or $0.14 per diluted common share, versus $0.7 million, or $0.05 per diluted common share, during the first quarter of fiscal 2013.
• Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, was less than $0.1 million, during the first quarters of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013.
• Net income during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $2.0 million, compared to net income of $0.6 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2013, or $0.14 and $0.04 per diluted common share, respectively.

CASH DIVIDEND AND SHARE REPURCHASES

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors declared a $0.06 quarterly dividend per share to holders of common stock and a $0.054 cash dividend per share to holders of Class B common stock. The dividend will be payable on November 26, 2013, to common stockholders of record on November 8, 2013.

“Cash and investments at the end of our first quarter were $136.6 million. We used $6.7 million to repurchase 0.6 million shares during the first quarter. As of today, the Company currently has 11.9 million outstanding shares of common stock and 2.2 million outstanding shares of Class B common stock. With our strong balance sheet, we are committed to returning value to our shareholders,” said Mr. Richardson.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

On Thursday, October 10, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. CT, Edward J. Richardson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Kathleen S. Dvorak, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss the Company's first quarter results for fiscal 2014. A question and answer session will be included as part of the call's agenda. To listen to the call, please dial (888) 339-2688 and enter passcode 48241797 approximately five minutes prior to the start of the call. A replay of the call will be available beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT on October 10, 2013, for seven days. The telephone numbers for the replay are (USA) (888) 286-8010 and (International) (617) 801-6888; passcode 85074836.