PEC Pike Electric Corp

- Strong Quarter Leads Company to Raise Outlook for Fiscal 2009 - MT. AIRY, N.C., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pike Electric Corporation (NYSE:PEC), one of the nation's largest providers of energy solutions, including powerline construction, engineering, substation, EPC, and renewable energy, today announced the results for its fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2008. Fiscal 2009 First Quarter Results Total revenues for the first quarter of 2009 increased $45.8 million to $185.5 million, compared to $139.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Core revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were $107.8 million, compared to $134.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 as storm restoration activity diverted significant core work. Storm restoration revenues totaled $77.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 primarily due to damages caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, compared to $4.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was $45.0 million, or 24.2% of revenue, compared to $23.3 million or 16.7% of revenue, for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. The gross profit increase is due to higher margin storm restoration services during the quarter. General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were $13.3 million, or 7.2% of revenue, compared to $10.3 million, or 7.4% of revenue, for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Interest expense decreased 46.6% to $2.3 million compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2008 primarily due to lower debt balances. Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 totaled $18.3 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to net income of $5.3 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. "We had an excellent first quarter. Our crews' efficient response with clean-up efforts following hurricanes Gustav and Ike is a testament to our flexible business model which allows us to quickly mobilize crews across our system, get the job done and return to our core business. Even more importantly, the quarter marks our completion of the acquisition and integration of EDS, transforming Pike into an energy solutions company," stated J. Eric Pike, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pike Electric. "We are confident that we are well-positioned to serve a much broader spectrum of our nation's energy needs, including engineering, substation and EPC work. These energy solutions, along with our operating discipline, solid cash flows and strong balance sheet, position us to continue to drive long term growth," continued Mr. Pike. "Given credit market concerns and uncertainty in the U.S. economy, we are faced with limited visibility into our customers' near-term spend on maintenance and capital projects." On September 1, 2008 the Company completed the acquisition of Energy Delivery Services, Inc. ("EDS") for $24.5 million, subject to a working capital adjustment, and the assumption of certain operating liabilities. The entire purchase price was paid with available cash. Outlook Based on current economic conditions, the estimated impact of the EDS acquisition which closed on September 1, 2008, diesel fuel cost fluctuations, storm volatility, and other factors, the Company now expects its total revenues and diluted earnings per share for its fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 to range from $650 million to $680 million and from $0.85 to $0.95 respectively, compared to the prior expectation of total revenues in the range of $620 million to $650 million and diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.55 to $0.65. Conference Call Pike Electric will host a conference call today to discuss financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. EST on November 10, 2008. This call is being web cast and can be accessed by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://www.pike.com/. The call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (888) 277-7115, or for international callers, (913) 312-1433. A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (888) 203-1112, or for international callers, (719) 457-0820. The passcode for the replay is 2846131. The replay will be available until November 17, 2008. About Pike Electric Pike Electric is one of the largest providers of energy solutions in the United States, including powerline construction, engineering, substation, EPC, and renewable energy. The Company is also a recognized leader in storm restoration services. The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PEC. For further information regarding Pike Electric, visit the Company's website at http://www.pike.com/. Safe Harbor This press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to Pike Electric's plans, objectives and estimate, and include those in the "Outlook" section above. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and speak only as of the date of this release. The terms "should," "believe," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend" and "project" and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Various risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. For a more detailed list of such risks, uncertainties and factors, please refer to the Risk Factor section of Pike Electric's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pike Electric makes no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events, or circumstances after the date of this release that may affect the accuracy of any forward- looking statement, except as may be required by applicable law. PIKE ELECTRIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except per share amounts) September 30 June 30, 2008 2008 (Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $1,054 $11,357 Accounts receivable, net 106,344 62,224 Work completed not billed 62,911 40,013 Inventories 9,976 8,343 Prepaid expenses and other 7,036 5,123 Deferred income taxes 14,083 15,376 Total current assets 201,404 142,436 Property and equipment, net 229,735 229,119 Goodwill 100,881 94,402 Other intangibles, net 43,324 40,065 Deferred loan costs, net 2,579 2,778 Other assets 1,463 1,463 Total assets $579,386 $510,263 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $15,323 $10,867 Accrued compensation 39,939 22,157 Accrued expenses and other 10,962 5,018 Income taxes payable 10,787 442 Current portion deferred compensation 1,341 3,666 Current portion of insurance and claim accruals 27,387 28,873 Revolving credit facility 17,370 - Total current liabilities 123,109 71,023 Long-term debt, net of current portion 140,500 140,500 Insurance and claim accruals, net of current portion 7,917 7,989 Deferred compensation, net of current portion 4,954 6,283 Deferred income taxes 61,301 62,416 Other liabilities 907 1,100 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 100,000 authorized shares; no shares issued and outstanding - - Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 100,000 authorized shares; 33,317 and 33,183 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively 6,427 6,427 Additional paid-in capital 149,627 148,288 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (668) (806) Retained earnings 85,312 67,043 Total stockholders' equity 240,698 220,952 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $579,386 $510,263 PIKE ELECTRIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS (In thousands, except per share amounts) Three months ended September 30, 2008 2007 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) Revenues $185,506 $139,735 Cost of operations 140,545 116,457 Gross profit 44,961 23,278 General and administrative expenses 13,301 10,311 Loss on sale and impairment of property and equipment 242 45 Income from operations 31,418 12,922 Other expense (income): Interest expense 2,335 4,372 Other, net (207) (60) Total other expense 2,128 4,312 Income before income taxes 29,290 8,610 Income tax expense 11,021 3,327 Net income $18,269 $5,283 Earnings per share: Basic $0.55 $0.16 Diluted $0.54 $0.16 Shares used in computing earnings per share: Basic 32,987 32,696 Diluted 33,842 33,671 DATASOURCE: Pike Electric Corporation CONTACT: Pike Electric Corporation Investor Relations, +1-336-719-4622 Web site: http://www.pike.com/

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