Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2010 Results

ALMELO, Netherlands, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. (NYSE: ST) (the "Company") announces results of its operations for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010.

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Highlights of the Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended December 31, 2010

Fourth quarter 2010 net revenue was $387.8 million, an increase of $49.8 million, or 14.7%, from the fourth quarter 2009 net revenue of $338.1 million.  Fourth quarter 2010 net income was $68.6 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, versus net income of $13.9 million or $0.10 per diluted share for the same time period in 2009.  Fourth quarter Adjusted Net Income(1) was $80.6 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, which is 20.8% of net revenue, versus the fourth quarter 2009 Adjusted Net Income(1) of $50.3 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, which is 14.9% of net revenue.  

For the full year ended December 31, 2010, net revenue was $1,540.1 million, which was an increase of $405.1 million, or 35.7%, from $1,134.9 million for the same time period in 2009.  Net income was $130.1 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, versus a net loss of $27.7 million or $(0.19) per share for the full year ended December 31, 2009.  Adjusted Net Income(1) was $306.4 million, or $1.77 per diluted share, which is 19.9% of net revenue versus Adjusted Net Income(1) of $124.1 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, which is 10.9% of net revenue for the same time period in 2009.

Tom Wroe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We believe that our strong fourth quarter and full year results demonstrate the success of our strategy, our business model and the strength of our execution."  Mr. Wroe added, "For 2011, we will continue to execute on our objectives of maintaining Sensata's leadership position and growing revenues through increasing content, growth in both emerging and mature markets and identifying accretive acquisitions."

The Company spent $22.2 million, or 5.7% of net revenue, on research, development and engineering related costs in the fourth quarter of 2010.  These costs reside in both the cost of revenue and the research and development lines of the Statement of Operations.  

Ending cash balance at December 31, 2010 was $493.7 million.  During the fourth quarter, the Company generated cash of $98.4 million from operations, used cash of $17.8 million in investing activities and generated cash of $10.2 million from financing activities.  

The Company's cash conversion cycle, which is defined as days sales outstanding (DSO) plus days on hand inventory (DOH) less days payable outstanding (DPO), was 49.3 days at the end of the fourth quarter compared to 53.4 days at September 30, 2010.

The Company recorded an income tax provision of $2.3 million for the fourth quarter 2010.  Approximately $4.9 million of the provision, or 6.1% of Adjusted Net Income(1), relates to taxes that are payable in cash, offset by a net tax benefit of approximately $2.6 million related to other tax expense and a net deferred tax benefit. During the fourth quarter, the Company recognized a deferred tax benefit of $18.5 million related to the release of a valuation allowance associated with deferred tax assets in its subsidiary in Japan including the deferred tax asset related to its net operating loss.

The Company's indebtedness at December 31, 2010 was $1.9 billion.  The Company's net debt(2) was $1.4 billion resulting in a leverage ratio of 3.1x.  As of December 31, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all of its financial ratios and reporting covenants included in its debt agreements related to its primary operating subsidiary, Sensata Technologies B.V.

Jeff Cote, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer, said "Sensata delivered a solid fourth quarter driven by continued growth in sensors and controls across geographies and product categories.  Gross margin increased to a record 39.2%, while our robust cash generating capability allowed us to decrease our leverage in line with the targets we outlined earlier this year.  We remain on track to further reduce leverage and drive profitable growth in 2011."

Guidance

For the full year 2011, the Company anticipates net revenue of $1.70 to $1.74 billion which represents 14 to 17% growth over the full year 2010 net revenue of $1.54 billion after adjusting for approximately $50 million of inventory replenishment which occurred during the first half of 2010.  The Company also expects to achieve earnings per diluted share calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of $0.92 to $1.02 for the full year 2011.  In addition, the Company expects Adjusted Net Income(1) of $372 to $390 million, or $2.05 to $2.15 per diluted share for the full year 2011.  This guidance assumes a share count of 181.2 million for the full year 2011.

The Company anticipates net revenue of $410 to $430 million for the first quarter 2011, which represents growth of 18 to 24% over the first quarter 2010 net revenue of $377.1 million, adjusted for approximately $30 million of inventory replenishment which occurred during the first quarter of 2010.  The Company also expects to achieve net income of $36 to $43 million, or earnings per share calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of $0.20 - $0.24 per diluted share in the first quarter 2011.  In addition, the Company expects Adjusted Net Income(1) of $87 million to $94 million, or $0.48 - $0.52 per diluted share, for the first quarter 2011.  This guidance assumes a share count of 180.9 million for the first quarter 2011.

The Company's guidance excludes the impact of acquired net revenue related to its previously announced acquisition of the Honeywell Automotive on Board business which would add $10 to $11 million per month to net revenue and would be breakeven at EBITDA and slightly dilutive to Adjusted Net Income(1) in 2011.    

The earnings per share guidance in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") excludes any potential gain or loss resulting from the movement of the Euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate and the impact on our Euro denominated debt.

(1) See Non-GAAP Measures for discussion of Adjusted Net Income which includes a reconciliation of this measure to Net Income/(Loss).

(2) Net debt represents total indebtedness including capital lease and other financing obligations, less cash and cash equivalents.  The leverage ratio represents net debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months.

Company Earnings Conference Call

The Company will conduct a conference call today at 8:00 AM eastern time to discuss the financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2010.  The U.S. dial in number is 877-486-0682 and the non-U.S. number is 706-634-5536.  The passcode is 38106602.  A live webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations page of the Company's web site at http://investors.sensata.com.  

For those unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available for one week following the call.  To access the replay, the U.S. dial in number is 800-642-1687 and the non-U.S. dial in number is 706-645-9291.  The replay passcode is 38106602.  A replay of the call will be available by webcast for an extended period of time at the company's website, at http://investors.sensata.com.  

About Sensata Technologies Holding N.V.

Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. is one of the world's leading suppliers of sensing, electrical protection, control and power management solutions.  Majority-owned by affiliates of Bain Capital Partners, LLC, a leading global private investment firm, and its co-investors, Sensata employs approximately 10,000 people in nine countries. Sensata's products improve safety, efficiency and comfort for millions of people every day in automotive, appliance, aircraft, industrial, military, heavy vehicle, heating, air-conditioning and ventilation, data, telecommunications, recreational vehicle and marine applications. For more information, please visit Sensata's web site at www.sensata.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This earnings release contains forward-looking statements which may involve risks or uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, our anticipated results for the first quarter and full year of 2011.  Factors that might cause these differences include, but are not limited to, risks associated with: worldwide economic conditions; adverse developments in the automotive industry; governmental regulations, policies, and practices relating to our non-US operations and international business; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange, commodity and interest rates; competitive pressures; pricing and other pressures from customers; fundamental changes in the industries in which the Company operates; litigation and disputes involving the Company, including the extent of product liability and warranty claims asserted against the Company; the loss of one or more suppliers of raw materials; non-performance by suppliers; the Company's failure to comply with the covenants contained in the credit agreement governing its subsidiary's senior secured credit facility or its other debt agreements; integration of acquired companies; and the Company's ability to secure financing to operate and grow its business or to explore opportunities.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak to results only as of the date the statements were made; and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether to reflect any future events or circumstances or otherwise.  For a discussion of potential risks and uncertainties, please refer to the risk factors listed in the Company's SEC filings.  Copies of the Company's filings are available from its Investor Relations department or from the SEC website, www.sec.gov.

Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted Net Income is a non-GAAP financial measure.  We define Adjusted Net Income as follows: net income / (loss) before acquisition, integration and financing costs, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, restructuring associated with downsizing, stock compensation and management fees, costs related to our initial public offering, gain on extinguishment of debt, currency translation (gain)/loss on debt and (gain)/loss on other hedges, asset step-up and intangible asset depreciation and amortization expenses, deferred income tax and other tax expense, amortization of deferred financing costs and interest expense associated with uncertain tax positions, and other costs.  The Company believes Adjusted Net Income provides investors with helpful information with respect to the performance of the Company's operations and management uses Adjusted Net Income to evaluate its ongoing operations and for internal planning and forecasting purposes. Adjusted Net Income is not a measure of liquidity.  See the tables below which reconcile Net Income / (Loss) to Adjusted Net Income and Projected GAAP Earnings per share to Projected Adjusted Net Income per share.

The following (unaudited) table reconciles the Company's Net Income / (Loss) to Adjusted Net Income for the fourth quarters and full years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.

Due to the nature of the Company's adjustments, the Company believes the following (unaudited) reconciliations of Net Income/(Loss) to Adjusted Net Income for the fourth quarters and full years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 is meaningful to investors as it identifies where in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations these items are classified.

The following (unaudited) table reconciles the Company's projected GAAP earnings per share to projected Adjusted Net Income per share for the first quarter and full year of 2011:

*The projected GAAP earnings per share guidance excludes any potential gain or loss resulting from the movement of the Euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate and the impact on our Euro denominated debt.

SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES HOLDING N.V.

Notes to (unaudited) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying (unaudited) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Condensed Balance Sheets and Condensed Statements of Cash Flows do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. This information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's registration statement on Form S-1 filed on November 9, 2010 and the interim financial statements included in the Company's Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2010.

U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements.  Estimates used will change as new events occur or additional information is obtained.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  

SOURCE Sensata Technologies Holding N.V.