Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): April 27, 2010

 

 

Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Massachusetts   000-23599   04-2741391

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

201 Riverneck Road, Chelmsford, Massachusetts   01824
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (978) 256-1300

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On April 27, 2010, Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release regarding its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The Company’s press release is attached as exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

Information in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and the exhibit 99.1 attached hereto shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the Company provides adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure adjusted to exclude certain non-cash and other specified charges, which the Company believes is useful to help investors better understand its past financial performance and future prospects. However, the presentation of adjusted EBITDA is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information provided in accordance with GAAP. Management believes the adjusted EBITDA financial measure assists in providing a more complete understanding of the Company’s underlying operational results and trends, and management uses this measure along with the corresponding GAAP financial measure to manage the Company’s business, to evaluate its performance compared to prior periods and the marketplace, and to establish operational goals.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

99.1    Press Release, dated April 27, 2010, of Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.

 

2


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: April 27, 2010     MERCURY COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Robert E. Hult

      Robert E. Hult
     

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,

and Treasurer

 

3


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

99.1    Press Release, dated April 27, 2010, of Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.

 

4

Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

 

Mercury Computer Systems Reports Third Quarter Fiscal

2010 Results

Third quarter operating results highlights include:

Revenues of $43.6 million

Book-to-bill ratio of 1.14-to-1

Operating cash flow of $4.5 million

GAAP diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.16

Adjusted EBITDA of $4.2 million

CHELMSFORD, Mass. – April 27, 2010 – Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY) reported operating results for its third quarter of fiscal 2010 ended March 31, 2010. All results are presented and compared on a continuing operations basis.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results

Third quarter revenues were $43.6 million, a decrease of $7.0 million from the third quarter of the prior fiscal year. Revenues from defense customers decreased by $3.3 million as compared with the prior year’s third quarter.

Third quarter GAAP income from continuing operations was $3.7 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, as compared with a GAAP income from continuing operations of $4.7 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the prior year’s third quarter.

Beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2010, Mercury changed its non-GAAP measure for reporting financial performance to adjusted EBITDA (earnings from continuing operations before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets, and stock-based compensation costs). Third quarter GAAP income from continuing operations includes approximately $2.2 million in tax benefits, $1.3 million in depreciation expense, $0.9 million in stock-based compensation costs, $0.4 million in amortization of acquired intangible assets, and $0.1 million in impairment charges. Excluding the impact of these charges, third quarter adjusted EBITDA was $4.2 million.

201 Riverneck Road, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824-2820 U.S.A.978-256-1300 Fax 978-256-3599

www.mc.com


Mercury Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results, Page 2

 

Cash flows from operating activities were a net inflow of $4.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared with a net inflow of $2.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009. Free cash flow in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 was a net inflow of $2.4 million after deducting cash outflows for capital expenditures of $2.1 million. Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of March 31, 2010, were $92.9 million, an increase of $7.3 million from March 31, 2009.

“As evidenced by our results this quarter, we have restructured, strengthened, and refocused Mercury’s business to benefit from the growing opportunities in the defense electronics market as well as the fundamental changes taking place in DoD procurement,” said Mark Aslett, President and CEO, Mercury Computer Systems. “Although we did not record revenue from the $27 million missile defense radar order that we received last quarter, Mercury’s revenue, GAAP income from operations, and adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 all exceeded the top end of our guidance range.”

“We continued to strengthen Mercury’s presence in several well-funded segments of the defense electronics market, including airborne ISR, ballistic missile defense, electronic warfare, and counter-IED,” said Aslett. “In addition, we continue to be successful in positioning the company as a best-of-breed partner to the primes as they seek open, application-ready subsystem solutions for the defense ISR market.”

“Looking forward, we have created strong momentum in our core ACS defense business where we expect further strong growth in fiscal 2011,” Aslett said. “Our commercial business on the other hand will likely continue to face challenges. Longer term we see the potential for additional growth in our new ACS Services and Systems Integration and Mercury Federal Systems businesses. We look forward to capitalizing on the opportunities we have created in defense and continuing to achieve our growth and profitability goals in fiscal 2010 and beyond.”

 

201 Riverneck Road, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824-2820 U.S.A.978-256-1300 Fax 978-256-3599

www.mc.com


Mercury Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results, Page 3

 

Backlog

Mercury’s total backlog at the end of the third quarter was $116.6 million, a $6.3 million sequential increase from the second quarter of fiscal 2010, and a $34.4 million increase from the third quarter of last year. Of the third quarter total backlog, $94.4 million represents orders scheduled to be shipped over the next 12 months. The book-to-bill ratio was 1.14-to-1 for the third quarter.

Revenues by Operating Unit

Advanced Computing Solutions (ACS) — Revenues for the third quarter from ACS were $42.2 million, representing a decrease of $7.3 million from the third quarter of fiscal 2009, equally due to decreases in commercial and defense. Approximately 78 percent of ACS revenues for the quarter related to defense business, as compared to approximately 74 percent in the third quarter of last year.

Mercury Federal Systems (MFS) — Revenues for the third quarter from MFS were $2.3 million, representing an increase of $0.4 million from the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

The revenues by operating unit do not include adjustments to eliminate any inter-segment revenues.

Business Outlook

This section presents our current expectations and estimates, given current visibility, on our business outlook for the upcoming fiscal quarter. It is possible that actual performance will differ materially from the estimates given, either on the upside or on the downside. Investors should consider all of the risks, including those listed in the Safe Harbor Statement below, with respect to these estimates, and make themselves aware of the risk factors that may impact our actual performance.

 

201 Riverneck Road, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824-2820 U.S.A.978-256-1300 Fax 978-256-3599

www.mc.com


Mercury Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results, Page 4

 

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, revenues are expected to be in the range of approximately $58 million to $60 million. At this range, GAAP income from continuing operations per share is expected to be in the range of $0.25 to $0.28.

Beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2010, Mercury changed its non-GAAP measure for reporting financial performance to adjusted EBITDA (earnings from continuing operations before interest income and expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets, and stock-based compensation costs). Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 is expected to be in the range of $9.3 million to $9.9 million.

Recent Highlights

Mercury Computer Systems announced delivery of its network-enabled radar processing subsystems and comprehensive integration services to a leading international prime for its next-generation maritime radar to be deployed on surface fleet vessels and aircraft carriers.

Mercury’s Services and Systems Integration (SSI) team integrated Mercury and third-party components to deliver standards-based subsystems using its VXS high-density processing modules and multicomputing software suite, combined with the Serial Front Panel Data Port sensor interface and the RapidIO® switch. As a result, the fully open subsystems will help to minimize customer risk and accelerate the customer’s time to deployment.

Conference Call Information

Mercury will host a conference call on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. EDT to discuss the third quarter fiscal 2010 results and review the financial and business outlook going forward.

To listen to the conference call, dial (877) 627-6580 in the USA and Canada, and (913) 981-5518 in all other countries. The conference code number is 3487489. Please call five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time. This call will also be broadcast live over the web at www.mc.com/investor under “Financial Events.”

 

201 Riverneck Road, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824-2820 U.S.A.978-256-1300 Fax 978-256-3599

www.mc.com


Mercury Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results, Page 5

 

A replay of the call by telephone will be available from approximately 8:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, April 27, 2010, through 8:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 7, 2010. To access the replay, dial (888) 203-1112 in the USA and Canada, and (719) 457-0820 in all other countries. Enter access code 3487489. A replay of the webcast of the call will be available for an extended period of time on the Financial Events page of the Company’s website at www.mc.com/investor.

Use of Non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) Financial Measures

In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the Company provides adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure adjusted to exclude certain non-cash and other specified charges, which the Company believes is useful to help investors better understand its past financial performance and prospects for the future. However, the presentation of adjusted EBITDA is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information provided in accordance with GAAP. Management believes the adjusted EBITDA financial measure assists in providing a more complete understanding of the Company’s underlying operational results and trends, and management uses this measure along with the corresponding GAAP financial measure to manage the Company’s business, to evaluate its performance compared to prior periods and the marketplace, and to establish operational goals. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial results discussed in this press release is contained in the attached exhibits.

Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. – Where Challenges Drive Innovation®

Mercury Computer Systems (www.mc.com, NASDAQ: MRCY) provides embedded computing systems and software that combine image, signal, and sensor processing with information management for data-intensive applications. With deep expertise in optimizing algorithms and software and in leveraging industry-standard technologies, we work closely with customers to architect comprehensive, purpose-built solutions that capture, process, and present data for defense electronics, semiconductor equipment manufacturing, commercial computing, homeland security, and other computationally challenging markets. Our dedication to performance excellence and collaborative innovation continues a 25-plus-year history in enabling customers to gain the competitive advantage they need to stay at the forefront of the markets they serve.

 

201 Riverneck Road, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824-2820 U.S.A.978-256-1300 Fax 978-256-3599

www.mc.com


Mercury Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results, Page 6

 

Mercury is based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and serves customers worldwide through a broad network of direct sales offices, subsidiaries, and distributors.

Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including those relating to fiscal 2010 business performance and beyond and the Company’s plans for growth and improvement in profitability and cash flow. You can identify these statements by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, including unforeseen weakness in the Company’s markets, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, continued funding of defense programs, the timing of such funding, changes in the U.S. Government’s interpretation of federal procurement rules and regulations, market acceptance of the Company’s products, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, inability to fully realize the expected benefits from acquisitions and divestitures or delays in realizing such benefits, challenges in integrating acquired businesses and achieving anticipated synergies, timing and costs associated with disposing of businesses, and difficulties in retaining key customers. These risks and uncertainties also include such additional risk factors as are discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

# # #

Contact:

Robert Hult, CFO, Mercury Computer Systems, Inc.

978-967-1990

Converged Sensor Network, CSN, and Ensemble are trademarks; and Challenges Drive Innovation, Echotek, MultiCore Plus, PowerBlock, PowerStream, and RACE++ are registered trademarks of Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

 

201 Riverneck Road, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824-2820 U.S.A.978-256-1300 Fax 978-256-3599

www.mc.com


MERCURY COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

      March 31,
2010
(Unaudited)
   June 30,
2009

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 58,824    $ 46,950

Marketable securities

     34,057      44,977

Accounts receivable, net

     30,387      28,595

Inventory

     20,059      16,805

Option to sell auction rate securities at par

     3,814      5,030

Prepaid income taxes

     2,467      384

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,392      3,364
             

Total current assets

     152,000      146,105

Property and equipment, net

     9,271      7,960

Goodwill

     57,653      57,653

Acquired intangible assets, net

     1,549      2,911

Other non-current assets

     4,892      4,743
             

Total assets

   $ 225,365    $ 219,372
             

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 10,242    $ 3,770

Accrued expenses

     6,177      7,449

Accrued compensation

     8,201      9,372

Borrowings under line of credit and current capital lease obligations

     24,984      33,408

Income taxes payable

     1,399      2,316

Deferred revenues and customer advances

     7,320      7,840

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

     23      1,234
             

Total current liabilities

     58,346      65,389

Deferred gain on sale-leaseback

     7,002      7,870

Other non-current liabilities

     1,453      1,076
             

Total liabilities

     66,801      74,335

Shareholders’ equity:

     

Common stock

     227      224

Additional paid-in capital

     108,644      104,843

Retained earnings

     49,018      39,313

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     675      657
             

Total shareholders’ equity

     158,564      145,037
             

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 225,365    $ 219,372
             


MERCURY COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Net revenues

   $ 43,603      $ 50,563      $ 136,192      $ 140,497   

Cost of revenues (1)

     18,800        21,380        58,222        60,983   
                                

Gross profit

     24,803        29,183        77,970        79,514   

Operating expenses:

        

Selling, general and administrative (1)

     12,538        12,584        37,367        38,666   

Research and development (1)

     10,629        11,118        30,726        33,001   

Impairment of long-lived assets

     61        —          211        —     

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

     434        498        1,302        1,955   

Restructuring

     (11     239        243        713   
                                

Total operating expenses

     23,651        24,439        69,849        74,335   
                                

Income from operations

     1,152        4,744        8,121        5,179   

Interest income

     195        239        437        1,920   

Interest expense

     (147     (497     (317     (2,280

Other income, net

     264        317        799        120   
                                

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     1,464        4,803        9,040        4,939   

Income tax (benefit) expense

     (2,235     101        (999     101   
                                

Income from continuing operations

     3,699        4,702        10,039        4,838   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (423     (704     (408     (19,696

Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

     —          4,152        74        4,640   
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,276      $ 8,150      $ 9,705      $ (10,218
                                

Basic net earnings (loss) per share:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.16      $ 0.21      $ 0.45      $ 0.22   

Loss from discontinued operations

     (0.02     (0.03     (0.02     (0.89

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

     —          0.19        —          0.21   
                                

Net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.14      $ 0.37      $ 0.43      $ (0.46
                                

Diluted net earnings (loss) per share:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.16      $ 0.21      $ 0.44      $ 0.22   

Loss from discontinued operations

     (0.02     (0.03     (0.02     (0.88

Gain on sale of discontinued operations

     —          0.18        —          0.20   
                                

Net income (loss) per share

   $ 0.14      $ 0.36      $ 0.42      $ (0.46
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     22,627        22,208        22,509        22,113   
                                

Diluted

     23,152        22,486        22,921        22,374   
                                

(1)    Includes stock-based compensation expense, which was allocated as follows:

        

Cost of revenues

   $ 56      $ 69      $ 166      $ 278   

Selling, general and administrative

   $ 687      $ 877      $ 2,405      $ 3,391   

Research and development

   $ 200      $ 276      $ 397      $ 1,001   


MERCURY COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Cash flows from operating activities:

        

Net income (loss)

   $ 3,276      $ 8,150      $ 9,705      $ (10,218

Depreciation and amortization

     1,746        2,074        5,092        7,493   

Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets

     61        —          211        14,555   

Other non-cash items, net

     2,209        (3,936     1,045        (875

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

     (2,771     (3,802     (3,758     (3,099
                                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     4,521        2,486        12,295        7,856   
                                

Cash flows from investing activities:

        

Sales of marketable securities, net

     11,325        117,923        12,175        60,295   

Purchases of property and equipment, net

     (2,148     (969     (4,948     (3,188

Proceeds from liquidation of insurance policies

     —          —          —          831   

(Payments) proceeds on sale of discontinued operations, net

     (98     819        (805     819   

Payments for acquired intangible assets

     (58     —          (183     —     
                                

Net cash provided by investing activities

     9,021        117,773        6,239        58,757   
                                

Cash flows from financing activities:

        

Proceeds from employee stock option and purchase plans

     443        —          1,266        413   

Repurchases of common stock

     (61     (107     (428     (404

(Payments) borrowings under line of credit

     (7,828     1,906        (8,601     33,316   

Payments of principal under notes payable

     —          (119,688     —          (119,688

Proceeds (payments) under capital leases

     89        (43     44        (178

Gross tax windfall from stock-based compensation

     205        151        819        601   
                                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (7,152     (117,781     (6,900     (85,940
                                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     237        148        240        866   
                                

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     6,627        2,626        11,874        (18,461

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     52,197        37,958        46,950        59,045   
                                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 58,824      $ 40,584      $ 58,824      $ 40,584   
                                


UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

(In thousands)

Beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2010, Mercury changed its non-GAAP measure for reporting financial performance to adjusted EBITDA. This financial measure excludes the impact of certain items and, therefore, has not been calculated in accordance with GAAP. The adjustments to this non-GAAP financial measure, and the basis for such adjustments, are outlined below:

Stock-based compensation expense. The Company incurs expense related to stock-based compensation included in its GAAP presentation of cost of revenues, selling, general and administrative expense and research and development expense. Although stock-based compensation is an expense of the Company and viewed as a form of compensation, these expenses vary in amount from period to period, and are affected by market forces that are difficult to predict and are not within the control of management, such as the market price and volatility of the Company’s shares, risk-free interest rates and the expected term and forfeiture rates of the awards. In accordance with FASB ASC 718, previously SFAS No. 123R, stock-based compensation expense is calculated as of the grant date of each stock-based award, and generally cannot be changed or influenced by management after the grant date. Management believes that exclusion of these expenses allows comparisons of operating results that are consistent with periods prior to the Company’s adoption of FASB ASC 718, and allows comparisons of the Company’s operating results to those of other companies, both public, private or foreign, that disclose non-GAAP financial measures that exclude stock-based compensation.

Amortization of acquired intangible assets. The Company incurs amortization of intangibles related to various acquisitions it has made in recent years. These intangible assets are valued at the time of acquisition, are then amortized over a period of several years after the acquisition and generally cannot be changed or influenced by management after the acquisition. Management believes that exclusion of these expenses allows comparisons of operating results that are consistent over time for both our newly-acquired and long-held businesses.

Depreciation. The Company incurs depreciation expense related to capital assets purchased to support the ongoing operations of the business. These assets are recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over the useful life of the asset. Purchases of such assets may vary significantly from period to period and without any correlation to underlying operating performance. Management believes that exclusion of depreciation expense allows comparisons of operating results that are consistent across past, present and future periods.

Restructuring. The Company incurs restructuring charges in connection with management’s decisions to undertake certain actions to realign operating expenses through workforce reductions and the closure of certain Company facilities, businesses and product lines. Management believes this item is outside the normal operations of the Company’s business and is not indicative of ongoing operating results, and that exclusion of this expense allows comparisons of operating results that are consistent across past, present and future periods.

Impairment of long-lived assets. The Company incurs impairment charges of long-lived assets based on events that may or may not be within the control of management. Management believes these items are outside the normal operations of the Company’s business and are not indicative of ongoing operating results, and that exclusion of these expenses allows comparisons of operating results that are consistent across past, present and future periods.

Income Taxes. The Company’s GAAP tax expense can fluctuate materially from period to period due to tax adjustments that have no relation to underlying operating performance. Management feels that exclusion of tax expense allows comparisons of operating results that are consistent across past, present and future periods.

Interest Income and Expense. The Company receives interest income on investments and incurs interest expense on loans, capital leases and other financed arrangements. These charges may vary from period to period due to changes in interest rates driven by general market conditions or other circumstances outside of the normal course of Mercury’s operations. Management believes that exclusion of these items allows comparisons of operating results that are consistent across past, present and future periods.

Mercury uses adjusted EBITDA as a principal indicator of the operating performance of its business. Management excludes the above-described items from its internal forecasts and models when establishing internal operating budgets, supplementing the financial results and forecasts reported to the Company’s board of directors, determining the portion of bonus compensation for executive officers and other key employees based on operating performance, evaluating short-term and long-term operating trends in the Company’s operations, and allocating resources to various initiatives and operational requirements. The Company believes that adjusted EBITDA permits a comparative assessment of its operating performance, relative to its performance based on its GAAP results, while isolating the effects of charges that may vary from period to period without any correlation to underlying operating performance. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial adjustments are useful to investors because they allow investors to evaluate the effectiveness of the methodology and information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. The Company believes that trends in its adjusted EBITDA are valuable indicators of its operating performance.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial information provided in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure may not be computed in the same manner as similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company expects to continue to incur expenses similar to the adjusted EBITDA financial adjustments described above, and investors should not infer from the Company’s presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure that these costs are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring.

The following tables reconcile the non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Nine Months Ended
March 31,
     2010     2009    2010     2009

Income from continuing operations

   $ 3,699      $ 4,702    $ 10,039      $ 4,838

Income tax (benefit) expense

     (2,235     101      (999     101

Interest (income) expense, net

     (48     258      (120     360

Depreciation

     1,312        1,363      3,790        4,303

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

     434        498      1,302        1,955

Impairment of long-lived assets

     61        —        211        —  

Restructuring

     (11     239      243        713

Stock-based compensation expense

     943        1,222      2,968        4,670
                             

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 4,155      $ 8,383    $ 17,434      $ 16,940
                             


MERCURY COMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF FORWARD-LOOKING GUIDANCE RANGE

Quarter Ending June 30, 2010

(In thousands, except per share data)

Beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company changed its reported non-GAAP measure of financial performance to adjusted EBITDA. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as income from continuing operations before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, restructuring, impairment of long-lived assets and stock-based compensation costs.

The following table reconciles the adjusted EBITDA financial measure to its most directly comparable GAAP measure:

 

     RANGE  
     LOW     HIGH  

GAAP expectation — Income from continuing operations per share

   $ 0.25      $ 0.28   
                

GAAP expectation — Income from continuing operations

   $ 5,874      $ 6,521   

Adjust for:

    

Income tax expense

     292        325   

Interest income, net

     (50     (50

Depreciation

     1,514        1,514   

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

     408        408   

Impairment of long-lived assets

     —          —     

Restructuring

     —          —     

Stock-based compensation expense

     1,224        1,224   
                

Adjusted EBITDA expectation

   $ 9,262      $ 9,942