HICKORY, N.C. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 29, 2009-- CommScope, Inc. (NYSE: CTV):

• Second quarter sales rise 5.6% sequentially to $784 million
• Net income of $15 million , or $0.18 per diluted share
• Adjusted net income, excluding special items, of $61 million , or $0.67 per diluted share
• Operating income of $74 million and adjusted operating income, excluding special items, of $125 million or 15.9% of sales
• Cash flow from operations more than triples year-over-year to a record $138 million

CommScope, Inc. (NYSE: CTV), a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communications networks, reported sales of $783.7 million and net income of $15.4 million , or $0.18 per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 .

The reported net income includes after-tax charges of approximately $15.3 million for the amortization of purchased intangibles, $14.7 million for charges related to debt conversions and prepayments, $10.3 million in litigation charges and $5.6 million in restructuring costs. Excluding these special items, adjusted second quarter 2009 earnings were $61.3 million , or $0.67 per diluted share. (A reconciliation of reported GAAP results to adjusted results for the quarter is attached).

For the second quarter of 2008, CommScope reported sales of $1.09 billion and net income of $40.2 million , or $0.50 per diluted share. The reported net income included after-tax charges of approximately $23.1 million for restructuring and acquisition related costs, $17.8 million for the amortization of purchased intangibles, $2.9 million for purchase accounting adjustments related to inventory, and a benefit of $3.9 million related to the settlement of tax audits. Excluding these items, adjusted second quarter 2008 earnings were $80.1 million , or $1.00 per diluted share.

Despite challenging global market conditions, CommScope delivered solid results in the second quarter, said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Drendel. We strengthened our balance sheet, achieved an adjusted operating margin of 15.9 percent and delivered record quarterly cash flow from operations. We believe that our efforts to aggressively take costs out of the business and manage working capital will help us navigate this difficult recession.

We are equally focused on long-term opportunities, and continue to invest strategically in research and development. Wireless subscriber growth in India and 3G deployments in China remain key near-term opportunities while the transition toward fourth generation wireless technology presents exciting opportunities over the longer term. We remain optimistic about our market position and believe we are well positioned to benefit from growth opportunities as the economy recovers.

Sales Overview

Sales declined 27.9 percent year over year due to the ongoing effects of the global recession. Sales in all segments declined year over year. The year-over-year sales comparison was also affected by the negative impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates of approximately $22 million .

However, sales rose 5.6 percent sequentially due to improved Enterprise and Wireless Network Solutions (WNS) segment sales and the positive sequential impact of foreign currency exchange rates of approximately $8 million .

Antenna, Cable and Cabinet Group (ACCG) segment sales declined 1.1 percent sequentially to $322.2 million as much stronger North American wireline cabinet sales were offset by lower global sales of cable and microwave products.

Enterprise segment sales rose 14.1 percent sequentially to $164.3 million in the seasonally stronger second quarter. The company has begun to see stabilization in corporate information technology spending and believes distribution channel inventory is currently at historically low levels.

Broadband segment sales rose 3.5 percent sequentially to $118.2 million , due primarily to normal North American seasonal trends.

WNS segment sales rose 13.0 percent sequentially to $179.7 million . WNS sales rose sequentially in all product areas and benefitted from the network consolidation initiatives of a large U.S. based wireless operator.

In the second quarter, U.S. sales rose 16.6 percent sequentially to $419.3 million or 53.5 percent of total company sales. North American sales rose sequentially in all major segments due primarily to normal seasonality. Sales declined sequentially in all other major geographic regions.

Customer orders booked in the second quarter 2009 were $742 million .

Operating Income Overview

Operating income in the second quarter of 2009 was $74.1 million compared to $97.6 million for the comparable 2008 period. The year-over-year decline in operating income resulted primarily from lower sales volumes as a result of the global economic recession. On a sequential basis, operating income rose substantially due primarily to higher manufacturing volumes, lower material costs and ongoing cost reduction. Adjusted operating income, excluding amortization of purchased intangibles and other special items, nearly tripled sequentially to $124.8 million , or 15.9 percent of sales. All segments' adjusted operating margins returned to double-digit levels in the second quarter of 2009.

CommScope management believes that presenting operating income information excluding the special items noted above provides meaningful information to investors in understanding operating results and may enhance investors' ability to analyze financial and business trends, when considered together with the GAAP financial measures. In addition, CommScope management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures allow investors to compare period to period more easily by excluding items that could have a disproportionately negative or positive impact on results in any particular period.

Capital Markets Transactions and Credit Facilities Amendment

During the second quarter 2009, CommScope completed several capital markets transactions and amended its senior secured credit facilities. CommScopes primary goals for these actions were to lower debt, enhance financial flexibility and reduce uncertainty regarding the companys ability to remain in compliance with the financial covenants in its credit facilities.

On May 28, 2009 , CommScope completed the public offering of $287.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes due 2015. The notes are convertible at the holders option into shares of CommScope common stock at an initial conversion rate of 36.3636 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes (subject to adjustment), equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $27.50 per share of common stock. Concurrent with the convertible notes offering, CommScope also issued approximately 10.5 million shares of its common stock in a public offering at a price of $22.00 per share.

CommScope received proceeds from the public offerings of approximately $500 million , net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses. The company used $400 million of these proceeds to repay a portion of the term loans outstanding under its senior secured credit facilities in conjunction with an amendment to the credit facilities. The credit facility amendment postpones by a year the increase in the minimum interest coverage ratio and the decrease in the maximum leverage ratio among other changes. These changes to the covenant levels will now take effect beginning with the quarter ending September 30, 2010 , instead of the quarter ending September 30, 2009 . The subsequent change to each ratio is also postponed by a year.

On June 3, 2009 , the company announced the conversion of all $100 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding 3.50% Convertible Senior Subordinated Debentures due 2024 into CommScope common stock. In connection with the conversions, holders received an interest make-whole payment in shares of CommScope common stock. As a result of the conversions, CommScope issued approximately 10.3 million shares of CommScope common stock. The company recorded a non-cash charge of $11.3 million in the second quarter for the interest make-whole payment related to the conversion.

Second Quarter 2009 Financial Highlights

• During the second quarter, CommScope reduced total debt outstanding by $287.1 million .
• The company recorded a non-cash litigation charge of $18.1 million in the second quarter related to the TruePosition litigation. On April 30, 2009 , the trial court issued a final ruling and awarded damages to TruePosition for the final phase of the customer project that were not previously addressed. CommScope disagrees with the trial courts decision and has filed a notice of appeal.
• Gross margin for the second quarter 2009 was 29.2 percent and includes $3.6 million of intangible amortization and an $18.1 million litigation charge in Cost of Sales. Excluding these items, adjusted gross margin would have been 32.0 percent.

• SG&A expense for the second quarter 2009 was $99.0 million , down $37.6 million , or 27.6 percent, year over year due primarily to lower sales volumes, ongoing cost reduction programs, suspension of incentive-based cash bonus programs in 2009 and recoveries of bad debt expense.
• Interest expense was $43.2 million in the second quarter and included a non-cash charge of $11.3 million related to the interest make-whole payment. Also included in second quarter interest expense is $5.4 million related to the write off of deferred financing fees in connection with accelerated debt payments made in the second quarter. Excluding these items, interest expense in the quarter was $26.5 million .
• The companys effective income tax rate for the quarter was 51.0% and reflects non-deductible charges related to the conversion of convertible debentures.
• Total depreciation and amortization expense was $54.6 million for the second quarter 2009. Intangible amortization in the second quarter totaled $24.5 million .
• Net cash provided by operating activities in the second quarter more than tripled year over year to a record $138.5 million .

Commercial Highlights

• Andrew Solutions recently introduced GeoLENs^TM (GeoLocation-Enabled Network solutions), its next generation of solutions for enabling location-capable networks. GeoLENs^TM offers cost efficiencies, capacity and algorithm enhancements, and greater technology integration in helping carriers address commercial and regulatory applications (such as information, security and emergency 911 and 112) in an era of rapidly evolving networks, devices and customer usage requirements.
• With China investing billions of dollars in 3G networks, Andrew Solutions has completed an expansion of its Suzhou, China manufacturing and distribution center to better support its local customers. In operation since 1998, the plants expansion increases production space for base station antennas manufacturing substantially. The highly skilled Suzhou workforce manufactures base station antenna for deployment in Chinese networks and for export to the rest of Asia and beyond, with all major frequency bands and technologies represented, such as TD-SCDMA, WiMAX, W-CDMA, CDMA, LTE and GSM. Andrew Solutions also manufactures HELIAX^® coaxial RF cable, RADIAX^® radiating cable, and cable components and accessories in its Suzhou facility. Andrew Solutions was the only non-indigenous cable and antenna supplier approved by China Telecom for the first phase of its 3G CDMA wireless network and one of the few non-indigenous vendors approved for the new China Unicom 3G WCDMA network.

• The US Department of Agricultures Rural Development Telecommunications Program has accepted CommScopes BrightPath^® fiber-to-the-home solution, enabling service providers seeking funding from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to propose the use of BrightPath products in business plans and applications they submit for RUS grants and loans. The simple, effective BrightPath fiber-to-the-home system works seamlessly with existing hybrid fiber coax networks, employing a unique, tapped architecture that provides fiber connection from the head end/central office to the subscribers premises. BrightPath provides all the benefits of a fiber-to-the-home network without requiring changes to back-office, head end/central office or customer premises equipment. The RUS also accepted CommScopes flat drop fiber cable designs, which support fiber-to-the-home solutions, including the companys BrightPath solution.
• CommScope provided network infrastructure and cellular coverage and capacity solutions for the Dallas Cowboys new stadium. The state-of-the-art venue used CommScopes SYSTIMAX^® high-performance network solutions to create the worlds largest internet protocol television (IPTV) installation and operate the stadiums data center and other technical operations. The stadium features an extensive in-building wireless communications network from Andrew Solutions that provides complete cellular coverage in the stadium and its surrounding property for all spectators and team officials, coaching staff, employees and public safety agents.

Outlook

CommScope management provided the following guidance for the third quarter of 2009:

• Revenue of $750 million to $800 million
• Adjusted operating income of $105 million to $125 million , excluding amortization of purchased intangibles and other special items
• Interest expense of approximately $26 million
• Tax rate of 38 percent to 40 percent on adjusted pretax income
• Approximately 106 million fully diluted shares outstanding

We are pleased with the substantial improvement in second quarter financial results in the midst of challenging global economic conditions, said Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jearld Leonhardt. While we believe that the business environment is stabilizing, we still see a great deal of economic uncertainty. As a result, we expect third quarter revenues and adjusted operating income to remain generally stable with second quarter levels.

Conference Call Information

CommScope plans to host a call today at 5:00 p.m. EDT to discuss second quarter results. You are invited to listen to the conference call or live webcast with Frank Drendel, chairman and CEO; Brian Garrett, president and COO; and Jearld Leonhardt, executive vice president and CFO.

To participate in the conference call, U.S. callers should dial +1 866-845-6585 and callers outside of the U.S. should dial +1 706-643-2944. The conference identification number is 19779348. Please plan to dial in 10 - 15 minutes before the start of the call to facilitate a timely connection. The live, listen-only audio of the call will be available through a link on the Investor Relations Presentations page of CommScope's website at www.commscope.com.

If you are unable to participate and would like to hear a replay, U.S. callers can dial +1 800-642-1687 and callers outside the U.S. can dial +1 706-645-9291 for the replay. The replay identification number is 19779348 and will be available through August 12, 2009 . A webcast replay will also be archived on CommScope's website for a limited period of time following the conference call.

About CommScope

CommScope, Inc . (NYSE: CTV www.commscope.com) is a world leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks. Through its Andrew Solutions^TM brand, it is a global leader in radio frequency subsystem solutions for wireless networks. Through its SYSTIMAX^® and Uniprise^® brands, CommScope is a world leader in network infrastructure solutions, delivering a complete end-to-end physical layer solution, including cables and connectivity, enclosures, intelligent software and network design services, for business enterprise applications. CommScope also is the premier manufacturer of coaxial cable for broadband cable television networks and one of the leading North American providers of environmentally secure cabinets for DSL and FTTN applications. Backed by strong research and development, CommScope combines technical expertise and proprietary technology with global manufacturing capability to provide customers with infrastructure solutions for evolving global communications networks in more than 130 countries around the world.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, the business position, plans, outlook, integration, synergies and other financial items relating to CommScope that are based on information currently available to management, management's beliefs and a number of assumptions concerning future events. Statements made in the future tense, and statements using words such as "expect," "believe," "intend," "goal," "estimate," "project," "plans," "anticipate," "designed to," "long term view," "confident," "think," "scheduled," "outlook," "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of CommScope , and therefore should be carefully considered. Factors that could cause actual results of CommScope to differ materially include, but are not limited to, continued global economic weakness and uncertainties and disruption in the credit and financial markets; changes in cost and availability of key raw materials and the potential effect on customer pricing; the challenges of achieving anticipated cost-reduction synergies; delays or challenges related to removing, transporting or reinstalling equipment; the ability to retain qualified employees; customer demand for our products and the ability to maintain existing business alliances with key customers or distributors; competitive pricing and acceptance of products; industry competition and the ability to retain customers through product innovation; concentration of sales among a limited number of customers or distributors; customer bankruptcy; the risk that internal production capacity and that of contract manufacturers may be insufficient to meet customer demand or quality standards for our products; the risk that customers might cancel orders placed or that orders currently placed may affect order levels in the future; continuing consolidation among customers; possible production disruption due to supplier or contract manufacturer bankruptcy, reorganization or restructuring; significant international operations and the impact of variability in foreign exchange rates; ability to fully realize anticipated benefits from prior or future acquisitions or equity investments; substantial indebtedness and maintaining compliance with debt covenants; capital structure changes; tax rate variability; realignment of global manufacturing capacity; protecting or defending intellectual property; ability to obtain capital on commercially reasonable terms; fluctuations in interest rates; the ability to achieve expected sales growth and earnings goals; the outcome of pending litigations and proceedings; and regulatory changes affecting us or the industries we serve. For a more complete description of factors that could cause such a difference, please see CommScope's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ), which are available on CommScope's website or at www.sec.gov. In providing forward-looking statements, CommScope does not intend, and does not undertake any duty or obligation, to update these statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CommScope management believes that presenting operating income information excluding the special items noted above provides meaningful information to investors in understanding operating results and may enhance investors' ability to analyze financial and business trends, when considered together with the GAAP financial measures. In addition, CommScope management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures allow investors to compare period to period more easily by excluding items that could have a disproportionately negative or positive impact on results in any particular period.

Source: CommScope, Inc.

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