SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Raven Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:RAVN) today reported financial results for the third quarter that ended Oct. 31, 2015.

Noteworthy Items:

• Reduced forecast for Aerostar subsidiary Vista Research due to delays and uncertainty surrounding international pursuits led to a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $7.4 million;
• Restructured Vista Research to reduce cost structure in-line with lower demand expectations while still preserving capabilities to perform on U.S. military and international opportunities;
• Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, Applied Technology signed a new multi-year supply agreement with CNH Industrial;
• Completed the manufacturing expansion of a new production line in Engineered Films to pursue growth opportunities within the industrial segment in fiscal year 2017;
• Strong margin performance of Engineered Films continued with operating profit margins expanding 330 basis points year-over-year and 160 basis points sequentially;
• Cost controls led to Corporate SG&A expense reductions of $1.1 million year-over-year and $0.5 million sequentially;
• Inventory reduction efforts in Applied Technology and Engineered Films drove inventory levels down $5.4 million sequentially and $10.4 million versus the highs reached in the first quarter;
• Repurchased nearly 1.1 million shares at an average price of $17.59 for a total of $18.5 million.

Third Quarter Results:
Net sales for the third quarter of 2016 were $67.6 million, down 25.9% vs. the third quarter of 2015. Excluding sales from contract manufacturing, third quarter net sales were $67.0 million, down 21.3% vs. the third quarter of 2015.

Operating loss for the third quarter of 2016 was $2.7 million vs. operating income of $10.2 million in the third quarter of 2015. This year's third quarter results include a pre-tax non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $7.4 million, pre-contract cost write-off of $2.9 million (of which $2.1 million was related to prior periods), and an earn-out liability reduction benefit of $1.5 million, all of which are related to the Company's Vista Research business. In aggregate, these items reduced pre-tax income by $8.9 million. On an after-tax basis, these items reduced net income in the third quarter by $6.4 million, equivalent to $0.17 per diluted share.

During the third quarter, the Company determined that a write-down of the goodwill related to Vista Research was required, following the Company's lowered expectations for sales and operating income of the business. Expectations were lowered as the timing and likelihood of completing certain international pursuits became less certain. While the Company continues to pursue international opportunities, it is not likely that major contracts will be successfully executed within the next 12 months as previously expected. Corresponding to these lower expectations, the pre-contract costs associated with these pursuits were written-off during the third quarter, and the earn-out liability associated with the Vista Research business was reduced.

"While we are disappointed that Vista Research was unable to successfully win a large international pursuit this year as we had previously expected, we continue to see opportunities to return to growth in the Vista business," said Dan Rykhus, president and CEO. "The technology portfolio of the business in radar enhancement is very strong. While there is uncertainty regarding the ultimate timing of international program awards, the systems deployed in the Middle East are performing well. We will continue these international pursuits while also re-focusing primary efforts to U.S. Department of Defense programs and opportunities with major prime contractors."

Excluding the goodwill impairment charge, pre-contract cost write-off, and reduced earn-out related to Vista Research, adjusted operating income for the third quarter was $6.1 million, down $4.0 million or 39.6% vs. the third quarter of last year. The decline in adjusted operating income was principally due to lower sales volumes in all three divisions, partially offset by lower corporate spending. Consistent with the first half of the year, depressed market conditions within the agriculture and energy markets have continued to heavily impact the sales developments of both Applied Technology and Engineered Films. Additionally, the absence of completing a significant international pursuit within Vista Research led to sales declines in Aerostar.

Net loss for the third quarter of 2016 was $1.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, vs. net income of $6.8 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in last year's third quarter. Excluding the goodwill impairment, pre-contract cost write-off, and earn-out reduction benefit related to Vista Research, adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2016 was $4.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. This was in-line with the Company's expectations.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow:
At the end of the third quarter of 2016, cash and cash equivalents totaled $32.5 million, down $15.0 million vs. the previous quarter. The reduction in cash sequentially was largely driven by an $18.5 million repurchase of shares during the third quarter. Net working capital as a percentage of annualized sales decreased from 32.2% in the second quarter to 29.9% in the third quarter. Lower inventory levels principally drove the reduction in net working capital sequentially. Cash flow from operations was $11.5 million in the third quarter vs. $14.7 million in the previous year's third quarter. The decrease in cash flow from operations was principally driven by lower net income and less favorable working capital developments relative to the third quarter of last year. Capital expenditures were $3.4 million in this year's third quarter, down $2.1 million vs. the third quarter of 2015. The Company expects capital expenditures for the year to be approximately $13 million.

Stock Repurchase:
In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company repurchased nearly 1.1 million shares at an average price of $17.59 for a total of $18.5 million. Year-to-date, the Company has repurchased 1.6 million shares at an average price of $18.31 for a total of $29.3 million. The Company's remaining authorization is $10.7 million.

Engineered Films Division Third Quarter Results:
Net sales for Engineered Films were $36.9 million, down 10.5% year-over-year. The decline in sales was driven primarily by the continuation of the substantial decline in energy market demand as a result of lower oil prices and drilling activities year-over-year. Energy-related sales declined approximately 80% in the third quarter, consistent with the first two quarters of the year. The remaining markets, in aggregate, were up approximately 18% vs. third quarter of last year, driven by the acquisition of Integra Plastics (Integra) and strong organic sales growth in the agricultural market.

Operating income was $6.1 million, up $0.7 million or 12.0% vs. the third quarter of 2015. The increase in operating income was driven primarily by the Integra acquisition and favorable raw material cost developments, offset somewhat by markedly lower sales into the energy market. Despite lower sales volume, operating margin expanded by 160 basis points sequentially and 330 basis points year-over-year. In-line with the Company's strategy to acquire and integrate Integra, Engineered Films realized improved margins through generating a higher proportion of sales from fabricated products as well as continued pricing discipline, favorable raw material developments and value engineering efforts.

"Little has changed for Engineered Films in the third quarter. Energy declines continued at the same level experienced in the first half of the year while the remaining markets, in aggregate, continued to grow. During the quarter, strong sales into the agriculture market were driven by sales of silage covers as well as grain covers, a product line which we acquired with the Integra acquisition," said Rykhus. "As we look forward, we are excited about the growth potential of the new production line we recently brought on-line. We are in the midst of start-up and expect sales contributions from the line to meaningfully contribute to growth next fiscal year. Efforts to pre-sell the capacity are well underway and continue to gain momentum."

Applied Technology Division Third Quarter Results:
Net sales for Applied Technology in the third quarter of 2016 were $21.3 million, down 35.6% vs. the third quarter of 2015. Excluding sales from contract manufacturing, third quarter net sales were down 32.5% vs. the third quarter of 2015. Sales to OEM's and the aftermarket declined by approximately 41% and 26%, respectively, in the third quarter.

Operating income was $3.3 million, down $3.1 million or 48.8% vs. the third quarter of 2015. The decline was mostly due to significantly lower OEM sales volume year-over-year. Restructuring efforts and cost containment actions are reducing expenses as planned, but the sales development for the year has been below the expectations the division had at the time of the March restructuring. Consequently, division operating profit margins have not improved to the extent expected earlier in the year.

According to Rykhus, "Despite the overall impact of ongoing market conditions, Applied Technology is once again posting some fundamentally important wins. Our Hawkeye product line is taking off nicely with strong OEM interest and aftermarket investment. We believe as we work through a soft fourth quarter due to OEM shutdowns that sequential improvements should continue. We are not, however, expecting a material rebound in end-market demand over the foreseeable future. With that said, we are optimistic in our new product portfolio and our opportunities for international growth. Accordingly, we are preserving our technical capabilities and enhancing our sales focus to seize growth opportunities next fiscal year notwithstanding the market conditions we will continue to face.

"During this very challenging year we have been quietly and successfully working with our OEM customers on long-term supply agreements that provide stability. Our persistent stream of new ag technology continues to make Raven an attractive technology partner for many OEM's serving agriculture. We believe deals similar to the one we announced with CNH Industrial earlier this month and others announced and completed earlier this year will enable growth through new products next year even if market conditions do not improve significantly," concluded Rykhus.

Aerostar Division Third Quarter Results:
Net sales for Aerostar for the third quarter of 2016 were $9.5 million, down 50.9% vs. the third quarter of 2015. Excluding sales from contract manufacturing, third quarter net sales were $8.8 million, down $3.6 million or 28.9% vs. the third quarter of 2015. The sales declines year-over-year were driven primarily by lower Vista Research sales, which declined $4.5 million vs. the third quarter of 2015. Sales of stratospheric balloons, which includes Google's Project Loon, were essentially flat year-over-year, while sales of aerostats were up $1.6 million year-over-year.

As a result of the goodwill impairment, pre-contract cost write-off, and earn-out reduction benefit for the Vista Research business, the division had an operating loss of $8.4 million vs. operating income of $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2015. Excluding the impact of these items, adjusted operating income was $0.5 million, down 84.0% year-over-year. The underlying decline in division operating income was driven primarily by the significant decline in sales year-over-year for Vista Research, offset somewhat by strength in aerostat sales.

Said Rykhus, "We had been optimistic for the second half of the year for Aerostar, principally due to the expectation we had that Vista Research would deliver a sizable international contract win in the third quarter and that such an award was imminent. We continue to pursue substantial targeted international opportunities, but the conflicts plaguing the Middle East North Africa region make these opportunities and their timing more uncertain. As a result, we have taken steps to reduce the cost structure of the Vista Research business while still preserving the capability of the organization to deliver radar detection and tracking capabilities to both domestic and international markets."

Fiscal 2016 Outlook:
"This year has proven to be a most challenging year, with all three divisions now experiencing significant declines," said Rykhus. "Although we believe the worst will be behind us once we begin our next fiscal year, market conditions in Engineered Films and Applied Technology are not likely to improve significantly for the foreseeable future. In addition, the setback Aerostar realized this quarter pushes out for some time the development of sizable new business pursuits for Aerostar," added Rykhus.

"As we look one quarter ahead, we are not expecting market conditions to improve. The fourth quarter will continue to be quite challenging and we will face tough year-over-year comparisons in both Aerostar and Engineered Films. We will continue to make prudent adjustments and carefully manage expenses as the challenges we've faced throughout the year persist. As I indicated last quarter, we remain focused on executing plans for key initiatives with strong long-term growth potential such as the new cast line for Engineered Films, the Hawkeye sprayer control system for Applied Technology, and the design and manufacturing of our stratospheric balloon product line in Aerostar. Given these initiatives, we do expect to return to growth in fiscal year 2017 even though market conditions are not expected to improve. With a more appropriate cost structure, strong new product portfolio, and continued process improvements, we expect to begin delivering revenue and profit growth next year," concluded Rykhus.