Colin Dunn
Analyst · Stephens Inc
Thanks, Dan, and good morning, everybody. Before we begin, I'd like to read the following statement. Except for historical information discussed in this conference call, the matters discussed in today's press release, including -- this conference call, including the statements regarding anticipated impact to the Fibreco and Powerbox acquisitions, the possibility of Bel's effecting other -- another acquisition and the remaining costs to be incurred in and anticipated savings from Bel's corporate restructuring program, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Actual results could differ materially from Bel's projections. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements are the market concerns facing our customers; the continuing viability of sectors that rely on our products; the effects of business and economic conditions; difficulties arise -- associated with integrating recently acquired companies; capacity and supply constraints or difficulties; product development, commercializing or technological difficulties; the regulatory and trading environment; risks associated with foreign currencies; uncertainties associated with legal proceedings; the markets acceptance of the company's new products and competitive responses to those new products; and the risk factors detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports.
In light of the risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statement will, in fact, prove to be correct. We undertake no obligation to review or revise any forward-looking statements.
Now turning to the results. First of all, business acquired during the third quarter, Bel completed the acquisition of Fibreco Limited based in the U.K. on July 31, 2012, and Powerbox Italia and its subsidiary based in Italy on September 12, 2012. The results of these 2 companies have been included in our consolidated financial statements since their respective acquisition dates. However, except as I already noted in my comments, they have not yet had a material impact on our results.
First, the sales. Sales for the third quarter of 2012 were $76.1 million, up slightly compared to the $75.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 and up 3.9% sequentially from the $73.2 million that we reported in the second quarter of this year. Third quarter sales 2012 in our core major product groups were as follows: magnetics, $29.8 million, up 29% over the third quarter of 2011, led by an increase of more than 45% in integrated connector module sales; interconnect, $28.4 million, an increase of 4.5% over last year's third quarter; circuit protection, $2.5 million, essentially flat from the prior year; and modules, $15.4 million, which is 34% well off than sales in the third quarter of 2011.
As we told you in Q2, the modules product will continuously be affected by a change in the ordering pattern of 2 major customers. Of the above amounts, Fibreco contributed $700,000 of revenue to the interconnect group and Powerbox contributed $200,000 to the modules product group.
Turning to cost of sales and net results. During Q3 2012, our gross margins improved slightly in comparison to the third quarter of last year mainly due to an improved product mix, including a rise in proportion of sales of magnetic and interconnect products. We also began to see savings resulting from various overhead cost-reduction measures that are being implemented at our facilities in Asia. The previously announced closure of our Cinch manufacturing facility in Vinita, Oklahoma and relocation of major portion of its operations to a new facility in McAllen, Texas is on target for completion by the end of this year. The combined Asian and North American restructuring programs are expected to reduce operating costs by approximately $5.5 million annually when fully implemented by the end of this year. We currently estimate up to an additional $2.9 million in pretax expenses associated with these steps in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses during the 3 months ended -- period ended September 30, 2012, include a $657,000 of acquisition-related expenses associated with Fibreco, Powerbox and ongoing acquisition activities. Excluding these expenses, SG&A as a percentage of sales for the third quarter of 2012 was 12.1%, down from the 13% of sales during the third quarter of last year.
Also, during the third quarter of 2012, after continued decreases in the market share of Pulse shares, we recorded an additional pretax impairment charge of $297,000 or $185,000 after tax to write down investment in Pulse shares through the September 30 value of $0.82 per share.
Taxes. Bel recorded an income tax expense of $1.8 million for the 3 months ended September 30, 2012, compared to a tax expense of $1 million for the 3 months ended September 30, 2011. The large tax benefit in Q3 of this year reflects nearly $1.5 million of the net reversal of tax reserves due to the finalization of a multiyear IRS audit and the expiration of certain statutes of limitations. Excluding this large benefit, the company's effective tax rate, which is the income tax provision as a percentage of earnings before income taxes, was a negative 43% for the 3 months ended September 30, 2012, down from a positive 51% for the same period in 2011. The company's effective tax rate fluctuates based on the geographic segments in which the pretax profits are earned.
Of the geographic segments in which Bel operates, the U.S. has the highest tax rates. Europe's tax rates are generally lower than U.S. tax rate, and Asia has the lowest tax rates. The very favorable effective rate in 2012 was primarily due to a combination of pretax loss in the U.S. and lower earnings in Europe, which resulted in tax benefits, and strong earnings in Asia, where the tax rates are lowest. In 2011, we earned pretax profits in the U.S. and Europe, while litigation charges and other factors resulted in losses in Asia with minimal income tax benefit.
On an unaudited GAAP basis, Bel reported income from operations of $1 million and after-tax net earnings of $2.6 million for the third quarter of 2012. Last year, we reported income from operations of $1.9 million and after-tax net earnings of $1 million for the third quarter of 2011.
To state these results on a comparable basis, non-GAAP income from operations for the third quarter of 2012 was $3.9 million compared to non-GAAP income from operations of $2.4 million for the third quarter of 2011. Acquisition costs and restructuring, reorganization and severance charges have been excluded from non-GAAP income from operations for the third quarter of 2012, while litigation charges are being excluded from the comparable 2011 non-GAAP income from operations. The increase in third quarter 2012 versus 2011 non-GAAP operating income is primarily attributable to the favorable sales mix and the reduction in SG&A expenses described above. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures is included in our press release that was issued this morning.
Turning to the balance sheet. Cash and equivalents. At the end of September 2012, our cash, cash equivalents and investment securities were $74.8 million, which was $19.2 million less than the December 2011 balance of $94 million. The decrease in cash resulted primarily from the combined net payment of $19.2 million, the acquisition of Gigacom Interconnect in Q1 and Fibreco and Powerbox Italy in Q3; $3.4 million of capital expenditures; $1.7 million for the repurchase of common stock; and $2.3 million in year-to-date dividend payments, partly offset by earnings and favorable operating cash flows.
Receivables and payables. Receivables net of allowances were $46.5 million at September 30, 2012, compared to $39.1 million at December 31, 2011, an increase of $7.4 million. Approximately $3.8 million of this increase resulted from the inclusion of accounts receivables of acquired businesses.
Our accounts payable at September 30, 2012, were $20.5 million, an increase of $2.1 million from December 31, 2011. Approximately $1.7 million of this increase resulted from the inclusion of the accounts payable of acquired businesses.
Inventories. At the end of September 2012, our inventories were $56.3 million, up $2.9 million from the December 2011 level. Approximately $1.1 million of this increase resulted from the inclusion of the inventories of acquired businesses.
Goodwill and intangible assets. The allocation of the purchase price of Gigacom, Fibreco and Powerbox Italy have not yet been completed. Accordingly, as of September 30, 2012, $18 million has been reported as combined goodwill for these 3 businesses. We expect a portion of this math to be reclassified primarily to intangible assets, as well as small amounts to tangible assets upon completion of the purchase price allocation and exercise.
Stock buyback. The Bel Board of Directors had approved the buyback of up to $10 million of Bel's Class B stock in the open market. During the 3 months ended September 30, 2012, Bel repurchased 89,991 shares at a total cost of $1.7 million.
Other balance sheet comments. Our capital spending for the 3 months ended September 30, 2012, was $1.1 million, while depreciation and amortization was $2.2 million. Our per book share value at September 30, 2012, was $18.87, including goodwill and intangibles. And when we exclude the intangibles and goodwill, our per share value was $16.08.
Just a little brief outlook comment. We have continued our plan to reduce costs worldwide, although the majority of these actions will be in the fourth quarter 2012. These plans involve significant expenses and cash outlays during the second half of 2012. So the benefits will begin immediately but will likely not be fully realized until 2013. In addition, we're exploring several potential acquisitions representing over $60 million in additional revenue, on which we expect final decisions commencing in the fourth quarter of 2012.
That's the end of my comments. Now I'll hand the call back to Dan.