Michael Batten
Analyst · Peter Lisnic with Robert W. Baird
Thank you, Stan, and good day, everyone. Welcome to our third quarter fiscal 2012 conference call. I will begin with a brief statement and then John, Chris and I will be ready to take your questions.
Twin Disc had another solid quarter with year-over-year net earnings up over a 100% and on a 25% increase in revenues. We are on track to have another record year. Looking at our results, sales for the third fiscal quarter of 2012 improved to $95 million from $76 million for the same 3 months a year ago.
Strong demand from our oil and gas markets along with stable or increased demand from our other end markets including land-based industrial and transmission and marine-based military and commercial sectors contributed to the improved performance. Pleasure craft activity remains at depressed levels.
Year-to-date sales were $260 million compared to $213 million for the first 9 months of fiscal 2011. Gross margins for the 2012 third quarter was 34.6% compared to 36.3% a year ago and a 35.6% last quarter. The differences in gross margins were created by a change in the mix of sales.
Year-to-date gross margin was 36% compared to 33.6% for the same period last year. Marketing, engineering and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales were 18.6% compared to 22.3% for the same 3 months last year.
Stock-based compensation decreased $1.4 million in the quarter reflecting the decline in our share price. Year-to-date ME&A expenses were 20.7% compared to 23.7% for the first 9 months of fiscal 2011. Stock-based compensation expense decreased by $1.3 million for the period. Movements in foreign exchange rates increased ME&A expenses by $900,000 compared to the first 9 months of fiscal 2011.
Net earnings attributed to Twin Disc for the third fiscal quarter of 2012 were $9.4 million or $0.81 per diluted share, compared to $4.5 million or $0.40 per diluted share for the same 3 months a year ago. Year-to-date, net earnings were $24.8 million or $2.15 per diluted share, compared to $11.2 million or $0.98 per diluted share for the equivalent period in fiscal 2011.
EBITDA was $18 million for the third fiscal quarter of fiscal 2012 compared to $13 million for the comparable period last year. Year-to-date, EBITDA was $48 million compared to $27 million a year ago.
The 2012 third fiscal quarter was one of the best overall quarters in the company’s history. It was the best third quarter ever. Our success was driven by robust demand for our oil and gas products and with the exception of the pleasure craft market, shipments across all of our end-markets increased during the quarter.
High oil prices and the resurgence of drilling in the Gulf Coast have led to increases in commercial marine activity. The demand from airport rescue and firefighting and legacy military customers remained steady. There has also been a pickup in demand from our industrial customers.
Our 6-month backlog at March 30, 2012 was $131 million compared to $148 million at the end of the second fiscal quarter and $140 million a year ago. The sequential and year-over-year declines reflect moderating future demand from North American oil and gas customers, as well as continuing improvement in our past due order reduction, which decreased 26% from the prior quarter-end and 20% since the start of this fiscal year.
We remain optimistic about the long-term potential for the oil and gas market, but over the last 2 months, we have experienced a decline in orders from the historically high levels that we have been experiencing in fiscal 2012.
Our oil and gas customers have responded to the decline in natural gas prices by slowing orders for capital expenditures related to hydraulic fracturing and pressure pumping due to the effects of a mild winter and a slower than expected U.S. economy, which has led to an oversupply of natural gas.
With one quarter remaining in fiscal 2012, we are confident we will achieve many financial and operating milestones for the year. As we look to fiscal '13, we expect it will be another good year, but down from the record levels we have experienced in fiscal 2012. While changes in oil and gas landscape have caused our near-term outlook to be cautious, Twin Disc has never been in a stronger position. We continue to improve our product portfolios, strengthen our relationships with our customers and vendors and strategic partners. We remain optimistic about our long-term potential.
That concludes my prepared remarks and now John, Chris and I will be happy to take your questions. Toedl, would you please open the line?