SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): February 21, 2008

UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		0-21044 (Commission File No.)		33-0204817 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

6101 Gateway Drive
Cypress, California 90630
(Address of principal executive offices, with Zip Code)

(714) 820-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code):

 

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:

o		Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
o		Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
o		Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition			1
	Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits			1
SIGNATURES				2
INDEX TO EXHIBITS				3
EXHIBIT 99.1

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On February 21, 2008 Universal Electronics Inc. (“UEI”) is issuing a press release and holding a conference call regarding its financial results for the fourth quarter 2008. A copy of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.

Pursuant to General Instruction B2 of Form 8-K, the information contained in Exhibit 99.1 will be deemed furnished, and not “filed,” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in any such filing.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits. The following exhibit is furnished with this report.

     99.1 Press Release of Universal Electronics Inc. dated February 21, 2008.

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.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number		Description
99.1		Press Release dated February 21, 2008

Exhibit 99.1

Contacts: Paul Arling (UEI) 714.820.1000
Kirsten Chapman (IR Agency) 415.433.3777

Universal Electronics Reports Fourth Quarter and
Year-end 2007 Financial Results
- Reports Record Sales of $272.7 Million and Net Income of $20.2 Million -
- - Company Provides 2008 Guidance: Net Sales to Grow 12% to 18% and
EPS to Grow 15% to 23% Compared to 2007 -

CYPRESS, CA — February 21, 2008 — Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI), (NASDAQ: UEIC) announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007.

“We finished another record year in 2007 with revenues of $272.7 million, up 15.6% over 2006,” stated Paul Arling, UEI’s chairman and CEO. “The increased global adoption of digital technologies such as high-definition television, IPTV, and digital video recorders continues to drive the need for wireless remote control devices to simplify and manage the digital home.”

“In 2008, we expect to grow revenue 12% to 18% over 2007 through share expansion with our current customers, the addition of key customers, geographic expansion, and new products and technology developments. Just as we built our business to grow our share in our historically strong markets, we are working to do the same with new products and technologies throughout the world. In addition, by leveraging our infrastructure, we expect to grow our 2008 earnings 15% to 23% over 2007,” Arling continued.

Bryan Hackworth, CFO, commented, “2007 ended with record revenues and earnings even though our fourth quarter sales fell short of expectations due to the slower market conditions late last year, particularly in the international retail markets. However, we improved operating margin from 7.9% in 2006 to 9.7% in 2007.”

“Also, in 2007 we repurchased approximately 471,000 shares for $14.5 million. We have approximately 1.4 million shares remaining in our plan and, at the current stock price, we expect to aggressively repurchase additional shares in 2008,” Hackworth added.

Financial Results: Fourth Quarter 2007 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2006

•		Net sales were $66.2 million, compared to $69.7 million.
•		The Business Category contributed 73% of total net sales and the Consumer Category contributed 27%, compared to 71% and 29%, respectively.
•		Gross margins were 37.2%, compared to 37.3% in the third quarter 2007 and 37.6% in last year’s fourth quarter.
•		Operating income was $8.0 million, compared to $6.7 million.
•		Net income for the 2007 fourth quarter was $6.1 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to $5.4 million, or $0.37 per diluted share.

Financial Results: Full Year 2007 Compared to Full Year 2006

•		Net sales were $272.7 million, compared to $235.8 million.
•		Gross margins were flat at 36.4%.
•		Operating income was $26.5 million as compared to $18.5 million.
•		Net income was $20.2 million, or $1.33 per diluted share, compared to $13.5 million, or $0.94 per diluted share.

Financial Outlook

For the first quarter of 2008, net sales are expected to range between $62.0 million and $65.0 million, compared to $66.0 million in the first quarter of 2007. Management expects Business Category sales to range from $47.5 million to $50.5 million, compared to $50.2 million in 2007, and Consumer Category sales to range from $13.0 million to $16.0 million, compared to $15.8 million in 2007. Gross margins for the first quarter of 2008 are expected to be approximately 35.5% of sales plus or minus one point. Operating expenses are expected to be between $18.9 million and $19.5 million, including employee stock based compensation charges of $954,000, and the tax rate is expected to be between 33% and 35% of pre-tax income. GAAP earnings per diluted share are expected to range from $0.17 to $0.21, compared to $0.31 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2007.

For the full year 2008, net sales are expected to grow between 12% and 18% to reach between $305 million and $322 million. Business Category revenue is expected to increase 8% to 15% percent and Consumer Category revenue is expected to increase 12% to 40%. Operating expenses are expected to be between $79 million and $84 million, and the tax rate is expected to range from 33% to 35% of pre-tax income, resulting in GAAP EPS between $1.53 and $1.64 per diluted share, compared to $1.33 per diluted share for 2007.

UEI’s Recent Highlights:

•		Launched the latest revision to the award-winning Nevo™ line: the NevoS70 universal controller, a complete audio visual and digital media control for the networked home in a sleek, elegant design.
•		Entered into a relationship with Syntax-Brillian Corporation, an electronics distributor, to supply the “Taurus RC-LRN” universal learning remote control for certain models of new 1080p Olevia LCD HDTVs to enable convenient and easy access to consumers’ digital entertainment devices.

Conference Call Information:

UEI’s management team will hold a conference call today, Thursday February 21, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time to review fourth quarter and year-end results and hold a question and answer session for callers. To participate call 1-800-622-9917 ten minutes prior to start time. International dialers call 1-706-645-0366. The live call can also be accessed via the Internet through UEI’s Web site at www.uei.com. If you are unable to participate, a replay will be available beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on February 21, 2008 until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 25, 2008. To access, please dial 1-800-642-1687 and international 706-645-9291, reservation number 34123628. The webcast replay will be available at www.uei.com.

About Universal Electronics Inc.

Founded in 1986, Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) is the global leader in wireless control technology for the connected home. UEI designs, develops, and delivers innovative solutions that enable consumers to control entertainment devices, digital media, and home systems. The company’s broad portfolio of patented technologies and database of infrared control software have been adopted by many Fortune 500 companies in the consumer electronics, subscription broadcast, and computing industries. UEI sells and licenses wireless control products through distributors and retailers under the One For All^® brand name. UEI also delivers complete home control solutions in the professional custom installation market under the brand name Nevo^®, as well as software solutions for digital media control and enjoyment in the consumer and OEM markets under the brand SimpleCenter™.

Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development, ordering, delivery and market acceptance of products and technologies identified in this release; the Company’s continued ability to design products in a fashion that results in its technology being accepted by the Company’s customers and the end users; the continued growth in the markets identified in this release to occur as anticipated by management; and other factors described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward looking statement due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligations to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

- Tables Follow -

UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

		December 31,				December 31,
		2007				2006
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	86,610			$	66,075
Accounts receivable, net			60,146				51,867
Inventories, net			34,906				26,459
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,874				2,722
Deferred income taxes			2,871				3,069
Total current assets			186,407				150,192
Equipment, furniture and fixtures, net			7,558				5,899
Goodwill			10,863				10,644
Intangible assets, net			5,700				5,587
Other assets			369				221
Deferred income taxes			6,388				6,065
Total assets		$	217,285			$	178,608
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	29,382			$	20,153
Accrued sales discounts/rebates/royalties			4,671				4,498
Accrued income taxes			1,720				4,483
Accrued compensation			3,737				7,430
Other accrued expenses			6,567				7,449
Total current liabilities			46,077				44,013
Deferred income taxes			127				103
Income tax payable			1,506				—
Other long term liabilities			1,333				275
Total liabilities			49,043				44,391
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock			185				175
Paid-in capital			114,441				94,733
Accumulated other comprehensive income			11,221				2,759
Retained earnings			88,508				68,514
Common stock held in treasury			(46,113	)			(31,964	)
Total stockholders’ equity			168,242				134,217
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	217,285			$	178,608

UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

		Three Months Ended								Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2007				2006				2007				2006
Net sales		$	66,222			$	69,691			$	272,680			$	235,846
Cost of sales			41,575				43,464				173,329				149,970
Gross profit			24,647				26,227				99,351				85,876
Research and development			2,159				1,838				8,820				7,412
Selling, general and administrative expenses			14,469				17,673				64,080				59,947
Operating expenses			16,628				19,511				72,900				67,359
Operating income			8,019				6,716				26,451				18,517
Interest income, net			(905	)			(343	)			(3,104	)			(1,401	)
Other (income) expense, net			127				(104	)			(7	)			498
Income before income taxes			8,797				7,163				29,562				19,420
Provision for income taxes			(2,665	)			(1,731	)			(9,332	)			(5,900	)
Net income		$	6,132			$	5,432			$	20,230			$	13,520
Earnings per share:
Basic		$	0.42			$	0.39			$	1.40			$	0.98
Diluted		$	0.40			$	0.37			$	1.33			$	0.94
Shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic			14,565				13,982				14,410				13,818
Diluted			15,257				14,717				15,177				14,432