Hickok Incorporated Reports Second Quarter and Fiscal First Half Results

CLEVELAND, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hickok Incorporated (OTC QB: HICKA.PK), a Cleveland based supplier of products and services for the automotive, emissions testing, locomotive, and aircraft industries, today reported operating results for the second quarter and six months ended March 31, 2012.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, the Company recorded a net loss of $224,781 or $.16 per share, compared with a net loss of $213,681 or $.17 cents per share, in the same period a year ago. Sales in the second quarter were $1,178,538 down 10% from $1,312,896 a year ago.

In the first fiscal half, the Company reported a net loss of $407,921 or $.31 per share, compared with a net loss of $531,663 or $.42 cents per share, in the same period a year ago. Sales were $2,360,039 down 3%, compared to $2,425,539 in last year's first half.

Robert L. Bauman, President and CEO, said, "The product strategy we have been implementing for the past year is working and growing revenue in our target markets but sales of our more expensive products for the shop tool market have not come back as we expected they would. Also a substantial emissions tool customer was purchased and expected orders have been delayed or may not occur." He went on to say, "We expect a better third quarter and are negotiating on a significant OEM project that could have a positive influence on revenues later in the year."

Backlog at March 31, 2012 was $649,000, a decrease of 10% from the backlog of $723,000 a year earlier. The decrease was due to decreased orders in automotive diagnostic products of approximately $234,000, specifically $122,000 for diagnostic products to automotive OEMs and orders to the aftermarket which includes emissions products of approximately $112,000. In addition, indicator products increased by approximately $160,000. The Company anticipates that most of the current backlog will be shipped in the last half of fiscal 2012.

The Company's current assets at March 31, 2012 of $3,063,976 are 3.1 times current liabilities, there is no long-term debt and working capital is $2,073,066. These compare to March 31, 2011 current assets of $2,916,634 that were 4.5 times current liabilities, no long-term debt and working capital of $2,273,599. At March 31, 2012 shareholders' equity was $2,455,239 or $1.76 per share.

Hickok provides products and services primarily for the automotive, emissions testing, locomotive, and aircraft industries. Offerings include the development, manufacture and marketing of electronic and non-electronic automotive diagnostic products used for repair and emission testing. The Company also develops and manufactures indicating instruments for aircraft, locomotive and general industrial applications.

Certain statements in this news release, including discussions of management's expectations for fiscal 2012, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from those anticipated as a result of risks and uncertainties which include, but are not limited to, Hickok's ability to effectively develop and market new products serving customers in the automotive aftermarket, overall market and industry conditions, the Company's ability to capitalize on market opportunities, the Company's ability to obtain cost effective financing as well as the risks described from time to time in Hickok's reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Hickok Incorporated