Daktronics, Inc. Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results

 * Net Sales and Net Income Decline 30% and 85%, Respectively Compared
   to Fiscal 2009 First Quarter
 * Improved Earnings On Lower Net Sales Compared to the Fourth Quarter
   of Fiscal 2009

BROOKINGS, S.D., Aug. 25, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Daktronics, Inc. (Nasdaq:DAKT) today reported fiscal 2010 first quarter net sales of $113.5 million and net income of $1.4 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to net sales of $161.2 million and net income of $9.7 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Backlog at the end of the 2010 first quarter was approximately $113 million, compared with a backlog of approximately $173 million a year earlier and $120 million at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009.

As previously announced, the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 contained the customary 13 weeks as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009 which contained 14 weeks. As a result fiscal year 2009 contained 53 weeks as compared to 52 weeks for fiscal year 2010.

"Orders declined for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to both the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2009," said Jim Morgan, president and chief executive officer. "Considering the current economic situation, we were pleased to see that orders in our Commercial business unit were level compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 and orders in our International business unit were up over each of the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2009. Interest in our national accounts business has driven the Commercial business unit, and we have some nice pipeline opportunities in that niche. On the international front, we are seeing an increase in interest; however, the competitive environment remains challenging. Also, orders from high schools, which include both sports and marquee products, and which historically peak in the summer months, are down, but holding up well in light of economic conditions."

Morgan continued, "The seasonality of our business typically includes a decline in orders in our sports market in the second quarter, which causes a tough third quarter for net sales and earnings. We expect typical seasonal trends for this fiscal year. Given our backlog at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2010, and considering this seasonality and the current environment, we are expecting sequential declines in our revenues in the second and third quarters of fiscal 2010. There are opportunities in our pipeline for large sports venues that could create a pickup for the fourth quarter and also some opportunities internationally that could impact each of the next three quarters."

"We maintained our emphasis on streamlining operations and cost reduction. We continued to make progress in reducing personnel costs, discretionary expenses, and capital expenditures. Because cost reductions are occurring over time, typically the impact is not fully reflected until the quarter following the reduction. Cost reduction is an ongoing process. We are balancing the need for cost reduction with the need to maintain the core strengths of the company over the long-term," said Morgan.

Morgan added, "We have continued to invest in product development during this economic downturn as part of our long-term strategy. During the quarter, we increased the dollars invested in product development compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. The sequential increase in product development costs is partially driven by the reduced demand for contract engineering, which allows us to reassign engineering resources to product development initiatives. One of our top development initiatives is the strategic redesign of our outdoor display systems, beginning with a complete redesign of our display modules. This is a comprehensive project that takes into account not only an improved product with reduced factory and warranty costs, but also streamlining the entire process from shipping through installation and commissioning. It incorporates a significantly higher degree of standardization and commonality at the subsystem level, while allowing us to continue to customize for the customer. We expect to start shipping the first units of this new design in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010. Another key area of investment is the enhancement of control systems for our displays. We continue to invest in our Visiconn(sm) software, a web-based application for controlling networked displays. We also will be introducing our Show Control software for event productions in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010."

"Our gross margin percentage for the first quarter of fiscal 2010, although down from the first quarter of fiscal 2009, was better than expected due to improvements in warranty costs, large contract performance, and cost reductions," said Bill Retterath, chief financial officer. "Our warranty costs decreased sequentially for the quarter but are still higher than we would like, and we remain cautious forecasting lower warranty costs until we have a few quarters of better performance in this area. We were pleased with the better than expected contract margins given the pricing pressure we are seeing in the marketplace. The cost reductions are a reflection of decreased payroll costs and other cost reduction measures."

Retterath added, "During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we continued to generate free cash flow and add to our cash position despite the lower level of sales and earnings. The debt we incurred during the quarter was related to a vendor purchase that came with pricing concessions and a low interest rate that we elected to take advantage of."

Morgan concluded, "In general we are pleased with the adjustments we have made to date to react to the economic downturn. We continue to aggressively pursue orders along with cost reductions in all areas. We look forward to the benefits of our new product platform. Generating free cash flow remains a priority, and we are limiting capital expenditures to maintenance and items essential to support new product introductions."

Webcast Information

The company will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its financial results today at 10:00 am (Central Time). This call will be broadcast live at http://investor.daktronics.com and available for replay shortly after the event.

About Daktronics

Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and is the world's largest supplier of, large screen video displays, electronic scoreboards, LED text and graphics displays, and related control systems. The company excels in the control of display systems, including those that require integration of multiple complex displays showing real-time information, graphics, animation and video. Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and services display systems for customers around the world, in Sport, Business, Schools and Theaters and Transportation segments. For more information, visit the company's World Wide Web site at: http://www.daktronics.com, e-mail the company at investor@daktronics.com, call (605) 692-0200 or toll-free (800) 843-5843 in the United States or write to the company at 201 Daktronics Dr., PO Box 5128 Brookings, S.D. 57006-5128.

The Daktronics logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5476

Safe Harbor Statement

Cautionary Notice: In addition to statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are intended to enjoy the protection of that Act. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations or beliefs concerning future events. The Company cautions that these and similar statements involve risk and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectation, including, but not limited to, changes in economic and market conditions, management of growth, timing and magnitude of future contracts, and other risks noted in the company's SEC filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its 2009 fiscal year. Forward-looking statements are made in the context of information available as of the date stated. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.

CONTACT: Daktronics, Inc.
         INVESTOR RELATIONS:
         Bill Retterath, Chief Financial Officer
         (605) 692-0200
         Investor@daktronics.com

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