Directed Electronics Reports First Quarter 2008 Financial Results
Generated $19 million in Operating Cash Flow Extended Agreement with SIRIUS Satellite Radio
VISTA, Calif., May 8, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Directed Electronics, Inc. (Nasdaq: DEIX) announced today financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008. The company also introduced for the first time gross margin reporting separately for security and entertainment and satellite radio products. The company also began reporting satellite radio sales on a net basis as a result of its amended distribution agreement with SIRIUS satellite radio, which reduced the company's risk in this business.

    First Quarter Financial Highlights
    -- Achieved Q1 2008 total pro forma sales of $75.4 million, despite the
       soft consumer environment; GAAP net sales totaled $60.5 million with
       implementation of satellite radio net reporting as described below
    -- Definitive Technology product sales increased double-digits partially
       offsetting lower security and Polk home audio sales to a major
       retailer, resulting in total Security & Entertainment product sales
       declining by 7%
    -- Satellite Radio pro forma sales increased 14%
    -- Reported GAAP EPS of ($0.06), which included ($0.02) of workforce
       reduction expenses and RSU tax shortfalls, as compared to ($0.11) in
       the prior year, which included certain legal expenses
    -- Generated $19 million in operating cash flow resulting in cash balance
       of $17 million, an undrawn revolver of $50 million, and a 19% reduction
       in debt as compared with Q1 2007


    Recent Operating Highlights
    -- Extended SIRIUS agreement to January 31, 2009; Given the reduced risk
       of satellite radio warranty costs, implemented net reporting of
       satellite radio sales in the first quarter of 2008
    -- Shipped Polk Audio's new I-Sonic Entertainment System II to Apple
       Stores at the end of the first quarter and expect to ship a broad home
       audio product assortment to Best Buy in the second quarter
    -- Identified or implemented $4.5 million of annualized workforce
       right-sizing initiatives and continuing to identify additional savings
       opportunities
    -- Based on improved balance sheet, removed from Standard & Poor's and
       Moody's credit watch lists
    -- Successfully renegotiated debt agreement providing greater financial
       flexibility
                        

"We are pleased to have delivered $75 million in first quarter pro forma sales despite the challenging consumer environment," commented James E. Minarik, Directed's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are also pleased with the progress we have achieved on a number of key initiatives including right-sizing our cost structure, reducing working capital, improving our balance sheet, and minimizing our exposure to satellite radio warranty costs.

"While we are pleased with our progress on these important initiatives, we also have a number of significant opportunities ahead of us to improve our overall performance. The additional opportunities include launching Polk Audio at 900 Best Buy locations, introducing a number of new security and remote start products later this year, reducing our cost structure further, and capitalizing on the potential approval of the SIRIUS and XM merger."

First Quarter 2008 Results

Prior to January 1, 2008, the company accounted for sales of SIRIUS-related hardware products on a gross basis. The new amendment related to SIRIUS hardware products significantly reduced the company's risks in this business. Consequently, in accordance with EITF 99-19, satellite radio revenues are now reported on a net basis calculated as gross amounts billed to customers less (i) amounts paid to suppliers, (ii) rebates and discounts, and (iii) other direct costs. The change in the application of our accounting policy did not affect our reported gross profit, operating income, or net income.

Sales

Pro forma net sales in the first quarter of 2008 totaled $75.4 million as compared with $77.9 million in the first quarter of 2007. With the previously mentioned change in the satellite radio sales reporting method, the company's GAAP net sales were $60.5 million in the first quarter of 2008.

Gross Margins

For the first quarter of 2008, gross margin was 48.6% compared with 40.6% in the first quarter of 2007. The increase is attributable to the change in accounting for the company's satellite radio products on a net basis in the current quarter as described above.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses decreased by approximately $3.8 million, or 13.0%, to $25.2 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $28.9 million in the first quarter of 2007. The decrease was primarily due to the reduction in the company's provision for litigation. During the first quarter of 2007, the company accrued $5.5 million of legal fees and settlement expense related to patent litigation. This reduction was partially offset by increases in operating expenses related to the May 2007 acquisition of Trilogix, consulting and severance expenses associated with the right-sizing of the company's workforce, and increases in distribution costs related to fuel surcharges. Staff reductions identified or implemented in the first and second quarters of 2008 are expected to generate $4.5 million of annualized cost savings.

Interest Expense

Net interest expense decreased 10.4% to $6.2 million in the first quarter of 2008. The decrease is primarily due to lower levels of outstanding debt on the company's senior credit facility in the current quarter. This decrease was partially offset by a non-cash write-off of $0.1 million in unamortized debt issuance costs related to the amendment to the company's senior credit facility in the first quarter of 2008.

Income (Loss)

Operating income increased 56.9% to $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2007, which included legal expenses of $5.5 million.

First quarter 2008 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was $6.8 million compared with pro forma EBITDA of $11.5 million in the comparable prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA, which includes adjustments as defined by the company's lending agreement, was $7.7 million in the first quarter. A quantitative reconciliation from the company's GAAP results to its pro forma and adjusted results is provided in the accompanying tables.

The company's net loss for the first quarter of 2008 was ($1.6) million, or ($0.06) per diluted share, which included ($0.02) of workforce reduction expenses and RSU tax shortfalls, compared with a net loss of ($2.8) million, or ($0.11) per diluted share, for the comparable quarter in the prior year. Pro forma net income in the first quarter of 2007 totaled $1.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share. First quarter 2007 pro forma net income excluded $5.5 million of pre-tax legal fees and settlement expense related to patent litigation. There were no pro forma items in the first quarter of 2008.

Product Category Results

The following table provides pro forma sales and margins on a category basis for the first quarter of 2008 as compared to the same period in the prior year. The following pro forma financial results are reconciled to GAAP results in the accompanying tables.

"We believe the change to net reporting of our satellite radio sales coupled with providing our security and entertainment and satellite radio product category margins will ultimately provide increased transparency into the fundamental drivers of our profitability," commented Kevin Duffy, Directed's EVP and CFO. "In the first quarter of 2008, our security and entertainment business comprised approximately 75% of our total pro forma sales but over 90% of our gross profit due to the combination of our strong brands and innovative products which help both our retailers and Directed to earn solid margins."

                        Security & Entertainment  Satellite Radio       Total
                        Q1 07     Q1 08      Q1 07    Q1 08    Q1 07    Q1 08
    Pro Forma Results:
    Net Product
     Sales            $61,382   $57,032     $15,452  $17,580  $76,834  $74,612
    Royalty & Other     1,060       705          39       96    1,099      801
      Net Sales       $62,442   $57,737     $15,491  $17,676  $77,933  $75,413

    Cost of Sales      33,295    31,144      13,004   14,865   46,299   46,009
      Gross Profit    $29,147   $26,593      $2,487   $2,811  $31,634  $29,404
        % Margin        46.7%     46.1%       16.1%    15.9%    40.6%    39.0%
                        

Security & Entertainment

Security and entertainment product sales, net of rebates, decreased 7.1% to $57.0 million in the first quarter of 2008 compared with $61.4 million for the same period in 2007. Strong growth of Definitive Technology products was more than offset by slower sales of security, remote start, and Polk Audio products to a major retailer, which comprised two-thirds of the security and entertainment sales decline. The decrease can also be attributed, in part, to the weakening U.S. economy and demand for consumer electronics products.

Gross profit margin on security and entertainment products totaled 46.1% in the first quarter of 2008, materially consistent with the prior year.

Satellite Radio

Satellite radio pro forma product sales, net of rebates, for the first quarter of 2008 totaled $17.6 million, a 13.8% increase as compared with net product sales of $15.5 million for the first quarter of 2007. Leaner retail inventory levels at the end of 2007 coupled with consumer demand consistent with our expectations were primarily responsible for our increased satellite radio sales. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2007, in conjunction with SIRIUS, the company implemented a number of retail price point changes which resulted in price reductions on our first quarter 2007 sales effectively increasing comparative satellite radio product sales in the first quarter of 2008. With the implementation of the previously mentioned net reporting accounting policy, GAAP satellite radio sales, net of $14.9 million in direct costs, totaled $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2008.

On a pro forma basis, gross profit margin on satellite radio sales decreased from 16.1% in the first quarter of 2007 to 15.9% in the first quarter of 2008. As part of the company's amended distribution agreement with SIRIUS, it agreed to reduce gross margin on sales of satellite radio products in exchange for a reduction in the risk associated with product returns.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows

The company generated $19.4 million of operating cash flow for the first quarter of 2008 and ended the quarter with $16.7 million in cash and an undrawn revolver of $50 million. First quarter 2008 total debt was $262.3 million, a ($62.2) million, or -19.2%, reduction as compared with total debt of $324.5 million as of March 31, 2007, which included $20 million drawn on the revolver. The company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of March 31, 2008. The company reduced its net working capital (accounts receivable plus inventory plus prepaid and other current assets excluding taxes less accounts payable and accrued liabilities) by $62.7 million from $116.4 million as of March 31, 2007 to $53.7 million as of March 31, 2008.

Conference Call and Webcast

Directed Electronics will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its financial results today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The conference call may include forward-looking statements. This call will be webcast live on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://www.directed.com and will be archived and available for replay approximately three hours after the live event. The audio replay will be available through 11:59 p.m., May 22, 2008. The Company's financial results are also available online at www.directed.com.

To participate in the conference call, investors should dial 800-762-8973 ten minutes prior to the call. International callers should dial 480-629-9039. A telephone replay of the call will be available through 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 22, 2008 by calling 800-406-7325 (passcode: 3873901). International callers should dial 303-590-3030 and use the same passcode.

About Directed Electronics

Headquartered in Southern California, Directed Electronics is the largest designer and marketer in North America of premium home theater loudspeakers sold under the Polk Audio(R) and Definitive Technology(R) brand names, and consumer-branded vehicle security and remote start systems sold under the Viper(R), Clifford(R), Python(R) and Autostart(R) brand names. Directed is also the largest aftermarket supplier of SIRIUS satellite radios and accessories, and a major supplier of mobile audio and video. Directed markets its broad portfolio of products through many channels including leading national retailers and specialty chains throughout North America, and around the world. Founded in 1982, the company has more than 500 employees and operations in California, Maryland, Canada, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.directed.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release that are not historical fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as "may," "should," "might," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar words, although some may be expressed differently. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements as to expected savings from the company's staff reductions. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such forward- looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results of Directed to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. These factors include competition in the consumer electronics industry, development of new products and changing demand of customers, reliance on certain key customers, adverse developments affecting SIRIUS Satellite Radio, decline in consumer spending, reliance on certain manufacturers and their ability to maintain satisfactory delivery schedules, disruption in supply chain, shortages of components and materials, economic risks associated with changes in social, political, regulatory, and economic conditions in the countries where the company's products are manufactured, quality installation of products by customers, significant product returns or product liability claims, compliance with various state and local regulations, risks with international operations, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, claims related to intellectual property, ability to service debt obligations, restrictive terms of the company's senior secured credit facility, vulnerability to increases in interest rates, disruption in distribution centers, ability to raise additional capital if needed, dependence on senior management, ability to realize on investments made in the business, and integration of acquired businesses. Certain of these factors, as well as various additional factors, are discussed from time to time in the reports filed by Directed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. Directed disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

                        DIRECTED ELECTRONICS, INC.
                        Consolidated Statements of Income
               (unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                             GAAP             Pro Forma
                                       Quarter   Quarter   Quarter   Quarter
                                        Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended
                                      3/31/2008 3/31/2007 3/31/2008 3/31/2007
    Sales:
      Security and entertainment
       product sales, net              $57,032   $61,382   $57,032   $61,382
      Satellite radio product
       sales, net                        2,715    15,452    17,580    15,452
      Net product sales                 59,747    76,834    74,612    76,834
      Royalty and other revenue            801     1,099       801     1,099
    Net Sales                           60,548    77,933    75,413    77,933

    Cost of sales:
      Cost of security and
       entertainment sales              31,144    33,295    31,144    32,353
      Cost of satellite radio sales          -    13,004    14,865    13,004
    Total cost of sales                 31,144    46,299    46,009    45,357
    Gross profit                        29,404    31,634    29,404    32,576

    Operating expenses:
      Selling, general and
       administrative                   25,154    23,431    25,154    23,431
      Provision for litigation               -     5,494         -         -
    Total operating expenses            25,154    28,925    25,154    23,431

    Income from operations               4,250     2,709     4,250     9,145

    Other income (expense):
      Interest expense, net             (6,232)   (6,959)   (6,232)   (6,959)

    Income (loss) before provision
     for income taxes                   (1,982)   (4,250)   (1,982)    2,186

    Provision for (benefit from)
     income taxes                         (379)   (1,482)     (379)      942

    Net income (loss)                  $(1,603)  $(2,768)  $(1,603)   $1,244

    Net income (loss) per common
     share:
      Basic and diluted                 $(0.06)   $(0.11)   $(0.06)    $0.05

    Weighted average number of
     shares:
      Basic and diluted                 25,858    25,955    25,858    25,955
                        

This earnings release includes information presented on a pro forma basis. These pro forma financial measures are considered "non-GAAP" financial measures within the meaning of SEC Regulation G. The Company believes that this presentation of pro forma results provides useful information to both management and investors by excluding specific revenue, costs and expenses that the Company believes are not indicative of core operating results. Additionally, in accordance with GAAP, beginning in the first quarter of 2008, the Company reported satellite radio sales on a net basis, but has not recast prior period satellite radio sales as the change in presentation is not considered a change in accounting principle but is the application of the same principle to different facts and circumstances. For comparison and discussion purposes, the Company provides sales and cost information on a gross basis. Although not in accordance with GAAP, the Company believes this information is informative as to the level of its satellite radio business, provides increased transparency, and presents satellite radio sales on a basis comparable to prior periods and to security and entertainment sales. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The reconciliations set forth below are provided in accordance with Regulation G and reconcile the pro forma financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP-based financial measures.

                        DIRECTED ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Pro Forma Net Sales, Cost of Sales, and Gross Profit
                          (unaudited, in thousands)

                         As Reported  Reclassification  Pro Forma  As Reported
                            Quarter       Quarter        Quarter     Quarter
                             Ended         Ended          Ended       Ended
                           3/31/2008     3/31/2008      3/31/2008   3/31/2007
    Sales:
      Security and
       entertainment
       product sales, net   $57,032           $-         $57,032     $61,382
      Satellite radio
       product sales, net     2,715       14,865          17,580      15,452
        Net product sales    59,747       14,865          74,612      76,834
      Royalty and other
       revenue related to
       security and
       entertainment
       products                 705            -             705       1,060
      Other revenues
       related to satellite
       radio products            96            -              96          39
        Royalty and other
         revenue                801            -             801       1,099
    Net Sales               $60,548      $14,865         $75,413     $77,933

    Cost of sales:
      Cost of security
       and entertainment
       sales                 31,144            -          31,144      33,295
      Cost of satellite
       radio sales                -       14,865          14,865      13,004
    Total cost of sales     $31,144      $14,865         $46,009     $46,299

    Security and
     entertainment gross
     profit, including
     royalty and other
     revenue                $26,593                      $26,593     $29,147
    Satellite radio
     gross profit,
     including other
     revenue                      -                        2,811       2,487
    Consolidated
     gross profit           $29,404                      $29,404     $31,634

    Security and
     entertainment gross
     profit margin             46.1%                        46.1%       46.7%
    Satellite radio
     gross profit margin          -                         15.9%       16.1%
    Consolidated gross
     profit margin             48.6%                        39.0%       40.6%



                          DIRECTED ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Available to Common
                                 Shareholders
             (unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                         Quarter     Quarter
                                                          Ended       Ended
                                                        3/31/2008   3/31/2007

    GAAP net income (loss)                               $(1,603)    $(2,768)
    Adjustments:
      Gross profit reduction from purchase
       accounting                                              -         942
      Patent litigation costs                                  -       5,494
      Tax effects of adjustments                               -      (2,424)
    Pro forma net income (loss)                          $(1,603)     $1,244

    GAAP net income (loss) per common
     share, diluted                                       $(0.06)     $(0.11)
    Pro forma net income (loss) per common
     share, diluted                                       $(0.06)      $0.05

    Diluted weighted average number of
     shares (GAAP and pro forma)                          25,858      25,955



                            DIRECTED ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Pro Forma and Adjusted EBITDA
                                     (Note 1)
                            (unaudited, in thousands)

                                                   Quarter            Quarter
                                                    Ended              Ended
                                                  3/31/2008          3/31/2007

    Net income (loss)                              $(1,603)           $(2,768)
     Adjustments:
       Interest expense, net                         6,232              6,959
       Depreciation                                    695                632
       Amortization                                  1,897              1,684
       Taxes                                          (379)            (1,482)
     EBITDA (Note 1)                                $6,842             $5,025
       Gross profit reduction from purchase
        accounting                                       -                942
       Patent litigation costs                           -              5,494
     Pro forma EBITDA (Note 1)                      $6,842            $11,461
       Non-cash stock-based compensation               304                125
       Other                                           521               (795)
     Adjusted EBITDA (Note 1)                       $7,667            $10,791
                        


Note 1: EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization, including goodwill and intangible asset impairment) is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, but is used by some investors to determine a company's ability to service or incur indebtedness. The company presents pro forma EBITDA as it believes that pro forma results provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding specific revenue, costs and expenses that the company believes are not indicative of core operating results. Adjusted EBITDA is presented as it includes other adjustments permitted under the company's lending agreement for covenant calculations. The presentation of this additional information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The reconciliation set forth above is provided in accordance with Regulation G and reconciles EBITDA, pro forma EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA with the most directly comparable GAAP-based financial measure. EBITDA is not calculated in the same manner by all companies and accordingly is not necessarily comparable to similarly entitled measures of other companies and may not be an appropriate measure for performance relative to other companies. EBITDA is not intended to represent and should not be considered more meaningful than, or as an alternative to, measures of operating performance as determined in accordance with GAAP.

                        DIRECTED ELECTRONICS, INC.
                      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                 (in thousands)

                                                  March 31,       December 31,
                                                    2008              2007
    ASSETS

    Cash and cash equivalents                      $16,679            $4,760
    Accounts receivable, net                        47,445            77,366
    Inventories                                     67,880            64,219
    Other current assets                            19,571            22,936

       Total current assets                        151,575           169,281

    Property and equipment, net                      7,202             7,353
    Intangible assets, net                         154,929           157,265
    Other assets                                     7,888             6,535

       Total assets                               $321,594          $340,434

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
     (DEFICIT)

    Accounts payable                               $36,769           $44,814
    Accrued expenses                                27,122            28,527
    Current portion of notes payable                 2,669             2,669

       Total current liabilities                    66,560            76,010

    Revolving loan                                       -             4,000
    Senior notes, less current portion             259,589           260,257
    Deferred tax liability                           8,117             8,864
    Other liabilities                                5,686             5,201

       Total liabilities                           339,952           354,332

    Shareholders' equity (deficit)                 (18,358)          (13,898)

       Total liabilities and
        shareholders' equity (deficit)            $321,594          $340,434
                        

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