•   Third quarter net sales of $750 million

•   Net income of $46 million, or $0.45 per diluted share

•   Operating income of $91 million and adjusted operating income, excluding special items, of $119 million or 15.8 percent of sales

•   Adjusted net income, excluding special items, of $63 million, or $0.61 per diluted share

•   Quarterly net cash flow from operations of $138 million

HICKORY, NC, October 27, 2009—CommScope, Inc. (NYSE: CTV), a global leader in infrastructure solutions for communications networks, reported sales of $750.4 million and net income of $45.8 million, or $0.45 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

The reported quarterly net income includes after-tax charges of approximately $15.3 million for the amortization of purchased intangibles and $2.2 million in restructuring costs.  Excluding these special items, adjusted third quarter 2009 earnings were $63.3 million, or $0.61 per diluted share.  (A reconciliation of reported GAAP results to adjusted results for the quarter is attached.)

For the third quarter of 2008, CommScope reported net sales of $1.06 billion and net income of $84.7 million, or $1.05 per diluted share.  The reported net income included approximately $9.7 million of net after-tax charges primarily related to the amortization of purchased intangibles somewhat offset by the benefit of aligning certain CommScope and Andrew employee benefit policies and a tax item.

“We are pleased to deliver solid operating performance and near record cash flow in the quarter as the business environment begins to stabilize,” said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Drendel.  “During this tough economic period, we have reduced working capital and lowered costs while continuing to fund key research and development projects.  Because of our proprietary technology, global leadership and consistent quality, we think CommScope is uniquely positioned to help service providers, large enterprises and OEMs deliver next generation communication networks.  As the economy begins to slowly recover, we believe trends such as the global adoption of smart phones, new 4G services and the streaming of high definition video create meaningful opportunities for CommScope.”

Sales Overview

Sales declined 29.4 percent year over year due primarily to declines in volume across all segments and geographic regions as a result of the global recession. Specifically, the difficult business environment has negatively affected capital spending by telecommunication providers and created a slowdown in commercial and residential construction.   

Sequentially, sales declined 4.2 percent primarily due to a significant decline in the project-oriented WNS segment sales, somewhat offset by higher Broadband and Enterprise segment sales.

Antenna, Cable and Cabinet Group (ACCG) segment sales declined 1.8 percent sequentially to $316.4 million as lower base station antenna sales in the Asia Pacific and North American regions offset increases in sales of cable and microwave products.  

Enterprise segment sales rose 8.1 percent sequentially to $177.6 million in the seasonally strong third quarter.  The company saw modest improvement in global corporate information technology spending in the third quarter and believes the Enterprise market has begun to stabilize.

Broadband segment sales rose 15.7 percent sequentially in the seasonally strong third quarter to $136.7 million. Sales rose in all major product groups and across all geographic regions as cable operators both maintain and upgrade their networks as they compete with satellite and wireline carriers.

WNS segment sales declined 33.1 percent sequentially to $120.3 million due primarily to lower sales in China for select 3G projects as well as short-term volatility associated with large wireless projects in the North American and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regions.

In the third quarter, U.S. sales declined 4.2 percent sequentially to $401.8 million or 53.5 percent of total company sales.

Customer orders booked in the third quarter 2009 were $719 million.

Operating Income Overview

Operating income in the third quarter of 2009 was $91.2 million compared to $127.5 million for the comparable 2008 period.  The year-over-year decline in operating income resulted primarily from lower sales volumes.  Adjusted operating income, which excludes amortization of purchased intangibles and restructuring costs, declined 20.8 percent year over year to $118.9 million.  

Third Quarter 2009 Financial Highlights

•   Gross margin for the third quarter of 2009 was 32.6 percent and includes $3.6 million of amortization of purchased intangibles in Cost of Sales.  Excluding this item, adjusted gross margin would have been 33.1 percent.

•   SG&A expense for the third quarter of 2009 was $103.2 million, down $10.9 million or 9.5 percent year over year, due primarily to lower sales volumes and the suspension of incentive-based cash bonus programs for employees.

•   Interest expense was $25.7 million, down $11.4 million year over year, primarily due to lower outstanding debt balances.

•   Total depreciation and amortization expense in the third quarter was $48.9 million with purchased intangibles amortization in the quarter totaling $24.5 million.

•   Net operating cash flow in the third quarter of $137.6 million.  Over the last twelve months, CommScope has generated record free cash flow of $416.2 million (record cash flow from operations of $469.8 million less $53.6 million of additions to property, plant and equipment).

•   The company’s effective income tax rate for the quarter was 28.8 percent, which reflects benefits resulting from the filing of certain US and foreign income tax returns and resolution of various tax uncertainties.  

Commercial Highlights

•   CommScope Enterprise Solutions introduced the InstaPATCH® 360 System, the newest installment to its next generation SYSTIMAX 360™ SOLUTION platform.  Developed by CommScope Labs, InstaPATCH 360 is a modular fiber connectivity solution that enables installers to simply and quickly connect system components together, ultimately resulting in improved density, performance and reliability.  

•   CommScope’s Andrew Solutions™ also recently introduced SmartBeam®, its next generation base station antenna technology.  SmartBeam antenna systems can increase efficiency of existing sites and improve network quality by optimizing the antenna beam based on predictable customer traffic loads.  

•   Andrew has been chosen by Vodacom, South Africa’s largest cellular operator, to furnish its indoor wireless coverage and capacity solution, the ION™ (Intelligent Optical Network) fiber distributed antenna system, in five of the ten South African stadiums to be used for the 2010 World Cup.  Other similar Andrew projects have supported wireless communications at major sporting events, including the 2008 European Football Championship in Switzerland, the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, and the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.  Earlier this year the company also provided network infrastructure and cellular coverage and capacity solutions for the new Dallas Cowboys’ stadium.
 

Outlook

CommScope management provided the following guidance for the fourth quarter of 2009:

•   Revenue of $740 million to $790 million

•   Adjusted operating income of $95 million to $115 million, excluding amortization of purchased intangibles and other special items

•   Tax rate of 34 percent to 36 percent on adjusted pretax income

“Despite a difficult global economy, we delivered solid margins at both the gross and operating levels and generated near record cash flow from operations, which further strengthened our balance sheet,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jearld Leonhardt.  “Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, we expect stronger sequential wireless sales to be somewhat offset by normal seasonal declines in the Enterprise and Broadband markets.  We expect fourth quarter wireless sales to increase as upgrade activity accelerates in certain markets.”
 

Conference Call Information

CommScope plans to host a call today at 8:30 a.m. EDT to discuss third quarter results. You are invited to listen to the conference call or live webcast with Frank Drendel, chairman and CEO; Brian Garrett, president and COO; and Jearld Leonhardt, executive vice president and CFO.

To participate in the conference call, U.S. callers should dial +1 866-845-6585 and callers outside of the U.S. should dial +1 706-643-2944.  The conference identification number is 35038450.  Please plan to dial in 10 - 15 minutes before the start of the call to facilitate a timely connection.  The live, listen-only audio of the call will be available through a link on the Investor Relations Presentations page of CommScope's website at www.commscope.com.

If you are unable to participate and would like to hear a replay, U.S. callers can dial +1 800-642-1687 and callers outside the U.S. can dial +1 706-645-9291 for the replay.  The replay identification number is 35038450 and will be available through November 10, 2009.  A webcast replay will also be archived on CommScope's website for a limited period of time following the conference call.
 

About CommScope  

CommScope, Inc. (NYSE: CTV – www.commscope.com) is a world leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks. Through its Andrew SolutionsTM brand, it is a global leader in radio frequency subsystem solutions for wireless networks. Through its SYSTIMAX® and Uniprise® brands, CommScope is a world leader in network infrastructure solutions, delivering a complete end-to-end physical layer solution, including cables and connectivity, enclosures, intelligent software and network design services, for business enterprise applications.  CommScope also is the premier manufacturer of coaxial cable for broadband cable television networks and one of the leading North American providers of environmentally secure cabinets for DSL and FTTN applications. Backed by strong research and development, CommScope combines technical expertise and proprietary technology with global manufacturing capability to provide customers with infrastructure solutions for evolving global communications networks in more than 130 countries around the world.
 

Forward Looking Statement  

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, the business position, plans, outlook, integration, synergies and other financial items relating to CommScope that are based on information currently available to management, management's beliefs and a number of assumptions concerning future events. Statements made in the future tense, and statements using words such as "expect," "believe," "intend," "goal," "estimate," "project," "plans," "anticipate," "designed to," "long term view," "confident,"  "think," "scheduled," "outlook," "guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond the control of CommScope, and therefore should be carefully considered.  Factors that could cause actual results of CommScope to differ materially include, but are not limited to, continued global economic weakness and uncertainties and disruption in the credit and financial markets; changes in cost and availability of key raw materials and the potential effect on customer pricing; the challenges of achieving anticipated cost-reduction synergies; delays or challenges related to removing, transporting or reinstalling equipment; the ability to retain qualified employees; customer demand for our products and the ability to maintain existing business alliances with key customers or distributors; competitive pricing and acceptance of products; industry competition and the ability to retain customers through product innovation; concentration of sales among a limited number of customers or distributors; customer bankruptcy; the risk that internal production capacity and that of contract manufacturers may be insufficient to meet customer demand or quality standards for our products; the risk that customers might cancel orders placed or that orders currently placed may affect order levels in the future; continuing consolidation among customers; possible production disruption due to supplier or contract manufacturer bankruptcy, reorganization or restructuring; successful ongoing operation of our vertical integration activities; the possibility of further restructuring actions; possible future impairment charges for fixed or intangible assets, including goodwill; increased obligations under employee benefit plans; significant international operations and the impact of variability in foreign exchange rates; ability to fully realize anticipated benefits from prior or future acquisitions or equity investments; substantial indebtedness and maintaining compliance with debt covenants; capital structure changes; tax rate variability and ability to recover amounts recorded as value added tax receivables; changes in tax laws or regulations; product performance issues and associated warranty claims; ability to successfully implement major systems initiatives; realignment of global manufacturing capacity; cost of protecting or defending intellectual property; ability to obtain capital on commercially reasonable terms; adequacy and availability of insurance; costs and challenges of compliance with domestic and foreign environmental laws; fluctuations in interest rates; the ability to achieve expected sales growth and earnings goals; the outcome of pending litigations and proceedings; authoritative changes in generally accepted accounting principles by standard-setting bodies; political instability; and regulatory changes affecting us or the industries we serve.  For a more complete description of factors that could cause such a difference, please see CommScope's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are available on CommScope's website or at www.sec.gov.  In providing forward-looking statements, CommScope does not intend, and does not undertake any duty or obligation, to update these statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Contact:                                              
Philip Armstrong, CommScope                                  
+1 828-323-4848                                               

News Media Contact:
Rick Aspan, CommScope  
+1 708-236-6568                                                    
publicrelations@commscope.com 

CommScope, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited -- In thousands, except per share amounts)     Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended September 30 September 30 2009   2008 2009   2008   Net sales $ 750,433   $ 1,062,297   $ 2,276,392   $ 3,154,768     Operating costs and expenses: Cost of sales 505,647 760,510 1,633,748 2,314,730 Selling, general and administrative 103,197 114,082 303,353 384,880 Research and development 26,390 33,551 82,457 103,785 Amortization of purchased intangible assets 20,824 24,294 62,473 73,398 Restructuring costs   3,207     2,356     20,027     25,124   Total operating costs and expenses   659,265     934,793     2,102,058     2,901,917     Operating income 91,168 127,504 174,334 252,851 Other expense, net (2,037 ) (23 ) (12,570 ) (16,017 ) Interest expense (25,655 ) (37,007 ) (99,465 ) (112,215 ) Interest income   843     5,958     3,350     15,543     Income before income taxes 64,319 96,432 65,649 140,162 Income tax expense   (18,492 )   (11,745 )   (24,917 )   (26,308 )   Net income $ 45,827   $ 84,687   $ 40,732   $ 113,854     Earnings per share: Basic $ 0.49 $ 1.20 $ 0.50 $ 1.64 Diluted (a) $ 0.45 $ 1.05 $ 0.47 $ 1.43   Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 93,661 70,287 82,117 69,230 Diluted (a) 105,675 81,175 93,400 80,843   (a) Calculation of diluted earnings per share: Net income (basic) $ 45,827 $ 84,687 $ 40,732 $ 113,854 Convertible debt add-back (b)   1,742     499     3,391     1,644   Numerator (assuming dilution) $ 47,569   $ 85,186   $ 44,123   $ 115,498     Weighted average shares (basic) 93,661 70,287 82,117 69,230 Dilutive effect of: Stock options (c) 629 862 381 931 Restricted stock units and performance share units 930 851 683 745 Convertible debt (b)   10,455     9,175     10,219     9,937   Denominator (assuming dilution)   105,675     81,175     93,400     80,843     (b)   Incremental interest expense and shares associated with convertible senior subordinated debt.   (c) Options to purchase approximately 1.1 million common shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for both the three and six months ended September 30, 2009 because they would have been antidilutive. Options to purchase approximately 0.7 million and 0.8 million common shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, because they would have been antidilutive.   See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-Q.     CommScope, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited -- In thousands, except share amounts)     September 30,   December 31, 2009 2008 Assets   Cash and cash equivalents $ 592,906 $ 412,111 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $18,157 and $19,307, respectively 617,163 695,820 Inventories, net 332,605 450,310 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 77,614 70,778 Deferred income taxes   70,243     81,024   Total Current Assets 1,690,531 1,710,043   Property, plant and equipment, net 427,721 468,140 Goodwill 994,692 997,257 Other intangibles, net 747,765 821,128 Other noncurrent assets   70,341     66,192     Total Assets $ 3,931,050   $ 4,062,760     Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity   Accounts payable $ 212,399 $ 244,273 Other accrued liabilities 259,691 306,537 Current portion of long-term debt   9,723     374,498   Total Current Liabilities 481,813 925,308   Long-term debt 1,535,945 1,667,286 Deferred income taxes 142,736 150,357 Pension and postretirement benefit liabilities 161,251 164,075 Other noncurrent liabilities   127,568     147,376   Total Liabilities 2,449,313 3,054,402   Commitments and contingencies   Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock, $.01 par value; Authorized shares: 20,000,000; Issued and outstanding shares: None at September 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008 — — Common stock, $.01 par value; Authorized shares: 300,000,000; Issued and outstanding shares: 93,763,464 at September 30, 2009 and 70,798,864 at December 31, 2008 1,040 811 Additional paid-in capital 1,353,841 969,976 Retained earnings 357,817 317,085 Accumulated other comprehensive income (84,266 ) (132,411 ) Treasury stock, at cost: 10,232,336 shares at September 30, 2009 and 10,312,088 at December 31, 2008   (146,695 )   (147,103 ) Total Stockholders' Equity   1,481,737     1,008,358     Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity $ 3,931,050   $ 4,062,760     See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-Q.     CommScope, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited -- In thousands)     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 2008   Operating Activities: Net income $ 40,732 $ 113,854 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 153,554 164,921 Equity-based compensation 19,747 15,361 Non-cash interest expense on 3.50% convertible debentures 12,004 — Loss on conversion of debt securities 8,649 2,761 Changes in assets and liabilities   126,742     (43,402 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 361,428 253,495   Investing Activities: Additions to property, plant and equipment (31,738 ) (35,920 ) Proceeds from sale of product line — 9,009 Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets 3,724 6,873 Cash paid for acquisitions (694 ) (60,976 ) Other   4,062     (5,012 ) Net cash used in investing activities (24,646 ) (86,026 )   Financing Activities: Principal payments on long-term debt (760,858 ) (329,603 ) Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt 388,125 — Proceeds from the issuance of common stock 220,128 — Proceeds from the issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans 612 12,852 Tax benefit from the issuance of shares under equity-based compensation plans 240 6,227 Long-term financing costs (12,590 ) (246 ) Other   (8 )   589   Net cash used in financing activities (164,351 ) (310,181 )   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   8,364     (10,488 )   Change in cash and cash equivalents 180,795 (153,200 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   412,111     649,451   Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 592,906   $ 496,251     See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-Q.     CommScope, Inc. Net Sales and Operating Income by Reportable Segment (Unaudited -- In millions)     Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2009   2008 2009   2008 Net Sales: ACCG $ 316.4 $ 495.0 $ 964.5 $ 1,474.2 Enterprise 177.6 236.5 485.9 691.0 Broadband 136.7 159.0 369.1 458.3 WNS 120.3 174.7 459.0 540.7 Inter-segment eliminations   (0.6 )   (2.9 )   (2.1 )   (9.4 ) Consolidated Net Sales $ 750.4   $ 1,062.3   $ 2,276.4   $ 3,154.8     Operating Income (Loss): ACCG $ 23.0 $ 62.7 $ 24.2 $ 149.2 Enterprise 36.9 46.1 72.2 123.0 Broadband 32.3 13.9 68.7 8.5 WNS   (1.0 )   4.8     9.2     (27.8 ) Consolidated Operating Income $ 91.2   $ 127.5   $ 174.3   $ 252.9       CommScope, Inc. Reconciliation to Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Income (Unaudited -- In millions)     Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2009   2008 2009   2008 Operating Income $ 91.2 $ 127.5 $ 174.3 $ 252.9   Special items: Amortization of purchased intangible assets (1) 24.5 28.0 73.4 85.0 Purchase accounting adjustments related to inventory - 1.8 - 59.3 Restructuring costs 3.2 2.4 20.0 25.1 Litigation charge - - 21.2 - Acquisition and one-time transition costs   -   (9.6 )   -   (5.7 ) Adjusted (non-GAAP) Operating Income $ 118.9 $ 150.1   $ 288.9 $ 416.6     (1) Includes amortization included in Cost of Sales.   CommScope management believes that presenting operating income information excluding the special items noted above provides meaningful information to investors in understanding operating results and may enhance investors' ability to analyze financial and business trends, when considered together with the GAAP financial measures. In addition, CommScope management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures allow investors to compare period to period more easily by excluding items that could have a disproportionately negative or positive impact on results in any particular period.     CommScope, Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Adjusted Measures (Unaudited -- In millions, except per share amounts)       Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 September 30, 2009 Operating Net   Diluted Operating   Net   Diluted Income Income (1) EPS Income Income (1) EPS       As reported $ 91.2 $ 45.8 $ 0.45 $ 174.3 $ 40.7 $ 0.47   Special items: Amortization of purchased intangible assets (2) 24.5 15.3 0.14 73.4 45.8 0.49 Restructuring costs 3.2 2.2 0.02 20.0 13.4 0.15 Litigation charge - - - 21.2 12.3 0.13 Loss on debt conversions and prepayments   -   -   -   -   23.4   0.25 As adjusted for special items $ 118.9 $ 63.3 $ 0.61 $ 288.9 $ 135.6 $ 1.49   Three Months Ended June 30, 2009 Operating Net Diluted Income Income (1) EPS   As reported $ 74.1 $ 15.4 $ 0.18   Special items: Amortization of purchased intangible assets (2) 24.5 15.3 0.16 Restructuring costs 8.1 5.6 0.06 Litigation charge 18.1 10.3 0.11 Loss on debt conversions and prepayments   -   14.7   0.16 As adjusted for special items $ 124.8 $ 61.3 $ 0.67   (1) The tax rates applied to special items reflect the tax expense or benefit expected to be realized based on the tax jurisdiction of the entity generating the special item. There are certain special items for which we expect to receive little or no tax benefit.   (2) Includes amortization included in Cost of Sales.   CommScope management believes that presenting earnings information excluding the special items noted above provides meaningful information to investors in understanding operating results and may enhance investors' ability to analyze financial and business trends, when considered together with the GAAP financial measures. In addition, CommScope management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures allow investors to compare period to period more easily by excluding items that could have a disproportionately negative or positive impact on results in any particular period.     CommScope, Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Adjusted Measures (Unaudited -- In millions, except per share amounts)             Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 September 30, 2008 Operating Net Diluted Operating Income Diluted Income Income (1) EPS Income (Loss) (1) EPS     As reported $ 127.5 $ 84.7 $ 1.05 $ 252.9 $ 113.9 $ 1.43   Special items: Amortization of purchased intangible assets (2) 28.0 17.5 0.22 85.0 53.8 0.67 Purchase accounting adjustments related to inventory 1.8 1.1 0.01 59.3 38.3 0.47 Restructuring costs 2.4 2.1 0.03 25.1 24.8 0.31 Acquisition and one-time transition costs (9.6 ) (6.0 ) (0.07 ) (5.7 ) (3.5 ) (0.04 ) Release of income tax valuation allowance - (5.0 ) (0.06 ) - (5.0 ) (0.06 ) Settlement of tax audits (3.9 ) (0.05 ) Cost related to conversion of 1% debentures           2.8     0.03   As adjusted for special items $ 150.1   $ 94.4   $ 1.18   $ 416.6   $ 221.2   $ 2.76       Three Months Ended June 30, 2008 Operating Net Diluted Income Income (1) EPS   As reported $ 97.6 $ 40.2 $ 0.50   Special items: Amortization of purchased intangible assets (2) 28.5 17.8 0.22 Purchase accounting adjustments related to inventory 4.7 2.9 0.04 Restructuring costs 22.6 22.5 0.28 Acquisition and one-time transition costs 0.9 0.6 0.01 Settlement of tax audits - (3.9 ) (0.05 ) Cost related to conversion of 1% debentures   -     -     -   As adjusted for special items $ 154.3   $ 80.1   $ 1.00     (1) The tax rates applied to special items reflect the tax expense or benefit expected to be realized based on the tax jurisdiction of the entity generating the special item. There are certain special items for which we expect to receive little or no tax benefit.   (2) Includes amortization included in Cost of Sales.   CommScope management believes that presenting earnings information excluding the special items noted above provides meaningful information to investors in understanding operating results and may enhance investors' ability to analyze financial and business trends, when considered together with the GAAP financial measures. In addition, CommScope management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures allow investors to compare period to period more easily by excluding items that could have a disproportionately negative or positive impact on results in any particular period.