SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

	Washington, D.C. 20549

	Form 10-Q


(Mark One)

(X)	Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
    Act of 1934 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1997

	or

(  )	Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
     Exchange Act of 1934 For the transition period from ________to________

	Commission file number 1-10596


	ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

	(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


	Missouri	43-1554045
(State or other jurisdiction of 	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

8888 Ladue Road, Suite 200	63124-2090
St. Louis, Missouri	(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)



	Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (314) 213-7200


	Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
 required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
 of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
 registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to
 such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X  No   

Number of common stock trust receipts outstanding at April 30, 1997: 11,821,368
receipts.






                        PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements



             	ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
	            Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
	                               (Unaudited)
	            (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)


Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 1996 Net sales $ 88,811 117,444 Costs and expenses: Cost of sales 66,384 92,336 Selling, general and administrative expenses 15,740 18,577 Interest expense 1,234 1,425 Other, net 1,069 857 Total costs and expenses 84,427 113,195 Earnings before income taxes 4,384 4,249 Income tax expense 1,617 1,835 Net earnings $ 2,767 2,414 Earnings per share, primary and fully diluted $ .23 .20 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
Six Months Ended March 31, 1997 1996 Net sales $157,710 230,054 Costs and expenses: Cost of sales 118,323 181,526 Selling, general and administrative expenses 28,691 35,468 Interest expense 1,511 2,814 Other, net 1,799 2,613 Total costs and expenses 150,324 222,421 Earnings before income taxes 7,386 7,633 Income tax expense 2,437 3,297 Net earnings $ 4,949 4,336 Earnings per share, primary and fully diluted $ .40 .37 See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Dollars in thousands)
March 31, September 30, 1997 1996 Assets (Unaudited) Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,336 22,209 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $366 and $273, respectively 44,130 34,664 Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $89,274 and $70,671, respectively 55,562 51,585 Inventories 61,585 51,187 Other current assets 3,187 3,005 ------- ------- Total current assets 168,800 162,650 ------- ------- Property, plant and equipment, at cost 126,689 80,351 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 31,647 26,325 ------- ------- Net property, plant and equipment 95,042 54,026 Excess of cost over net assets of purchased businesses, less accumulated amortization of $2,009 and $1,597, respectively 55,199 20,395 Deferred tax asset 51,660 53,326 Other assets 17,078 17,435 ------- ------- $387,779 307,832 ======== ======= Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt $ 42,500 1,300 Accounts payable 32,591 40,057 Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $4,849 and $5,478, respectively 8,458 8,336 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 24,670 26,771 ------- ------- Total current liabilities 108,219 76,464 ------- ------- Other liabilities 29,044 28,860 Long-term debt 54,000 11,375 ------- ------- Total liabilities 191,263 116,699 ------- ------- Commitments and contingencies - - Shareholders' equity: Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares - - Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 12,432,801 and 12,415,346 shares, respectively 124 124 Additional paid-in capital 193,445 192,967 Retained earnings since elimination of deficit of $60,798 at September 30, 1993 9,133 4,184 Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment 458 107 Minimum pension liability (1,770) (1,869) -------- -------- 201,390 195,513 Less treasury stock, at cost; 615,545 and 566,622 common shares, respectively (4,874) (4,380) -------- -------- Total shareholders' equity 196,516 191,133 ------- ------- $387,779 307,832 ======= ======= See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands)
Six Months Ended March 31, 1997 1996 Cash flows from operating activities: Net earnings $ 4,949 4,336 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 6,140 7,093 Changes in operating working capital, net of acquired business (17,941) (21,213) Other 2,203 3,284 ------- -------- Net cash used by operating activities (4,649) (6,500) -------- -------- Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (4,251) (4,510) Acquisition of business, less cash acquired (92,900) _ -------- -------- Net cash used by investing activities (97,151) (4,510) -------- -------- Cash flows from financing activities: Net increase in short-term borrowings 37,500 14,500 Proceeds from long-term debt 60,000 _ Principal payments on long-term debt (13,675) (1,037) Other 102 343 -------- ------- Net cash provided by financing activities 83,927 13,806 ------- -------- Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (17,873) 2,796 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 22,209 320 -------- -------- Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 4,336 3,116 ========= ======== See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 1. Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all the disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. For further information refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1996. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the fiscal 1997 presentation. The results for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire 1997 fiscal year. 2. Earnings Per Share Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of dilutive common share options and performance shares by using the treasury stock method. For the three month period ended March 31, 1997, primary and fully diluted earnings per share are computed using 12,266,660 and 12,266,744 common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, respectively. For the six month period ended March 31, 1997, primary and fully diluted earnings per share are computed using 12,241,742 and 12,248,262 common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, respectively. For the quarter ended March 31, 1996, primary and fully diluted earnings per share are computed using 11,810,203 and 11,950,667 common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, respectively. For the six month period ended March 31, 1996, primary and fully diluted earnings per share are computed using 11,579,474 and 11,824,245 common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, respectively. 3. Inventories Inventories consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
March 31, September 30, 1997 1996 --------- ------------- Finished Goods $ 5,618 5,927 Work in process, including long-term contracts 41,666 32,071 Raw materials 14,301 13,189 -------- ------- Total inventories $ 61,585 51,187 ======= =======
Under the contractual arrangements by which progress payments are received, the U.S. Government has a security interest in the inventories associated with specific contracts. Inventories are net of progress payment receipts of $.9 million and $1.2 million at March 31, 1997 and September 30, 1996, respectively. 4.Hazeltine Divestiture - 1996 On July 22, 1996, the Company completed the sale of its Hazeltine subsidiary to GEC-Marconi Electronic Systems Corporation (GEC). The Company sold 100% of the common stock of Hazeltine for $110 million in cash. Certain assets and liabilities of Hazeltine were retained by the Company. Included in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 1996 are the operating results of Hazeltine prior to its divestiture as follows (dollars in thousands):
Fiscal 1996 Second Quarter Six Months Net sales $27,335 54,828 Cost of sales 21,533 43,486 Selling, general and administrative expenses 3,899 7,629 Other costs and expenses, net 322 525 ------- ------ Earnings before income taxes $ 1,581 3,188 ======= ======
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition Results of Operations - Three months ended March 31, 1997 compared with three months ended March 31, 1996. Net sales of $88.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 1997 decreased $28.6 million (24.4%) from net sales of $117.4 million for the second quarter of fiscal 1996. The decrease was primarily due to the sale of Hazeltine in July 1996. Net sales at the remainder of the Company's operating units decreased approximately $1.3 million due to lower defense sales at Systems & Electronics Inc. (SEI) in the current period, partially offset by the additional sales ($10.7 million) resulting from the Filtertek acquisition in February 1997. Defense sales were $49.7 million and commercial sales were $39.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 1997, compared with defense and commercial sales of $84.7 million and $32.7 million, respectively, in the second quarter of fiscal 1996. Prior to its divestiture, Hazeltine's second quarter fiscal 1996 defense and commercial sales were $27.2 million and $.1 million, respectively. Adjusted for the sale of Hazeltine, prior year second quarter defense and commercial sales were $57.5 million and $32.6 million, respectively. The backlog of firm orders at March 31, 1997 was $265.6 million, compared with $234.9 million at December 31, 1996. During the fiscal 1997 second quarter, new orders aggregating $95.5 million were received, compared with $70.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal 1996, excluding Hazeltine. Second quarter fiscal 1996 orders, as reported including Hazeltine, were $91.1 million. Order backlog increased $24 million in conjunction with the acquisition of Filtertek in February 1997. The most significant orders in the current period were for M1000 tank transporters, filtration/fluid flow products and airborne radar systems. The gross profit percentage was 25.3% in the second quarter of fiscal 1997 and 21.4% in the second quarter of fiscal 1996. The gross profit percentage in the second quarter fiscal 1996 excluding Hazeltine was also 21.4%. The fiscal 1997 second quarter gross profit percentage increased from fiscal 1996 due to an improved sales mix in both the defense and commercial segments. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the second quarter of fiscal 1997 were $15.7 million, or 17.7% of net sales, compared with $18.6 million, or 15.8% of net sales, for the same period a year ago. Excluding Hazeltine, prior year second quarter selling, general and administrative expense was $14.7 million or 16.3% of adjusted sales. The fiscal 1997 second quarter selling, general and administrative expenses increased as a percentage of adjusted sales due to the reduced sales volume in second quarter fiscal 1997. Interest expense decreased to $1.2 million from $1.4 million as a result of lower average borrowings in the second quarter of fiscal 1997 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 1996. A significant amount of the fiscal 1997 debt was incurred with the February 1997 acquisition of Filtertek. Other costs and expenses, net, were $1.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal 1997 compared to $.9 million in the same period of fiscal 1996. The increase in fiscal 1997 reflects the increase in amortization of goodwill due to the purchase of Filtertek. The effective income tax rate in the second quarter of fiscal 1997 was 36.9% compared with 43.2% for the second quarter of fiscal 1996. The lower effective tax rate for 1997 is attributable to the reduction in state and foreign taxes previously paid on income from Hazeltine in fiscal 1996 coupled with the lower Federal rate recognized on the Puerto Rican operations of Filtertek in fiscal 1997. Results of Operations - Six months ended March 31, 1997 compared with six months ended March 31, 1996. Net sales of $157.7 million for the first six months of fiscal 1997 decreased $72.3 million (31.4%) from net sales of $230.1 million for the first six months of fiscal 1996. The decrease was primarily due to the sale of Hazeltine in July 1996. Net sales at the remainder of the Company's operating units decreased approximately $17.5 million primarily due to lower defense sales at SEI in the current period, partially offset by the additional sales ($10.7 million) resulting from the Filtertek acquisition. Defense sales were $92.2 million and commercial sales were $65.5 million for the first six months of fiscal 1997, compared with defense and commercial sales or $167.7 million and $62.3 million, respectively, in the first six months of fiscal 1996. Hazeltine's defense and commercial sales were $51.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively in the first six months of fiscal 1996. Adjusted for the sale of Hazeltine, prior year first six months defense and commercial sales were $116.2 million and $59.0 million, respectively. The backlog of firm orders at March 31, 1997 was $265.6 million, compared with $246.7 million at September 30, 1996. During the first six months of fiscal 1997, new orders aggregating $152.6 million were received, compared with $142.2 million in the first six months of fiscal 1996, excluding Hazeltine. Orders during the first six months of fiscal 1996, as reported including Hazeltine, were $199.7 million. Order backlog increased $24 million in conjunction with the acquisition of Filtertek in February, 1997. The most significant orders in the current period were for M1000 tank transporters, filtration/fluid flow products, airborne radar systems, and integrated mail handling and sorting systems. The gross profit percentage was 25.0% in the first six months of fiscal 1997 and 21.1% in the first six months of fiscal 1996. The gross profit percentage in the first six months fiscal 1996 excluding Hazeltine was 21.2%. The fiscal 1997 first six months gross profit percentage increased from fiscal 1996 due to an improved sales mix in both the defense and commercial segments. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first six months of fiscal 1997 were $28.7 million, or 18.2% of net sales, compared with $35.5 million, or 15.4% of net sales, for the same period a year ago. Excluding Hazeltine, prior year first six months selling, general and administrative expense was $27.8 million or 15.9% of adjusted sales. The fiscal 1997 first six months selling, general and administrative expenses increased as a percentage of adjusted sales due to the reduced sales volume in the first six months of fiscal 1997. Interest expense decreased to $1.5 million from $2.8 million as a result of lower average borrowings in fiscal 1997 compared to fiscal 1996. A significant amount of the 1997 debt was increased with the February 1997 acquisition of Filtertek. Other costs and expenses, net, were $1.8 million in the first six months of fiscal 1997 compared to $2.6 million in the same period of fiscal 1996. The decrease in fiscal 1997 reflects lower miscellaneous expenditures in the current six month period. The effective income tax rate in the first six months of fiscal 1997 was 33.0% compared with 43.2% for the first six months of fiscal 1996. The lower effective tax rate for the first six months of fiscal 1997 is attributable to the reduction in state and foreign taxes previously paid on income from Hazeltine in fiscal 1996 coupled with the favorable resolution of a Hazeltine state tax audit, and the lower Federal rate recognized on the Puerto Rican operations of Filtertek in fiscal 1997. Management estimates the annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 1997 to be approximately 37%. Financial Condition Working capital decreased to $60.6 million at March 31, 1997 from $86.2 million at September 30, 1996, primarily due to the additional borrowings related to the Filtertek acquisition, offset by the purchased working capital of Filtertek. During the first six months of fiscal 1997, accounts receivable increased by $9.5 million and inventories increased in the aggregate by $14.4 million primarily as a result of the acquisition of Filtertek. Accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased by $9.6 million during the first six months of fiscal 1997 through payments necessary to satisfy commitments outstanding at September 30, 1996. Net cash used by operating activities was $4.6 million in the first six months of fiscal 1997 and $6.5 million in the same period of fiscal 1996. The decrease in the 1997 period was primarily due to the changes in operating working capital mentioned above. Capital expenditures were $4.3 million in the first six months of fiscal 1997 compared with $4.5 million in the first six months of fiscal 1996. Major expenditures in the current period include routine capitalized facility costs at SEI and manufacturing equipment at Filtertek and PTI. On February 7, 1997, the Company completed the purchase of Filtertek. The purchase was financed with cash and borrowings from the Company's bank credit facility. The existing bank credit facility was amended and restated as of February 7, 1997 to increase the available credit facility to $140 million. The maturity of the amended bank credit facility was extended to September 30, 2000. This acquisition will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the acquisition cost will be allocated among the net assets of Filtertek based upon their estimated fair market values. However, this allocation process has not yet been completed. New Accounting Pronouncements In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (SFAS 128), "Earnings Per Share" and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 129 (SFAS 129), "Disclosure of Information about Capital Structure". The Company will adopt the provisions of these pronouncements during the quarter ending December 31, 1997. The effect of adopting these provisions is not expected to be material. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. The Annual Meeting of the Company's shareholders was held on Tuesday February 11, 1997. Voted on at the meeting was the election of two directors. The voting for directors was as follows: For Withheld J. M. McConnell 10,425,275 74,170 D. C. Trauscht 10,447,899 51,546 The only other matter voted on at the meeting was a proposal to approve the 1997 Performance Share Plan. The voting on this proposal was as follows: Broker For Against Abstentions Non-Votes ---------- -------- ----------- --------- 9,805,717 631,456 62,272 0 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K. a) Exhibits Exhibit Number 2(a) Acquisition Agreement dated December 18, 1996 between the Company and Schawk, Inc. Certain schedules and attachments have been omitted due to immateriality. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or attachment to the Commission upon request. 2(b) First Amendment dated as of February 7, 1997 to Acquisition Agreement listed as Exhibit 2(a) above. 4 Credit Agreement dated as of September 23, 1990 (as most recently amended and restated as of February 7, 1997) among the Company, Defense Holding Corp., the Banks listed therein and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as agent. The above-listed Exhibits are incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 31, 1996, at the Exhibit Numbers listed above, respectively. b) Reports on Form 8-K. The Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 7, 1997, during the quarter ended March 31, 1997 which reported "Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets" and "Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits". Financial statements filed with the report were: (1) Audited financial statements of Filtertek at December 31, 1996 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended. (2) Introduction to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements. (3) Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996. (4) Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended December 31, 1996. (5) Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 1996. SIGNATURE 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. ESCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION /s/ Philip M. Ford ------------------- Philip M. Ford Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (as duly authorized officer and principal financial Dated: May 14,1997 officer of the registrant)
 

5 1,000 6-MOS SEP-30-1997 MAR-31-1997 4,336 0 44,496 366 61,585 168,800 126,689 31,647 387,779 108,219 0 0 0 124 196,392 387,779 157,710 157,710 118,323 147,014 1,799 0 1,511 7,386 2,437 4,949 0 0 0 4,949 .40 .40 THIS NUMBER DOES NOT INCLUDE $56.0 MILLION OF COSTS AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS ON LONG-TERM CONTRACTS.