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Pike Electric Reports First Fiscal Quarter 2009 Results

- Strong Quarter Leads Company to Raise Outlook for Fiscal 2009 -

MT. AIRY, N.C., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pike Electric Corporation (NYSE: PEC), one of the nation's largest providers of energy solutions, including powerline construction, engineering, substation, EPC, and renewable energy, today announced the results for its fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2008.

Fiscal 2009 First Quarter Results

Total revenues for the first quarter of 2009 increased $45.8 million to $185.5 million, compared to $139.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Core revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were $107.8 million, compared to $134.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 as storm restoration activity diverted significant core work. Storm restoration revenues totaled $77.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 primarily due to damages caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, compared to $4.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was $45.0 million, or 24.2% of revenue, compared to $23.3 million or 16.7% of revenue, for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. The gross profit increase is due to higher margin storm restoration services during the quarter.

General and administrative expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were $13.3 million, or 7.2% of revenue, compared to $10.3 million, or 7.4% of revenue, for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Interest expense decreased 46.6% to $2.3 million compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2008 primarily due to lower debt balances.

Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 totaled $18.3 million, or $0.54 per diluted share, compared to net income of $5.3 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

"We had an excellent first quarter. Our crews' efficient response with clean-up efforts following hurricanes Gustav and Ike is a testament to our flexible business model which allows us to quickly mobilize crews across our system, get the job done and return to our core business. Even more importantly, the quarter marks our completion of the acquisition and integration of EDS, transforming Pike into an energy solutions company," stated J. Eric Pike, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pike Electric.

"We are confident that we are well-positioned to serve a much broader spectrum of our nation's energy needs, including engineering, substation and EPC work. These energy solutions, along with our operating discipline, solid cash flows and strong balance sheet, position us to continue to drive long term growth," continued Mr. Pike. "Given credit market concerns and uncertainty in the U.S. economy, we are faced with limited visibility into our customers' near-term spend on maintenance and capital projects."

On September 1, 2008 the Company completed the acquisition of Energy Delivery Services, Inc. ("EDS") for $24.5 million, subject to a working capital adjustment, and the assumption of certain operating liabilities. The entire purchase price was paid with available cash.

Outlook

Based on current economic conditions, the estimated impact of the EDS acquisition which closed on September 1, 2008, diesel fuel cost fluctuations, storm volatility, and other factors, the Company now expects its total revenues and diluted earnings per share for its fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 to range from $650 million to $680 million and from $0.85 to $0.95 respectively, compared to the prior expectation of total revenues in the range of $620 million to $650 million and diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.55 to $0.65.

Conference Call

Pike Electric will host a conference call today to discuss financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. EST on November 10, 2008. This call is being web cast and can be accessed by visiting the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.pike.com. The call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (888) 277-7115, or for international callers, (913) 312-1433. A replay will be available shortly after the call and can be accessed by dialing (888) 203-1112, or for international callers, (719) 457-0820. The passcode for the replay is 2846131. The replay will be available until November 17, 2008.

About Pike Electric

Pike Electric is one of the largest providers of energy solutions in the United States, including powerline construction, engineering, substation, EPC, and renewable energy. The Company is also a recognized leader in storm restoration services. The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PEC. For further information regarding Pike Electric, visit the Company's website at www.pike.com.

Safe Harbor

This press release contains forward-looking statements that relate to Pike Electric's plans, objectives and estimate, and include those in the "Outlook" section above. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and speak only as of the date of this release. The terms "should," "believe," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend" and "project" and similar words or expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Various risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. For a more detailed list of such risks, uncertainties and factors, please refer to the Risk Factor section of Pike Electric's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008 and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pike Electric makes no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events, or circumstances after the date of this release that may affect the accuracy of any forward- looking statement, except as may be required by applicable law.



                  PIKE ELECTRIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                   (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                 September 30         June 30,
                                                     2008               2008
                                                  (Unaudited)
                   ASSETS
    Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                      $1,054            $11,357
     Accounts receivable, net                      106,344             62,224
     Work completed not billed                      62,911             40,013
     Inventories                                     9,976              8,343
     Prepaid expenses and other                      7,036              5,123
     Deferred income taxes                          14,083             15,376
      Total current assets                         201,404            142,436
    Property and equipment, net                    229,735            229,119
    Goodwill                                       100,881             94,402
    Other intangibles, net                          43,324             40,065
    Deferred loan costs, net                         2,579              2,778
    Other assets                                     1,463              1,463
      Total assets                                $579,386           $510,263

       LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
     Accounts payable                              $15,323            $10,867
     Accrued compensation                           39,939             22,157
     Accrued expenses and other                     10,962              5,018
     Income taxes payable                           10,787                442
     Current portion deferred compensation           1,341              3,666
     Current portion of insurance and claim
      accruals                                      27,387             28,873
     Revolving credit facility                      17,370                -
      Total current liabilities                    123,109             71,023
    Long-term debt, net of current portion         140,500            140,500
    Insurance and claim accruals, net of
     current portion                                 7,917              7,989
    Deferred compensation, net of current portion    4,954              6,283
    Deferred income taxes                           61,301             62,416
    Other liabilities                                  907              1,100
    Commitments and contingencies
    Stockholders' equity:
     Preferred stock, par value $0.001
      per share; 100,000 authorized
      shares; no shares issued and outstanding           -                  -
     Common stock, par value $0.001 per
      share; 100,000 authorized shares; 33,317
      and 33,183 shares issued and outstanding at
      September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008,
      respectively                                   6,427              6,427
     Additional paid-in capital                    149,627            148,288
     Accumulated other comprehensive income
      (loss)                                          (668)              (806)
     Retained earnings                              85,312             67,043
      Total stockholders' equity                   240,698            220,952
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $579,386           $510,263



                  PIKE ELECTRIC CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
                   (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                              Three months ended September 30,
                                                  2008              2007
                                              (Unaudited)       (Unaudited)

    Revenues                                      $185,506          $139,735
    Cost of operations                             140,545           116,457

    Gross profit                                    44,961            23,278
    General and administrative expenses             13,301            10,311
    Loss on sale and impairment of
     property and equipment                            242                45

    Income from operations                          31,418            12,922
    Other expense (income):
      Interest expense                               2,335             4,372
      Other, net                                      (207)              (60)
    Total other expense                              2,128             4,312

    Income before income taxes                      29,290             8,610
    Income tax expense                              11,021             3,327

    Net income                                     $18,269            $5,283

    Earnings per share:
      Basic                                          $0.55             $0.16
      Diluted                                        $0.54             $0.16

    Shares used in computing earnings per share:
      Basic                                         32,987            32,696
      Diluted                                       33,842            33,671

SOURCE Pike Electric Corporation

CONTACT:
Pike Electric Corporation Investor Relations
+1-336-719-4622