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Pike Electric Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2009 Results

MT. AIRY, N.C., May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pike Electric Corporation (NYSE: PIKE), one of the largest providers of energy solutions in the United States, providing engineering, powerline and substation construction, EPC, and renewable energy services, today announced the results for its fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2009.

Fiscal 2009 Third Quarter Results

Total revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 17.9% to $154.9 million, compared to $131.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Core powerline revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $100.7 compared to $120.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2008, including a $23.7 million contribution from EDS which was acquired on September 1, 2008. Transmission revenues were up $5.6 million or 67.0%. Distribution revenues were negatively impacted by reduced maintenance spending across Pike's operating territory. Storm restoration revenues totaled $54.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2009, a $43.1 million increase from the third quarter of fiscal 2008 due to our recent work on the Midwest winter storms.

Gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was $28.1 million, or 18.2% of revenue, compared to $20.8 million or 15.8% of revenue, for the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The gross profit percentage increase is primarily due to the greater amount of higher-margin storm restoration revenues.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $12.1 million, or 7.8% of revenue, compared to $10.4 million, or 7.9% of revenue, for the third quarter fiscal 2008. The increase is primarily due to increased administrative costs of approximately $0.9 million related to the acquired EDS business.

Interest expense decreased 35.0% to $2.2 million compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2008 primarily due to lower debt balances and lower interest rates.

Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 totaled $8.3 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.3 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2008.

"Pike's flexible business model and strength in providing storm restoration work continues to put us in a leading position with our customers in the aftermath of severe winter ice storms," said J. Eric Pike, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pike.

"Our core business continues to broaden in scope and services as we position Pike as one of the nation's largest energy solutions providers.

Pike has taken proactive steps to weather the challenging business environment and position ourselves for an improved economy. I am confident in Pike's strategic direction and our ability to capitalize on upcoming opportunities," Pike concluded.

Nine Months Ended March 31, 2009 Results

Total revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2009 were $485.0 million, as compared to $414.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2008. Core powerline revenues were $342.2 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $378.7 million for the same period in fiscal 2008. Storm restoration revenues totaled $142.8 million for the nine-month period compared to $35.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2008. Gross profit totaled $91.5 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to $68.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased to 18.9% from 16.5% in fiscal year 2008 due primarily to the significant increase in higher-margin storm restoration revenues. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 totaled $29.1 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, compared to net income of $14.6 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2008.

Cash Flow

The Company has generated significant cash over the last 24 months, including $74.0 million used for debt reduction, $22.6 million for the purchase of EDS, $32.0 million for capital expenditures and a $24.9 million increase in the Company's cash balance.

Outlook

The Company continues to expect total revenues for its fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 to range from $600 million to $620 million. The Company is narrowing its expected diluted earnings per share range to $0.90 to $0.95 from its previous range of $0.85 to $0.95.

Conference Call

Pike Electric will host a conference call today to discuss financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. This call is being web cast and can be accessed by visiting the Investor Center section of the Company's website at www.pike.com. The call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing (888) 205-6743, or (913) 981-5567 for international callers. 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 pass code for the replay is 4452532. It will be available until May 18, 2009.

About Pike Electric

Pike is one of the largest providers of energy solutions in the United States, providing engineering, powerline and substation construction, EPC, and renewable energy services. The Company is also a recognized leader in storm restoration. The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PIKE. Visit www.pike.com for more information.

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
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                    (Unaudited)
                     (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                                            Three months     Nine months ended
                                           ended March 31,        March 31,
                                           2009      2008      2009      2008
                                           ----      ----      ----      ----
    Revenues                           $154,921  $131,362  $485,014  $414,213
    Cost of operations                  126,792   110,607   393,488   345,717
                                        -------   -------   -------   -------

    Gross profit                         28,129    20,755    91,526    68,496
    General and administrative
     expenses                            12,137    10,377    36,607    31,253
    Loss on sale and impairment of
     property and equipment               1,096        93     1,949     2,076
                                          -----        --     -----     -----

    Income from operations               14,896    10,285    52,970    35,167
    Other expense (income):
      Interest expense                    2,162     3,327     7,228    11,473
      Other, net                           (238)      (43)     (746)     (168)
                                           ----       ---      ----      ----
    Total other expense                   1,924     3,284     6,482    11,305

    Income before income taxes           12,972     7,001    46,488    23,862
    Income tax expense                    4,702     2,718    17,378     9,217
                                          -----     -----    ------     -----

    Net income                           $8,270    $4,283   $29,110   $14,645
                                         ======    ======   =======   =======

    Earnings per share:
      Basic                               $0.25     $0.13     $0.88     $0.45
                                          =====     =====     =====     =====
      Diluted                             $0.25     $0.13     $0.86     $0.44
                                          =====     =====     =====     =====

    Shares used in computing earnings
     per share:
      Basic                              33,036    32,844    33,011    32,791
                                         ======    ======    ======    ======
      Diluted                            33,703    33,605    33,733    33,655
                                         ======    ======    ======    ======


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

                                                         March 31,   June 30,
                                                           2009        2008
                                                           ----        ----
                                                      (Unaudited)
                            ASSETS
    Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                           $25,572   $11,357
      Accounts receivable from customers, net              70,531    62,224
      Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings
        on uncompleted contracts                           47,854    40,410
      Inventories                                           9,014     8,343
      Prepaid expenses and other                            6,083     5,123
      Deferred income taxes                                14,521    15,376
                                                           ------    ------
        Total current assets                              173,575   142,833
    Property and equipment, net                           225,004   229,119
    Goodwill                                              105,019    94,402
    Other intangibles, net                                 41,426    40,065
    Deferred loan costs, net                                2,175     2,778
    Other assets                                            1,464     1,463
                                                            -----     -----
        Total assets                                     $548,663  $510,660
                                                         ========  ========

             LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
      Accounts payable                                    $10,778   $10,867
      Accrued compensation                                 21,716    22,157
      Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings
        on uncompleted contracts                            5,255       397
      Accrued expenses and other                            9,713     5,018
      Income taxes payable                                  3,051       442
      Current portion deferred compensation                 1,383     3,666
      Current portion of insurance claim accruals          30,636    28,873
                                                           ------    ------
        Total current liabilities                          82,532    71,420
    Long-term debt, net of current portion                140,500   140,500
    Insurance and claim accruals, net of current
     portion                                                6,817     7,989
    Deferred compensation, net of current portion           5,369     6,283
    Deferred income taxes                                  56,510    62,416

    Other liabilities                                       3,983     1,100
    Commitments and contingencies
    Stockholders' equity:
      Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share;
       100,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and
       outstanding                                              -         -
      Common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 100,000
        shares authorized; 33,419 and 33,183 shares
        issued and outstanding at March 31, 2009 and
        June 30, 2008, respectively                         6,427     6,427
      Additional paid-in capital                          151,931   148,288
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of
       income taxes                                        (1,559)     (806)
      Retained earnings                                    96,153    67,043
                                                           ------    ------
        Total stockholders' equity                        252,952   220,952
                                                          -------   -------
        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity       $548,663  $510,660
                                                         ========  ========

SOURCE Pike Electric Corporation

CONTACT:
Lara Travars
+1-336-719-4492
Web Site: http://www.pike.com