Clearfield, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2013 1st Quarter Results

12% Revenue Gain Sets New Record for 1^st Quarter Sales

MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLFD), the specialist in fiber management and connectivity platforms for communications providers, today announced results for its first quarter of fiscal year 2013, which ended December 31, 2012. Revenue for the first quarter 2013 was $10,265,000 in comparison to $9,165,000 for the first quarter 2012, an increase of 12%. Gross profit was $3,924,000 for the first quarter of 2013, in comparison to $3,794,000 for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 3%. Gross margin for the first quarter 2013 was 38.2%, down from 41.4% in first quarter 2012. Operating expenses were $3,039,000 for the first quarter 2013, in comparison to $2,773,000 from the first quarter 2012, an increase of 10%. Operating income was $886,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, down $135,000, or 13%, from $1,021,000 recorded in the first quarter of 2012. Income tax expense was $366,000 for the first quarter of 2013, an increase of $317,000 from $49,000 recorded in the first quarter of 2012. Net income was $545,000 for the first quarter 2013, compared to net income of $1,000,000 in the first quarter 2012.

Orders in Backlog and Select Balance Sheet Highlights

Orders in backlog as of December 31, 2012 totaled $2,003,000 in comparison to $1,698,000 as of December 31, 2011, an increase of $305,000, or 18%. Cash, cash equivalents and investments at December 31, 2012 totaled $19,325,000 compared to $19,357,000 for the quarter ending September 30, 2012. The Company has no debt.

Commentary- Cheryl Beranek, President & CEO of Clearfield

"We are exceptionally pleased to report record first quarter revenue numbers during a period of considerable uncertainty in the telecommunication and overall global economic markets. Revenue growth was throughout our product categories and customer base. While continuing to penetrate the wireline requirements for FTTH builds within the independent telephone market, Clearfield is expanding its presence with multi-site telco and cable providers. In addition, the flexibility of our patented Clearview technology and FieldSmart architecture is allowing us to enter new application environments, including the fiber distribution requirements for cell backhaul and distributed antennas providing wireless services."

"Due to a lack of regulatory clarity within the U.S. carrier market, our customer base has continued to be very cautious in its capital equipment investments. The resulting price pressure from our competitors among some product categories was one factor in the Company's lower gross margin performance for the quarter. The Company is continuing to make investments in the capital equipment necessary to streamline manufacturing processes and reduce cost of goods for our technologies."

"The Company continues to invest in market and product development activities. The increase in operating expenses for the quarter reflects Clearfield's continued expansion into adjacent territories and markets. Our development activities in markets outside of the United States continue with ongoing bookings and revenue in Caribbean and Latin America markets. We are evaluating additional international markets and are pursuing distribution agreements in target locations. Looking forward, Clearfield is embarking into additional product development and certification initiatives that will enable us to broaden our reach within the telecommunications marketplace."

"First quarter 2013 net income was affected by the impact of the higher tax expense compared to a year ago, resulting from the release of the deferred tax valuation allowance in fiscal 2012. We do not anticipate further changes to the valuation allowance for deferred taxes in fiscal 2013; as a result, our income statement will now reflect increased income tax expense over the fiscal year 2012. A majority of the tax expense has a non-cash effect on the operating cash flow of the business."

About Clearfield, Inc

Clearfield, Inc. (Nasdaq:CLFD) designs, manufactures and distributes fiber optic management products for the communications networks of leading ILECS, CLECs, MSO/cable TV companies and mobile broadband providers. We help service providers solve the Fiber Puzzle, which is how to reduce high costs associated with deploying, managing, protecting and scaling a fiber optic network to deliver the mobile, residential and business services customers want. Based on the patented Clearview™ Cassette, our unique single-architected, modular fiber management platform is designed to lower the cost of broadband deployment and maintenance by consolidating, protecting and distributing incoming and outgoing fiber circuits and enable our customers to scale their operations as their subscriber revenues increase. Headquartered in Plymouth, MN, Clearfield deploys more than a million fiber ports each year.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements contained herein are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and judgments about future developments in the Company's business. Certain important factors could have a material impact on the Company's performance, including, without limitation the effect of the significant downturn in the U.S. economy on Clearfield's customers; the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or any other legislation on customer demand and purchasing patterns; cyclical selling cycles; need to introduce new products and effectively compete against competitive products; dependence on third-party manufacturers and the availability of raw materials, particularly fiber; reliance on key customers; rapid changes in technology; the negative effect of product defects; the need to protect its intellectual property; the impact on its financial results or stock price of its ability to use its deferred tax asset, consisting primarily of net operating loss carryforwards, to offset future taxable income; the valuation of its goodwill and the effect of its stock price, among other factors, on the evaluation of goodwill; and other factors set forth in Clearfield's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012 as well as other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect actual events.

CONTACT: Clearfield, Inc. Contact Information:
         Cheryl P. Beranek
         Chief Executive Officer and President
         Investor-relations@clfd.net
         763-476-6866

Released January 24, 2013