Harmonic to Sell Cable Access Unit to Aurora for $46M in Cash; Raises Buyback Plan by $35M

Harmonic Inc. HLIT, the worldwide leader in video delivery infrastructure, announced today it has reached an agreement to sell its Cable Access business to Aurora Networks, Inc. for $46 million in cash.  The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2013. In addition, consistent with ongoing efforts to review its capital structure and to deliver value to all its stockholders, Harmonic's Board of Directors has approved an increase to its current share repurchase program to include the net, after-tax cash proceeds from this transaction of approximately $35 million, contingent upon its closing. "The sale of the Cable Access business enables us to sharpen our focus on our largest growth opportunities," said Patrick Harshman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Cable Access was Harmonic's lowest margin product line, and through this transaction and the increase in our authorized share repurchase program, we will continue to drive growth in our core markets, expand our gross margin, reduce our outstanding shares, and position our business for stronger long-term earnings." The strategic decision to divest the Cable Access business reflects Harmonic's commitment to the Video Production and Playout, Video Processing, and Cable Edge product areas, where it currently holds market share leadership. In contrast, Harmonic is not the market leader in the Cable Access product area, and there is limited strategic synergy between Cable Access and the Company's other higher growth product lines.  The Cable Access portfolio includes optical transmitters, amplifiers, receivers and nodes. Given Harmonic's longstanding relationship with its customers in the Cable Access business, Harmonic is very pleased to work with Aurora Networks because of its scale, strategic focus and commitment to customer care. Additional Financial Details The Cable Access business generated $52.9 million of net revenue with gross margin of approximately 30% in calendar year 2012.  Harmonic expects that the sale of the business will be neutral to diluted earnings per share for 2013, excluding the impact of the share repurchase program. Results related to the Cable Access business will be recast for prior periods and reported as discontinued operations in the Company's financial statements beginning with the first quarter ended March 29, 2013.  The Company expects to recognize in discontinued operations an after-tax gain of approximately $12 million to $14 million related to the sale.  The net, after-tax cash proceeds from the sale are expected to be approximately $35 million. The expected impact on the outlook for the first quarter is as follows:     Discontinued     Outlook Issued Operations     January 29, 2013 Impact Revised Outlook         Net Revenue $115M - $125M $14M - $16M $100M - $110M Non-GAAP Gross Margin 49% - 50% 30% 51.5% - 52.5% Non-GAAP Operating Expenses $56M - $57M $1.0M - $2M $54.5M - $55.5M Tax Rate 21% - 22%   20% - 21% Conference Call Information Harmonic will host a conference call to discuss its sale of the Cable Access Business at 5:00 a.m. Pacific (8:00 a.m. Eastern) on Tuesday, February 19th, 2013. A listen-only broadcast of the conference call can be accessed either from the Company's website at www.harmonicinc.com or by calling +1 866 297 6395 or +1 847 944 7317 (passcode 34311090). The replay will be available after 6:00 p.m. Pacific at the same website address or by calling +1 888 843 7419 or +1 630 652 3042 (passcode 34311090).