SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ------------ FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): APRIL 7, 1998 OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION VIRGINIA 0-27022 54-1237042 (State of incorporation) (Commission file number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 5290 CONCOURSE DRIVE (540) 265-0690 ROANOKE, VA, 24019 (Telephone Number) (Address of principal executive offices)ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS On April 7, 1998, Optical Cable Corporation (the "Company") announced that the Board of Directors of the Company expanded the Company's stock repurchase plan by authorizing the repurchase of an aggregate of up to $10 million of the Company's common stock, which is an increase of $5 million from the $5 million in stock repurchases authorized by the Board of Directors in October 1997. The repurchases will be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. A copy of the press release announcing this stock repurchase authorization is filed as an exhibit to this Report on Form 8-K. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits. 99.1 Press release of Optical Cable Corporation, dated April 7, 1998. 2 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused the report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 13th day of April, 1998. OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION By: /s/ Kenneth W. Harber -------------------------------------- Kenneth W. Harber Vice President of Finance, Treasurer and Secretary 3 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Document Page No. - -------- -------- 99.1 Press release of Optical Cable Corporation, dated April 7, 1998... 4
Exhibit 99.1 NEWS RE: OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION BULLETIN 5290 Concourse Drive Roanoke, VA 24019 FRB (Nasdaq: OCCF) The Financial Relations Board, Inc. For further information AT THE COMPANY AT THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD: - -------------- --------------------------------- Robert Kopstein Ken Harber Alison Ziegler -- General Info. Chairman & CEO VP of Finance Jordan Darrow -- Analyst Info. (540) 265-0690 (540) 265-0690 Claudine Cornelis - Media Info. kopstein@occfiber.com kharber@occfiber.com (212) 661-8030 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION AUTHORIZES ------------------------------------ EXPANSION OF STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM ------------------------------------- ROANOKE, Virginia -- April 7, 1998 -- Optical Cable Corporation (Nasdaq: OCCF) today announced that its Board of Directors has amended it stock repurchase plan to allow the repurchase of up to $10 million of the Company's common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions over the next twelve months. The Company's original plan, authorized in October 1997, allowed for the repurchase of up to $5 million of common stock. Robert Kopstein, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "The decision to repurchase our shares reflects management's continued confidence in our business and in our strengthening global position within the fiber optic cable industry. Although our second fiscal quarter does not end until April 30, 1998, we are encouraged by primilinary indications of improvement in sales and gross margins. Sales for the first two months of the quarter have exceeded the comparable 1997 fiscal period by approximately 27% and our gross margin reflects a 1% improvement from first quarter levels. In addition, orders have been firming in our large projects, as well as the geophysical and oil exploration areas." Optical Cable Corporation, which is celebrating its 15 year anniversary in 1998, manufactures and markets a broad range of fiber optic cables for "high bandwidth" transmission of data, video and audio communications over moderate distances. Optical Cable Corporation's cables can be used both indoors and outdoors and utilize a tight-buffered coating that protects the optical fiber. --MORE--Page 2 Note: This news release contains certain forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those protected or forecasted. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K for fiscal year 1997. NOTE: Further information on Optical Cable Corporation is available through our website on the World Wide Web at http://www.occfiber.com. To receive additional information on Optical Cable Corporation, via fax, at no charge, dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter code OCCF. #####