National Instruments Corporation reported unaudited consolidated earnings results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2012. For the quarter, the company reported total net sales of $300,326,000 against $278,051,000 for the same period last year. Operating income was $27,800,000 against $32,502,000 for the same period last year. Income before income taxes was $27,991,000 against $31,522,000 for the same period last year. Net income was $20,713,000 or $0.17 per diluted share against $24,327,000 or $0.20 per diluted share for the same period last year. Non-GAAP net sales were $300,326,000 against $279,963,000 for the same period last year. Non-GAAP operating income was $45,372,000 against $44,304,000 for the same period last year. Non-GAAP income before income taxes was $45,757,000 against $43,514,000 for the same period last year. Non-GAAP net income was $35,217,000 or $0.29 per diluted share against $32,474,000 or $0.27 per diluted share for the same period last year. EBITDA was $45,427,000 against $45,394,000 for the same period last year. EBITDA diluted EPS was $0.37 against $0.37 for the same period last year.

For the full year, the company reported total net sales of $1,143,692,000 against $1,024,173,000 for the same period last year. Operating income was $116,934,000 against $112,712,000 for the same period last year. Income before income taxes was $114,837,000 against $111,134,000 for the same period last year. Net income was $90,137,000 or $0.73 per diluted share against $94,072,000 or $0.78 per diluted share for the same period last year. Net cash provided by operating activities was $132,516,000 against $169,899,000 for the same period last year. Capital expenditures were $89,073,000 against $54,830,000 for the same period last year. Additions to other intangibles were $1,890,000 against $5,035,000 for the same period last year. Non-GAAP net sales were $1,144,499,000 against $1,042,010,000 for the same period last year. Non-GAAP operating income was $164,617,000 against $163,987,000 for the same period last year. Non-GAAP income before income taxes was $163,285,000 against $163,364,000 for the same period last year. Non-GAAP net income was $126,659,000 or $1.03 per diluted share against $130,209,000 or $1.07 per diluted share for the same period last year. EBITDA was $172,807,000 against $159,712,000 for the same period last year. EBITDA diluted EPS was $1.41 against $1.32 for the same period last year.

The company provided earnings guidance for the first quarter of 2013. For the quarter, the company currently expects revenue to be between $276 million and $296 million. The company expects fully diluted GAAP EPS between $0.12 and $0.22, with non-GAAP fully diluted EPS expected to be between $0.19 and $0.29. Included in the guidance for first quarter is a $0.03 per share benefit from the recognition of the 2012 benefit of the R&D tax credit in first quarter 2013.

On the tax front the company expects non-GAAP tax rate for 2013 of approximately 22%.

The company's board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.14 per share on the company's common stock payable on March 11, 2013 to shareholders of record on February 19, 2013.