WEST WARWICK, RI, Mar 17, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT) reports net income of $263,000, equal to $0.04 per diluted share on sales of $15,631,000 for the Fourth Quarter ended January 31, 2009. During the comparable period of the previous year, the Company reported net income of $1,340,000, equal to $0.18 per diluted share on sales of $18,131,000.
Net income in the prior year’s Fourth Quarter included a restructuring charge of approximately $316,000 after tax equal to $0.04 per diluted share. The previous year’s Fourth Quarter net income also included a tax benefit of $739,000, equal to $0.10 per diluted share related to the closing of our sales and service offices in Italy and the Netherlands.
During the twelve-month period of the fiscal year, net income was $2,964,000, equal to $0.40 per diluted share on sales of $71,783,000. For the comparable period last year, the Company reported net income of $4,310,000, equal to $0.57 per diluted share on sales of $72,371,000.
In addition to the restructuring charge, net income in the prior fiscal year includes tax benefits of $1,185,000 or $0.15 per diluted share due to favorable reduction of certain income tax examinations as well as benefits related to the disposition of the Company’s subsidiary in Italy, noted above.
Commenting on the results, Albert W. Ondis, Chief Executive Officer, said, “For the year which ended January 31, 2009, the Company achieved sales of $71,783,000, improved Gross Profit Margins to 43.3%, raised the operating income margin to 6.4% and earned net income of approximately $3,000,000 or $.40 per diluted share. In addition, the Company added $4,500,000 to its cash and marketable securities balance of $22,105,000 to maintain a current ratio of 6.08:1. During the year we introduced four new major products, strengthened our field sales organization and formalized our acquisition strategy. Astro-Med’s focus and energy will continue to center on achieving our Mission of customer-centered sales growth, increased profitability, and enhanced shareholder value.
“As we stated in our preliminary earnings and sales statement of February 18, 2009, the effects of the economic slowdown were rather broadly felt, particularly in our QuickLabel Systems product lines. QuickLabel Systems products, which serve the packaging industry, are closest to retail markets so that QuickLabel product demand fluctuates with consumer demand. As retail consumers cut back on purchases in all geographic markets, sales of our label printing consumables and label printers slowed significantly. The sales decline was felt most in the United States, but our export sales were also affected.
“We also felt a rather sudden slow down in sales of our Test & Measurement product lines since these data recorder and telemetry products are considered capital equipment purchases, and many businesses and organizations applied the brakes quite summarily to such purchases. Sales of our Ruggedized Products line, consisting principally of the special cockpit printers we make for aircraft such as the new Boeing 787, the Airbus A380, and certain models of the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777, were negatively impacted by the well-publicized production delays at both Boeing and Airbus. Demand was also impacted by the slow down in passenger air travel which has led the airlines to postpone new airplane deliveries.”
However, in the face of these negative developments, Ondis concluded, “Our Grass Technologies product lines achieved strong sales as our sleep diagnostic and other neurological diagnostic and research products gathered increased acceptance from customers around the world.”
Cost-Reduction Initiative
Ondis described a program of cost-reduction now underway at Astro-Med. “Notwithstanding the favorable news from our Grass Technologies product line, we have already instituted an austerity program to mitigate the effects of the business slowdown. Included and already in effect are wage and salary freezes, layoffs, and a general reduction in the working hours of most of our employees involved in production. We are continuing all R&D activities as we believe that the development of advanced new products will promote the growth and profitability of Astro-Med,” said Ondis.
Directors Declare Quarterly Dividend
On March 5, 2009, the Directors of Astro-Med declared the regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.06 per share, payable on April 3, 2009 to shareholders of record on March 20, 2009.
Conference Call Scheduled for March 18, 2009 at 11:00 am
The Fourth Quarter conference call will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 11:00 AM EDT. It will be broadcast in real time on the Internet through the Investing section of our website. We invite you to log on and listen in real time on March 18th, or to participate in the conference call by dialing 800-240-2430. Following the live broadcast, an audio webcast of the call will be available for ten days at www.Astro-MedInc.com. A conference call replay will also be available for ten days by dialing 800-405-2236.
About Astro-Med, Inc.
Astro-Med, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of specialty high tech printing systems, electronic medical instrumentation, and test and measurement instruments. Astro-Med, Inc. products are sold under the brand names Astro-Med(R), Grass(R) Technologies and QuickLabel(R) Systems and are employed around the world in a wide range of aerospace, medical, military, industrial, and packaging applications. Astro-Med, Inc. is a member of the Russell Microcap(R) Index. Additional information is available by visiting www.Astro-MedInc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements, and actual results may vary from those expressed or implied herein. Factors that could affect these results include those mentioned in Astro-Med’s FY2008 annual report and its quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
ASTRO-MED, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
In Thousands Except for Per Share Data
(Unaudited)
Three-Months Ended Twelve-Months Ended
January January January January
31, 2009 31, 2008 31, 2009 31, 2008
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Sales $ 15,631 $ 18,131 $ 71,783 $ 72,371
Gross Profit 6,553 8,062 $ 31,068 $ 31,111
41.9% 44.5% 43.3% 43.0%
Operating Expenses:
Selling 4,014 4,508 16,942 17,126
Research & Development 1,205 1,172 4,885 4,589
General & Administration 1,020 1,290 4,615 4,682
Restructuring Charge - 515 - 515
--------- --------- --------- ---------
6,239 7,485 26,442 26,912
Operating Income 314 577 4,626 4,199
2.0% 3.2% 6.4% 5.8%
Other Income (Expense), Net (49) 222 (49) 855
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income Before Taxes 265 799 4,577 5,054
Income Tax (Provision)/Benefit (2) 541 1,613 (744)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Income $ 263 $ 1,340 $ 2,964 $ 4,310
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Income Per Share - Basic $ 0.04 $ 0.19 $ 0.42 $ 0.63
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Income Per Share - Diluted $ 0.04 $ 0.18 $ 0.40 $ 0.57
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Weighted Average Number of
Common Shares - Basic 7,010 6,896 6,988 6,885
Weighted Average Number of
Common Shares - Diluted 7,313 7,473 7,438 7,532
Dividends Declared Per Common
Share $ 0.06 $ 0.05 $ 0.24 $ 0.20
Selected Balance Sheet Data
In Thousands (Unaudited)
As of As of
January 31, January 31,
2009 2008
----------- -----------
Cash & Marketable Securities* $ 22,105 $ 17,556
Current Assets $ 48,023 $ 48,384
Total Assets $ 62,155 $ 61,699
Current Liabilities $ 7,904 $ 8,973
Shareholders' Equity $ 51,471 $ 49,355
* Includes LT investments
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information
In an effort to provide investors information regarding the Company’s results, the Company disclosed certain Non-GAAP information which management believes provides useful information to the investor in order for them to understand the certain adjustments impacting the Company’s results of operations.
A reconciliation of net income and net income per diluted share as reported under GAAP to the Non-GAAP net income and net income per diluted share for the three-months and twelve-months ended January 31, 2009 and January 31, 2008 is as follows in ($000’s):
Three-Months Ended Twelve-Months Ended
-------------------- --------------------
1/31/2009 1/31/2008 1/31/2009 1/31/2008
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating Income - GAAP $ 314 $ 577 $ 4,626 $ 4,199
Restructuring Charge _ 515 _ 515
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating Income 314 1,092 4,626 4,714
Other Income, Net (49) 222 (49) 855
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income Before Tax 265 1,314 4,577 5,569
Income Tax Benefit (1) _ 707 _ 1,153
Income Tax (Provision) (2) (2) (1,104) (1,613) (3,281)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Income - Non GAAP (3) $ 263 $ 917 $ 2,964 $ 3,441
--------- --------- --------- ---------
EPS Per Share-Basic - Non
GAAP(3) $ 0.04 $ 0.13 $ 0.42 $ 0.50
EPS Per Share-Diluted
- Non GAAP (3) $ 0.04 $ 0.12 $ 0.40 $ 0.46
(1) Represents tax adjustments associated with the following items:
(a) During the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2008 tax benefit of $739 on
the disposition on the Italian Subsidiary and tax expense of $32
on certain FIN48 adjustments
(b) During Fiscal 2008 tax benefit of $739 on the disposition of the
Italian Subsidiary, tax expense of $32 on certain FIN48
adjustments and a $446 tax benefit on the favorable resolution of
certain income tax examinations recorded in the third quarter
(2) Represents the following items:
(a) During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2008 income tax expense of
$365 and the exclusion of the tax benefit of $739 on the
disposition of the Italian subsidiary
(b) During Fiscal 2008 income tax expense of $2,096, the exclusion of
the tax benefit of $739 on the disposition of the Italian
Subsidiary and the exclusion of the $446 due to favorable
resolution of certain income tax examinations
(3) Pertains to FY 2008 only.
Contact:
Albert W. Ondis
Joseph P. O’Connell
Astro-Med, Inc.
(401) 828-4000
www.Astro-MedInc.com
SOURCE: Astro-Med, Inc.
http://www.Astro-MedInc.com
