WEST WARWICK, RI, May 17, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via
COMTEX) --
Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT) reports Net Income of $431,000, equal to
$0.06 per diluted share, on sales of $18,860,000 for the First Quarter
ended April 30, 2011. This represents a 10.4% increase in sales and a
record volume of revenue for the Company's First Quarter sales. During
the comparable period of the prior year, the Company reported a Net
Income of $430,000, equal to $0.06 per diluted share on sales of
$17,077,000. Favorable foreign currency exchange rates contributed
$191,000 to First Quarter sales revenues.
New Orders and Balance Sheet
Incoming orders were strong during the First Quarter, with new orders
reaching $19,812,000, representing an increase of 13.8% over the prior
year. International shipments were especially robust at $6,286,000 or
33.3% of total sales, representing a year over year growth rate of
28.2%.
The Company's balance sheet remains solid at the end of the First
Quarter. Cash and marketable securities balances rose nominally during
the Quarter to $21,087,000; Working Capital efficiency improved during
the Quarter with Accounts Receivable Days Sales Outstanding dropping 7
days to 47 days and days of inventory on hand declining 11 days to 113
days. Capital expenditures approached the depreciation and amortization
charge at $443,000, and the Company's book value remained at $7.49 per
share at Quarter's end.
Commentary
"I am quite pleased with our First Quarter results, and proud to see
that we've beaten our own best record for First Quarter sales," said
Albert W. Ondis, Astro-Med, Inc. Chairman and CEO. "Each of our business
segments reported revenue increases over their respective sales volume
in the First Quarter of the prior year, and all three brands drove sales
growth in line with expectations set forth in our Three Year Strategic
Plan."
Guidance
"We anticipate continued sales growth and increased profitability in
the Second Quarter and we remain quite optimistic about Astro-Med's
performance in FY2012. We continue to experience growth in customer
demand for the Company's products, including the new QuickLabel Vivo!
Touch color label printer, the Astro-Med ToughWriter Ruggedized cockpit
printer line and TMX data acquisition system, and the Grass Technologies
TREA ambulatory EEG recorder," said Ondis.
Directors Declare Regular Quarterly Dividend
On May 17, 2011, the Directors of Astro-Med, Inc. declared the
regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share, payable on July 1,
2011 to shareholders of record on June 10, 2011.
Conference Call to be Held Wednesday, May 18th at 11:00 am Eastern Time
The First Quarter conference call will be held on Wednesday, May 18,
2011, at 11:00 AM EDT. It will be broadcast via Internet web cast
through the Investing section of our website. We invite you to log on
and listen in real time on May 18th, or to participate in the conference
call by dialing 877-941-9205 with passcode 4437549. 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 800-406-7325 with passcode 4437549.
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.
ASTRO-MED, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
in Thousands Except for Per Share Data
(Unaudited)
Three Months Three Months
Ended Ended
April 30, 2011 May 1, 2010
----------------- -----------------
Net Sales $ 18,860 $ 17,077
Gross Profit 7,501 6,865
39.8% 40.2%
Operating Expenses:
Selling and Marketing 4,565 3,841
General and Administrative 911 1,183
Research & Development 1,468 1,219
----------------- -----------------
6,944 6,243
Operating Income 557 622
3.0% 3.6%
Other, Net 150 107
----------------- -----------------
Income Before Taxes 707 729
Income Tax Provision 276 299
----------------- -----------------
Net Income $ 431 $ 430
----------------- -----------------
Net Income Per Share - Basic $ .06 $ .06
----------------- -----------------
Net Income Per Share - Diluted $ .06 $ .06
----------------- -----------------
Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares - Basic 7,267 7,194
Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares - Diluted 7,416 7,475
Dividends Declared Per Common Share $ 0.07 $ 0.07
Selected Balance Sheet Data
in Thousands
As of As of
April 30, 2011 January 31, 2011
----------------- ----------------
(Unaudited)
Cash & Marketable Securities $ 21,087 $ 20,630
Current Assets $ 50,125 $ 49,700
Total Assets $ 65,553 $ 64,999
Current Liabilities $ 7,756 $ 7,503
Shareholders' Equity $ 54,577 $ 54,289
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 FY2011
annual report and its annual and quarterly filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Contact:
Albert W. Ondis
CEO
Joseph P. O'Connell
CFO
Astro-Med, Inc.
Tel: 800-343-4039
SOURCE: Astro-Med, Inc.