WEST WARWICK, RI, May 18, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via
COMTEX) --Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT) reports First Quarter net
income of $430,000, equal to $0.06 per diluted share, on sales of
$17,077,000 for the First Quarter ended May 1, 2010. During the
comparable period of the prior year, the Company reported a loss of
$231,000, equal to $0.03 per diluted share on sales of $14,677,000. This
represents a 16% increase in sales and a $0.09 per share swing in per
share earnings. Favorable foreign currency exchange rates contributed
$250,000 to the First Quarter sales.
"I am quite pleased with our First Quarter results," said Albert W.
Ondis, Chairman and CEO of Astro-Med, Inc. "The Quarter was driven by
consumables sales, especially those of our QuickLabel Systems brand. Now
that orders for our higher-profit printers, data recorders, and
neurological and sleep instruments are rising, we are increasingly
confident about the balance of the year."
"Customer acceptance of our new products is most gratifying and this
has further validated our decision to continue the accelerated pace of
our costly new product development program in the face of the ongoing
recession."
Strong Fundamentals
"Astro-Med, Inc. continues to maintain a solid balance sheet. Cash
provided by operating activities was $461,000 during the Quarter,
allowing the company's cash and marketable securities balance to remain
virtually flat with the prior year end at $23,674,000, after funding
investing and financing requirements during the Quarter. Our current
ratio was consistent with the prior year at 6.4:1, with no debt
obligation and a book value of $7.37 per share."
Directors Declare Regular Quarterly Dividend
On May 18, 2010, the Directors of Astro-Med, Inc. declared the
regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share, payable on July 1,
2010 to shareholders of record on June 11, 2010.
Conference Call to be Held Wednesday, May 19th at 11:00 am Eastern Time
The First Quarter conference call will be held on Wednesday, May
19th, 2010, at 11:00 am EDT. It will be broadcast in real time on the
Internet through the Investing section of our website,
www.Astro-Medinc.com. We invite you to log on and participate in real
time on May 19th by dialing 877-941-0843 and referencing ID number
4293972. Following the live broadcast, an audio webcast of the
conference 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 and referencing ID number 4293972.
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 May 1, 2010 Ended May 2, 2009
----------------- -----------------
Net Sales $ 17,077 $ 14,677
Gross Profit 6,865 5,813
40.2% 39.6%
Operating Expenses:
Selling and Marketing 3,841 3,883
General and Administrative 1,183 1,162
Research & Development 1,219 1,228
----------------- -----------------
6,243 6,273
Operating Income (Loss) 622 (460)
3.6% (3.1%)
Other, Net 107 105
----------------- -----------------
Income (Loss) Before Taxes 729 (355)
Income Tax Provision (Benefit) 299 (124)
----------------- -----------------
Net Income (Loss) $ 430 ($231)
----------------- -----------------
Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic $ .06 ($.03)
----------------- -----------------
Net Income (Loss) Per Share -
Diluted $ .06 ($.03)
----------------- -----------------
Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares - Basic 7,194 7,087
Weighted Average Number of Common
Shares - Diluted 7,475 7,087
Dividends Declared Per Common Share $ 0.07 $ 0.06
Selected Balance Sheet Data
in Thousands
As of May 1, As of January 31,
2010 2010
-------------- ------------------
(Unaudited)
Cash & Marketable Securities $ 23,674 $ 23,760
Current Assets $ 49,635 $ 49,868
Total Assets $ 64,272 $ 64,676
Current Liabilities $ 7,803 $ 8,158
Shareholders' Equity $ 53,763 $ 53,819
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 FY2010
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.