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8-K - FORM 8-K - ESCALADE INCescalade_8k.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

ESCALADE REPORTS $0.09 EARNINGS PER SHARE IN Q3

Evansville, IN (November 1, 2010) Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ: ESCA) announced that revenues for the third quarter of 2010 were 8% higher than the same quarter last year.  Sales growth is a result of continued focus on product innovation and brand marketing.  Net income for the third quarter of 2010 was $1.2 million, or $0.09 per share compared to net income of $0.6 million or $0.05 per share for the same quarter in 2009.

Revenues from the Sporting Goods business were up 17% and 12% for the third quarter and nine months of 2010 compared to the same periods last year.  Increases in consumer spending, new product development and expanded product placement are driving sales increases.  Management believes improved sales in the Sporting Goods segment will continue through the remainder of the year.

Compared to last year, revenues from the Office Products business declined 10% and 14% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively.  Excluding the effects of changes in the currency exchange rates, revenues declined 6% and 13%, for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, respectively. Financial uncertainty in several key markets in Europe, particularly Spain, Germany and the UK, has negatively impacted customer sentiment and slowed recovery.  North America experienced decreases in both government and commercial sales channels.  The sales decline in the third quarter of the year shows a slight improvement over the previous six months.  Management is cautiously optimistic this trend will continue to improve.  The Company will continue with new product launches to achieve future growth.

The overall gross margin ratios for the third quarter and first nine months of 2010 were 32.2% and 33.1%, respectively, compared to 29.6% and 30.7%, respectively, for same periods last year. Management expects gross margins for the remainder of 2010 will continue to exceed prior year.

Compared to the same periods last year, consolidated selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) costs decreased 1.5% in the third quarter and 8.4% in the first nine months of 2010.  During the quarter the Company increased focus on strategic investments in product development and brand marketing.

“We are pleased to announce 8% top line growth for the third quarter.  This increased revenue, coupled with operational improvements, has yielded third quarter EPS of $0.9, an increase of 80% over the same period last year,” stated Robert J. Keller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Escalade, Inc.  “Our focus is top line growth, driven by a balanced strategy of product innovation and brand marketing.  Our recent new product introductions, backed by increased brand investment, have achieved strong marketplace acceptance.  Steady cash management improvements have resulted in the lowest Company debt level in over five years, providing increased investment flexibility for our strategic growth initiatives.”

Escalade is a leading manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods and office/graphic arts products sold worldwide. To obtain more information on the Company and its products, visit our website at: www.EscaladeInc.com or contact Deborah Meinert, Vice President and CFO at 812/467-4449.

 
 

 
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This report contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  These risks include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, Escalade’s ability to successfully integrate the operations of acquired assets and businesses, new product development, the continuation and development of key customer and supplier relationships, Escalade’s ability to control costs, general economic conditions, fluctuation in operating results, changes in the securities market, Escalade’s ability to obtain financing and to maintain compliance with the terms of such financing, and other risks detailed from time to time in Escalade’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Escalade’s future financial performance could differ materially from the expectations of management contained herein.  Escalade undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements after the date of this report.
 

 
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ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited, In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
2 October 2010
   
3 October 2009
   
2 October 2010
   
3 October 2009
   
2 October 2010
   
3 October 2009
 
                                     
NET SALES
  $ 28,565     $ 26,358     $ 89,471     $ 86,957     $ 118,514     $ 119,884  
                                                 
OPERATING  EXPENSES
                                               
Cost of goods sold
    19,369       18,558       59,813       60,233       81,830       86,778  
Selling and administrative
    6,469       6,571       21,398       23,342       27,541       33,086  
Long-lived asset impairment
                                  2,623  
Amortization
    368       617       1,042       2,024       1,283       2,399  
                                                 
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
    2,359       612       7,218       1,358       7,860       (5,002 )
                                                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
                                               
Interest expense
    (223 )     (630 )     (1,005 )     (1,530 )     (1,140 )     (1,856 )
Other income (expense)
    275       966       586       1,197       1,659       1,019  
                                                 
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    2,411       948       6,799       1,025       8,379       (5,839 )
                                                 
PROVISION (BENEFIT) FOR INCOME TAXES
     1,239        330        2,963        480        3,431       (1,805 )
                                                 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
  $ 1,172     $ 618     $ 3,836     $ 545     $ 4,948     $ (4,034 )
                                                 
PER SHARE DATA
                                               
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.09     $ 0.05     $ 0.30     $ 0.04     $ 0.39     $ (0.32 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ 0.09     $ 0.05     $ 0.29     $ 0.04     $ 0.37     $ (0.32 )
Average shares outstanding
    12,740       12,624       12,712       12,620       12,698       12,620  
 
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited, In Thousands)

   
2 October 2010
   
3 October 2009
   
26 December 2009
 
ASSETS
                 
Current assets
  $ 55,309     $ 64,551     $ 52,936  
Property, Plant & Equipment – net
    19,929       19,094       21,493  
Other assets
    26,511       28,201       26,594  
Goodwill
    25,788       26,325       26,215  
Total
  $ 127,537     $ 138,171     $ 127,238  
                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                 
Current liabilities
  $ 32,973     $ 54,506     $ 43,248  
Other liabilities
    7,500       1,262       1,226  
Stockholders’ equity
    87,064       82,403       82,764  
Total
  $ 127,537     $ 138,171     $ 127,238  
 
 
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