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8-K - A.T. CROSS COMPANY FORM 8K Q1 2012 - COSTA INCform8k1q2012.htm

Exhibit 99


A. T. CROSS Co.
News Release
Company Contact:
Kevin F. Mahoney
Senior Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
401-335-8470
Investor Relations:
Dave Mossberg
Three Part Advisors, LLC
817-310-0051

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A.T. CROSS REPORTS SALES AND PROFIT INCREASES IN FIRST QUARTER 2012

·  
Q1 2012 Revenue up 5%
·  
Cross Optical Group Revenue up 18%
·  
Operating Income improves to $2.4 million from $2.1 million
·  
EPS grows from $0.10 to $0.12

Lincoln, RI – April 26, 2012 – A.T. Cross Company (NASDAQ: ATX) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

David G. Whalen, President and Chief Executive Officer of A.T. Cross said, “A. T. Cross delivered a solid first quarter performance.  Revenue grew 5% and our net income grew 22% as we continued to leverage our growing sales.  The Cross Optical Group (COG) had an excellent first quarter with revenue and operating income up sharply.  As our sunglass business enters its peak season it has momentum and we expect a very strong result as we move through the spring.”

Mr. Whalen continued, “The Cross Accessory Division’s (CAD) revenue declined 4% in the first quarter.  We continued to experience economic pressure in our European markets during the first quarter.  However, we saw quarter-to-quarter improvement in that region, as well as improvements in Asia and in all but one of the distribution channels in North America.”

First Quarter 2012 Results

Consolidated sales for the first quarter of 2012 increased by 5.4% to $41.9 million compared to $39.8 million in the first quarter of 2011.  The Cross Optical Group reported sales of $20.0M, an 18.2% increase compared to last year.  The Cross Accessory Division recorded revenue of $21.9 million, down 4.0% from last year.

Gross margin was 56.2% in 2012 versus 58.2% in 2011.  The change in gross margin was anticipated and is associated with inflation factors impacting the Cross Accessory Division that were not present in the first quarter of 2011.  Previously communicated full year 2012 gross margin expectations for the Company remains unchanged at 55.5%.

Operating expenses were $21.2 million, or 50.5% of sales in the 2012 first quarter, versus $21.1 million, or 53.0% of sales for the same period a year ago.

Operating income in the first quarter of 2012 was $2.4 million, as compared to $2.1 million in the first quarter of last year.

Net income for the first quarter was $1.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.3 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, last year.

Mr. Whalen concluded, “For A. T. Cross, 2012 is off to a good start.  The Cross Optical Group is entering its largest quarter with products and programs in place that will drive share gains.  Our Cross Accessory Division business is using its off peak period to prepare for improvement during its seasonally stronger second half.  Overall we are looking at another year of growth for the Company.”

Guidance

In February, the Company provided 2012 guidance of earnings between $0.70 and $0.75 per share.  The Company is confirming that guidance.  The guidance will be reviewed again in July, once the peak sunglass season concludes.

Conference Call

The Company’s management will host a conference call today, April 26, 2012 at 4:30 PM Eastern Time.  Parties interested in participating in the conference call may dial-in at (877) 303-2912, while international callers may dial-in at (408) 427-3877.  The conference call will be webcast and can be accessed at www.cross.com.  A replay of the webcast will be archived on the Company’s website for 60 days.

About A.T. Cross Company

Building on the rich tradition of its award-winning writing instruments and reputation for innovation and craftsmanship, A.T. Cross Company is a designer and marketer of branded personal and business accessories.  A.T. Cross provides a range of distinctive products that appeal to a growing market of consumers seeking to enhance their image and facilitate their lifestyle.  A.T. Cross products, including award-winning quality writing instruments, timepieces, business accessories and Costa and Native Eyewear sunglasses, are distributed in retail and corporate gift channels worldwide.  For more information, visit the A.T. Cross website at www.cross.com, the Costa website at www.costadelmar.com and the Native website at www.nativeyewear.com.

Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (including but not limited to statements relating to the expected operating results for COG during the spring season and the expected overall results for A.T. Cross).  In addition, words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the continued success of the Optical Group’s business model, the potential effect of economic uncertainty, particularly in Europe, on consumer confidence and, consumers’ willingness to continue to participate in the writing instrument category and to purchase discretionary items.  These forward-looking statements are not guarantees since there are inherent difficulties in predicting future results.  Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.  The information contained in this document is as of April 26, 2012.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information or future events or developments.  Additional discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's expectations is contained in the Company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

(Tables to follow)

 
 

 

A. T. CROSS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(unaudited)


                     
       
 Three Months Ended
       
 March 31, 2012
 
 April 2, 2011
                     
 
 Net sales
 
$
 41,946
   
$
 39,782
 
 
 Cost of goods sold
   
 18,376
     
 16,617
 
   
 Gross Profit
   
 23,570
     
 23,165
 
 
 Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
 18,475
     
 18,952
 
 
 Service and distribution costs
   
 2,048
     
 1,579
 
 
 Research and development expenses
   
 660
     
 571
 
   
 Operating Income
   
 2,387
     
 2,063
 
 
 Interest and other expense
   
 (132)
     
 (190)
 
   
 Income Before Income Taxes
   
 2,255
     
 1,873
 
 
 Income tax provision
   
 717
     
 608
 
   
 Net Income
 
$
 1,538
   
$
 1,265
 
                     
 
 Net Income per Share:
               
   
 Basic
   
 $ 0.13
     
 $ 0.10
 
   
 Diluted
   
 $ 0.12
     
 $ 0.10
 
                     
 
 Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
               
   
 Basic
   
 12,288
     
 12,113
 
   
 Diluted
   
 12,893
     
 12,891
 
                     
                     
                     
       
 Three Months Ended
       
 March 31, 2012
 
 April 2, 2011
 
 Segment Data:
               
 
 Cross Accessory Division
               
   
 Net Sales
 
$
 21,929
   
$
 22,840
 
   
 Operating Loss
   
 (462)
     
 (313)
 
                     
 
 Cross Optical Group
               
   
 Net Sales
 
$
 20,017
   
$
 16,942
 
   
 Operating Income
   
 2,849
     
 2,376
 

 
 

 

A.T. CROSS COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, unaudited)


       
March 31, 2012
     
April 2, 2011
Assets
             
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
 $14,817
     
 $8,132
 
Short-term investments
   
202
     
803
 
Accounts receivable
   
32,173
     
29,850
 
Inventories
   
40,354
     
41,011
 
Deferred income taxes
   
4,154
     
4,446
 
Other current assets
   
7,476
     
5,716
 
Total Current Assets
   
99,176
     
89,958
                 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
13,206
     
14,595
 
Goodwill
   
15,279
     
15,279
 
Intangibles and other assets
   
11,151
     
12,172
 
Deferred income taxes
   
10,894
     
11,302
                 
 
    Total Assets
   
 $149,706
     
 $143,306
                 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
             
 
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
   
 $25,205
     
 $24,717
 
Retirement plan obligations
   
2,405
     
2,361
 
Income taxes payable
   
267
     
2,443
 
Total Current Liabilities
   
27,877
     
29,521
                 
 
Long-term debt
   
18,221
     
19,221
 
Retirement plan obligations
   
19,703
     
14,341
 
Deferred gain on sale of real estate
   
2,086
     
2,607
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
473
     
495
 
Accrued warranty costs
   
1,430
     
1,339
 
Shareholders' equity
   
79,916
     
75,782
                 
 
   Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
   
 $149,706
     
 $143,306
                 
                 
For information at A. T. Cross contact:
             
Kevin F. Mahoney
             
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
       
(401) 335-8470
             
kmahoney@cross.com