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8-K - LIVE FILING - Castle Brands Inchtm_48020.htm

Castle Brands Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2013 Results
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Net Sales Increase 16.8% Driven by Strong Growth of Whiskeys and Rums

NEW YORK— July 1, 2013 — Castle Brands Inc. (NYSE MKT: ROX), a developer and international marketer of premium and super-premium branded spirits, today reported financial results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2013.

Operating highlights for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013:

    Net sales increased 16.8% to $41.4 million for fiscal 2013, as compared to $35.5 million for the comparable prior-year period.

    EBITDA, as adjusted, improved by 69.5% to a loss of ($0.7) million, compared to a loss of ($2.4) million for fiscal 2012.

    Total case sales of beverage alcohol products increased 11.6% to 372,059 cases compared to 333,529 cases in the prior-year period.

    Strong growth of the Jefferson’s bourbons and rye lead to a 44.7% increase in whiskey revenues from the prior-year period.

    We purchased $2.5 million of aged bourbon in March 2013 to support the growth of the Jefferson’s brand.

    Gosling’s Black Seal Rum exceeded 100,000 cases sold in the U.S.

    General and Administrative decreased in fiscal 2013 and represented 11.7% of Sales, down from 14.0% in fiscal 2012.

“We are proud of the strong growth of our core brands, driven by our experienced sales force and effective marketing programs. These sales increases were achieved without corresponding increases to general and administrative expenses. This ability to scale our business led to stronger bottom line performance, with a 69.5% improvement in our EBITDA, as adjusted. We expect this trend to continue in the current fiscal year.” stated Richard J. Lampen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Castle Brands.

“Gosling’s volume exceeded 100,000 cases in the US, an important milestone that reflects the strength of the brand and the growing popularity of the trademarked Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail. Sales of our Stormy Ginger Beer in the US increased 59% to 248,309 cases. Jefferson’s bourbons and rye whiskies also delivered very strong growth performance. We are particularly pleased to have secured $2.5 million of aged bourbon to support continued growth of the Jefferson’s brand,” stated John Glover, Chief Operating Officer of Castle Brands.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company had net sales of $10.8 million, an 8.1% increase from net sales of $10.0 million in the comparable prior-year period. Loss from operations was $2.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to $1.0 million for the prior-year period. This loss included a $2.0 million non-cash loss in connection with the Company’s determination to reduce its sales and marketing efforts on its wine brands. Including the $0.2 million non-cash dividend accrued under the terms of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, the Company had a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $3.3 million, or $(0.03) per basic and diluted share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, as compared to $1.5 million, or $(0.01) per basic and diluted share, in the prior-year period.

EBITDA, as adjusted, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 improved 83.3% to a loss of $0.06 million, compared to a loss of $0.3 million for the prior-year period.

The Company had net sales of $41.4 million for fiscal 2013, an increase of 16.8% from $35.5 million in the comparable prior-year period. This sales growth was driven by increased rum and whiskey sales in the U.S. and international markets. Loss from operations was ($4.4) million for fiscal 2013, as compared to a loss from operations of ($3.9) million for the fiscal 2012. Including the ($0.7) million dividend accrued under the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Company had a net loss attributable to common shareholders of ($6.2) million, or $(0.06) per basic and diluted share, in fiscal 2013, compared to a net loss attributable to common shareholders of ($5.9) million or $(0.06) per basic and diluted share, in fiscal 2012. 2013 results include a $2.0 million non-cash loss in connection with the Company’s determination to reduce its sales and marketing efforts on its wine brands.

EBITDA, as adjusted, for fiscal 2013 improved to a loss of ($0.7) million, compared to a loss of ($2.4) million for the prior-year period.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Within the information above, Castle Brands provides information regarding EBITDA, as adjusted, which is not a recognized term under GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and does not purport to be an alternative to operating income (loss) or net income (loss) as a measure of operating performance. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, adjusted for allowance for doubtful accounts and obsolete inventory, loss on wine assets, non-cash compensation expense, loss from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate, foreign exchange, net change in fair value of warrant liability, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and dividend to preferred shareholders is a key metric the Company uses in evaluating its financial performance on a consistent basis across various periods. EBITDA is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Due to the significance of non-cash and non-recurring items, EBITDA, as adjusted, enables the Company’s Board of Directors and management to monitor and evaluate the business on a consistent basis. The Company uses EBITDA, as adjusted, as a primary measure, among others, to analyze and evaluate financial and strategic planning decisions regarding future allocation of capital resources. The Company believes that EBITDA, as adjusted, eliminates items that are not indicative of its core operating performance or are based on management’s estimates, such as allowances for doubtful accounts and obsolete inventory, are due to changes in valuation, such as the effects of changes in foreign exchange or fair value of warrant liability, or do not involve a cash outlay, such as stock-based compensation expense. EBITDA, as adjusted, should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, income from operations, net income and cash flows from operating activities. Reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA, as adjusted, is presented below.

About Castle Brands Inc.
Castle Brands is a developer and international marketer of premium beverage alcohol brands including: Gosling’s Rum®, Jefferson’s®, Jefferson’s Presidential SelectTM and Jefferson’s Reserve® Bourbon, Jefferson’s® Rye Whiskey, Boru® Vodka, Pallini® Limoncello, Raspicello and Peachcello, Knappogue Castle Whiskey®, Clontarf® Irish Whiskey, Celtic Honey® Liqueur, Brady’s® Irish Cream, Castello MioTM Sambuca, Travis Hasse’s Original® Pie Liqueurs, TierrasTM Tequila and Gozio® Amaretto. Additional information concerning the Company is available on the Company’s website, www.castlebrandsinc.com.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release includes statements of our expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs that constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are intended to come within the safe harbor protection provided by those sections. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, related to the discussion of our business strategies and our expectations concerning future operations, margins, sales, new products and brands, potential joint ventures, potential acquisitions, expenses, profitability, liquidity and capital resources and to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. You can identify these and other forward-looking statements by the use of such words as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “thinks,” “estimates,” “seeks,” “expects,” “predicts,” “could,” “projects,” “potential” and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. These forward looking statements are made based on expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and are subject to uncertainties, risks and factors relating to our operations and business environments, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed or implied by these forward looking statements. These risks include our history of losses and expectation of further losses, our ability to expand our operations in both new and existing markets, our ability to develop or acquire new brands, our relationships with distributors, the success of our marketing activities and our cost reduction efforts, the effect of competition in our industry and economic and political conditions generally, including the current recessionary economic environment and concurrent market instability. More information about these and other factors are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Castle Brands’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013 and other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. When considering these forward looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements in this press release and the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and we cannot predict those events or how they may affect us. We assume no obligation to update any forward looking statements after the date of this press release as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by the federal securities laws.

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CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

                                 
    Three Months Ended March 31,    
    (unaudited)   Twelve Months Ended March 31,
    2013   2012   2013   2012
Sales, net*                         
  $ 10,799,161     $ 9,993,073     $ 41,442,994     $ 35,494,615  
Cost of sales*
    6,808,525       6,441,974       26,438,238       22,694,297  
Provision for obsolete inventory      
    564,005       275,000       684,830       275,000  
 
                               
 
                               
Gross profit
    3,426,631       3,276,099       14,319,926       12,525,318  
 
                               
 
                               
Selling expense
    2,984,994       2,744,126       11,265,108       10,502,478  
General and administrative expense
    1,199,899       1,252,066       4,850,648       4,985,566  
Depreciation and amortization
    228,787       231,641       920,305       914,361  
Loss on wine assets
    1,715,728             1,715,728        
 
                               
 
                               
Loss from operations
    (2,702,777 )     (951,734 )     (4,431,863 )     (3,877,087 )
 
                               
 
                               
Other expense
    15                    
Loss from equity investment in non-consolidated affiliate
    (3,841 )     (12,361 )     (22,549 )     (28,923 )
Foreign exchange loss
    (156,609 )     (208,762 )     (247,431 )     (722,253 )
Interest expense, net
    (181,962 )     (103,801 )     (587,308 )     (589,781 )
Net change in fair value of warrant liability
    69,770       16,154       302,734       109,767  
Income tax benefit
    37,038       37,038       148,152       148,152  
 
                               
 
                               
Net loss
    (2,938,366 )     (1,223,466 )     (4,838,265 )     (4,960,125 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (177,372 )     (86,915 )     (610,492 )     (272,200 )
 
                               
Net loss attributable to controlling interests
    (3,115,738 )     (1,310,381 )     (5,448,757 )     (5,232,325 )
 
                               
Dividend to preferred shareholders
    (191,889 )     (186,595 )     (744,468 )     (714,830 )
 
                               
 
                               
Net loss attributable to common shareholders
  $ (3,307,627 )   $ (1,496,976 )   $ (6,193,225 )   $ (5,947,155 )
 
                               
 
                               
Net loss attributable to common stockholders per common share, basic and diluted
    (0.03 )     (0.01 )     (0.06 )     (0.06 )
 
                               
 
                               
Weighted average shares used in computation, basic and diluted, attributable to common shareholders
    108,611,377       108,508,652       108,508,652       107,635,565  
 
                               

• Sales, net and Cost of sales include excise taxes of $1,520,204 and $1,520,204 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $5,964,374 and $5,460,754 for the years ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

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CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA, as adjusted

(Unaudited)

                                 
    Three months ended   Twelve months ended
    March 31,   March 31,
    2013   2012   2013   2012
Net loss attributable to common shareholders
  $ (3,307,627 )   $ (1,496,976 )   $ (6,193,225 )   $ (5,947,155 )
 
                               
Adjustments:
                               
Interest expense, net
    181,962       103,801       587,308       589,781  
Income tax benefit
    (37,038 )     (37,038 )     (148,152 )     (148,152 )
Depreciation and amortization
    228,787       231,641       920,305       914,361  
 
                               
EBITDA (loss)
    (2,933,916 )     (1,198,572 )     (4,833,764 )     (4,591,165 )
 
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    70,000       42,541       86,869       68,599  
Allowance for obsolete inventory
    564,005       275,000       684,830       275,000  
Stock-based compensation expense
    66,052       53,212       282,314       190,462  
Loss on wine asset
    1,715,728             1,715,728        
Other expense
    (15 )                      
Net income from non-consolidated equity investment
    3,841       12,361       22,549       28,923  
Foreign exchange loss
    156,609       208,762       247,431       722,253  
Net change in fair value of warrant liability
    (69,770 )     (16,154 )     (302,734 )     (109,767 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    177,372       86,915       610,492       272,200  
Dividend to preferred shareholders
    191,889       186,595       744,468       714,830  
 
                               
EBITDA (loss), as adjusted
  $ (58,205 )   $ (349,340 )   $ (741,817 )   $ (2,428,665 )
 
                               

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Castle Brands Inc.
Investor Relations, 646-356-0200
info@castlebrandsinc.com
www.castlebrandsinc.com

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