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A.T. CROSS COMPANY REPORTS SECOND QUARTER PROFIT
Lincoln, RI – July 23, 2009 – A.T. Cross Company (NASDAQ:
ATX) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended July
4, 2009.
Net income for the second quarter was $0.6 million or $0.04 per basic and diluted
share, compared to net income of $1.9 million or $0.12 per basic and diluted share
last year. The net loss for the six-month period ended July 4, 2009 was $0.3 million,
or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, compared to $2.5 million of net income, $0.16
per basic and diluted share, for the six-month period ended June 28, 2008. Included
in the 2009 six-month results were $0.04 per share of one-time restructuring charges
related to the consolidation of the Company’s Lincoln manufacturing operations and
European support structure.
Consolidated net sales for the second quarter of 2009 declined 13.7% to $37.3 million
compared to $43.2 million in the second quarter of 2008. The Cross Accessory Division
(CAD) revenue totaled $20.8 million, a decline of 19.8% compared to last year. The
Cross Optical Group (COG) revenue totaled $16.5 million, a decline of 4.4% from
a year ago. Consolidated net sales for the six months ended July 4, 2009 were $68.1
million, a decline of 14.2% from the prior year. For the first six months of 2009,
CAD sales of $39.5 million declined 24.6% from last year. COG sales of $28.6 million
improved 5.8% due to the growth of Costa Del Mar and incremental Native Eyewear
sales. Native Eyewear, which is part of COG, was acquired in March 2008.
Gross margin in the second quarter of 2009 was 54.7% versus 56.4% last year. Operating
expenses were $18.9 million compared to $21.2 million for the same period a year
ago. Year-to-date 2009 gross margin was 54.5% compared to 55.8% for the comparable
period last year. Changes in foreign exchange rates negatively impacted gross margins
by 180 basis points in the first half of 2009 compared to 2008. Operating expenses
for the six-month period were $37.8 million, including $0.8 million of restructuring
charges, compared to $40.1 million for the six month 2008 comparable period.
David G. Whalen, President and Chief Executive Officer of A.T. Cross said, “During
the second quarter, the recession continued and consumers and retailers remained
very conservative with regard to purchasing discretionary products. Importantly,
we continued to invest in our brands and manage our inventory and expenses appropriately.
We are confident that this approach is building share and will result in growth
in revenue and profit once the economy turns.”
Guidance
The Company expects to generate a profit and grow its net cash position this year,
but given the uncertain economic climate, will not provide specific guidance at
this time.
Conference Call
The Company’s management will host a conference call today, July 23, 2009 at 4:30
PM Eastern Time. Parties interested in participating in the conference call may
dial-in at (877) 681-3370, while international callers may dial-in at (719) 325-4928.
A live webcast of the call will be accessible here. The webcast will be archived for 30 days on this site,
while a telephone replay of the call will be available beginning at 7:30 PM Eastern
Time on July 23, 2009 through July 31, 2009 at (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820
for international callers, and entering the pass code of 1402694.
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. 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 Del Mar 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 Del Mar website at www.costadelmar.com and the Native Eyewear website at
www.nativeyewear.com/Native.
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 impact of the Company’s core strategies once the economy stabilizes).
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 depth and
severity of the economic crisis and consumers’ willingness to purchase discretionary
items, and 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 July 23, 2009. 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.
CONTACTS:
Kevin F. Mahoney
Senior Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
401-335-8470
Download a spreadsheet
with 2009 Second Quarter Results
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