Published:
Astro-Med Reports Record Quarterly Sales, Strong Earnings; Directors Declare Regular Cash Dividend

Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT) announced
record sales for the fiscal 2008 Second Quarter ended August 4, 2007.
Sales for the fiscal 2008 Second Quarter increased 15% to a record
$18,695,000, compared to $16,267,000 in the fiscal 2007 Second Quarter. Net
income for the fiscal 2008 Second Quarter increased 20% to $886,000, or
$0.12 per diluted share, from $740,000, or $0.10 per diluted share.
For the six-month period ended August 4, 2007, the Company reported sales
of $35,101,000, an increase of 10% over $31,908,000, reported in the same
period last fiscal year. Year-to-date, net income was $1,408,000, or $0.19
per diluted share, compared to $1,283,000, or $0.17 per diluted share.
Commenting on the results, Albert W. Ondis, Chief Executive Officer,
stated: "We're pleased with the results of our fiscal year 2008 Second
Quarter. We've achieved significant sales growth as a company, but we are
especially gratified that Second Quarter sales were robust in among all our
brands, both domestically and internationally."
The Company reports that sales of QuickLabel Systems products grew 23% to
$9,662,000, while Test & Measurement brand product sales also achieved a
23% increase to $4,500,000 for the quarter. Grass Technologies product
sales for the quarter were $4,533,000, which was below last year's sales
level. "Grass Technologies brand sales increased 13% over the First
Quarter, and we anticipate sales to improve favorably throughout the
remainder of the year compared with the same periods last year," Ondis
continued. "Company sales to international customers for the quarter
increased 35%, which demonstrates our growing international footprint.
"While down over the fiscal 2007 Second Quarter, gross profit margins of
41.9% showed improvement over the First Quarter and we have expectations of
continued improvements during the balance of the fiscal year. We are
encouraged with the improving trends that were recorded in the Second
Quarter, which we see gaining momentum during the second half of the year,
as new orders increased 6%. Astro-Med continues to use its strong financial
position to invest in new product development programs, and we are poised
for significant continued growth."
On August 21, 2007, the Directors of Astro-Med declared the regular
quarterly cash dividend of 5 cents per share payable on October 1, 2007 to
shareholders of record on September 7, 2007.
The Second Quarter conference call will be held August 23, 2007, at 11:00
AM EDT. It will be broadcast in real time on the Internet through our
website at www.astro-medinc.com. We invite all those interested to log on
and listen in or access the broadcast any time for up to 5 days following
the event. Investors may participate in the conference call by dialing in
to 800-867-0448.
Astro-Med, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high tech specialty printing
systems, electronic medical instrumentation, and test and measurement
instruments employed around the world in a wide range of industrial,
scientific, and medical applications.
ASTRO-MED, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
In Thousands Except for Per Share Data
(Unaudited)
Three-Months Ended Six-Months Ended
August 4, July 29, August 4, July 29,
2007 2006 2007 2006
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Sales $ 18,695 $ 16,267 $ 35,101 $ 31,908
Gross Profit 7,831 6,996 14,677 13,272
41.9% 43.0% 41.8% 41.6%
Operating Expenses:
Selling, General &
Administrative 5,433 5,035 10,560 9,545
Research & Development 1,135 944 2,233 1,997
--------- --------- --------- ---------
6,568 5,979 12,793 11,542
Operating Income 1,263 1,017 1,884 1,730
6.8% 6.3% 5.4% 5.4%
Other Income, Net 214 191 463 340
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Income Before Taxes 1,477 1,208 2,347 2,070
Income Tax Provision 591 468 939 787
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net Income $ 886 $ 740 $ 1,408 $ 1,283
========= ========= ========= =========
Net Income Per Share - Basic $ 0.13 $ 0.11 $ 0.21 $ 0.19
========= ========= ========= =========
Net Income Per Share - Diluted $ 0.12 $ 0.10 $ 0.19 $ 0.17
========= ========= ========= =========
Weighted Average Number of
Common Shares - Basic 6,901 6,718 6,866 6,721
Weighted Average Number of
Common Shares - Diluted 7,578 7,380 7,573 7,349
Dividends Declared Per Common
Share $ 0.05 $ 0.05 $ 0.10 $ 0.10
Selected Balance Sheet Data
In Thousands
Unaudited
As of As of
August 4, January 31,
2007 2007
------------ ------------
Cash & Marketable Securities $ 15,905 $ 16,930 (1)
Current Assets $ 44,709 $ 44,168
Total Assets $ 58,109 $ 58,001
Current Liabilities $ 7,546 $ 9,874
Shareholders Equity $ 46,777 $ 45,958
(1) Excludes $3,200,000 of cash and marketable securities earmarked for
long term investment in real estate.
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 FY2007 annual report
and its annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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