Published:
Astro-Med Again Reports Record Sales; 30% Net Income Increase in Second Quarter; Directors Declare Regular Cash Dividend

Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT) reports net
income of $1,154,000, equal to 15 cents per diluted share, on sales of
$19,784,000 for the Second Quarter ended August 2, 2008. This is a 30%
increase in net income over the comparable period of the prior year, when
Astro-Med reported net income of $886,000, equal to 12 cents per diluted
share, on sales of $18,695,000. Favorable foreign exchange currency rates
added approximately $443,000 to this year's Second Quarter sales.
For the six months ended August 2, 2008, Astro-Med reported net income of
$2,051,000, equal to 27 cents per diluted share on sales of $38,472,000,
compared to net income of $1,408,000, equal to 19 cents per diluted share,
on sales of $35,101,000 in the comparable six-month period of the prior
fiscal year. Results for the first half of the current fiscal year reflect
increases in net income and earnings per share of 46% and 42%,
respectively. Favorable foreign exchange currency rates added
approximately $916,000 to this year's six-month sales.
Commenting on the results, Albert W. Ondis, Chief Executive Officer, said:
"New orders received during the Second Quarter exceeded $20 million, a
positive indication of how the Company's products are being accepted. We
are very pleased with these excellent results achieved through
contributions from all product families in domestic as well as
international markets. New orders from our domestic customers rose 11.6%
while our international customers' orders were up 16.8% over the prior
year. We remain confident that the balance of the year will produce very
strong results."
Astro-Med's domestic sales increased by 6.8% and its international sales
rose by 3.8%. The Company's Gross Profit Margin in the Quarter was 43.9%,
compared to 41.9% in the prior year. The Company's operating income rose
52.8% from the previous year and earned an operating margin of 9.7% against
the 6.8% margin reported in the prior year. The Company's balance sheet
remains healthy with a cash and marketable securities position of
$20,415,000, a current ratio of 6:1 and zero debt.
Astro-Med Directors Declare Regular Cash Dividend
On August 18, 2008, the Directors of Astro-Med declared the regular
quarterly cash dividend of 6 cents per share, payable on October 1, 2008 to
shareholders of record on September 12, 2008.
Second Quarter Conference Call to be held Wednesday, August 20, 2008
The Second Quarter conference call will be held on Wednesday, August 20,
2008, at 11:00 AM EDT. It will be broadcast in real time on the Internet.
We invite investors and analysts to participate in the conference call by
dialing in to 800-218-8862 or to listen by logging on to
www.astro-medinc.com. The broadcast will be accessible for up to five days
following the call.
Astro-Med, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
In Thousands Except for Per Share Data
(Unaudited)
Three-Months Ended Six-Months Ended
August 2, August 4, August 2, August 4,
2008 2007 2008 2007
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Sales $ 19,784 $ 18,695 $ 38,472 $ 35,101
Gross Profit 8,681 7,831 16,868 14,677
43.9% 41.9% 43.8% 41.8%
Operating Expenses:
Marketing & Selling 4,343 4,276 8,764 8,348
Research & Development 1,199 1,135 2,425 2,233
General &
Administrative 1,210 1,157 2,456 2,212
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
6,752 6,568 13,645 12,793
Operating Income 1,929 1,263 3,223 1,884
9.7% 6.8% 8.4% 5.4%
Other Income, Net 61 214 237 463
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income Before Taxes 1,990 1,477 3,460 2,347
Income Tax Provision 836 591 1,409 939
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Income $ 1,154 $ 886 $ 2,051 $ 1,408
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Net Income Per Share -
Basic $ 0.16 $ 0.13 $ 0.29 $ 0.20
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Net Income Per Share -
Diluted $ 0.15 $ 0.12 $ 0.27 $ 0.19
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Weighted Average Number of
Common Shares - Basic 6,999 6,901 6,966 6,866
Weighted Average Number of
Common Shares - Diluted 7,523 7,578 7,482 7,573
Dividends Declared Per
Common Share $ 0.06 $ 0.05 $ 0.12 $ 0.10
Selected Balance Sheet Data
In Thousands
Unaudited
As of As of
August 2, January 31,
2008 2008
------------ ------------
Cash & Marketable Securities(1) $ 20,415 $ 17,556
------------ ------------
Current Assets $ 49,050 $ 48,384
------------ ------------
Total Assets $ 62,907 $ 61,699
------------ ------------
Current Liabilities $ 7,868 $ 8,973
------------ ------------
Shareholders Equity $ 51,830 $ 49,355
------------ ------------
(1) Includes investment securities classified as non-current
About Astro-Med, Inc.
Astro-Med, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high tech specialty printing
systems, electronic medical instrumentation, and test and measurement
instruments sold under the brand names Astro-Med®, Grass® Technologies
and QuickLabel® Systems. Astro-Med Inc. products are employed around the
world in a wide range of industrial, scientific, and medical applications.
Additional information about Astro-Med, Inc. is available by visiting
www.astro-medinc.com.
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 FY2008 annual report
and its annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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