3 Q's earnings report , Prez comments on SGD's 4 Q and 1999
" September 23, 12:18 Eastern Time
DENVER (Oct. 23) BUSINESS WIRE -Oct. 23, 1998--Scott's Liquid Gold-Inc. (NYSE: SGD), which develops, manufactures and markets household and skin care products, today reported operating results for the third quarter and first nine months of its 1998 fiscal year.
During the quarter ended September 30, 1998, the Company's net sales totaled $9.2 million, versus net sales of $12.8 million in the third quarter of 1997. A net loss of $342,600 ($0.03 per share) was recorded in the most recent quarter, compared with net income of $1,217,700 ($0.12 per share) in the quarter ended September 30, 1997.
Net sales of $31.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 compared with net sales of $39.0 million in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year. Approximately 95% of the year-to-year decline in nine-month revenues was attributable to lower sales of the Company's Alpha Hydrox skin care products. Net sales of Scott's Liquid Gold wood cleaners and preservatives rose about 19%, while net sales of Touch of Scent air fresheners declined by approximately 29%, during the first nine months of 1998. The Company reported a net loss of $2,707,500 ($0.27 per share) for the nine months ended September 30, 1998, versus net income of $2,170,600 ($0.21 per diluted share) in the prior-year period.
"Although we were disappointed with the lack of profitability during the first nine months of 1998, a number of recent and upcoming accomplishments should impact operating results in the future," stated Mark E. Goldstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of Scott's Liquid Gold-Inc. "Our new Alpha Hydrox Retinol Night ResQ skin care product was introduced during the third quarter, and we have been very encouraged with orders from retailers and initial sales to consumers at the retail level. If these trends continue, the new retinol product should prove to be an excellent addition to our Alpha Hydrox skin care line.
"The launch of our Belleza Latina products did not benefit third quarter results, but we expect this new product line to generate considerable excitement within the Hispanic niche of the skin care market," continued Goldstein. "Belleza Latina products will be arriving in retail stores during the next several weeks, and we expect to roll out a targeted advertising program beginning in November and continuing into early next year in a number of regional markets.
"Delays involving our new products designed to help diabetics cope with cuts, bruises and dry skin problems have now been resolved, and shipments of such products are expected to begin in February 1999. Many diabetics in the United States suffer from dry skin problems on a daily basis. We have developed a marketing strategy which focuses upon healthcare providers that are closely involved with the diabetic population.
"Finally, sales of our trademarked Scott's Liquid Gold wood cleaner and preservative line have increased significantly in recent quarters. While the benefits of greater sales have been offset by higher advertising expenses this year, we expect the profitability of our wood cleaners and preservatives to improve in 1999 as higher levels of consumer awareness allow advertising costs to decline," concluded Goldstein.
Scott's Liquid Gold-Inc. develops, manufactures and markets high quality household products, including Scott's Liquid Gold, a wood cleaner and preservative, Touch of Scent air fresheners, and Alpha Hydrox skin care products. The Company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado and its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "SGD".
This press release may contain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of U. S. federal securities laws. These statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements and the Company's performance inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, continued acceptance of the Company's products in the marketplace; acceptance in the marketplace of the Company's new product lines; competitive factors; the need for effective advertising of the Company's products; limited resources available for such advertising; new product introductions by others; technological changes; dependence upon third-party vendors and upon sales to major customers; changes in the regulation of the Company's products, including applicable environmental regulations; year 2000 issues; adverse developments in pending litigation; the loss of any executive officer; and other risks discussed in this release and in the Company's periodic report filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release.
SCOTT'S LIQUID GOLD, INC. and Consolidated Subsidiaries CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Sept. 30, Sept. 30, 1998 1997 ------------- ------------- Net Sales $ 9,240,200 $ 12,821,700 Income (Loss) Before Taxes (543,900) 1,932,900 Provision (Benefit) For Income Taxes (201,300) 715,200 ------------- ------------- Net Income (Loss) $ (342,600) $ 1,217,700 ============= ============= Net Income Per Share: Basic $ ( 0.03) $ 0.12 ============= ============= Diluted $ (0 ============= ============= Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: Basic 10,103,100 10,084,400 Diluted 10,103,100 10,244,200 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, Sept. 30, 1998 1997 ------------- ------------- Net Sales $ 31,816,300 $ 39,000,300 Income (Loss) Before Taxes (4,297,800) 3,445,300 Provision (Benefit) For Income Taxes (1,590,300) 1,274,700 ------------- ------------- Net Income (Loss) $ (2,707,500) $ 2,170,600 ============= ============= Net Income Per Share: Basic $ ( 0.27) $ 0.22 ============= ============= Diluted $ ( 0. ============= ============= Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: Basic 10,103,100 10,084,400 Diluted 10,103,100 10,244,200
flb/ny*
CONTACT: Scott's Liquid Gold-Inc. Barry Shepard or Carolyn J. Anderson
303/373-4860 e-mail: barshep@earthlink.net
or R.J. Falkner & Co. Inc.
R. Jerry Falkner, CFA, Investor Relations Counsel 800/377-9893
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Jim K. |