CHS reports stellar results, net income rises 40%!
  Thursday April 29, 8:59 am Eastern Time Company Press Release Bernard Chaus Reports Strong Third Quarter Earnings -- Net Income for the Quarter Up 40% and More Than Double for the Nine-Month Period-- 
  Bernard Chaus, Inc. (NYSE: CHS - news) today announced its financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 1999. 
  Third Quarter Results 
  For the third quarter of fiscal 1999, the period ended March 31, 1999, net income rose 40.2% to $4.3 million, or $0.16 per diluted share on a weighted average of 27.1 million common shares outstanding, compared to net income of $3.1 million, or $0.14 per diluted share on a weighted average of 21.4 million common shares outstanding, in the third quarter last year. The increase in the number of shares outstanding reflects a rights offering completed in January of 1998, following a one-for-ten reverse stock split. 
  Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 1999 reached $52.1 million, a 4.6% increase from net sales of $49.8 million in the fiscal 1998 third quarter. The increase in net sales was achieved despite the absence of sales in the current quarter from the licensed Nautica brand, which was terminated in October 1998. 
  Josephine Chaus, Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, ''We are very pleased with our solid performance in the quarter. These results reflect the success of our core Chaus brand, which has continued to generate a strong response from department store customers and consumers alike, following its repositioning from a moderate to a better sportswear line. 
  ''To build on the momentum we have achieved with our revitalized Chaus brand, in February 1999, we launched two new businesses -- Josephine Chaus Studio and Josephine Chaus Essentials -- marking a substantial step in our efforts to better fulfill the lifestyle dressing needs of consumers and expand the reach and visibility of the Chaus brand. We are very excited about the potential of these new lines, which have already experienced an enthusiastic early reception from our department store customers.'' 
  Nine Months Results 
  For the first nine months of fiscal 1999, net income more than doubled to $8.3 million, or $0.31 per diluted share on a weighted average of 27.1 million shares outstanding, compared to net income of $3.8 million, or $0.33 per diluted share on a weighted average of 11.4 million common shares outstanding. 
  Net sales for the nine-month period were $146.5 million compared to $155.8 million in the nine-month period of fiscal 1998, reflecting the closure of all but one of the Company's outlet stores in the second quarter of fiscal 1998 and the decrease in sales from its Nautica licensed business. 
  Bernard Chaus, Inc., designs, sources and markets an extensive range of women's career and casual sportswear, principally under the Josephine Chaus Collection, Josephine Chaus Studio, Josephine Chaus Essentials and Josephine Chaus Sport trademarks. The Company's products are sold nationwide through department store chains, specialty retailers and other outlets. 
  This press release contains forward-looking statements which are based upon current expectations and involve a number of uncertainties, including retail market conditions, acceptance of the Company's new product line, and the continuation of the current favorable trend in sales. Further information on potential factors which could affect the Company's financial results are included in the Company's Form 10-K/A for the year ended June 30, 1998 and Form 10-Q for the periods ended December 31, 1998, September 30, 1998 and March 31, 1998. 
                   BERNARD CHAUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  (Dollars in thousands, except number of shares and per share amounts)
                                  For the                For the                              Quarter Ended         Nine Months Ended                            March 31,  March 31,   March 31,  March 31,                              1999       1998        1999        1998                               (Unaudited)             (Unaudited)
  Net sales                  $52,129     $49,827    $146,471    $155,778 Cost of goods sold          37,694      36,105     108,541     116,346                             ------     -------     -------     ------- Gross profit                14,435      13,722      37,930      39,432
  Selling, general and  administrative expenses     9,431       9,480      27,536      29,711 Income from operations       5,004       4,242      10,394       9,721
  Interest expense,net           603       1,092       1,880       5,786                              -----      ------      ------       -----
  Income before provision  for income taxes            4,401       3,150       8,514       3,935 Provision for income taxes      89          75         173         170                               ----          --       -----        ----
  Net income                  $4,312      $3,075      $8,341      $3,765                             ======     =======      ======      ======
  Basic earnings per share     $0.16       $0.15       $0.31       $0.33                              =====      ======       =====       =====
  Diluted earnings per share   $0.16      $ 0.14       $0.31       $0.33                              =====      ======       =====       =====
  Weighted average number  of common shares  outstanding - basic    27,116,000  21,074,000  27,116,000  11,371,000
  Weighted average number  of common and common  equivalent shares  outstanding - diluted  27,116,000  21,389,000  27,145,000  11,371,000                         ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========
                   BERNARD CHAUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES                      CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET DATA                         (Dollars in thousands)
                                        March 31,           March 31,                                         1999                1998                                      (Unaudited)         (Unaudited)
  Cash and cash equivalents            $    74             $   162 Accounts receivable, net              41,661              36,972 Inventories                           13,836              16,757 Prepaid expenses                         558                 483                                          ---                 --- Total current assets                  56,129              54,374 Fixed assets and other assets, net     1,106               1,694                                      --------            ------- Total assets                         $57,235             $56,068                                      ========            =======
  Notes payable - banks                $ 8,131             $12,655 Accounts payable and accrued  expenses                             19,998              22,194 Term loan - current                    1,000               1,000                                       -------             ------  Total current liabilities            29,129              35,849 Term loan                             12,750              13,750                                      --------            -------  Total liabilities                    41,879              49,599 Total stockholders' equity            15,356               6,469                                      --------            ------- Total liabilities and stockholders'  equity                              $57,235             $56,068                                      =========           ========
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