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Strategies & Market Trends : Cents and Sensibility - Kimberly and Friends' Consortium -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Kimberly Lee who wrote (12798)7/28/1999 9:06:00 AM
From: Frederick Langford  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 108040
 
LCAV another Laser Vision stock:

LCA-Vision Reports 2Q Profit of $0.05 Versus Loss of $0.32 in 1998
Laser Vision Correction Revenues Up 73%


Wednesday July 28, 3:58 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
LCA-Vision Reports 2Q Profit of $0.05 Versus Loss of $0.32 in 1998
Laser Vision Correction Revenues Up 73%
CINCINNATI--(BW HealthWire)--July 28, 1999-- LCA-Vision Inc. (NASDAQ NM: LCAV - news), a leading U.S. based provider of laser vision correction services, today reported results for the 1999 second quarter.

For the three months ended June 30, 1999, LCA-Vision reported net income of $2,347,000, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share, compared with a net loss of $11,602,000, or a loss of $0.32 per basic and diluted share, in the comparable period last year. The 1998 loss includes a restructuring provision of $10,500,000.

Laser vision correction revenues for the second quarter of 1999 were $14,346,000, compared with $8,290,000 for the same period last year, an increase of 73%. Total revenues for the second quarter of 1999 were $14,730,000, compared with $9,019,000 for the same period last year.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 1999 was $3,977,000, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share, compared with a net loss of $13,236,000, or a loss of $0.36 per basic and diluted share, in the comparable period last year. Laser vision correction revenues for the first half of 1999 were $27,735,000, compared with $14,736,000 for the same period last year, an increase of 88%. Total revenues for the first half of 1999 were $28,597,000, compared with $16,228,000 for the same period in 1998.

''The highlight of the quarter is unquestionably the significant gains in year over year revenue growth and profits. We continue to exceed expectations both internally and externally, and to generate significant cash flow. In July, we successfully completed a public offering that will enable us to pursue our strategy to roll out new centers in contiguous markets, and allow LCA-Vision to leverage its established reputation for consistent and quality patient care. The growing consumer awareness, and increased patient confidence in our physicians' outcomes continues to fuel our growth,'' said Stephen Joffe, chairman and chief executive officer of LCA-Vision.

As previously reported during the second quarter, LCA-Vision raised over $37 million in a secondary equity offering, the proceeds of which will be reflected in the 1999 third quarter financial results. Coinciding with the public offering, the Company's shares began trading on the Nasdaq National Market System. Also during the quarter, the Company announced it had entered into an arrangement with Cole Managed Vision, a division of Cole National Corporation, to provide access to laser vision correction to Cole Managed Vision members nationwide. Joffe added, ''This is the first time that laser vision correction is being offered through a managed care organization on a nationwide basis. This agreement will provide us with the opportunity to access over 50 million managed care lives, though we don't expect its impact to be significant during this year.''

Also commenting on the quarter, Larry Rapp, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer stated, ''As we continue to build our procedure volume, additional leverage is created. The costs of running our business are fixed in nature and as procedure volume increases our operating margins expand significantly. This margin expansion supports our strategy of increasing procedures at our current centers as well as undertaking an expansion program.''

LCA-Vision operates laser vision correction centers in the U.S., Canada and Europe, which are supported by a network of over 2,200 ophthalmologists and optometrists. Since inception, approximately 70,000 laser vision correction procedures have been performed at the Company's centers.

This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the impact of competition and pricing, procedure demand and marketplace acceptance, and unforeseen fluctuations in operating results and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

LCA-VISION INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 1999 and 1998
(unaudited)
in thousands, except per share data

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----

Revenues:
Laser refractive
surgery $14,346 $8,290 $27,735 $14,736
Other 384 729 862 1,492
-------- ------- ------- --------

Total revenues 14,730 9,019 28,597 16,228

Operating costs and
expenses:
Medical professional
and license fees 6,186 3,537 12,201 6,193
Direct costs of services 2,732 2,644 5,288 5,463
General and
administrative expenses 3,253 2,485 6,223 4,578
Depreciation and
amortization 724 1,069 1,436 2,124
Restructuring provision (150) 10,500 (150) 10,500
----- ------- ------ ------

Operating income (loss) 1,985 (11,216) 3,599 (12,630)

Equity in earnings from
unconsolidated businesses 94 (19) 417 37
Interest expense 27 247 120 590
Interest income 129 84 276 196
Other income (expense) 218 35 (59) 61
------ -------- ------- --------

Income (loss) before
taxes on income 2,399 (11,363) 4,113 (12,926)

Taxes on income 8 110 8 138
-------- -------- ------- --------

Net income (loss) 2,391 (11,473) 4,105 (13,064)

Dividends to preferred
shareholders 44 129 128 172
-------- --------- ------ ----------

Income (loss) available
to common shareholders $2,347 $(11,602) $3,977 $(13,236)
====== ======== ====== =========

Income (loss) per
common share
Basic $0.05 $(0.32) $0.09 $(0.36)
Diluted $0.05 $(0.32) $0.09 $(0.36)

Weighted average shares used
in computation
Basic 45,450 36,818 44,614 36,742
Diluted 49,035 36,818 47,962 36,742

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Company Contacts: LCA-Vision Inc., Cincinnati
Stephen N. Joffe, Chairman & CEO,
Larry Rapp, Treasurer & CFO,
513/792-9292
or
Investor Relations Contacts:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc., New York
Bruce Voss (Bruce@lhai.com), 310/575-4848
Ruth Abeshaus (Ruth@lhai.com), 212/838-3777



To: Kimberly Lee who wrote (12798)7/28/1999 9:20:00 AM
From: Norms  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 108040
 
MAJOR News for PPOS - HealthStar Corp. Looking for more news this week too!

HealthStar Corp Announces Key Changes to Board of Directors

PR Newswire - July 27, 1999 15:53

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthStar Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: PPOS),
announced today that Edward Chism, Brian McWilliams, Dr. Luis Queral and Dr. Michael Flax
will be replacing Gerald Finnell, Gary Nielsen, Jon Donnell and Thomas O'Brien as HealthStar's
new Board of Directors. The move comes after various Internet-related investment firms acquired
shares from HealthStar's previous and current presidents, Paul Caliendo and Stephen Carder.

"We would like to thank our previous board members for their contribution and service to
HealthStar" remarked Stephen Carder, HealthStar's CEO. "The Company is ready to embark in a
new direction and requires a unique set of skills possessed by our new board" he added. Edward
Chism, the new Chairman of the Board, stated "Our carefully selected team comes to HealthStar
with a new vision in healthcare and Internet technologies. We are excited about working with the
Company to bring this vision to reality."

HealthStar Corp. is preparing to unveil a new vertical healthcare portal complementing recent
announcements in the Internet healthcare industry. The industry is fragmented and integration of
important patient, financial and insurance related information has been a monumental effort up to
this point. Doctors, hospitals, patients, insurance companies and other healthcare participants will
be able to access valuable programs and services that represent "best solutions" in their respective
categories. By hosting these applications and integrating them in a user friendly browser-based
environment, all parties in the healthcare process will be able to communicate and transact on a
common platform.

EDWARD M. CHISM

Mr. Chism is an acclaimed expert in business to business commerce. Having held US Diplomatic
status as a Senior Manager, he supervised hundreds of billions of dollars in shipments through
the Panama Canal from 1982 to 1990. He currently manages three investment funds that has
invested multi-million dollars in various successful development phase companies. His
experience in finance and international policy matters between foreign governments and business
conglomerates is a valuable asset to HealthStar.

BRIAN MCWILLIAMS

A Chartered Accountant, Mr. McWilliams was an audit supervisor with Deloitte & Touche. He is
a founding partner and Chief Investment Officer of a financial services firm focused on portfolio
management for high net worth individuals. His expertise in audit engagements, insurance and
investments will be essential in implementing new services that HealthStar will be offering in the
coming months.

DR. LUIS QUERAL

Dr. Queral, Chief of Vascular Surgery for Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD and previous
Assistant Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University, brings a wealth of hands-on clinical
experience to HealthStar's board. A published medical writer and visionary, Dr. Queral provides
crucial insight into practice management, medical research, patient care, medical equipment and
overall doctors' needs. His perspective is essential to building a user friendly Internet platform for
physicians, hospitals and their patients.

DR. MICHAEL FLAX

Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and licensed in Dentistry, Dr. Flax brings his
knowledge of Dentistry to HealthStar's Internet program. His experience as a faculty instructor at
the University of Pennsylvania combined with his daily practice in Dentistry will give HealthStar
direction in Dental training and practice management.

HealthStar Corp. is a healthcare management company dedicated to controlling the costs,
improving the quality and enhancing the delivery of healthcare services. The Company provides
related products and services designed to reduce healthcare costs. HealthStar's PPO network
includes 121,000 physician locations and 1,900 acute care hospitals and is offered in 39 states.
HealthStar markets and provides programs and services to over 350 insurance companies,
self-insured businesses for their medical plans, health and welfare funds and third parties who
administer employee medical plans. These programs and services assist the Company's clients in
reducing healthcare costs for group health plans and for workers' compensation coverage and
automobile accident injury claims.

This press release contains statements which may constitute "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements
regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of HealthStar Corp. and members of its
management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective
investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future
performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from
those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors currently known to
management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward- statements
include fluctuation of our operating results, the ability to compete successfully and the ability to
complete before-mentioned transactions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or
revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated
events or changes to future operating results.

For additional information on HealthStar Corp. and its managed care programs, visit the
company's website at www.healthstarinc.com. Or contact: Stephen J. Carder, (602) 614-4285.

SOURCE HealthStar Corp.

/CONTACT: Stephen J. Carder for HealthStar Corp., 602-614-4285/

/Web site: healthstarinc.com

(PPOS)