A.T. Cross Company Reports Substantial Growth in Third Quarter Results.* Revenue Grows Ten Percent * Operating Income Operating Income The profit realized from a business' own operations. Notes: This would not include income from things such as investments in other firms. Also referred to as operating profit or recurring profit. Grows from $0.2 Million to $2.2 Million * Quarterly Earnings Improve from $0.02 Per Share to $0.16 Per Share * 2007 Earnings Guidance Raised to $0.45 per share LINCOLN, R.I. -- A.T. Cross Company (AMEX AMEX See: American Stock Exchange : ATX See ATX motherboard. (hardware, standard) ATX - An open PC motherboard specification by Intel. ATX is a development of the Baby AT specification with the motherboard rotated 90 degrees in the chassis. ) today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 29, 2007. Third Quarter Results Consolidated sales for the third quarter of 2007 increased 10.0% to $35.1 million compared to $31.9 million in the third quarter of 2006. The Cross Accessory accessory, in criminal law, a person who, though not present at the commission of a crime, becomes a participator in the crime either before or after the fact of commission. Division, also referred to as the writing instruments and accessories segment, recorded revenue of $26.3 million, up 3.9% compared to the same period last year. The Company's optical segment, comprised of Costa Del Mar Costa Del Mar is a company that designs and manufactures high quality polarized sunglasses for use in sports such as fishing, sailing and surfing. It was founded in 1983 and is headquartered in Ormond Beach, Florida. , had a third quarter sales increase of 33.5% to $8.8 million, compared to the same period last year. Gross margin in the third quarter increased 330 basis points to 56.7%, compared to 53.4% in last year's third quarter, as both segments reported continued improvements in gross margins. Operating expenses Operating expenses The amount paid for asset maintenance or the cost of doing business, excluding depreciation. Earnings are distributed after operating expenses are deducted. were $17.7 million, or 50.3% of sales in the quarter, versus $16.8 million, or 52.7% of sales for the same period a year ago. Consolidated operating income in the third quarter was $2.2 million, a $2.0 million improvement compared to the operating profit Operating profit (or loss) Revenue from a firm's regular activities less costs and expenses and before income deductions. operating profit See operating income. of $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2006. Net income for the quarter was $2.4 million, or $0.16 per basic share, compared to $0.3 million, or $0.02 per basic share, last year. The income tax provision for the current quarter was favorably fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. impacted by the recognition of tax benefits, the realization of which were previously considered uncertain. These tax benefits favorably impacted results by $0.06 per share. David G. Whalen, President and Chief Executive Officer of A.T. Cross said, "In the third quarter, we continued to transform A.T. Cross. We built upon the strength and momentum created in the first two quarters and accomplished what we needed to accomplish. Specifically, our Costa Del Mar business continued to excel and the Cross Accessory Division is prepared for what we expect will be a strong showing in the peak holiday period." Nine Month Results Consolidated sales in the first nine months of 2007 increased 10.8% to $104.2 million compared to $94.0 million in 2006. Cross Accessory Division revenue was $74.9 million, up 3.3% compared to the same period last year. Costa Del Mar's net sales Net Sales The amount a seller receives from the buyer after costs associated with the sale are deducted. Notes: This amount is calculated by subtracting the following items from gross sales: merchandise returned for credit, allowances for damaged or missing goods, freight increased 36.4% to $29.3 million compared to the same period last year. Year to date, net income was $3.5 million or $0.23 per basic share, compared to $0.6 million or $0.04 per basic share, last year. The income tax provision for the current nine month period was favorably impacted by the recognition of tax benefits, the realization of which were previously considered uncertain. These tax benefits favorably impacted results by $0.05 per share. Guidance The Company is establishing its 2007 revenue guidance at 8% to 9% growth and is now targeting 2007 earnings per share at $0.41, exclusive of the projected favorable fa·vor·a·ble adj. 1. Advantageous; helpful: favorable winds. 2. Encouraging; propitious: a favorable diagnosis. 3. impact of the tax benefits previously described, which will favorably impact 2007 results by $0.04 per share. This compares to the previous 2007 guidance of $0.37 - $0.40 per share. Conference Call The Company's management will host a conference call tomorrow, October 25, 2007 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. Parties interested in participating in the conference call may dial-in at (888) 820-9413, while international callers may dial-in at (913) 312-0957. A live webcast of the call will be accessible on the Company's website at www.cross.com or www.viavid.net. The webcast will be archived for 30 days on these sites, while a telephone replay of the call will be available beginning at 11:30 AM Eastern Time on October 25, 2007 through November 1, 2007 at (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 for international callers, and entering the pass code of 4011502. About A.T. Cross Company Building on the rich tradition of its award-winning writing instruments and reputation for innovation and craftsmanship Craftsmanship Alcimedon a first-rate carver in wood. [Rom. Lit.: Vergil Eclogues, iii. 37.] Argus skillful builder of Jason’s Argo. [Gk. Myth.: Walsh Classical, 29] Athena (Rom. , A.T. Cross Company is a designer and marketer of branded personal and business accessories. Cross provides a range of distinctive products that appeal to a growing market of consumers seeking to enhance their image and facilitate their lifestyle. Cross products, including award-winning quality writing instruments, leather goods, timepieces, and business accessories and Costa Del Mar sunglasses sunglasses A tinted pair of glasses used to ↓ light arriving at the eye, which are labeled according to the amount of UV light blocked; nonprescription glasses are classified according to use and amount of UV radiation blocked Sunglasses , are distributed in retail and corporate gift channels worldwide. For more information, visit the A.T. Cross website at www.cross.com and the Costa Del Mar website at www.costadelmar.com. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. made pursuant to the safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995 (including but not limited to statements relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc the expected positive revenue and earnings performance of the Cross Accessory Division during the holiday season.) In addition, words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to consumers' and retailers' demand for the Company's existing and new writing instrument and extension products, retailers' support for the Company's merchandising initiatives, and the ability of the Company to match forecasts and production with consumer demand, and are not guarantees since there are inherent difficulties in predicting future results. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The information contained in this document is as of October 24, 2007. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information or future events or developments. Additional discussion of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's expectations is contained in the Company's filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 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