Castle Brands Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2007 Results.U.S. Launch of New Boru Vodka vodka (vŏd`kə), traditional spirituous drink of Russia, the Baltic states, and Poland; it is now consumed internationally. The best vodka is distilled from rye and barley malt, but the cheaper corn and potatoes are commonly employed. Generates Record Fiscal Fourth Quarter Volume Growth of 120% Over Prior Year NEW YORK New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of -- Castle Brands Inc. (AMEX AMEX See: American Stock Exchange :ROX), an emerging international premium spirits company today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2007. Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2007 Results U.S. case sales increased 62% year over year to 49,813 nine liter liter, abbr. l, unit of volume in the metric system, defined since 1964 as equal to 0.001 cubic meters, or 1 cubic decimeter. A cube that has each of its edges equal to 10 centimeters has a volume of 1 liter. The liter is equal to 1.057 liquid quarts, 0. cases in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. This increase was largely attributable to Boru Vodka sales which increased 120% over the same quarter in the prior fiscal year due to the March introduction of the redesigned packaging for Boru and its three flavor extensions. Global case sales in the fourth quarter were up 49% to 72,395 nine liter cases. For the fourth quarter fiscal year 2007, Castle Brands reported 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 of $6.1 million, representing a 64% increase over the prior year quarter. Highlights for the quarter included: * Total U.S. case sales up 62% year over year; * Total global case sales up 49% year over year; * U.S. Boru Vodka Sales up 120% year over year; * U.S. accounted for 69% of total case sales versus 63% in the prior year; and * Total revenues increase 64% year over year to $6.1 million. Mark Andrews Mark Andrews (born May 19 1926) is an American politician from the state of North Dakota. He is a member of the United States Republican Party. Andrews was born in Cass County, North Dakota. He attended the public schools there. , the Company's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Fiscal fourth quarter 2007 was a key period for the company as we launched the new Boru Vodka bottle and its three flavor extensions. This launch was important for the company in positioning our brand in the highly competitive and rapidly growing premium vodka market. We are extremely pleased with the success of the launch of the new Boru packaging and with the acceleration of Boru Vodka sales in the U.S." In addition to the strength of U.S. case sales of Boru Vodka during the fourth quarter fiscal 2007, Castle Brands also experienced 96% growth in U.S. whiskey whiskey [from the Gaelic for "water of life"], spirituous liquor distilled from a fermented mash of grains, usually rye, barley, oats, wheat, or corn. Inferior whiskeys are made from potatoes, beets, and other roots. case sales (which includes growth resulting from the addition of the McLain McLain could refer to several things: Places
rbôN`), European royal family, originally of France; a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. brands which were acquired
by Castle Brands in October 2006), 56% growth in U.S. rum rum, spirituous liquor made from fermented sugarcane products. Prepared by fermentation, distillation, and aging, it is made from the molasses and foam that rise to the top of boiled sugarcane juice. case sales and
4% increase in U.S. liqueurs Liqueurs are high-alcohol, high-sugar beverages with added flavorings usually derived from herbs, fruits, or nuts.Liqueurs are distinct from flavored liquors, fruit brandy and eau de vie which contain no sugar. Most liqueurs range between 15 and 70 percent alcohol by volume. case sales. Fourth quarter international case sales were up 26%, led by a 39% growth in international rum case sales and 32% international growth in vodka case sales. International liqueur liqueur (lĭkûr`), strong alcoholic beverage made of almost neutral spirits, flavored with herb mixtures, fruits, or other materials, and usually sweetened. The name derives from the Latin word to melt. case sales were down 25% for the quarter but this was offset by 19% growth in international whiskey case sales. Gross profit for the fourth quarter fiscal year 2007 increased 49% to $2.0 million, up from $1.4 million in the prior year quarter while gross margin decreased to 33.4% compared to 36.7% for the same period. The decrease in gross margin reflected a shift in product and size mix. As a result of additional expenditure made to support the expansion and growth of its portfolio, Castle Brands' selling expense increased 27.5% to $3.9 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2007 from $3.1 million in the prior year quarter. This support includes increases in costs associated with the Boru relauch, sales support costs and increased expenses in connection with certain elements of the Gosling's rum Gosling's Rum is a brand of rum, founded in 1806 by James Gosling in Bermuda after leaving his home in London. The company is currently run by Edmund Malcolm Gosling, the seventh-generation of family control of the company. advertising campaign. However, selling expense as a percentage of net sales decreased to 64.7% from 83.3% in the comparable prior year period. General and administrative expenses were $2.4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared to $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 39.7% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared to 39.5% in the comparable period of fiscal 2006. This increase in general and administrative expense was partly attributable to the incremental Additional or increased growth, bulk, quantity, number, or value; enlarged. Incremental cost is additional or increased cost of an item or service apart from its actual cost. increases in costs associated with being a public company. In addition, Castle Brands has hired additional employees over the past year, resulting in an increase in compensation expense. Castle Brands also adopted SFAS SFAS Statement of Financial Accounting Standards SFAS Special Forces Assessment and Selection SFAS Student Financial Aid Services SFAS Sport Fishing Association of Singapore SFAS Safety Features Actuation System SFAS Statewide Fixed Assets System 123(R), Share-Based Payment on April 1, 2006, which resulted in stock-based compensation expense of $0.4 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2007, as compared to zero in the comparable period in the prior year. As a result of the forgoing for·go also fore·go tr.v. for·went , for·gone , for·go·ing, for·goes To abstain from; relinquish: unwilling to forgo dessert. , the company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $4.5 million, or $(0.38) per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 as compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $4.0 million, or $(1.28) per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. Fiscal 2007 Results For the twelve months ending March 31, 2007, total case sales were 314,644, an 18% increase over the prior year. Volume was driven by strong sales in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , with Boru Vodka contributing significantly to this growth. This increase in vodka case sales was approximately 54% in the U.S. and 9% internationally. The rum category was also a driver during the year, with a 21% lift in global case volume for the fiscal year. Case sales of liqueurs were down 5% for the full year, in part due to the discontinuation dis·con·tin·u·a·tion n. A cessation; a discontinuance. Noun 1. discontinuation - the act of discontinuing or breaking off; an interruption (temporary or permanent) discontinuance of certain lower-margin Irish cream For the novel of the same name, see . Irish Cream is a cream liqueur based on Irish whiskey, coffee, cream, and other ingredients. Well known brands include Baileys Irish Cream, which was the first Irish Cream, Carolans and St. Brendan's. products. The decrease in liqueur sales was offset by case sales of Whiskey which grew 26%, benefiting from the contribution of the McLain & Kyne bourbon brands which were acquired by Castle Brands in October 2006. Castle Brands' international sales, which totaled 40% of total case volume for fiscal 2007, also experienced continued gains, up from 117,154 cases in fiscal 2006 to 125,647 cases in fiscal 2007. Rum was the fastest growing category for the Company's international business, reflecting activity by the Gosling-Castle Partners joint venture, with an increase to 17,992 cases in fiscal 2007 from 13,471 cases in fiscal 2006. This was followed by whiskey case sales up 10% and vodka case sales up 9%. International liqueur case sales declined by 49%. As noted, growth in the Company's flagship brands was partially offset by reduced sales of certain lower-priced Irish cream products which accounted for approximately 17,600 cases in FY 2006 and only approximately 5,100 cases in FY 2007. For the full year 2007, net sales increased 19% over the same period in the prior year to $25.2 million. Gross profit increased 12% to $8.4 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 from $7.5 million in the comparable prior period, while gross margin decreased to 33.3% during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 when compared to 35.4% for the prior fiscal year, reflecting shifts in brand and size mix. Selling expense increased 29% to $16.8 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 from $13.0 million from the prior fiscal year. This increase in selling expense was attributable to the expansion, growth and continued support of Castle Brands premium portfolio. This support includes increases in costs associated with the Boru relaunch Relaunch can refer to several things:
For the full year, general and administrative expenses were $8.6 million as compared to $5.5 million in fiscal 2006. This increase was largely attributable to the incremental increases in costs incurred by Castle Brands in being a public company. In addition, Castle Brands hired additional employees over the past year, resulting in an increase in compensation expense, and adopted SFAS 123(R), Share-Based Payment on April 1, 2006, which resulted in stock-based compensation expense of $1.0 million in the year ended March 31, 2007, as compared to zero in the comparable period in the prior year. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 34.4% for fiscal 2007 as compared to 26.0% for fiscal 2006. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2007, Castle Brands generated a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $16.6 million, or $(1.40) per share, versus a net loss attributable to common stockholders from the prior year of $14.7 million, or $(4.73) per share. Reflecting on the year, Mr. Andrews said, "Fiscal 2007 was a pivotal year for Castle Brands and we saw our heavy investments in distribution and brand building begin to yield results. Enhanced distribution, as well as a broader product portfolio, enabled U.S. sales to grow significantly faster than overall company growth. Globally, we were able to deliver record case sales and revenue despite the decision to discontinue dis·con·tin·ue v. dis·con·tin·ued, dis·con·tin·u·ing, dis·con·tin·ues v.tr. 1. To stop doing or providing (something); end or abandon: sales of some lower margin Irish cream products." Mr. Andrews further commented, "The momentum we have going into fiscal 2008, coupled with other initiatives underway to build brand awareness and drive sales is expected to result in another record year of case sales for Castle Brands." Balance Sheet Cash and cash equivalents, together with short-term Short-term Any investments with a maturity of one year or less. short-term 1. Of or relating to a gain or loss on the value of an asset that has been held less than a specified period of time. investments, totaled $6.9 million at March 31, 2007. Subsequent to the end of the quarter, the Company closed a private placement of $21 million of common stock and warrants sold to certain institutional investors Institutional Investor A non-bank person or organization that trades securities in large enough share quantities or dollar amounts that they qualify for preferential treatment and lower commissions. . The Company intends to use the proceeds from the offering for further brand development, acquisitions, and other corporate purposes. Fiscal 2008 Outlook Castle Brands is entering year three of an ambitious five-year business plan designed to position the Company within the premium segments of the spirits industry. For fiscal 2008, the Company will continue its intense focus on expanding its presence in its core growth markets, while seizing upon opportunities in new international markets. The Company is projecting fiscal 2008 case sales to be in the range of 375,000 - 380,000. Conference Call Castle Brands will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter results on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. ET. All interested parties in the U.S. are invited to join the conference by dialing 1-800-263-8506 and asking for the Castle Brands call. International callers should dial 1-719-457-2681. The access code is 1314710. The company suggests that participants dial in approximately ten minutes in advance of the 4:30 p.m. ET start of the conference call. The conference call will be webcast and can be accessed from the Investor Relations Investor relations The process by which the corporation communicates with its investors. section of the Company's website at www.castlebrandsinc.com . For those unable to participate in the live call, a replay will be available by calling 1-888-203-1112 (U.S.) or 1-719-457-0820 (international). The access code is 1314710. The replay will be available from 7:30 p.m. ET on June 28, 2007 through 11:59 p.m. ET on July 12, 2007. More about Castle Brands Inc. Castle Brands is an emerging developer and international marketer of premium branded spirits within four growing categories of the spirits industry: vodka, run, whiskey and liqueurs. Castle Brands' portfolio includes Boru [R] Vodka, Gosling's Rum [R], Sea Wynde [R] Rum, Knappogue Castle The Knappogue Castle & Walled Garden, built in 1467, is located in County Clare, Ireland. It was built by Sean MacNamara, and is a good example of a medieval tower house. It has a long and varied history, from a battlefield to a dwelling place. Whiskey [R], Clontarf [R] Irish Whiskey Irish whiskey n. Whiskey made by the distillation of barley. Noun 1. Irish whiskey - whiskey made in Ireland chiefly from barley Irish whisky, Irish whiskey, whisky - a liquor made from fermented mash of grain , Jefferson's [TM] and Jefferson's Reserve [R] Bourbon, Sam (1) (Security Accounts Manager) The part of Windows NT that manages the database of usernames, passwords and permissions. A SAM resides in each server as well as in each domain controller. See PDC and trust relationship. Houston [R] Bourbon, Celtic Crossing [R] Liqueur, Pallini [R] Limoncello [TM], Raspicello [TM] and Peachcello [TM] and Brady's [R] Irish Cream. Forward Looking Statements This press release includes statements of our expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs that constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are intended to come within 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. protection provided by those sections. These statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, related to the discussion of our business strategies and our expectations concerning future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity and capital resources and to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable Liable to come to an end upon the happening of a certain contingency. Susceptible of being determined, found out, definitely decided upon, or settled. determinable adj. . We have used words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "thinks," "estimates," "seeks," "expects," "predicts," "could," "projects," "potential" and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions, in this press release to identify forward looking statements. These forward looking statements are made based on expectations and beliefs concerning future events affecting us and are subject to uncertainties, risks and factors relating to relating to relate prep → concernant relating to relate prep → bezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc our operations and business environments, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed or implied by these forward looking statements. When considering these forward looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements in this press release and the documents incorporated by reference. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and we cannot predict those events or how they may affect us. We assume no obligation to update any forward looking statements after the date of this press release as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by the federal securities laws. [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] ROX- E |
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