Physicians Formula Holdings, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2008 Results and Reiterates Full Year 2008 Outlook
Company Achieves First Quarter 2008 Net Sales of $42.7 million and Net Income Per Diluted Common Share of $0.34
AZUSA, CA (May 5, 2008) – Physicians Formula Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FACE) (“Physicians Formula” or the “Company”) today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2008.
Net sales for the first quarter of 2008 were $42.7 million, an increase of 19.6% from $35.7 million for the same period in 2007. Net income per diluted common share for the first quarter of 2008 was $0.34 on approximately 14.6 million diluted common shares and included a $0.02 per share non-cash charge for stock-based compensation, net of tax. For the first quarter of 2007, net income per diluted common share was $0.30, and included a $0.03 per share non-cash charge for stock-based compensation, net of tax, and $0.01 per share of secondary offering costs, net of tax.
"We are very pleased with our strong first quarter net sales, which reflect the demand by our retail partners for existing products as well as the new products that form the foundation of the Company’s 2008 strategic initiatives. These include an extension of our successful Mineral Wear® line, a rejuvenation of our eye make-up category and the introduction of our new Organic wear™ line,” stated Ingrid Jackel, Chairwoman and CEO of Physicians Formula. “Late in the quarter, we began our advertising, promotion and public relations activities to support our new products initiatives and we remain optimistic about their consumer appeal.”
U.S. Market Share Data ($ Share)
Based on retail sales data provided by ACNielsen, our approximate share of the masstige market, as we define it, was 8.0% for the 52 weeks ended March 22, 2008, or a gain of 10% when compared to 7.3% for the same period in the prior year. We define the masstige market as products sold in the mass market channel under the following premium-priced brands: Physicians Formula, Almay, L’Oreal, Max Factor, Neutrogena, Revlon and Vital Radiance. AC Nielsen is an independent research entity and its data does not include Wal-Mart and Canada.
Outlook
While the Company remains cautious because of the soft consumer environment, it is reiterating its full year 2008 outlook and continues to expect net sales of between $123 million and $125 million, representing an increase between 10% and 12% over 2007. In addition, the Company expects net income per diluted common share between $0.65 and $0.69, based on 14.9 million diluted common shares, representing an increase between 8% and 15% over 2007. Included in the 2008 net income per diluted common share estimate is an approximate $0.11 non-cash charge for stock-based compensation, net of tax.
The Company expects to substantially increase its investment spend behind the Organic wear™ launch during the second quarter. The Company also noted its business continues to be subject to seasonal variation with a strong “sell-in” period for its new products during the first and fourth quarters, as well as the focus on “sell-through” during the second and third quarters.
Conference Call
The conference call is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm Pacific Time on Monday, May 5, 2008. Participants may access the call by dialing 800-762-8779 (domestic) or 480-248-5081 (international). In addition, the call will be webcast via the Company's Web site at www.physiciansformula.com, Investor Relations, where it will also be archived. A telephone replay will be available through Monday, May 19, 2008. To access the replay, please dial 800-406-7325 (domestic) or 303-590-3030 (international), passcode 3870668.
About Physicians Formula Holdings, Inc.
Physicians Formula is one of the fastest growing cosmetics companies operating in the mass market prestige, or "masstige", market. Under its Physicians Formula brand name, created in 1937, the Company develops, markets and distributes innovative, premium-priced products for the mass market channel. Physicians Formula differentiates itself by addressing skin imperfections through a problem-solving approach, rather than focusing on changing fashion trends. Currently, Physicians Formula products are sold in approximately 27,000 stores throughout the U.S. including stores operated by Wal-Mart, Target, CVS, Walgreens and Kroger.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "believes," "plans," "predicts," and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business and its industry, based on management's beliefs and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and the Company's actual results may differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the demand for the Company's products; the Company's ability to expand its product offerings; the competitive environment in the Company's business; the Company's operations and ability to achieve cost savings; the effect of technological and regulatory changes; the Company's cash needs and financial performance; changes in general economic or market conditions; and other factors discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including the Risk Factors contained in the Company's filings with the SEC, and available at www.physiciansformula.com and the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements in this release and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Unless otherwise required by law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as result of new information, future events or otherwise.
