FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [CASTLE BRANDS LOGO]
Castle Brands Inc.
570 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
646-356-0200
www.castlebrandsinc.com
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
INTEGRATED CORPORATE RELATIONS
Kathleen Heaney (203) 803-3585
ir@castlebrandsinc.com
CASTLE BRANDS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2007 FINANCIAL RESULTS
CASTLE BRANDS ANNOUNCES LARGEST QUARTERLY CASE SALES TO DATE
BORU VODKA U.S. CASE SALES INCREASE 46% IN THIRD QUARTER
NEW YORK, NY, FEBRUARY 12, 2007. Castle Brands Inc. (AMEX:ROX), an emerging
global premium spirits company reported financial results for the three months
ending December 31, 2006, the third quarter of its 2007 fiscal year. U.S. case
sales increased 8% to 48,593 nine liter cases in the third quarter and total
case sales increased 6% to 91,682 nine liter cases despite a strong comparable
quarter in the prior year. The quarter represented an all-time record quarter
for case sales. Boru Vodka case sales showed particular strength in the U.S.,
increasing 46% in the quarter, before the launch of the new Boru packaging this
spring. For the nine months ending December 31, 2006, total case sales increased
to 242,295 cases, an 11% increase over the same period in the prior year. Net of
non-recurring, one-off and discontinued sales of approximately 9,700 cases of
Irish Cream, year over year recurring sales in the fiscal third quarter ended
December 31, 2006 increased by 19,700 cases or 30%.
The U.S. accounted for 58% and international 42% of total nine months' sales.
Based on its third quarter results, Castle Brands estimates case sales for its
2007 fiscal year ending March 31, 2007 will be in the range of 310,000 to
315,000 nine-liter cases.
Castle Brands reported net sales of $7.4 million for the quarter and $19.1
million for the nine months ended December 31, 2006, increases of 0.3% and 9%
over the respective periods in the prior year. The relatively low revenue growth
in the quarter was principally a result of the timing of distributor purchases
and the product mix for the quarter. There was also an increase in direct
imports of container shipments by our U.S. distributors, in which the
distributors pay the federal excise taxes, resulting in lower average revenue
per case paid to Castle Brands.
The gross profit margin in the third quarter increased 100 basis points to 33.1%
for the three months ended December 31, 2006, compared to gross profit margins
of 32.1% for the same period in 2005. The improvement in the gross margin was
primarily attributable to a change in the sales mix. Selling expenses in the
three months ended December 31, 2006 totaled $4.6 million, up 27% from the same
period in the prior year. These higher costs were primarily due to an increase
in distributor incentives and sales costs in support of building the brands,
including significant investments in Gosling's Rum.
The company reported a net loss of $3.7 million for the third fiscal quarter
2007, compared to a net loss of $3.6 million for the same period for fiscal
2006. The net loss continues to reflect increased marketing costs to enhance
brand awareness as well as increased public company expenditures. For the nine
month period ended December 31, 2006 the company reported a net loss of $12.0
million, compared to a net loss of $9.6 for the comparable nine month period
ended December 31, 2005. The increase in the loss reflects in part the added
cost of operating as a public company, adoption of SFAS 123R (Stock
Based Compensation), as well as continued focus on sales and marketing to grow
the expanding portfolio of brands.
Cash and cash equivalents were $11.0 million at December 31, 2006, despite large
increases in receivables and inventories and the payment of the $1.3 million
cash portion of the McLain and Kyne acquisition.
Mark Andrews, CEO of Castle Brands commented, "I continue to be pleased with the
way the business is evolving. Our multi-year investment in the development of a
U.S. distribution network coupled with a broader product portfolio enabled the
company to deliver faster growth in the U.S. than the overall company growth
during the most recent quarter. We are pursuing several initiatives to increase
international sales growth in the future. Mr. Andrews added "In the last year,
we have ceased distribution of certain low margin Irish cream products. This
change to the business, together with the impact of certain one-off sales which
occurred in the third quarter fiscal 2006, resulted in a short term decline in
our case sales of liqueurs. We believe, however, that this change will allow us
to focus on higher-margin liqueurs going forward."
Reflecting further upon the three months ended December 31, 2006, Mr. Andrews
added, "The third quarter represented a period of development for us, as we
completed the acquisition of Jefferson's Reserve, Jefferson's and Sam Houston
bourbons, which have received strong interest from our distributors and from
which we expect to see positive case sales impact next year. We also
strengthened our senior management team during the quarter with the hiring of a
Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer, Mr. Claes Fick, who formerly ran Absolut
Vodka in the U.S. and Europe, and a new Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Herb
Roberts who was formerly the CFO of Helicon, a cable television company. Both of
these gentlemen will provide invaluable expertise assisting the company in
achieving its business and financial objectives."
CONFERENCE CALL
Castle Brands will host a conference call to discuss third quarter results on
Monday, February 12, 2007 at 4:40 p.m. ET. All interested parties in the U.S.
are invited to join the conference by dialing (800) 289-0468 and asking for the
Castle Brands call. International callers should dial (913) 981-5519 and ask for
the Castle Brands call. The access code is 4629087. 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 section of the Company's website at www.castlebrandsinc.com or by
clicking on the following link:
http://investor.castlebrandsinc.com/eventdetail.cfm?EventID=34232.
For those unable to participate in the live call, a replay will be available by
calling (888) 203-1112 (U.S.) or (719) 457-0820 (international). The access code
is 4629087. A digital audio recording of the conference call will also be
available on the Castle Brands website approximately one hour after the
conclusion of the conference call. The replay will be available for at least 30
days following the conference call.
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,
rum, whiskey and liqueurs/cordials. Castle Brands' portfolio includes Boru(R)
Vodka, Gosling's Rum(R), Sea Wynde(R) Rum, Knappogue Castle Whiskey(R),
Clontarf(R) Irish Whiskey, Jefferson's(TM) and Jefferson's Reserve(R) Bourbon,
Sam Houston(R) Bourbon, Celtic Crossing(R) Liqueur, Pallini(R) Limoncello(TM),
Raspicello(TM) and Peachcello(TM) and Brady's(R) Irish Cream. (ROX-E)
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 protection
provided by those sections. These statements, which involve risks and
uncertainties, relate 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. 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 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.
CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------- -----------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(AUDITED)
Sales, net ........................... $ 7,380,605 $ 7,359,281 $ 19,093,072 $ 17,450,819
Cost of sales ........................ 4,938,243 4,997,850 12,733,747 11,313,126
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Gross profit ......................... 2,442,362 2,361,431 6,359,325 6,137,693
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Selling expense * .................... 4,599,783 3,616,145 12,836,429 9,965,930
General and administrative expense ** 2,101,331 1,659,034 6,235,824 4,032,304
Depreciation and amortization ........ 262,926 232,920 743,214 674,748
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Operating loss ....................... (4,521,678) (3,146,668) (13,456,142) (8,535,289)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Other income ......................... 1,096 (30,624) 5,040 3,508
Other expense ........................ (21,132) (9,468) (36,998) (28,077)
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) ......... 483,799 (258,868) 1,143,588 (556,592)
Interest expense, net ................ (208,093) (413,317) (706,700) (1,037,521)
Write-off of deferred financing costs
in connection with conversion of 6%
subordinated convertible notes .... - - (295,368) -
Current credit on derivative financial
instrument ........................ 132,255 3,702 121,397 18,752
Income tax benefit ................... 37,033 37,037 111,109 111,113
Minority interests ................... 366,208 204,385 1,101,422 428,442
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net loss ............................. $ (3,730,512) $ (3,613,821) $(12,012,652) $ (9,595,664)
Preferred stock dividends ............ - 421,890 48,238 1,113,652
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net loss attributable to common
stockholders ...................... $ (3,730,512) $ (4,035,711) $(12,060,890) (10,709,316)
============ ============ ============ ============
Net loss attributable to common
stockholders per common share
Basic ............................. $ (0.31) $ (1.30) $ (1.02) $ (3.45)
============ ============ ============ ============
Diluted ........................... $ (0.31) $ (1.30) $ (1.02) $ (3.45)
============ ============ ============ ============
Weighted average shares used in
computation
Basic ............................. 12,051,045 3,106,666 11,827,837 3,106,666
============ ============ ============ ============
Diluted ........................... 12,051,045 3,106,666 11,827,837 3,106,666
============ ============ ============ ============
* Includes amortization of stock based compensation of $136,604 for the three
month period and $358,076 for the nine month period, each ended December
31, 2006, as a result of the prospective adoption of SFAS 123(R) as of
April 1, 2006.
** Includes amortization of stock based compensation of $149,377 for the three
month period and $699,320 for the nine month period, each ended December
31, 2006, as a result of the prospective adoption of SFAS 123(R) as of
April 1, 2006.
CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
2006 2006
------------ ------------
(UNAUDITED) (AUDITED)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents ............................................... $ 11,031,765 $ 1,392,016
Accounts receivable- net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$463,351 and $395,207 ................................................. 8,632,373 3,511,215
Due from affiliates ..................................................... 1,048,359 953,616
Inventories ............................................................. 9,514,110 6,673,235
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ............................... 1,232,904 1,021,369
------------ ------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS .................................................... 31,459,511 13,551,451
------------ ------------
EQUIPMENT--net ............................................................. 538,749 407,983
OTHER ASSETS
Intangible assets- net of accumulated amortization of $2,013,125 and
$1,379,389 ............................................................ 13,428,433 13,936,427
Goodwill ................................................................ 13,636,650 11,649,430
Deferred registration costs ............................................. - 2,823,594
Restricted cash ......................................................... 497,667 362,293
Other assets ............................................................ 635,379 913,032
------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS ............................................................ $ 60,196,389 $ 43,644,210
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturities of notes payable and capital leases .................. $ 1,088,007 $ 3,678,547
Accounts payable ........................................................ 3,173,466 3,757,515
Accrued expenses, put warrant payable and derivative instrument ......... 3,268,496 2,986,188
Due to stockholders and affiliates ...................................... 2,353,982 2,121,334
Convertible stockholder notes payable ................................... - 1,660,148
Stockholder notes payable ............................................... - 147,113
------------ ------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES ............................................... 9,883,951 14,350,845
------------ ------------
LONG TERM LIABILITIES
Senior notes payable .................................................... 9,287,098 4,594,791
Notes payable and capital leases, less current maturities ............... 9,006,148 15,350,640
Preferred stock and preferred membership units dividends payable ........ - 1,546,480
Deferred tax liability .................................................. 2,592,406 2,703,515
------------ ------------
30,769,603 38,546,271
------------ ------------
REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
Redeemable convertible preferred stock Series A, B, C; 4,103,750 shares
designated; 4,089,463 shares outstanding at March 31, 2006,
liquidation preference of $33,326,484 ........................... - 28,447,683
------------ ------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MINORITY INTERESTS ......................................................... 1,573,309 2,674,731
------------ ------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
Common stock, $.01 par value, 20,500,000 shares authorized, 12,109,741 and
3,106,666 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006 and
March 31, 2006, respectively ........................................... 121,098 31,067
Additional paid in capital .............................................. 83,751,040 17,182,405
Accumulated deficiency .................................................. (55,417,539) (43,404,887)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)/income ........................... (601,122) 166,940
------------ ------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY) ................................. 27,853,477 (26,024,475)
------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY) .................... $ 60,196,389 $ 43,644,210
============ ============
CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
GEOGRAPHIC AND CATEGORY CASE SALES
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
2006 2005 2006 2005
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
TOTAL
United States 48,593 41,315 139,230 119,100
International 43,089 41,315 103,065 99,228
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total 91,682 86,443 242,295 218,328
=============== =============== =============== ===============
VODKA
United States 19,900 13,651 49,609 36,641
International 31,398 30,740 74,726 71,023
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total 51,298 44,391 124,335 107,664
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
RUM
United States 12,130 12,593 47,050 43,036
International 4,561 2,897 12,626 9,577
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total 16,691 15,490 59,676 52,613
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
WHISKEY
United States 2,156 837 4,509 2,513
International 5,550 4,735 12,676 11,757
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total 7,706 5,572 17,185 14,270
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
LIQUEURS/CORDIALS
United States 14,408 18,047 38,062 36,910
International 1,579 2,943 3,037 6,871
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Total 15,987 20,990 41,099 43,781
--------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
ROX- E
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