Exhibit 99.1
| The First Years Inc. Corporate Headquarters One Kiddie Drive Avon, MA 02322-1711 Tel: 508-588-1220 Fax: 508-580-6849 www.thefirstyears.com |
Contact: John Beals
Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer
(508) 588-1220
THE FIRST YEARS REPORTS SECOND QUARTER SALES AND NET INCOME
AVON, Massachusetts, July 23, 2004 – The First Years Inc. (Nasdaq:KIDD), a leading marketer of parenting products for infants and toddlers, today reported sales and net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.
Net sales for the quarter increased 9% to $36,944,731 versus $33,944,876 for the second quarter of 2003. Net income for the quarter decreased 37% to $1,284,593 compared with $2,042,815 in the previous year. Fully diluted per share earnings were $0.15 per diluted share for the quarter compared with $0.24 per diluted share a year ago based on diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 8,766,916 and 8,432,462, respectively. Results included a $1.15 million charge, or $.13 per diluted share, for merger-related costs. Net income for the quarter, excluding merger-related costs, would have been $2,436,156 and earnings per diluted share would have been $.28, an increase of 19% and 17%, respectively.
Net sales for the first six months of 2004 increased 9% to $74,077,981 from $67,831,580 for the same period of the prior year. Net income for the six months of 2004 decreased 11% to $3,853,073 compared to $4,334,773 for the first six months of the prior year. Fully diluted earnings per share were $.44 for the first six months of 2004 compared with $.52 for the same period of 2003 based on diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 8,743,960 and 8,374,815, respectively. Excluding merger-related costs, net income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 would have been $5,004,636 and earnings per diluted share would have been $.57, an increase of 15% and 10%, respectively.
“Growth in second quarter sales and earnings was driven primarily by continuing strength in The First Years brand products and expansion of our international business,” said Ronald J. Sidman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The First Years.
About The First Years
The First Years Inc. is a leading international marketer of feeding, soothing, play and care products for infants and toddlers. The Company’s distinctive brands include: “The First Years,” licenses from the Walt Disney Company and “Sesame Street®,” licensed from the Sesame Workshop.
Included in this release are certain “forward-looking” statements, involving risks and uncertainties, which are covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company’s financial performance. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to or implied by such statements. In addition, actual future results may differ materially from those anticipated, depending on a variety of factors, which include, but are not limited to, sales of The First Years® brand, trends in sales of The First Years brand and licensed products, continued success of new Disney character refreshed graphics, continued maintenance of favorable license arrangements, success of market research identifying new product opportunities, successful introduction of new products, continued product innovation, the success of new enhancements to the Company’s brand image, growth in domestic and international sales, ability to attract and retain key personnel, sales and earnings results, and general economic conditions affecting consumer spending, including uncertainties relating to global political conditions, such as terrorism and the conflict in Iraq. Information with respect to important factors that should be considered is contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations.
THE FIRST YEARS INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| (Unaudited) | ||||||
June 30, 2004 | December 31, 2003 | |||||
| ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets: | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 25,669,223 | $ | 24,730,265 | ||
Accounts receivable, net | 25,452,409 | 25,891,057 | ||||
Inventories | 20,564,788 | 20,298,164 | ||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 824,938 | 801,566 | ||||
Deferred tax assets | 2,157,200 | 2,157,200 | ||||
Total current assets | 74,668,558 | 73,878,252 | ||||
Property, plant, and equipment, net | 10,614,570 | 10,786,503 | ||||
Total Assets | $ | 85,283,128 | $ | 84,664,755 | ||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 14,066,515 | $ | 14,788,716 | ||
Accrued royalty expenses | 1,200,000 | 1,431,051 | ||||
Accrued selling expenses | 1,716,452 | 3,107,430 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 16,982,967 | 19,327,197 | ||||
Deferred tax liability | 1,391,900 | 1,391,900 | ||||
Stockholders’ equity | 66,908,261 | 63,945,658 | ||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 85,283,128 | $ | 84,664,755 | ||
THE FIRST YEARS INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, | SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2004 | 2003 | 2004 | 2003 | |||||||||||
Net Sales | $ | 36,944,731 | $ | 33,944,876 | $ | 74,077,981 | $ | 67,831,580 | ||||||
Cost of Sales | 23,370,686 | 21,844,748 | 46,988,426 | 43,517,698 | ||||||||||
Gross Profit | 13,574,045 | 12,100,128 | 27,089,555 | 24,313,882 | ||||||||||
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses | 9,657,747 | 8,977,173 | 19,047,398 | 17,359,010 | ||||||||||
Operating Income | 3,916,298 | 3,122,955 | 8,042,157 | 6,954,872 | ||||||||||
Merger-related Costs | (1,151,563 | ) | — | (1,151,563 | ) | — | ||||||||
Interest Income | 44,958 | 40,860 | 95,479 | 93,601 | ||||||||||
Income before Income Taxes | 2,809,693 | 3,163,815 | 6,986,073 | 7,048,473 | ||||||||||
Provision for Income Taxes | 1,525,100 | 1,121,000 | 3,133,000 | 2,713,700 | ||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 1,284,593 | $ | 2,042,815 | $ | 3,853,073 | $ | 4,334,773 | ||||||
Basic Earnings Per Share | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.25 | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.53 | ||||||
Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding | 8,345,215 | 8,242,217 | 8,341,604 | 8,230,856 | ||||||||||
Diluted Earnings Per Share | $ | 0.15 | $ | 0.24 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.52 | ||||||
Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding | 8,766,916 | 8,432,462 | 8,743,960 | 8,374,815 | ||||||||||