Exhibit 99.1
CSS Industries, Inc. Reports Sales and
Earnings for the Quarter and Nine Months Ended December 31, 2004
PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 26, 2005--CSS Industries, Inc.
(NYSE:CSS) announced today the results of operations for the third
quarter and nine months ended December 31, 2004. For the quarter ended
December 31, 2004, sales of $247,169,000 were flat compared to sales
of $247,394,000 in 2003. Net income decreased 13% to $23,971,000, or
$1.91 per diluted share, compared to prior year net income of
$27,397,000, or $2.18 per diluted share. For the nine months ended
December 31, 2004, sales decreased by 1% to $478,435,000 from
$484,846,000 in 2003. Net income decreased 6% to $35,177,000, or $2.79
per diluted share, compared to a prior year net income of $37,574,000,
or $3.05 per diluted share. The Company's highly seasonal orientation
results in operating losses in the first and fourth quarters of the
fiscal year and operating profits in the second and third quarters.
The decrease in sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2004
was primarily the result of lower ribbon and bow sales, the absence of
sales related to a product line which was sold in July 2003 and the
later timing of Valentine shipments which pushed sales into the fourth
quarter. These sales declines were partially offset by improved
Christmas and Everyday boxed greeting card sales. The decline in net
income was primarily the result of lower sales and lower margins
caused by our establishment of a pre-tax reserve of $3,100,000 for
duties that may be imposed on imported tissue products (discussed
below), higher freight costs and higher material costs. These negative
factors were partially offset by decreased selling, general and
administrative expenses, primarily related to compensation, and
reduced interest expense.
In September 2004, the U.S. Commerce Department issued its
preliminary determination in the anti-dumping duty investigation on
certain tissue paper products imported from China. As a result of this
determination, the Company and other importers are required to post
bond or a cash deposit upon importation of these products at rates
reflecting the Commerce Department's estimate of the duties that may
be imposed on these products. In November 2004 and January 2005, the
Commerce Department denied requests to reduce these deposit rates
pending the issuance of its final determination. The actual amount of
the duties, if imposed, may be higher or lower than the deposit rates,
depending on the final determinations of the Commerce Department and
the U.S. International Trade Commission, which are expected to be
issued in February 2005 and March 2005, respectively, and any reviews
that may be undertaken by the Commerce Department thereafter. The
Company's exposure is estimated to be in the range of approximately
$.03 to $.16 per diluted share. The Company is vigorously contesting
the imposition of these duties, however given the preliminary
determinations of the Commerce Department and the International Trade
Commission, the Company has established a reserve for its estimated
maximum exposure of $.16 per share in the current quarter.
"Reflecting the estimated maximum exposure to tissue duties
(approximately $.16 per share) and the third quarter year to date
results, we now expect EPS growth for the fiscal year of between 0%
and 5%," said David Erskine, President and CEO. "We are disappointed
in these results and have taken several steps to improve them for next
year. These steps include the identification of new tissue sources
that are not subject to duty, as well as the negotiation of new
freight arrangements," he continued.
CSS is a consumer products company primarily engaged in the
manufacture and sale to mass market retailers of seasonal, social
expression products, including gift wrap, gift bags, boxed greeting
cards, gift tags, tissue paper, paper and vinyl decorations, classroom
exchange Valentines, decorative ribbons and bows, Halloween masks,
costumes, make-ups and novelties, educational products and Easter egg
dyes and novelties.
All statements other than statements of historical fact included
in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the Company's
management as well as assumptions made by and information currently
available to the Company's management. Actual events or results may
differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements
as a result of various factors, including without limitation, general
market conditions, increased competition, and other factors described
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2004.
CSS' consolidated results of operations for the quarters ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003 and consolidated condensed balance sheets
as of December 31, 2004, March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003 follow:
CSS INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except
per share amounts)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
December 31, December 31,
------------------- -------------------
2004 2003 2004 2003
--------- --------- --------- ---------
SALES $247,169 $247,394 $478,435 $484,846
--------- --------- --------- ---------
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of sales 184,656 176,443 353,270 350,718
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 24,221 27,048 68,984 73,036
Interest expense, net 906 1,185 2,032 2,874
Other expense (income) 49 192 (643) (310)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
209,832 204,868 423,643 426,318
--------- --------- --------- ---------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 37,337 42,526 54,792 58,528
INCOME TAX EXPENSE 13,366 15,129 19,615 20,954
--------- --------- --------- ---------
NET INCOME $ 23,971 $ 27,397 $ 35,177 $ 37,574
========= ========= ========= =========
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Basic $2.01 $2.31 $2.95 $3.20
========= ========= ========= =========
Diluted $1.91 $2.18 $2.79 $3.05
========= ========= ========= =========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES
OUTSTANDING
Basic 11,952 11,841 11,929 11,730
========= ========= ========= =========
Diluted 12,523 12,592 12,607 12,335
========= ========= ========= =========
CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE OF
COMMON STOCK $.10 $.08 $.30 $.227
========= ========= ========= =========
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income $ 23,971 $ 27,397 $ 35,177 $ 37,574
Change in fair value of
interest rate swap
agreements, net - 149 - 269
Foreign currency translation
adjustment (8) - (3) 17
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Comprehensive income $ 23,963 $ 27,546 $ 35,174 $ 37,860
========= ========= ========= =========
CSS INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
December 31, March 31, December 31,
2004 2004 2003
-------- -------- --------
ASSETS
------
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 18,845 $ 93,191 $ 12,158
Accounts receivable, net 214,715 40,460 215,377
Inventories 81,652 94,459 76,187
Deferred income taxes 7,491 7,937 7,179
Other current assets 13,719 12,987 11,934
-------- -------- --------
Total current assets 336,422 249,034 322,835
-------- -------- --------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 77,681 81,193 82,959
-------- -------- --------
OTHER ASSETS
Intangible assets, net 35,506 35,619 36,995
Other 4,852 4,551 4,473
-------- -------- --------
Total other assets 40,358 40,170 41,468
-------- -------- --------
Total assets $454,461 $370,397 $447,262
======== ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
-----------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Notes payable $ 19,000 $ - $ 28,980
Current portion of long-term
debt 10,000 - -
Other current liabilities 95,609 61,221 95,653
-------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities 124,609 61,221 124,633
-------- -------- --------
LONG-TERM DEBT, NET OF CURRENT
PORTION 40,000 50,251 50,000
-------- -------- --------
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS 3,602 3,631 3,564
-------- -------- --------
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 6,451 6,142 9,098
-------- -------- --------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 279,799 249,152 259,967
-------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $454,461 $370,397 $447,262
======== ======== ========
CONTACT: CSS Industries, Inc.
Clifford E. Pietrafitta, 215-569-9900