EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR RELEASE ON October 26, 2005 at 7:30 a.m. E.S.T.
CONTACT:   Dan Behrendt
Chief Financial Officer
TASER International, Inc.
(480) 905-2000
()
NEWS RELEASE
TASER International, Inc. Reports $11.7 million of Revenue for 3rd Quarter 2005
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., October 26, 2005 — TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq: TASR) a market leader in advanced electronic control devices reported today that revenues for the third quarter of 2005 were $11.7 million, with income from operations of $0.5 million, and net income of $0.3 million. Compared to the third quarter of 2004, sales decreased by $7.3 million and net income decreased by $5.9 million. However, gross margins in the third quarter of 2005 increased by 4.3 percentage points over the second quarter of 2005 due to improved operating efficiencies and changes in product mix. The Company also enjoyed lower selling, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter, with expenses $0.4 million lower than the second quarter of 2005. The combination of higher gross margins and lower selling, general and administrative expenses allowed the Company to remain profitable despite lower sales levels.
Significant events in the third quarter of 2005 include:
  1.   The Company had two wrongful death suits dismissed during the quarter. The Company received a summary judgment in the Torres, et al. v. City of Madera, et al. case. The Company also had a favorable outcome in the Madrigal, et al. v. Taser International, et al. case, with the case dismissed with prejudice.
 
  2.   The Company filed a lawsuit against the parent company of USA Today and the Arizona Republic for libel, false light invasion of privacy, injurious falsehood and tortious interference with business relations.
 
  3.   The Major City Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs’ Association, and the FBI National Institute Associates Passed a Resolution Supporting Use of Electronic Control Devices.
 
  4.   The Canadian Police Research Centre Issued Guidance on Use of Conducted Energy Devices. The report found that when used properly, TASER devices save lives and reduce injuries. In addition, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Issued Recommendations on Use of Electronic Control Weapons that generally support their use.
 
  5.   TASER International Demonstrated the TASER Cam™ audio-video recording system for TASER ™ X26 at the 112th Annual International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference in Miami. The TASER Cam (VDPM™) leverages the modular design of the TASER X26 adding yet another layer of accountability to the TASER system.
“We are pleased that, despite a challenging environment, we continued to remain profitable with positive cash flow from operations for the third quarter,” said Rick Smith, Chief Executive Officer of TASER International, Inc. “In the third quarter, we have remained focused on key operating priorities such as improving efficiencies and continuing new product development. I am pleased to report we increased operating cash flow over the prior quarter, and we remain optimistic about the future of our revolutionary, life-saving technology. We are particularly excited about the upcoming production launch of the TASER Cam system, which will provide not only a significant incremental revenue opportunity in 2006, but offer our customers enhanced accountability. We believe the powerful new capability to provide audio-video documentation of each use will provide a powerful defense for police agencies against unfounded allegations of excessive use of force, as well as provide an additional tool to both deter potential misuse and provide valuable training information,” concluded Smith.
The Company will be hosting its third quarter earnings conference call on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. ET. The conference call is available via web cast and can be accessed on the “Investor Relations” page at www.TASER.com. To access the teleconference, please dial: 866-271-5140 or 617-213-8893 for international callers. The passcode is 81121552 for both numbers.

 


 

About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International, Inc. provides advanced non-lethal devices for use in the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense markets. TASER devices use proprietary technology to safely incapacitate dangerous, combative, or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves. TASER technology saves lives every day, and the use of TASER devices dramatically reduces injury rates for police officers, and suspects. For more information on TASER life-saving technology, please call TASER International at (480) 444-4000 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.
Note to Investors
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. The forward-looking information is based upon current information and expectations regarding TASER International. These estimates and statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
TASER International assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. TASER International’s future results may be impacted by risks associated with rapid technological change, new product introductions, new technological developments and implementations, execution issues associated with new technology, ramping manufacturing production to meet demand, litigation resulting from alleged product related injuries, media publicity concerning allegations of deaths occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative impact this could have on sales, product quality, implementation of manufacturing automation, potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results, competition, financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers, international order delays, dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers, fluctuations in component pricing, government regulations, dependence upon key employees, and its ability to retain employees. TASER International’s future results may also be impacted by other risk factors listed from time to time in its SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Form 10-Qs and its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB/A.
TASER International, Inc.
Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
                 
    For the Three Months Ended  
    September 30, 2005     September 30, 2004  
 
           
Net Sales
  $ 11,675,611     $ 18,947,548  
 
           
Cost of Products Sold:
               
Direct manufacturing expense
    2,932,791       4,472,606  
Indirect manufacturing expense
    823,363       1,295,706  
 
           
Total Cost of Products Sold
    3,756,154       5,768,312  
 
           
Gross Margin
    7,919,457       13,179,236  
Sales, general and administrative expenses
    7,041,837       3,062,422  
Research and development expenses
    404,789       105,239  
 
           
Income from Operations
    472,831       10,011,575  
Interest income
    306,761       88,463  
Interest expense
           
Other income (expense), net
          1,000  
 
           
Income before income taxes
    779,592       10,101,038  
Provision for income tax
    508,647       3,975,000  
 
           
Net Income
  $ 270,945     $ 6,126,038  
 
           
Income per common and common equivalent shares
               
Basic
  $     $ 0.11  
Diluted
  $     $ 0.09  
 
               
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding
               
Basic
    61,385,863       57,954,454  
Diluted
    63,694,740       64,541,234  

 


 

TASER International, Inc.
Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
                 
    For the Nine Months Ended  
    September 30, 2005     September 30, 2004  
 
           
Net Sales
  $ 35,086,431     $ 48,406,109  
 
           
Cost of Products Sold:
               
Direct manufacturing expense
    9,568,667       11,750,800  
Indirect manufacturing expense
    3,531,611       3,969,103  
 
           
Total Cost of Products Sold
    13,100,278       15,719,903  
 
           
Gross Margin
    21,986,153       32,686,206  
Sales, general and administrative expenses
    19,752,534       8,993,022  
Research and development expenses
    1,103,593       623,472  
 
           
Income from Operations
    1,130,026       23,069,712  
Interest income
    853,473       184,307  
Interest expense
    (103 )      
Other income (expense), net
    (59,735 )     4,480  
 
           
Income before income taxes
    1,923,661       23,258,499  
Provision for income tax
    975,647       9,091,000  
 
           
Net Income
  $ 948,014     $ 14,167,499  
 
           
Income per common and common equivalent shares
               
Basic
  $ 0.02     $ 0.25  
Diluted
  $ 0.01     $ 0.23  
 
               
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding
               
Basic
    61,266,387       56,309,278  
Diluted
    63,951,621       62,912,386  

 


 

TASER International, Inc.
Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
                 
    September 30, 2005     December 31, 2004  
Assets
Current Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 17,133,705     $ 14,757,159  
Short-term investments
          17,201,477  
Accounts receivable, net
    7,305,378       8,460,112  
Inventory
    9,215,133       6,840,051  
Prepaids and other assets
    1,471,285       1,639,734  
Income tax receivable
    42,376       52,973  
Current deferred income tax asset
    5,539,350       11,083,422  
 
           
Total Current Assets
    40,707,227       60,034,928  
Long-term investments
    25,555,785       18,071,815  
Property and Equipment, net
    21,000,653       14,756,512  
Deferred income tax asset
    21,144,068       15,310,207  
Intangible assets, net
    1,340,772       1,279,116  
 
           
Total Assets
  $ 109,748,505     $ 109,452,578  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
               
Current Liabilities
               
Current portion of capital lease obligations
  $     $ 4,642  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    6,187,843       8,827,132  
Customer deposits
    218,518       102,165  
 
           
Total Current Liabilities
    6,406,361       8,933,939  
Deferred Revenue
    730,773       607,856  
 
           
Total Liabilities
    7,137,134       9,541,795  
 
           
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Common Stock
    614       609  
Additional Paid-in Capital
    77,603,379       75,850,810  
Retained Earnings
    25,007,378       24,059,364  
 
           
Total Stockholders’ Equity
    102,611,371       99,910,783  
 
           
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
  $ 109,748,505     $ 109,452,578  
 
           
 
           

 


 

Other Selected Data:
TASER International, Inc.
Selected Cash Flows Information
(Unaudited)
                 
    For the Nine Months Ended  
    September 30, 2005     September 30, 2004  
Net income
  $ 948,014     $ 14,167,499  
Depreciation and amortization
    1,185,374       335,626  
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities
    (339,109 )     22,274,147  
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
    2,245,668       (18,903,408 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    469,987       9,483,002  
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
    17,133,705       28,732,067  
For further information contact Marcy Rigoni, Manager of Investor Relations at Marcy@TASER.com or call 800-978-2737 ext. 2011, or Dan Behrendt, Chief Financial Officer of TASER International, Inc., +1-480-905-2002. Visit the company’s web-site at www.TASER.com for facts and video.
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Main: 800.978.2737     Direct: 480.905.2000     Fax: 480.991.0791