Exhibit 99.1

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Castle Brands Inc.
570 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
646-356-0200
www.castlebrandsinc.com

Investor Relations Contact:
ICR
Kathleen Heaney/Idalia Rodriguez
(203) 803-3585/(203) 803-7402
ir@castlebrandsinc.com

 


 

 

Castle Brands Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2008 Results

•     U.S. Case Sales Increase 6.2% in Fiscal Fourth Quarter

NEW YORK, NY, June 30, 2008. Castle Brands Inc. (AMEX:ROX), an emerging international importer and marketer of premium spirits, today reported financial results for fourth quarter and full year fiscal ended March 31, 2008.

U.S. case sales increased 6.2% year over year to 52,899 nine liter cases in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, primarily reflecting strong sales of whiskey and bourbon. Additionally, an emphasis on Gosling’s marketing and increasing on-premise distribution of Pallini Limoncello are contributing to the U.S. sales growth.

International case sales declined 18.8% in the quarter to 18,347 cases. This decline reflects a combination of factors, the most significant of which results from a change in distributors in the Company's largest international market, the Republic of Ireland. Largely reflecting the decrease in international case sales, global case sales in the fourth quarter were down 1.6% to 71,246 nine liter cases.

Donald L. Marsh, Castle Brands’ President and Chief Operating Officer, commented, “Our U.S. continues to perform well while our international business is poised to resume growth following changes we implemented over the past several months. Depletions (sales from our distributors to their customers), which we use as a measure to determine overall demand for our product, were reported up 16% for the fourth quarter. We feel that this bodes well for our case sales in future periods.” Mr. Marsh added, “We have intensified our cost control initiatives as we strive towards profitability and we are making progress as we continue to focus on our brand development strategy. We believe thru a combination of our cost cutting efforts and continued brand development we will achieve profitability.”

 

 



Review of the Quarter

For the fourth quarter fiscal year 2008, Castle Brands reported net sales of $6.4 million, representing a 5% increase over the prior year quarter. Gross profit for the fourth quarter fiscal year 2008 declined 9.7% to $1.8 million from $2.0 million in the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting increased costs from foreign suppliers and effects of the weakening dollar.

Castle Brands’ selling expense increased 6% to $4.2 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2008 from $3.9 million in the prior year quarter. This was primarily due to increased marketing and sales support. Selling expenses as a percentage of revenue remained at 65% in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2008 when compared to the comparable period in the prior year.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses were down 11% to $2.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. G&A expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased to 34% in the quarter, compared to 40% for the comparable period in the prior year.

In connection with the annual impairment tests for goodwill and intangible assets under SFAS 142, the fair value of each of our reporting units was determined at March 31, 2008 by weighting a combination of the present value of the Company's discounted anticipated future operating cash flows and values based on market multiples of revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (‘‘EBITDA’’) of comparable companies. The valuations resulted in a goodwill impairment loss of approximately $8.8 million for the year ended March 31, 2008.

As a result of the foregoing, the Company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $13.0 million, or $(0.83) per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $4.5 million, or $(0.38) per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. Weighted average shares outstanding were 3.5 million shares greater in fourth quarter 2008 as compared to the same period in the prior year as a result of a private placement of the Company’s common stock in May 2007.

Fiscal 2008 Highlights

 

Case volume sales of 313,288

 

Average revenue per case increased 9%;

 

Total U.S. case sales up 8% year over year;

 

Total global case sales flat year over year;

 

U.S. accounted for 65% of total case sales versus 60% in the prior year;

 

Total revenue increased 9% year over year to $27.3 million;

 

FX gain of $2.3 million as compared to $1.4 million.

 

 



Balance Sheet

Cash and equivalents, together with short-term investments, totaled $5.8 million at March 31, 2008.

Conference Call

Castle Brands will host a conference call to discuss second quarter results on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. ET. All interested parties in the U.S. are invited to join the conference by dialing 1-877-545-1488 and asking for the Castle Brands call. International callers should dial or 1-719-325-4933. No passcode needed. The conference call will be webcast and can be accessed from the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.castlebrandsinc.com.

To listen to a replay of the conference call, dial toll-free 1-888-203-1112 or international callers 1-719-457-0820 and enter pin number 4087665. The replay will be available from 7:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) on June 30, 2008 through 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) July 7, 2008.

More about Castle Brands Inc.

Castle Brands is an emerging developer and international marketer of premium branded spirits within five growing categories of the spirits industry: vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey and liqueurs/cordials. Castle Brands’ portfolio includes Boru® Vodka, Gosling’s Rum®, Sea Wynde® Rum, Tierras Tequila, Knappogue Castle Whiskey®, Clontarf® Irish Whiskey, Jefferson’s™ and Jefferson’s Reserve® Bourbon, Sam Houston® Bourbon, Celtic Crossing® Liqueur, Pallini® Limoncello™, Raspicello™ and Peachcello™ and Brady’s® Irish Cream.

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, related 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. More information about these and other factors are described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Castle

 

 



Brands’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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 Statement of Operations

 

 

 

Three-months Ended
March 31, 

 

Twelve-months Ended
March 31, 

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

Sales, net

 

$

6,378,382

 

$

6,070,966

 

$

27,325,168

 

$

25,164,038

 

Cost of sales

 

 

4,715,432

 

 

4,045,947

 

 

19,272,708

 

 

16,779,694

 

Allowance for obsolete and slow-moving inventory

 

 

(165,456

)

 

 

 

1,541,579

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

1,828,406

 

 

2,025,019

 

 

6,510,881

 

 

8,384,344

 

Selling expense

 

 

4,158,351

 

 

3,929,690

 

 

17,843,761

 

 

16,766,119

 

General and administrative expense

 

 

2,144,236

 

 

2,410,323

 

 

8,368,727

 

 

8,646,147

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

237,728

 

 

257,674

 

 

1,029,579

 

 

1,000,888

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

8,750,000

 

 

 

 

8,750,000

 

 

 

Net operating loss

 

 

(13,461,909

)

 

(4,572,668

)

 

(29,481,186

)

 

(18,028,810

)

Other income

 

 

11,676

 

 

 

 

11,676

 

 

5,040

 

Other expense

 

 

(80,964

)

 

(9,833

)

 

(121,683

)

 

(46,831

)

Foreign exchange gain

 

 

947,041

 

 

216,912

 

 

2,251,430

 

 

1,360,500

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(485,662

)

 

(378,335

)

 

(1,679,395

)

 

(1,085,035

)

Write-off of deferred financing costs in connection with conversion of 6% subordinated convertible notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(295,368

)

Current credit on derivative financial instrument

 

 

 

 

(3,476

)

 

189,397

 

 

117,921

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

37,038

 

 

37,038

 

 

148,152

 

 

148,147

 

Minority interests

 

 

(7,432

)

 

165,664

 

 

1,097,835

 

 

1,267,086

 

Net loss

 

 

(13,040,212

)

 

(4,544,698

)

 

(27,583,774

)

 

(16,557,350

)

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48,238

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

 

$

(13,040,212

)

$

(4,544,698

)

$

(27,583,774

)

$

(16,605,588

)

Net loss attributable to common stockholders per common share, basic and diluted

 

$

(0.83

)

$

(0.38

)

$

(1.81

)

$

(1.40

)

Weighted average shares used in computation, basic and diluted

 

 

15,629,776

 

 

12,109,741

 

 

15,263,930

 

 

11,898,313

 

 

 



 

CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents

 

$

1,552,385

 

$

1,004,957

 

Short-term investments

 

 

4,231,644

 

 

5,912,464

 

Accounts receivable – net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $230,967 and $352,458

 

 

7,544,445

 

 

6,503,449

 

Due from affiliates

 

 

61,596

 

 

10,328

 

Inventories

 

 

8,535,993

 

 

10,716,983

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

811,711

 

 

1,585,901

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

22,737,774

 

 

25,734,082

 

EQUIPMENT – net

 

 

753,317

 

 

643,753

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets – net of accumulated amortization of $2,517,199 and $2,233,808

 

 

13,591,191

 

 

13,813,596

 

Goodwill

 

 

3,745,287

 

 

13,036,650

 

Restricted cash

 

 

799,864

 

 

502,643

 

Other assets

 

 

509,493

 

 

795,237

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

42,136,926

 

$

54,525,961

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current maturities of notes payable and capital leases

 

$

99,784

 

$

419,308

 

Accounts payable

 

 

2,818,910

 

 

5,150,535

 

Accrued expenses, put warrant payable and derivative instrument

 

 

2,142,845

 

 

1,987,669

 

Due to stockholders and affiliates

 

 

919,758

 

 

1,092,755

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

5,981,297

 

 

8,650,267

 

LONG TERM LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior notes payable

 

 

9,649,109

 

 

9,354,861

 

Notes payable and capital leases, less current maturities

 

 

9,001,335

 

 

9,005,207

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

2,407,216

 

 

2,555,368

 

 

 

 

27,038,957

 

 

29,565,703

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINORITY INTERESTS

 

 

309,810

 

 

1,407,645

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 45,000,000 shares authorized, 15,629,776 and 12,109,741 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively

 

 

156,298

 

 

121,098

 

Additional paid in capital

 

 

104,806,044

 

 

84,086,710

 

Accumulated deficiency

 

 

(87,546,011

)

 

(59,962,237

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(2,628,172

)

 

(692,958

)

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

14,788,159

 

 

23,552,613

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

42,136,926

 

$

54,525,961

 

 

 



CASTLE BRANDS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Geographic and Category Case Sales

9L Equivalents

 

 

 

Three-months ended
March 31,

 

Twelve-months ended
March 31,

 

 

 

FY’08

 

FY’07

 

FY’08

 

FY’07

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

52,899

 

49,813

 

204,819

 

188,997

 

International

 

18,347

 

22,582

 

108,469

 

125,647

 

Total

 

71,246

 

72,395

 

313,288

 

314,644

 

Vodka

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

22,903

 

22,675

 

86,818

 

72,283

 

International

 

7,008

 

13,061

 

60,924

 

87,786

 

Total

 

29,911

 

35,736

 

147,742

 

160,069

 

Rum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

13,793

 

13,511

 

57,028

 

60,560

 

International

 

6,036

 

5,366

 

22,213

 

17,992

 

Total

 

19,829

 

18,877

 

79,241

 

78,552

 

Whiskey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

3,900

 

2,700

 

11,984

 

7,209

 

International

 

4,415

 

2,733

 

18,866

 

15,410

 

Total

 

8,315

 

5,433

 

30,850

 

22,619

 

Liqueurs/Cordials

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

12,303

 

10,927

 

48,989

 

48,945

 

International

 

888

 

1,422

 

6,466

 

4,459

 

Total

 

13,191

 

12,349

 

55,455

 

53,404