Action Performance Reports First Quarter 2005 Results;

Announces New Distribution Model

PHOENIX—(BUSINESS WIRE) February 8 , 2005— Action Performance Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ATN - News), the leader in the design, marketing, promotion, and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise, today announced financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended December 31, 2004. For the quarter, the company reported revenues of $76.1 million compared with $71.2 million in the prior year, an increase of 6.8%. Revenue growth in the quarter reflected improvements in trackside retail sales resulting from an additional race, as well as improved consumer demand at the racetracks. Apparel sales to wholesale and mass merchants also contributed to the growth in revenues.

The Company reported a net loss of $3.5 million, or $0.19 per share, compared with a net loss of $1.7 million, or $0.09 in first quarter of 2004. Included in the net loss for the first quarter of 2005 is an after-tax charge of $1.5 million for an allowance for uncollectible distributor receivables, an after-tax loss of $1.3 million from the Jeff Hamilton subsidiary and an after-tax charge of $0.3 million in severance expense. The net loss in the comparable period included after-tax charges of $1.0 million.

After a thorough review of Action’s business that was initiated in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2004, the Company concluded that it is necessary to restructure its channels of distribution for its domestic wholesale die-cast business. To that end, the Company intends to change from a network of distributors that it currently uses and distribute directly to retail dealers utilizing one or two fulfillment partners. While the process will take 8-12 months to fully complete, we believe it will afford the Company greater margin opportunities and visibility into its business.

Fred Wagenhals, Chief Executive Officer stated, “We are committed to restoring improved profitability at Action Performance. Streamlining our distribution is critical to executing successfully on the Company’s turnaround plans. The sale of our products direct to retail should enable Action to produce a more focused product line, increase our distribution and better control inventory and costs resulting in improved profitability and return on investment. ”

About Action Performance

Action Performance Companies Inc. (NYSE:ATN — News) is the leader in the design, promotion, marketing and distribution of licensed motorsports merchandise. The Company’s products include a broad range of motorsports-related die-cast replica collectibles, apparel, souvenirs and other memorabilia. Action Performance markets and distributes products through a variety of channels including the Action Racing Collectables network of wholesale distributors, the Racing Collectables Club of America, QVC, goracing.com, trackside at racing events, direct corporate promotions, mass retail, department stores, and specialty dealers. Additional information about Action Performance can be found at http://www.action-performance.com/.

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This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding expectations for revenues, net income, operational plans, and guidance for future periods. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, among others, the ability of the Company to successfully execute its business plan, competitive pressures, acceptance of the Company’s products and services in the marketplace, the success of new marketing programs, the Company’s ability to successfully execute its agreements with other parties, general economic conditions, and other risks discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K, dated September 30, 2004, on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

     
CONTACT:  
Action Performance, Inc.
David Riddiford
Chief Financial Officer
602/337-3999
   
 
   
or
   
 
   
Integrated Corporate Relations, Inc.
Hayley Kissel
203/682-8223

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ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2004 and September 30, 2004

(in thousands)

                 
    December 31,     September 30,  
    2004     2004  
ASSETS
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 12,795     $ 12,580  
Accounts receivable, net
    43,738       51,769  
Inventories
    53,407       56,947  
Prepaid royalties
    3,678       2,834  
Taxes receivable
    3,174       2,126  
Deferred income taxes
    8,784       8,766  
Prepaid expenses and other
    4,443       5,920  
 
           
Total Current Assets
    130,019       140,942  
 
           
Long-Term Assets:
               
Property and equipment, net
    67,571       64,878  
Goodwill
    90,536       88,653  
Licenses and other intangibles, net
    59,213       56,614  
Other
    3,229       3,196  
 
           
Total Long-Term Assets
    220,549       213,341  
 
           
 
  $ 350,568     $ 354,283  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 27,091     $ 28,778  
Accrued royalties
    9,081       10,702  
Accrued expenses
    7,485       8,757  
Taxes payable
    2,612       1,742  
Current portion of long-term debt
    4,041       4,009  
 
           
Total Current Liabilities
    50,310       53,988  
 
           
Long-Term Liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
    10,934       11,882  
Deferred income taxes and other
    27,015       25,277  
 
           
Total Long-Term Liabilities
    37,949       37,159  
 
           
Commitments and Contingencies
               
Minority Interests
    2,349       2,509  
Shareholders’ Equity
    259,960       260,627  
 
           
 
  $ 350,568     $ 354,283  
 
           

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ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

Three Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands, except per share data)

                 
    Three Months Ended  
    2004     2003  
Net sales
  $ 76,054     $ 71,207  
Cost of sales
    59,602       54,251  
 
           
Gross profit
    16,452       16,956  
 
           
Operating expenses:
               
Selling, general, and administrative
    22,901       19,906  
Amortization of licenses and other intangibles
    878       941  
 
           
Total operating expenses
    23,779       20,847  
 
           
Loss from operations
    (7,327 )     (3,891 )
Interest expense
    (301 )     (431 )
Foreign exchange gains
    1,652       829  
Earnings from joint venture
    293       564  
Other income
    143       621  
Other expense
    (260 )     (433 )
 
           
Loss before income taxes
    (5,800 )     (2,741 )
Income taxes
    (2,262 )     (1,036 )
 
           
Net loss
    (3,538 )     (1,705 )
Other comprehensive income
    2,418       1,405  
 
           
Comprehensive loss
  $ (1,120 )   $ (300 )
 
           
Loss Per Common Share:
               
Basic
  $ (0.19 )   $ (0.09 )
Diluted
  $ (0.19 )   $ (0.09 )
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
               
Basic
    18,408       18,281  
Diluted
    18,408       18,281  

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

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ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands)

                 
    2004     2003  
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net loss
  $ (3,538 )   $ (1,705 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operations-
               
Depreciation and amortization
    7,690       7,566  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    2,821       204  
Other
    195       (57 )
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired and disposed-
               
Accounts receivable
    5,427       16,007  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (4,534 )     (3,835 )
Taxes payable and receivable, net
    (405 )     (4,264 )
Inventories
    3,910       (8,081 )
Prepaid royalties and accrued royalties
    (2,528 )     (6,841 )
Other
    254       (2,723 )
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    9,292       (3,729 )
 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Capital expenditures, net
    (7,114 )     (7,703 )
Acquisition of businesses and intangibles, net of costs
    (430 )     (251 )
Other
    -       (47 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (7,544 )     (8,001 )
 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Long-term debt repayments
    (1,340 )     (320 )
Dividends paid - common shareholders
    (919 )     (915 )
Dividends paid - minority interest shareholders
    (420 )     (1,003 )
Stock option and other exercise proceeds
    712       100  
 
           
Net cash used in financing activities
    (1,967 )     (2,138 )
 
           
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
    434       157  
 
           
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    215       (13,711 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    12,580       49,462  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 12,795     $ 35,751  
 
           

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ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
Unaudited Schedule of Net Sales by Channel

Three Months Ended December 31, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands)

                 
    Three Months Ended  
    2004     2003  
Domestic Die-cast:
               
Wholesale distribution and promotion
  $ 12,308     $ 11,831  
Wholesale to mass-merchant retailers
    17,538       17,836  
Retail through collector’s catalog club
    3,771       3,904  
Foreign die-cast - wholesale distribution and promotion
    10,333       9,437  
 
           
Total die-cast
    43,950       43,008  
 
           
Domestic Apparel and Memorabilia:
               
Wholesale distribution and promotion
    13,669       13,253  
Wholesale to mass-merchant retailers
    9,022       8,290  
 
           
Total apparel and memorabilia
    22,691       21,543  
 
           
Retail at Trackside
    8,619       6,096  
Royalties and Other
    794       560  
 
           
Net Sales
  $ 76,054     $ 71,207  
 
           

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