Exhibit 99.1

Action Performance Reports Second Quarter 2005 Results

PHOENIX—(BUSINESS WIRE)—May 9, 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 second quarter ended March 31, 2005. For the quarter, the company reported revenues of $75.3 million compared with $83.6 million in the prior year, a decrease of 9.9%. The decrease in revenue in the quarter resulted primarily from lower sales of die-cast products to mass merchandisers and, to a lesser extent, lower apparel sales to wholesale channels.

The Company reported a net loss of $2.9 million, or $0.16 per share, compared with net income of $1.3 million, or $0.07 in second quarter of 2004.

For the six months ended March 31, 2005, the company reported revenues of $151.4 million, compared with revenues of $154.8 million in the prior year, a decrease of 2.2%. The company reported a net loss of $6.5 million, or $0.35 per share, compared with a net loss of $0.4 million, or $0.02 per share in the prior year.

Fred Wagenhals, Chief Executive Officer, commented “We continue to refine the restructuring plan that was announced last quarter. Improving our distribution model is the cornerstone of that plan. After an exhaustive review of our options, management concluded that Action’s existing Concord, North Carolina facility provided the best combination of cost, access to the customer, control of product to the retail market and ease of implementation. We believe that having Action employees talk directly to our retail customers to understand their needs will help us restore growth to the collector die-cast market.”

Mr. Wagenhals stated further “Although there is much work ahead, we have implemented a number of initiatives that we believe will improve long term profitability at Action Performance. During the quarter, we consolidated the Jeff Hamilton apparel business, reduced headcount and improved our accounts receivable. Overall, I am pleased with the progress that the Company is making and with the commitment that the employees of Action Performance have made to the turnaround plan.”

Business Outlook

While Action Performance refrains from giving specific revenue and earnings guidance, the Company expects fiscal third quarter 2005 sales to be sequentially higher compared to the second quarter, but below year ago levels. Further, it expects wholesale sales of die cast to be down year-on-year reflecting uncertainties associated with the termination of its distributor relationships as the Company transitions to a direct distribution model.

Dividend Policy

The Board of Directors has decided not to declare the quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share. The Board believes that it is prudent to take this action coincident with the restructuring initiatives in place. The evaluation of paying a dividend will be made on a quarter-by-quarter basis.

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/.

 


 

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the benefits of our restructuring plan and sales guidance for the remainder of fiscal 2005. 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, under the caption “Business-Risk Factors” and in Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q dated December 31, 2004, each of which is 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

 


 

ACTION PERFORMANCE COMPANIES, INC.
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
March 31, 2005 and September 30, 2004

(in thousands)

                 
    March 31,     September 30,  
    2005     2004  
ASSETS
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 6,414     $ 12,580  
Accounts receivable, net
    39,444       51,769  
Inventories
    56,095       56,947  
Prepaid royalties
    6,126       2,834  
Taxes receivable
    3,908       2,126  
Deferred income taxes
    8,772       8,766  
Prepaid expenses and other
    4,159       5,920  
 
           
Total current assets
    124,918       140,942  
 
           
 
               
Long-Term Assets:
               
Property and equipment, net
    63,072       64,878  
Goodwill
    89,399       88,653  
Licenses and other intangibles, net
    58,549       56,614  
Other
    2,885       3,196  
 
           
Total long-term assets
    213,905       213,341  
 
           
 
  $ 338,823     $ 354,283  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 17,455     $ 28,778  
Accrued royalties
    9,981       10,702  
Accrued expenses
    6,476       8,757  
Taxes payable
    2,277       1,742  
Line-of-credit and term loans
    13,343        
Current portion of long-term debt
    395       4,009  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    49,927       53,988  
 
           
Long-Term Liabilities:
               
Long-term debt
    4,279       11,882  
Deferred income taxes
    26,402       24,979  
Other
    260       298  
 
           
Total long-term liabilities
    30,941       37,159  
 
           
Commitments and Contingencies
               
Minority Interests
    2,301       2,509  
Shareholders’ Equity
    255,654       260,627  
 
           
 
  $ 338,823     $ 354,283  
 
           

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

Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
(in thousands, except per share data)

                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Net sales
  $ 75,326     $ 83,596     $ 151,380     $ 154,803  
Cost of sales
    55,098       59,434       114,700       113,685  
 
                       
Gross profit
    20,228       24,162       36,680       41,118  
 
                       
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling, general, and administrative
    20,652       20,377       43,553       40,283  
Amortization of licenses and other intangibles
    879       943       1,757       1,884  
 
                       
Total operating expenses
    21,531       21,320       45,310       42,167  
 
                       
 
                               
Income (loss) from operations
    (1,303 )     2,842       (8,630 )     (1,049 )
 
                               
Interest expense
    (396 )     (471 )     (697 )     (902 )
Foreign exchange gains (losses)
    (871 )     (256 )     908       1,153  
Earnings from joint venture
    109       198       402       762  
Other income
    56       46       81       112  
Other expense
    (456 )     (288 )     (725 )     (746 )
 
                       
Total other income (expense)
    (1,558 )     (771 )     (31 )     379  
 
                       
 
                               
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (2,861 )     2,071       (8,661 )     (670 )
Income taxes
    54       783       (2,208 )     (253 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net income (loss)
    (2,915 )     1,288       (6,453 )     (417 )
 
                               
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    (1,587 )     (591 )     831       814  
 
                       
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (4,502 )   $ 697     $ (5,622 )   $ 397  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.16 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.35 )   $ (0.02 )
Diluted
  $ (0.16 )   $ 0.07     $ (0.35 )   $ (0.02 )
 
                               
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
                               
Basic
    18,568       18,327       18,487       18,304  
Diluted
    18,568       18,602       18,487       18,304  

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

Six Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
(in thousands)

                 
    2005     2004  
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net loss
  $ (6,453 )   $ (417 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operations-
               
Depreciation and amortization
    16,258       14,713  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    2,897       572  
Other
    457       40  
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired and disposed-
               
Accounts receivable
    9,518       16,779  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (9,525 )     (6,276 )
Taxes payable and receivable, net
    (1,306 )     (4,934 )
Inventories
    1,003       (12,144 )
Prepaid royalties and accrued royalties
    (4,029 )     (3,320 )
Other
    1,140       (2,080 )
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    9,960       2,933  
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Capital expenditures, net
    (14,698 )     (13,443 )
Acquisition of businesses and intangibles, net of costs
    (2,051 )     (2,439 )
Other
    450       503  
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (16,299 )     (15,379 )
 
           
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net borrowings (repayments) under line-of-credit
    4,091        
Long-term debt repayments
    (2,287 )     (403 )
Dividends paid — common shareholders
    (1,842 )     (1,829 )
Dividends paid — minority interest shareholders
    (847 )     (1,149 )
Stock option and other exercise proceeds
    918       145  
 
           
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    33       (3,236 )
 
           
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
    140       180  
 
           
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    (6,166 )     (15,502 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    12,580       49,462  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 6,414     $ 33,960  
 
           

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

Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
(in thousands)

                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    2005     2004     2005     2004  
Domestic Die-cast:
                               
Wholesale distribution and promotion
  $ 11,846     $ 12,098     $ 24,154     $ 23,929  
Wholesale to mass-merchant retailers
    7,829       13,659       25,367       31,495  
Retail through collector’s catalog club
    4,098       4,145       7,869       8,049  
 
                       
Total domestic die-cast
    23,773       29,902       57,390       63,473  
Foreign Die-cast — wholesale distribution and promotion
    9,767       9,000       20,100       18,437  
 
                       
Total Die-cast
    33,540       38,902       77,490       81,910  
 
                       
 
                               
Domestic Apparel and Memorabilia:
                               
Wholesale distribution and promotion
    17,721       21,430       31,390       34,683  
Wholesale to mass-merchant retailers
    12,737       11,427       21,759       19,717  
 
                       
Total apparel and memorabilia
    30,458       32,857       53,149       54,400  
 
                       
Retail at Trackside
    10,364       10,826       18,983       16,922  
Royalties and Other
    964       1,011       1,758       1,571  
 
                       
Net Sales
  $ 75,326     $ 83,596     $ 151,380     $ 154,803  
 
                       

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