EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

   The First Years Inc.
Corporate Headquarters
One Kiddie Drive
Avon, MA 02322-1711
Tel: 508-588-1220
Fax: 508-580-6849
www.thefirstyears.com

 

Contact: John Beals

Senior Vice President, Finance and Treasurer

(508) 588-1220

 

THE FIRST YEARS REPORTS SECOND QUARTER SALES AND NET INCOME

 

AVON, Massachusetts, July 23, 2004 – The First Years Inc. (Nasdaq:KIDD), a leading marketer of parenting products for infants and toddlers, today reported sales and net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

Net sales for the quarter increased 9% to $36,944,731 versus $33,944,876 for the second quarter of 2003. Net income for the quarter decreased 37% to $1,284,593 compared with $2,042,815 in the previous year. Fully diluted per share earnings were $0.15 per diluted share for the quarter compared with $0.24 per diluted share a year ago based on diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 8,766,916 and 8,432,462, respectively. Results included a $1.15 million charge, or $.13 per diluted share, for merger-related costs. Net income for the quarter, excluding merger-related costs, would have been $2,436,156 and earnings per diluted share would have been $.28, an increase of 19% and 17%, respectively.

 

Net sales for the first six months of 2004 increased 9% to $74,077,981 from $67,831,580 for the same period of the prior year. Net income for the six months of 2004 decreased 11% to $3,853,073 compared to $4,334,773 for the first six months of the prior year. Fully diluted earnings per share were $.44 for the first six months of 2004 compared with $.52 for the same period of 2003 based on diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 8,743,960 and 8,374,815, respectively. Excluding merger-related costs, net income for the six months ended June 30, 2004 would have been $5,004,636 and earnings per diluted share would have been $.57, an increase of 15% and 10%, respectively.

 

“Growth in second quarter sales and earnings was driven primarily by continuing strength in The First Years brand products and expansion of our international business,” said Ronald J. Sidman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The First Years.


About The First Years

 

The First Years Inc. is a leading international marketer of feeding, soothing, play and care products for infants and toddlers. The Company’s distinctive brands include: “The First Years,” licenses from the Walt Disney Company and “Sesame Street®,” licensed from the Sesame Workshop.

 

Included in this release are certain “forward-looking” statements, involving risks and uncertainties, which are covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company’s financial performance. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to certain factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and performance to differ materially from those referred to or implied by such statements. In addition, actual future results may differ materially from those anticipated, depending on a variety of factors, which include, but are not limited to, sales of The First Years® brand, trends in sales of The First Years brand and licensed products, continued success of new Disney character refreshed graphics, continued maintenance of favorable license arrangements, success of market research identifying new product opportunities, successful introduction of new products, continued product innovation, the success of new enhancements to the Company’s brand image, growth in domestic and international sales, ability to attract and retain key personnel, sales and earnings results, and general economic conditions affecting consumer spending, including uncertainties relating to global political conditions, such as terrorism and the conflict in Iraq. Information with respect to important factors that should be considered is contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations.


THE FIRST YEARS INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     (Unaudited)     
    

June 30,

2004


  

December 31,

2003


       
ASSETS              

Current assets:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 25,669,223    $ 24,730,265

Accounts receivable, net

     25,452,409      25,891,057

Inventories

     20,564,788      20,298,164

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     824,938      801,566

Deferred tax assets

     2,157,200      2,157,200
    

  

Total current assets

     74,668,558      73,878,252
    

  

Property, plant, and equipment, net

     10,614,570      10,786,503
    

  

Total Assets

   $ 85,283,128    $ 84,664,755
    

  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY              

Current liabilities:

             

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 14,066,515    $ 14,788,716

Accrued royalty expenses

     1,200,000      1,431,051

Accrued selling expenses

     1,716,452      3,107,430
    

  

Total current liabilities

     16,982,967      19,327,197
    

  

Deferred tax liability

     1,391,900      1,391,900
    

  

Stockholders’ equity

     66,908,261      63,945,658
    

  

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 85,283,128    $ 84,664,755
    

  


THE FIRST YEARS INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

 

    

THREE MONTHS ENDED

JUNE 30,


  

SIX MONTHS ENDED

JUNE 30,


     2004

    2003

   2004

    2003

Net Sales

   $ 36,944,731     $ 33,944,876    $ 74,077,981     $ 67,831,580

Cost of Sales

     23,370,686       21,844,748      46,988,426       43,517,698
    


 

  


 

Gross Profit

     13,574,045       12,100,128      27,089,555       24,313,882

Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses

     9,657,747       8,977,173      19,047,398       17,359,010
    


 

  


 

Operating Income

     3,916,298       3,122,955      8,042,157       6,954,872

Merger-related Costs

     (1,151,563 )     —        (1,151,563 )     —  

Interest Income

     44,958       40,860      95,479       93,601
    


 

  


 

Income before Income Taxes

     2,809,693       3,163,815      6,986,073       7,048,473

Provision for Income Taxes

     1,525,100       1,121,000      3,133,000       2,713,700
    


 

  


 

Net Income

   $ 1,284,593     $ 2,042,815    $ 3,853,073     $ 4,334,773
    


 

  


 

Basic Earnings Per Share

   $ 0.15     $ 0.25    $ 0.46     $ 0.53
    


 

  


 

Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

     8,345,215       8,242,217      8,341,604       8,230,856
    


 

  


 

Diluted Earnings Per Share

   $ 0.15     $ 0.24    $ 0.44     $ 0.52
    


 

  


 

Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

     8,766,916       8,432,462      8,743,960       8,374,815