N@N

Escalade Reports Full Year EPS of $0.48; Q4 2010 EPS More Than Double From Q4 2009

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2011/02/2 .. 8-q4-2010-eps-more-than-double-from-q4-2009.html
  Published in House and Home on Monday, February 28th 2011 at 8:45 GMT by Market Wire
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication}

EVANSVILLE, IN--(Marketwire - February 28, 2011) - Escalade, Incorporated (NASDAQ: [ ESCA ]) announced that net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $2.2 million, or $0.18 basic earnings per share ($0.17 diluted earnings per share) compared to net income of $1.1 million or $0.08 basic earnings per share ($0.08 diluted earnings per share) for the same quarter in 2009. Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2010 were 7% higher than the same quarter last year. Sales growth is a result of continued focus on product innovation and brand marketing. Net income for the full year 2010 was $6.1 million, or $0.48 basic earnings per share ($0.46 diluted earnings per share) compared to net income of $1.7 million, or $0.13 basic and diluted earnings per share for full year 2009.

In the Sporting Goods segment, net revenue increased 11.7% in 2010 compared to 2009 with growth coming from most sales channels. The Company continues to aggressively pursue opportunities to increase revenue through introduction of new products, expansion of product distribution, and increased investment in consumer marketing.

Net revenue in the Information Security and Print Finishing business declined 11.1% in 2010 compared to 2009 primarily due to the continued weakness in the global office products channel and the government channel. The Company has widened its product range to improve its opportunities in the information security and print finishing markets. Excluding the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates, 2010 sales were down 10.5% from 2009.

"We are pleased with the positive momentum we have built throughout 2010, including 7% top line growth for the fourth quarter. This increased revenue, coupled with operational improvements, has yielded fourth quarter EPS of $0.18, which is more than double the same period last year," stated Robert J. Keller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Escalade, Inc. "The Escalade team has a passion for driving top line growth through a balanced strategy of product innovation and brand marketing. Our goal is to be the market leader in each of our categories. With our debt level at a five year low, we have improved flexibility to invest in new product development and other strategic growth initiatives."

Mr. Keller further said, "As a reflection of Escalade's ongoing focus to introduce new products and services to better meet the needs of our existing and potential customers, our historical description of the business conducted by Martin Yale Group as 'Office Products' has become too narrow and outdated. We increasingly have been strategically focused on expanding the Martin Yale business to assist businesses and governments with their high security needs for handling sensitive customer, employee and business documents and information, in addition to Martin Yale's traditional product offerings. Going forward, we are referring to this business segment as 'Information Security and Print Finishing' which we believe more accurately describes this line of business today and into the future."

Escalade is a leading manufacturer and marketer of sporting goods and information security and print finishing products sold worldwide. To obtain more information on the Company and its products, visit our website at: [ www.EscaladeInc.com ] or contact Deborah Meinert, Vice President and CFO at 812/467-4449.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, Escalade's ability to successfully integrate the operations of acquired assets and businesses, new product development, the continuation and development of key customer and supplier relationships, Escalade's ability to control costs, general economic conditions, fluctuation in operating results, changes in the securities market, Escalade's ability to obtain financing and to maintain compliance with the terms of such financing, and other risks detailed from time to time in Escalade's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Escalade's future financial performance could differ materially from the expectations of management contained herein. Escalade undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements after the date of this report.

 ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited, In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended ------------------------ ------------------------ 25 December 26 December 25 December 26 December 2010 2009 2010 2009 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- NET SALES $ 31,185 $ 29,042 $ 120,656 $ 115,999 OPERATING EXPENSES Cost of goods sold 23,662 22,017 83,475 82,250 Selling and administrative 6,306 6,142 27,704 29,484 Long-lived asset impairment -- -- -- -- Amortization 246 241 1,288 2,265 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- OPERATING INCOME 971 642 8,189 2,000 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest expense (158) (135) (1,163) (1,665) Other income 1,464 1,073 2,050 2,270 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 2,277 1,580 9,076 2,605 PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 54 468 3,017 948 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- NET INCOME $ 2,223 $ 1,112 $ 6,059 $ 1,657 =========== =========== =========== =========== PER SHARE DATA Basic earnings per share $ 0.18 $ 0.08 $ 0.48 $ 0.13 =========== =========== =========== =========== Diluted earnings per share $ 0.17 $ 0.08 $ 0.46 $ 0.13 =========== =========== =========== =========== Average shares outstanding 12,775 12,654 12,726 12,632 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited, In Thousands) 25 December 2010 26 December 2009 ---------------- ---------------- ASSETS Current assets $ 55,010 $ 52,936 Property, plant & equipment - net 19,844 21,493 Other assets 27,302 26,594 Goodwill 25,397 26,215 ---------------- ---------------- Total $ 127,553 $ 127,238 ================ ================ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities $ 30,878 $ 43,248 Other liabilities 9,645 1,226 Stockholders' equity 87,030 82,764 ---------------- ---------------- Total $ 127,553 $ 127,238 ================ ================