For the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2009, Astro-Med expects to report sales of $15,600,000, compared to sales of $18,131,000 reported for the fourth quarter of the previous year. The company anticipates earnings per diluted share of $0.02 to $0.04 for the fiscal 2009 fourth quarter. In the Fourth Quarter of the prior year, Astro-Med reported earnings per diluted share of $0.18.
The company will report cash, cash equivalents, and long term investments of about $22,000,000 at January 31, 2009, up 25% from the end balances of the prior year.
Commenting on the announcement, Albert W. Ondis, chairman and chief executive officer, stated, “The global recession adversely affected Astro-Med’s operations during the second half of fiscal 2009. The effects of this economic slowdown were particularly unfavorable during the Fourth Quarter.
As mentioned during our third quarter conference call, we continue to see softness in the printing and labeling markets where fewer consumer and industrial product shipments have reduced demand for labels. Our customers have tempered the pace of their orders for new printers and for consumable printing supplies.”
Ondis continued, “We have also experienced delays in orders of ruggedized products from the avionics market, as aircraft manufacturers wrestle with employee strikes and supply chain delays which have necessitated adjustments to their production schedules for new airplanes.
However, we did realize continued growth in our Grass Technologies markets during the Fourth Quarter, although the rate of growth was somewhat tempered.”
In light of the uncertain business climate, the company has taken steps to reduce operating costs. “We will continue to monitor closely the level of customer demand going forward, and will make further adjustments to our program as required,” said Ondis.
Ondis stated, “We have maintained our field sales organization in both our domestic and international markets and we remain quite confident in our strategic plan. We fully expect to meet the challenges of these unstable economic times and return Astro-Med to profitable growth in the years ahead.”
Conference call scheduled
Astro-Med will issue its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2009 on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 after the market closes. Management will conduct an investor’s conference call to discuss the fourth quarter and annual results on Wednesday, March 18th at 11:00 AM ET.