FISCAL 2014 FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS (Comparisons to FY 2013 Q1):
- Net sales increased 15.7% to $129.3 million
- Gross profit increased 56.9% to $33.7 million, a record level
- Net income increased 135.2% to $11.3 million, a record level
- Diluted EPS increased 122.2% to $0.40, a record level
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., Nov. 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ACETO Corporation (Nasdaq: ACET ), a global leader in the marketing, sale and distribution of products for Human Health, Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Performance Chemicals, announced today results of operations for its fiscal 2014 first quarter ended September 30, 2013.
Sal Guccione, Chief Executive Officer of ACETO, stated, "I am very pleased to report that we achieved another record quarter, with an increase in net sales and net income of approximately 16% and 135%, respectively, when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Our record results were driven primarily by the Human Health and Pharmaceutical Ingredients segments. The Human Health segment generated a 46% rise in sales, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2013, driven by several product launches during the past year.
"The Pharmaceutical Ingredients segment grew sales by 19% in the quarter, benefitting from a large reorder of a recently launched product in our Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ("API") business as well as a strong performance from our pharmaceutical intermediates business. I am extremely excited by the success achieved by our team in this quarter and look forward to future successes. As discussed previously, we have very limited visibility on the nature, size and timing of future API orders which are predicated on demand trends for our customers' products. At this time, we anticipate a return to more normalized order patterns going forward."
Mr. Guccione continued, "The Rising Pharmaceutical business continues to be strong, contributing to Aceto's overall success. As previously announced, Satish Srinivasan took over as President and COO of this business at the beginning of the quarter. He has brought on three important executives with significant experience in sales, marketing and portfolio management, boosting the overall talent level of an already strong team. During the quarter, we continued to advance our product pipeline, which we believe will enable us to continue to add to our future new product portfolio."
Mr. Guccione concluded, "Along with the successful execution of our business plan, we continue to maintain a strong balance sheet, including a reduction in debt, which will allow us to support our internal and external growth plans."
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Net sales for the fiscal 2014 first quarter ended September 30, 2013 were $129.3 million, an increase of 15.7% from $111.8 million reported in the same period of the previous fiscal year. Sales from the Human Health segment increased by 46.5% on a year over year basis, largely driven by the launch of new generics products at Rising Pharmaceuticals during fiscal 2013. Gross profit for the segment was $11.1 million, an increase of 37.5% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2013. Pharmaceutical Ingredients segment revenue rose by 19.2% during the quarter, mainly due to a significant reorder of a recently launched API, as well as continued demand for pharmaceutical intermediates, which represent key components used in the manufacture of certain drug products. The segment saw gross profit increase by 132.1% to $15.3 million. The Performance Chemicals segment reported a 5.8% decline in sales due in part to lower agricultural protection products sales and a drop in domestic sales of pigments and other intermediates. Gross profit in the Performance Chemicals segment improved by 7.4% to $7.3 million year over year owing to margin expansion related to the mix of products sold.
Total company gross profit increased 56.9% to $33.7 million in the fiscal 2014 first quarter, compared to $21.5 million in the fiscal 2013 first quarter. Selling, general and administration expenses were $15.8 million in fiscal 2014 first quarter, up 21.4% from the same period in fiscal 2013. Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2013 increased 135.2% to $11.3 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, compared to net income of $4.8 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, for the comparable quarter of fiscal 2013.
CONFERENCE CALL
The Company will conduct a conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET on November 8, 2013 to discuss the operating results for the first quarter ended September 30, 2013. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 800-447-0521 (847-413-3238 for international callers) – please call in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin, and ask for the ACETO call (conference ID # 35929483). The conference call will also be webcast live via the Investor Relations section of our website, www.aceto.com . To listen to the live call please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. The conference call will be archived on the Company's website, and a recorded phone replay will also be available from 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, November 8, 2013 until 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, November 15, 2013. Dial 888-843-7419 (630-652-3042 for international callers) and enter the code 35929483# for the phone replay.
ABOUT ACETO
ACETO Corporation, incorporated in 1947, is a global leader in the marketing, sale and distribution of products for Human Health (finished dosage form generics and nutraceutical products), Pharmaceutical Ingredients (pharmaceutical intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients) and Performance Chemicals (specialty chemicals and agricultural protection products). With business operations in nine countries, ACETO distributes over 1,100 chemical compounds used principally as finished products or raw materials in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, agricultural, coatings and industrial chemical industries. ACETO's global operations, including a staff of 25 in China and 12 in India, are distinctive in the industry and enable its worldwide sourcing and regulatory capabilities.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the federal securities laws. The events described in forward-looking statements contained in this news release may not occur. Generally, these statements relate to our business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of ACETO's plans or strategies, financing plans, projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions that ACETO may make, or a projection involving anticipated revenues, earnings or other aspects of ACETO's operating results or financial position, and the outcome of any contingencies. Any such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of management. ACETO intends for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend," "estimate," and "continue," and their opposites and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's strategic initiatives including selling finished dosage form generic drugs, and statements regarding the prospects for long-term growth. ACETO cautions you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are beyond ACETO's control, which may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projections upon which the statements are based. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties discussed in ACETO's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, ACETO's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013 and other filings. Copies of these filings are available at http://www.sec.gov/blocked::http://www.sec.gov/ "> www.sec.gov .
Any one or more of these uncertainties, risks and other influences could materially affect ACETO's results of operations and whether forward-looking statements made by ACETO ultimately prove to be accurate. ACETO's actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. ACETO undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether from new information, future events or otherwise.
(Financial Tables on Following Pages)
| Aceto Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||
| Consolidated Statements of Income | ||
| (in thousands, except per share amounts) | ||
| (unaudited) | ||
| Three Months Ended | ||
| September 30, | ||
| 2013 | 2012 | |
| Net sales | $ 129,261 | $ 111,748 |
| Cost of sales | 95,527 | 90,243 |
| Gross profit | 33,734 | 21,505 |
| Gross profit % | 26.10% | 19.24% |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 15,764 | 12,987 |
| Research and development expenses | 554 | 905 |
| Operating income | 17,416 | 7,613 |
| Other income, net of interest expense | 158 | 9 |
| Income before income taxes | 17,574 | 7,622 |
| Income tax provision | 6,239 | 2,802 |
| Net income | $ 11,335 | $ 4,820 |
| Net income per common share | $ 0.41 | $ 0.18 |
| Diluted net income per common share | $ 0.40 | $ 0.18 |
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | ||
| Basic | 27,757 | 26,805 |
| Diluted | 28,390 | 27,229 |
| Aceto Corporation and Subsidiaries | ||
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||
| (in thousands, except per-share amounts) | ||
| September 30, 2013 | June 30, 2013 | |
| (unaudited) | ||
| Assets | ||
| Current Assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 35,058 | $ 33,231 |
| Investments | 2,165 | 2,144 |
| Trade receivables: less allowances for doubtful accounts: Sept 30, 2013 $1,427; and June 30, 2013 $1,294 | 93,197 | 90,108 |
| Other receivables | 6,590 | 5,283 |
| Inventory | 87,266 | 83,849 |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 3,885 | 2,984 |
| Deferred income tax asset, net | 726 | 701 |
| Total current assets | 228,887 | 218,300 |
| Property and equipment, net | 11,449 | 11,410 |
| Property held for sale | 4,058 | 4,058 |
| Goodwill | 33,563 | 33,526 |
| Intangible assets, net | 39,426 | 40,831 |
| Deferred income tax asset, net | 8,057 | 8,055 |
| Other assets | 7,822 | 7,250 |
| Total Assets | $ 333,262 | $ 323,430 |
| Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Current portion of long-term debt | $ 7,947 | $ 11,714 |
| Accounts payable | 41,588 | 39,222 |
| Accrued expenses | 40,132 | 38,971 |
| Total current liabilities | 89,667 | 89,907 |
| Long-term debt | 18,306 | 20,355 |
| Long-term liabilities | 12,217 | 13,413 |
| Environmental remediation liability | 4,615 | 5,109 |
| Deferred income tax liability | 19 | 6 |
| Total liabilities | 124,824 | 128,790 |
| Commitments and contingencies | ||
| Shareholders' equity: | ||
| Common stock, $.01 par value: | ||
| (40,000 shares authorized; 28,135 and 27,831 shares issued and outstanding at Sept 30, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively) | 281 | 278 |
| Capital in excess of par value | 74,911 | 72,845 |
| Retained earnings | 128,263 | 118,615 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 4,983 | 2,902 |
| Total shareholders' equity | 208,438 | 194,640 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ 333,262 | $ 323,430 |
Investor Relations Contact: Stephanie Carrington/David Burke The Ruth Group (646) 536-7017/7009
