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ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin
Daily world financial news from Thomson Financial News Supplied by advfn.com
04 Apr 2008 09:54:12
London
London shares open higher; British Energy gains on bid rumours
At 8.49 a.m., the FTSE 100 index was 12.7 points higher at 5,904.5 after closing 24.6 points weaker at 5,891.3, while the FTSE 250 index was down 27.9 points at 10,148.9. "Its a quiet day in the market with not a lot of news about except for reports of EDF bids for British Energy Group. There is not a lot going on," said Mark Foulds, equity trader at Tradindex.
In the US yesterday, stocks managed to notch up a modest gain, with Wall Street cautious ahead of today's jobs report but hopeful that the global financial system is on the mend. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress the Fed expects to recover most, if not all, of the $29 billion worth of loans it made to keep struggling Bear Stearns Cos. from collapse.
The DJIA closed up 20.20 points to 12,626.03. Separately, the S&P 500 index rose 1.78 points to 1,369.31 and the Nasdaq composite index was 1.90 points higher at 2,363.30. Today's closely watched US non-farm payroll numbers are expected to dip for the third month in a row. This time, economists expect the drop to total 50,000 in March, a more moderate decline than the 63,000 seen in the previous month.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate is expected to increase to 5.0 percent in March, compared to 4.8 percent the previous month.
Over in Asia, stocks were mostly lower ahead of the US jobs report. The Nikkei 225 index was down 44.36 points 13,345.54, while the Hang Seng index was closed for a public holiday.
Elsewhere, oil prices in Asian trading turned higher after recent choppiness with markets weighing the likely slowing of economic growth against concerns about tight supplies. In morning trade, New York's main oil contract, light sweet crude for delivery in May, rose 42 cents to $104.25 per barrel.
The benchmark contract fell $1.00 to $103.83 per barrel at the close of floor trading on Thursday at the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent North Sea crude for May advanced 41 cents to $102.93 a barrel, after settling at $102.52 on Thursday in London.
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Turning to the blue chips, British Energy Group was 37-1/2 pence higher at 700 on bid speculation rumours. Evolution Securities reiterated its 'buy' stance and price target of 650 pence on the group.
Elsewhere, pharmaceutical stocks were higher after Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Astrazeneca to 2,200 pence from 2,150 pence while retaining its 'equal-weight' rating.
Peer GlaxoSmithKline was 13 higher at 1,134.
Looking at the mining sector, Xstrata was 36 firmer at 3,616 after the group said in its annual report that it remains "very confident" in the outlook and prospects for the company in the short- and medium-term.
Positive broker comment also helped Xstrata with Sanford Bernstein upgrading the group to 'market perform' from 'underperform'.
Peer BHP Billiton was 4 firmer at 1,564 and Rio Tinto gained 32 at 5,475 after the same broker upgraded both groups to 'outperform' from 'market perform' arguing that demand for metals will remain strong.
And, BG Group extended its rally, up 9 at 1,173, after UBS said yesterday the stock would be the winner in the European oil and gas sector. Turning to the downside, banking stocks were under pressure extending falls from yesterday.
Lloyds TSB was off 6 at 456-3/4, Barclays was 5 lower at 482, HBOS was 2-1/2 weaker at 572 and Royal Bank of Scotland was down 3 at 365.
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Meanwhile, ITV was down as UBS retained its 'sell' stance on the group following an Ofcom report which noted Freeview is to launch four high definition channels.
Looking at the second line risers, Assura gained 3 at 113 after it said it expects revenue for the 15-month period to be significantly ahead of last year as its three divisions are continuing to grow strongly.
A broker upgrade helped shares in Imperial Energy rise 22 at 935 after Goldman Sachs upgraded the group to 'neutral' from 'sell'. And, Premier Farnell was 3-3/4 higher at 185-3/4 after Deutsche Bank upgraded the group to 'buy' from 'hold'.
Turning to the downside, a broker downgrade pushed shares in Victrex 44-1/2 lower at 706-1/2 after WH Ireland cut the group to 'market perform' from 'buy', following the company's recent trading update ahead of results on May 20, 2008.
Elsewhere, Dimension Data was off 1 at 49-3/4 after UBS reiterated its 'neutral' stance on the company, following the company's analyst day.
UBS noted that Di Data's management acknowledged that revenues for both Europe and the United States have shown signs of softening, though caution in these areas is offset by growth opportunities in emerging markets.
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US Summary:
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Milan
Milan shares TFN market data at 9.39 a.m: Strong banks, Seat offset weak Bulgari
Main indices:
Mibtel at 25,269 points, up 0.14 percent
S&P/Mib at 33,151 points, up 0.15 percent
Main S&P/Mib gainers
Seat Pagine Gialle SpA up 1.23 percent at 0.1408 euros despite the company saying it was not aware of any plans to delist or to change its management after speculation pushed the share price sharply higher in the past few trading sessions
Banco Popolare Scarl up 1.28 percent at 12.23 euros
Saipem SpA up 1.06 percent at 25.83 euros
UniCredit SpA up 1.03 percent at 4.73 euros after news reports the bank has reached a deal to sell 186 branches to a consortium led by Banca Popolare di Milano Scrl for 747 million euros. BPM was up 0.11 percent at 7.61 euros
Telecom Italia SpA up 0.99 percent at 1.438 euros, rebounding after recent weakness
Main S&P/Mib losers
Bulgari SpA down 1.17 percent at 7.445 euros
Mondadori Arnoldo Editore SpA down 0.86 percent at 5.405 euros
Parmalat SpA down 0.82 percent at 2.405 euros
Impregilo SpA down 0.78 percent at 3.435 euros
Fastweb SpA down 0.72 percent at 19.82 euros
Other stocks in the news
Alitalia SpA suspended until Tuesday pending statement from the company. According to the latest news, the Italian out-going government will attempt to broker fresh negotiations between Air France-KLM and the Italian carrier in a last-ditch attempt to prevent it from going into administration.
Saras SpA up 1.78 percent at 3.37 euros as Merrill Lynch upgraded the stock to 'buy' from 'neutral'
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Frankfurt
German shares TFN market data at 10:20 a.m.
DAX - up 10.90 points, or 0.16 percent, at 6,752.62
MDAX - up 17.53 points, or 0.20 percent, at 8,999.66
TecDAX - up 5.80 points, or 0.73 percent, at 801.09
DAX futures - down 20.00 points, or 0.29 percent, at 6,818.50
Major Outperformers:
SAP, up 0.93 euros or 2.92 percent at 32.83, after the software giant reiterated its 2008 and mid-term guidance and after CEOs Leo Apotheker and Henning Kagermann outlined a change in R&D strategy, which they said should benefit the company and its stockholders.
EON, up 1.30 euros or 1.08 percent at 122.22, after the utility said it is aiming to triple the share of renewable energy in the company's power generation from the current capacity to 24 percent by 2030
Deutsche Telekom, up 0.09 euros or 0.81 percent at 11.22
Bayer, up 0.46 euros or 0.88 percent at 52.95,
BASF, up 0.77 euros or 0.87 percent at 89.58
Major Underperformers:
Hypo Real Estate, down 0.35 euros, or 1.85 percent, at 18.60, due to continued pressure on the financial sector most recently heightened after Moody's downgraded the financial strength of Countrywide Financial Corp. to D from C
Deutsche Boerse, down 1.60 euros or 1.57 percent at 100.40
MAN, down 1.19 euros or 1.34 percent at 87.58
Deutsche Postbank, down 0.70 euros or 1.16 percent at 59.41
ThyssenKrupp, down 0.34 euros or 0.90 percent at 37.47
Other Stocks in the news:
MDAX-listed Kloeckner & Co A.G., up 0.85 euros or 2.52 percent at 34.60, after the steel distributor said its US unit Namasco Corp. has agreed to take over Taylor Equipment and Machine Tool Corp. (Temtco Steel) for an undisclosedsum.
TecDAX-listed Freenet, up 1.06 euros or 9.81 percent at 11.86, after internet service providers United Internet AG. and Drillisch AG. said they resumed talks on the acquisition of Freenet's internet and fixed-line operations by United Internet and of its mobile phone operations by Drillisch.
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Amsterdam
Amsterdam shares TFN market data at 10.10 am
MAJOR INDICES
AEX 457.00 points, up 1.70 points, or 0.37 percent
AMX 635.68 points, up 1.32 points, or 0.21 percent
Government bonds mixed
MAJOR GAINERS
KPN up 1.46 percent at 11.15 euros, shrugging of news its unit Telfort faces a 40 million euros fine over its UMTS frequency
Akzo Nobel up 0.72 percent at 53.20 euros
Shell up 0.62 percent at 22.79 euros
Fortis up 0.06 percent at 16.33 euros; chief executive officer Jean-Paul Votron said seeks the company is seeking to double profit contribution from Asia by end-2009
Crucell up 2.17 percent at 10.38 euros
Logica up 1.43 percent at 1.42 euros
MAJOR DECLINERS
Corio down 1.31 percent at 47.19 euros
ASML down 0.12 percent at 16.45 euros in heavy trading amid reports JPMorgan cut its rating to 'neutral' from 'overweight' SBM Offshore down 0.24 percent at 20.63 euros amid reports that there is again a delay in the award of the BP FPSO Angolese contracts
Wavin down 2.34 percent at 7.93 euros amid reports its chief executive officer said growth in Central and Eastern Europe could slow as banks become more cautious on lending
Ordina down 1.48 percent at 10.63 euros
Forex
London 0916 BST Singapore at 12:20 pm (0420 GMT)
U.S. dollar
yen 102.38 down from 102.62
Swiss franc 1.0079 down from 1.0128
Euro
U.S. dollar 1.5707 up from 1.5653
pound 0.7849 up from 0.7847
yen 160.81 up from 160.62
Swiss franc 1.5832 down from 1.5851
Sterling
U.S. dollar 2.0006 up from 1.9940
yen 204.78 up from 204.62
Swiss franc 2.0159 down from 2.0188
Australian dollar
U.S. dollar 0.9153 up from 0.9120
pound 0.4574 up from 0.4572
yen 93.71 up from 93.61
USHP U.S. Helicopter Announces $2.5 Million Strategic Equity Investment
PR Newswire via COMTEX
Apr 3, 2008 5:15:00 PM
NEW YORK, April 3, 2008, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
U.S. Helicopter Corporation (OTC Bulletin Board: USHP) (the "Company") announced today the completion of a strategic equity investment with a group of the Company's existing shareholders (the "Investors") resulting in the receipt of $2.5 million in gross offering proceeds.
The Company received gross proceeds of $1.25 million from each of its two strategic investors. In connection with the financing, the Company issued to one investor a secured convertible debenture in the principal amount of $1.25 million and a warrant to purchase up to 2,783,333 shares of the Company's common stock, and issued to the second investor two warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 6,950,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The $1.25 million convertible debenture is convertible at the investor's option at a price equal to the lower of $0.30 per share or 80% of the lowest closing bid price of the Company's common stock during the 15 days prior to the conversion date, subject to adjustment and as determined in accordance with the terms of the debenture. In addition, the $1.25 million debenture provides for an annual interest rate of 18% and a maturity date on the earlier of September 30, 2008 or the closing of the Company's next equity financing resulting in not less than $5.0 million in gross proceeds. The Company is obligated to use approximately $613,000 of the proceeds from the $1.25 million convertible debenture to pay principal and accrued interest due on the debenture issued by the Company to the same investor on March 14, 2008. All warrants have an exercise price of $0.01 per share and an exercise term of five years from the date of issuance.
"We are grateful to our strategic investor partners for this investment, which represents yet another tremendous vote of confidence in U.S. Helicopter by our investor base," said Jerry Murphy, CEO and President of the Company. Murphy continued, "The funding will allow us to continue implementing our business plan to achieve our goals of expanding our operations in the New York-area market and beyond with our Global Airline Partners Continental and Delta Airlines and to add a fifth aircraft to our fleet. In addition, the new $2.5 million investment will help position the Company to complete a larger institutional raise which was one of the pre-conditions to an institutional investment. The Company also continues to focus its efforts with new airline partners that have long-haul flights into and out of the New York Metropolitan Area Airports who can utilize the Company's shuttle service to enhance their product offering and attract greater market share."
About U.S. Helicopter
U.S. Helicopter (OTC Bulletin Board: USHP) is the first scheduled airline helicopter service between Manhattan, JFK and Newark Airports in more than two decades. Presently, U.S. Helicopter operates 290 weekly flights to/from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, Atlantic Metroport at East 34th Street, JFK International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, as well as service to/from Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport serving Fairfield and New Haven counties.
Founded in 2003, U.S. Helicopter provides scheduled, reliable, fast and affordable helicopter transportation designed to meet the needs of time-sensitive business travelers. All flights utilize state-of-the-art Sikorsky S-76 helicopters configured for eight passengers and staffed with two pilots. U.S. Helicopter Scheduled Airline Service is designed for business travelers ... "because you're too important to wait." For more information please visit our website at http://www.flyush.com.
Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements:
The foregoing contains "forward-looking statements", which are based on management's beliefs, as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events and information currently available to management. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside U.S. Helicopter's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see US Helicopter's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. U.S. Helicopter disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE U.S. Helicopter Corporation
http://www.flyush.com
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
SLTN Solar Thin Films, Inc. Acquires Equity Interest in CG Solar of China
Thursday, April 03 2008 - 15:47
SLTN $0.85 $0.011 (%1.31)
DIX HILLS, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/03/08 -- Solar Thin Films, Inc. (OTCBB: SLTN) today announced that it has acquired a 15% equity interest in China-based CG Solar (previously Weihai BlueStar Photovoltaic Co. Ltd.) in exchange for $1,500,000. As noted in Solar Thin Film's 8-K filing on 2/25/08, the acquisition was completed through two separate transactions.
On January 31, 2007, Solar Thin Films, Inc. (the "Company") entered into an Assignment and Assumption Agreement of Joint Venture Contract with Renewable Energy Solutions, Inc. ("RESI"), pursuant to which the Company agreed to transfer the sum of $500,000 on behalf of RESI to CG Solar in exchange for a 5% equity interest in CG Solar.
On January 31, 2007, the Company entered into an Agreement for the Plan and Sale of Equity Interest with Terra Solar, pursuant to which the Company agreed to transfer the sum of $1,000,000 to Terra Solar in exchange for the acquisition of a 10% equity interest in CG Solar.
The completion of both transactions has received all requisite approvals, including approval by the board of directors of China Solar Energy Holdings Limited, the parent company of Terra Solar.
The transactions, and acquisition of 15% of CG Solar, are consistent with the Company's strategy to take an equity interest, and purchase or marketing rights, in the operations of "turnkey" module manufacturing customers. Earlier the Company announced that it had entered into a marketing agreement with CG Solar providing certain rights to market their modules in North America and Europe.
About Solar Thin Films
Solar Thin Films (www.solarthinfilms.com) develops, manufactures and markets a complete line of manufacturing equipment for the production of "thin-film" amorphous silicon and CIGS photovoltaic ("PV") modules, together with a wholly owned subsidiary based in Budapest, Hungary. Personnel associated with the company have been responsible for the setup of 14 thin-film photovoltaic factories worldwide. The Company sells equipment and turnkey systems to customers including EPV Solar (Hamilton, NJ, USA) and CG Solar (Weihai, China). Management believes that its line of cost-effective thin-film photovoltaic manufacturing equipment positions the Company to take advantage of the rapidly growing demand for solar modules and an expected market shift towards "thin film" PV modules as part of a cost effective, "clean technology" energy solution.
About CG Solar
CG Solar (previously Weihai BlueStar Photovoltaic Co. Ltd.) is an amorphous silicon module manufacturing company based in Weihai, China. The company produces both standard amorphous silicon modules and building integrated modules for sale in China and for export internationally. The company's shareholders include Blue Star Glass Company -- a Chinese glass manufacturer, China Xingyes -- a Chinese curtain wall company, and Solar Thin Films.
Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement
Statements in this news release regarding future financial and operating results, potential applications of the Company's technology, opportunities for the Company, and any other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements including: limited operating history, need for future capital, and economic conditions generally. Additional information on potential factors that could affect results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports, including Forms 10-KSB, 10-QSB, 8-K, and other forms filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
These statements, and other forward-looking statements, are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties.
For Solar Thin Films, Inc.
Corporate Communications Group, Inc.
Email Contact
ALL Fuels & Energy''s AFSE Enzyme Begins Testing Phase in Development Process for Ethanol Super Enzyme
Thursday, April 03 2008 - 16:05
AFSE $0.51 $0.06 (%13.33)
DES MOINES, IA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/03/08 -- ALL Fuels & Energy (OTCBB: AFSE) announced that it has selected a specific "super" enzyme on which its has begun testing to determine its capacity for boosting production of corn and cellulosic ethanol. This selected super enzyme is the first in a suite of ten super enzymes identified for testing by AFSE Enzyme, LLC, a subsidiary of AFSE. It is expected that testing on this first super enzyme will last approximately thirty days.
"We are pleased with the rate at which our super enzyme project is progressing. As we continue to pursue acquisitions and vertical integration opportunities, we believe this super enzyme project greatly enhances our business model of risk management and low cost production," said Dean Sukowatey, ALL Fuels & Energy President.
As previously announced, AFSE Enzyme, LLC, plans to complete the commercialization of the ethanol super enzyme, producing corn and cellulosic ethanol with a possible savings of up to 50% reduction in production costs. Ethanol using the super enzyme will be manufactured from Sustainable Non-Food biomass and surplus waste products, such as wood chips, household garbage and sugarcane waste, which are abundantly available domestically and internationally.
Visit the company online at: www.allfuelsandenergy.com.
ALL Fuels & Energy Company is a development-stage ethanol company organized to operate as an ethanol producer, focusing primarily on the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products. To date, AFSE has: obtained $2.3 million in private equity funding; purchased 150 acres on which to build its proposed ethanol production facility in Manchester, Iowa; signed a five-plant engineering and design agreement; engaged Natural Resources Group to handle water-related environmental matters relating to the proposed Manchester ethanol production facility; engaged Yaggy-Colby to handle air-related environmental matters relating to the proposed Manchester ethanol production facility; and investigated and become involved in the potential acquisition of one or more existing ethanol production facilities.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as "expects," "should," "believes," "anticipates" or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe AFSE's future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including the ability of AFSE to obtain needed financing, as well as the financial performance of AFSE, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Although AFSE believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it cannot give any assurance that such expectations will be fulfilled. Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating any forward-looking statements. Certain factors could cause results and conditions to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. These factors are not exhaustive. New factors, risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time that may affect the forward-looking statements made herein. These forward-looking statements are only made as of the date of this press release, and AFSE does not undertake any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Contact:
ALL Fuels & Energy Company
Dean Sukowatey
President
515-331-6509
allenergycompany@gmail.com
ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin
Daily world financial news from Thomson Financial News Supplied by advfn.com
02 Apr 2008 09:53:22
London
London shares flat early on after jump Tuesday; banks rise, miners fall
At 9.03 a.m., the FTSE 100 index was 4.7 points higher at 5,847.9 after closing up 150.5 points at 5,852.6 Tuesday. The FTSE 250 index lost 63.8 points at 10,272.4, reversing moderate opening gains.
Overnight, Wall Street took its lead from a strong rally in Europe, beginning the second quarter with a surge of almost 400 points as investors rushed back into stocks, optimistic that the worst of the credit crisis has passed and that the economy is faring better than expected.
Financial stocks were among the big winners after Lehman Brothers and Switzerland's UBS issued new shares to help bolster their balance sheets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 391.50 points ahead at 12,654.40, while the S&P 500 index added 47.48 to end at 1,370.18, and the Nasdaq Composite index closed up 83.65 at 2,362.75.
It was a similar story in Asia on Wednesday, with the Nikkei 225 index closing 4 percent higher, up 511.51 points at 13,167.93 and the Hang Seng index finishing 734.97 points stronger at 23,872.43.
In London, financials were again the dish of the day, with Barclays the top FTSE riser, 14 pence higher at 494, closely followed by Royal Bank of Scotland, up 9 at 370, Lloyds TSB, 2 ahead at 482-1/4, and HBOS, gaining 5-1/2 at 610.
Elsewhere, Xstrata bucked the trend that saw commodities stocks moving lower, taking on 14 pence at 3,488, after the CEO of its Brazilian suitor, Vale, said at a news conference that negotiations could resume between the two companies.
Xstrata was also helped by Citigroup resuming coverage of the mining group at 'buy' and lifting its price target to 4,500 pence from 4,000, saying it believes a future tie-up between the two groups remains a distinct possibility, but even without a deal it sees underlying value in Xstrata.
Broker comment also boosted AstraZeneca, which extended Tuesday's gains after another broker upgrade today. The shares added 26 pence at 2,040 after Citigroup upgraded the pharmaceutical firm to 'buy' from 'hold' saying a positive clinical trial result for cholesterol-lowering Crestor has led it to increase revenue forecasts.
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And the broker also said if AstraZeneca started to struggle, then it believes the likes of GlaxoSmithKline or Novartis could step in and acquire the company.
Glaxo rose by 11 pence at 1,125. On the downside, commodity plays were out of favour for a second session, led lower by Tullow Oil, 26 weaker at 629, with BG Group down 13 at 1,131 and Cairn Energy 61 lighter at 2,815.
BetOnMarkets.com said in a pre-opening note that it expects further weakness in the commodities sector as metals prices continue to retreat from recent highs, which the spread-bettor sees translating into weaker metal stocks.
Among the miners, Lonmin lost 84 pence at 2,912, Antofagasta fell back 9 at 681-1/2, Kazakhmys slipped 14 at 1,579 -- also under pressure as the stock trades ex-dividend. Outside the commodities sector, Amec eased 16-1/2 pence to 730 after the company said it has acquired project services company Rider Hunt International (RHI) from its owner-managers for 25 million pounds in cash.
And Tate & Lyle was out of favour after the sugar and sweetener producer reiterated its guidance that profits from continuing operations in the second half of the year will be "broadly similar" to that of the first six months, but said it now anticipates a reduction in pretax profit of about 11 million pounds for the year from exchange translation.
Panmure Gordon said Tate's statement contained no news apart from the confirmation that net debt has now risen to more 1 billion pounds. The broker said the stock looks expensive and reiterated its 'sell' advice.
Tate shares fell back 7-1/2 pence to 534. Severn Trent fell foul to profit taking, 18 pence lower at 1,450, after a strong run ahead of its trading statement, which said Wednesday that full-year performance to the end of March 2008 is in line with management expectations.
The UK water and sewerage company said profit before interest and tax for water and sewerage is expected to increase by between 10 percent and 12 percent on the 2006-2007 figure of 413 million pounds.
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On the second line, Talvivaara Mining Co topped the leaderboard with a 4.5 percent jump, up 17 pence at 391, after announcing mining started Tuesday at its Sotkamo site in Finland and that the project was achieved on time and on budget. The company expects to start metals production in the fourth quarter.
But there was more excitement on the downside, where Imperial Energy plummeted almost 21 percent, down 265 pence at 1,002 after announcing it has entered into an agreement with Hoare Govett and Merrill Lynch
International for a standby equity underwriting commitment of up to $600 million in an attempt to secure funding for the group's oil drilling programme until next year.
And Wellstream was another poor performer, 195 pence weaker at 1,205, as the shares came back from last week's record high, following a pre-close update that traders said were in line with expectations.
Wellstream posted a 64 percent rise in full year pretax pre-exceptional profit to 41.7 million pounds as revenues jumped 81 percent to 266.8 million pounds. The company said long-term industry fundamentals remain strong. holly.
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For a summary of US stocks at yesterday's close of trade, Click here
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Milan
Milan shares TFN market data at 9.45 a.m.: banks lead rebound; Fiat weak
Main indices:
Mibtel at 24,919 points, up 0.12 percent
S&P/Mib at 32,589 points, up 0.23 percent
Main S&P/Mib gainers
UniCredit SpA up 1.62 percent at 4.60 euros
STMicroelectronics NV up 1.44 percent at 7.20 euros
Banca Popolare di Milano Scrl up 1.46 percent at 7.59 euros
Mediolanum SpA up 1.45 percent at 4.09 euros
Unipol SpA up 1.05 percent at 2.03 euros
Main S&P/Mib losers
Italcementi SpA down 1.90 percent at 13.44 euros. CA Cheuvreux has downgraded the stock to 'underperform' from 'outperform' and lowered the price to 14 euros from 15 euros, saying it sees risks in Italy and emerging markets from rising fuel costs
Banco Popolare Scarl down 1.66 percent at 11.11
Luxottica SpA down 1.51 percent at 16.74 euros
Impregilo SpA down 1.34 percent at 3.45 euros
Fiat SpA down 1.59 percent at 14.37 euros after the transportation ministry announced an 18.76 percent fall in March new car registrations, with the Fiat group sales falling 20.06 percent, for a market share of 30.89 percent, up from 31.61 percent
Other stocks in the news
Lottomatica SpA up 0.83 percent at 20.64 euros. The betting group said its GTECH unit won a six-year contract to provide lottery technology and services to the Michingan Bureau of State Lottery in a deal that is expected to generate about $250 million revenues over the period of the contract
Alitalia SpA falls 3.77 percent to 0.51 euros and suspended limit down on continued uncertainty over its privatisation
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Paris
Paris shares TFN market data at 10.19am; banks continue their rally
Major indices:
CAC-40 up 10.54 points, or 0.22 percent, at 4,876.54
SBF-80 up 25.30, or 0.46 percent, at 5,566.00
SBF-120 up 8.22, or 0.23 percent, at 3,530.58.
19 CAC-40 stocks up
20 CAC-40 stocks down
1 CAC-40 stock unchanged
Major gainers:
BNP Paribas up 1.68, or 2.52 percent, at 69.46 and Credit Agricole up 0.47, or 2.22, at 21.68 as banking stocks continue their rally amid optimism that the worst of the credit crisis is over
Ciments Francais up 6.51, or 5.99 percent, at 115.21 after parent company Italcementi agreed to sell the group's Turkish activities to Russia's Sibirskiy Cement for 600 million euros
Schneider Electric up 0.87, or 1.04 percent, at 84.20
Major losers:
Dexia down 0.43, or 2.30 percent, at 18.30 after Merrill Lynch downgraded it to 'sell' from 'neutral' Air France-KLM down 0.44, or 2.28 percent, at 18.82; investors were taking profits after large gains Tuesday while Italian news agency Radiocor reported the same day that chairman Jean-Cyril Spinetta is ready to make concessions to win union approval for its Alitalia takeover
ArcelorMittal down 1.27, or 2.45 percent, at 50.59
Most active stocks:
AXA up 0.28, or 1.14 percent, at 24.81 ; 3.1 million stocks traded STMicroelectronics up 0.12, or 1.69 percent, at 7.23 ; 2.5 million stocks traded
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Amsterdam
Amsterdam shares TFN market data at 9.46 am - AEX slightly lower
MAJOR INDICES
AEX 453.19 points, down 0.43 points, or 0.09 percent AMX 640.22 points, down 0.88 points, or 0.14 percent Government bonds mixed
MAJOR DECLINERS
Randstad down 0.21 percent to 28.96 euros after launching its offer for Vedior
Reed Elsevier down 1.43 percent to 12.39 euros
ArcelorMittal down 1.25 percent to 51.25 euros
ASMl down 0.61 percent to 16.30 euros
Vopak down 1.62 percent to 40.11 euros
MAJOR GAINERS
Aegon up 2.41 percent to 10.19 euros
Fortis up 1.09 percent to 16.66 euros
Vedior up 0.77 percent to 18.41 euros as Randstad launched its previosuly announced offer for the companyTomTom up 1.47 percent to 27.01 euros
Ahold up 0.42 percent to 9.62 euros as market researcher GfK said first-quarter supermarket sales rose 9.2 percent DSM up 0.71 percent to 31.36 euros
Forex
London 0839 GMT Hong Kong 1 p.m. (0500 GMT)
U.S. dollar
yen 101.77 down from 101.88
swiss franc 1.0116 down from 1.0128
Euro
U.S dollar 1.5615 up from 1.5591
pound 0.7881 unchanged 0.7881
yen 158.95 up from 158.84
swiss franc 1.5799 up from 1.5793
Sterling
U.S. dollar 1.9808 up from 1.9774
yen 201.67 up from 201.50
swiss franc 2.0039 up from 2.0031
Australian dollar
U.S. dollar 0.9083 up from 0.9075
pound 0.4585 down from 0.4587
yen 92.49 up from 92.47
Still don't have news service back check here!
http://www.microcapmarkets.com/news_today.jsp?sParam=ALL&market=OTC
Doesn't look to promising as usually I only lose it for a day. This is day 2.
ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin
Daily world financial news from Thomson Financial News Supplied by advfn.com
01 Apr 2008 09:56:25
London
London shares higher in early deals; banks rise, miners and oils fall
At 9:06 a.m. The FTSE 100 was up 36.3 points at 5,738.4, while the FTSE 250 was down 131.2 points at 10,144.4. Yesterday, the FTSE 100 rose 9.2 points to close at 5,702.1, down 11.7 percent for the quarter.
Banks rose on relief the news from major players in the sector could have been worse. UBS has announced plans to raise 15 billion Swiss francs. The fresh capital injection was triggered by further $19 billion writedowns on US real estate and related structured credit positions, which according to the Swiss banking giant will result in a first quarter net loss of approximately 12 billion francs.
In reaction, Merrill lynch said: "We can't say with certainty that this will be the last write-down, but we are fairly certain that UBS has broken the back on its legacy writedowns."
It added: "We think the market will take this well. "Deutsche Bank said it anticipates first quarter mark-downs of around 2.5 billion euros related to leveraged loans and loan commitments, commercial real
estate and residential mortgage-backed securities.
Yesterday, Lehman said it was raising $3 billion in convertible preference shares. Dave Evans, analyst at BetOnMarkets, noted that although Lehman's share price dropped, its credit default swaps declined, "indicating that investors believe Lehman's ability to pay its debts has improved".
He added: "European banks look as though they will trade higher on the news. This means that banks such Barclays, RBS or Deutsche Bank may be able to shore up their capital reserves more easily than feared."
Barclays was among early gainers, up 20 pence at 473. Royal Bank of Scotland was up 9-1/2 at 346-3/4. Alliance & Leicester was up 14 at 532-1/2.
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GFT Global Markets said: "For banks to be trading higher this morning, in spite of the additional writedown announcements from UBS and Deutsche Bank, this is symptomatic that the bear market is reaching a bottom. Investors seem to be saying that the worst is over."
A stronger dollar has led to weaker oil and metals prices. Oils fell back, following crude prices weakening yesterday. Brent for May delivery was recently at $100.32 a barrel.
BP was 6 pence lower at 506; Royal Dutch Shell was 16 lower at 1,721; Tullow Oil was 8-1/2 lower at 652.
The worst eight performers in the FTSE 100 were all miners, as metal prices fell. Lonmin was the biggest faller, down 128 at 2,943; Anglo American was off 112 at 2,916; Xstrata was down 103 at 3,424.
Land Securities was up 41 at 1,552 after naming new non-executive directors. With no FTSE 100 companies due to update the market, the midcaps provided much of the impetus for share movements. Babcock International was up 1-1/2 pence at 573 pence after saying it anticipates that results for the year to March 31 will be in line with its expectations.
Ferrexpo rose 3/4 penny to 354-3/4 pence after it reported a strong increase in full-year earnings, beating market expectations, as a result of higher iron ore prices and production. The company, which makes iron ore pellets, announced a 65 percent rise in EBITDA to $246 million, well above market forecasts for $235 million.
The company said the current year has started strongly with substantial increases in the price of iron ore. It also said it aims to quadruple its output over the next 10 years. Autonomy was the biggest midcap riser, up 61-1/2 at 980 on announcing a deal with LogicaCMG, which rose 2 to 107-3/4.
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In the US yesterday, Wall Street managed a moderate gain in the final session of a dismal first quarter, but stock prices and the major indexes still ended the first three months of 2007 with massive losses, the casualties of the still continuing credit crisis.
The blip upward yesterday came from a better-than-expected reading in the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index, which is considered a precursor to the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing survey today.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 46.49, or 0.38 percent, to 12,262.89. Broader stock indicators also rose. The S&P 500 index advanced 7.48, or 0.57 percent, to 1,322.70, and the Nasdaq composite index rose 17.92, or 0.79 percent, to 2,279.10.
This morning in Asia, Japan's Nikkei 225 index closed 130.88 points, or 1 percent, higher at 12,656.42. Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed up 288.26 points, or 1.3 percent, at 23,137.46.
UK Diary of Events:
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US Summary:
For a summary of US stocks at yesterday's close of trade, Click here
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Milan
Milan shares TFN market data at 9.35 a.m.; Impregilo, cement shares shine
Main indices:
Mibtel at 24,420 points, up 0.66 percent
S&P/Mib at 31,836, 0.70 percent
Main S&P/Mib gainers
Impregilo SpA up 5.85 percent at 3.635 euros after news that Milan won the right to host the 2015 Expo world fair, beating the Turkish city of Izmir. According to one dealer, investments to build the infrastructure for the fair could reach as much as 11 bln eur
Italcementi SpA up 3.74 percent at 13.29 euros, following the lead of Impregilo Buzzi Unicem SpA up 3.23 percent at 16.25 euros
Telecom Italia SpA up 2.11 percent at 1.353
Unicredit SpA up 2.02 percent at 4.3225
Main S&P/Mib losers
Parmalat SpA down 1.13 percent at 2.4075 euros
Saipem SpA down 1.09 percent at 25.33 euros
Mediaset SpA down 1.02 percent at 2.41 euros
Eni SpA down 0.88 percent at 21.41 euros
Tenaris SpA down 0.72 percent at 15.65 euros
Other stocks in the news
Alitalia SpA suspended limit up after gaining 10.41 percent at 0.53 euros. The deadline for the takeover talks between the Italian carrier and Air France KLM has been extended to Wednesday. Yesterday, Alitalia unions resumed talks with Air France, but discussions hit a hurdle when the head of the UILT union said negotiations should be postponed to after the April 13-14 elections.
Meanwhile, according to another report, Air One is putting together a new Italian consortium that would make an offer after the election.
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Frankfurt
German shares TFN market data at 10.24 am
DAX - up 86.98 points or 1.33 percent at 6,621.95
MDAX - up 97.46 points or 1.11 percent at 8,884.84
TecDAX - up 12.75 points or 1.64 percent at 789.14
DAX futures - up 80.50 points or 1.22 percent at 6,692.50
Major Outperformers:
Infineon, up 0.36 euros or 8.09 percent at 4.81 euros, continuing to see support from Japanese peer Elpida Memory's plans to raise DRAM memory prices by 20 percent and speculation that South Korea's largest chipmaker, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, may follow.
Commerzbank, up 0.78 euros or 3.94 percent at 20.58, as the top financial gainer at the moment as European banking stocks gained ground as investors interpreted news of a $19 billion write-down at UBS AG as a sign the worst of the crisis may soon be over.
Hypo Real Estate, up 0.59 euros or 3.58 percent at 17.05 euros, also helped out by the improved sentiment on financial stocks.
MAN, up 2.35 euros or 2.79 percent at 86.49 euros, largely enjoying a technical rebound from yesterday's losses. Siemens, up 1.57 euros or 2.29 percent at 70.22 euros, correcting from news yesterday that the company may face a huge loss due to delays in completing a power plant it is building in Olkiluoto, Finland.
Major Underperformers:
Volkswagen, down 1.16 euros or 0.63 percent at 182.48 euros
Other Stocks in the news:
Deutsche Bank, up 0.64 euro or 0.89 percent at 72.34 euros, but underperforming the market after Germany's largest bank said it anticipates first-quarter mark-downs on structured credits and real estate investments totaling around 2.5 billion euros.
MDAX-listed Heidelberger Druck, down 1.86 euros or 10.93 percent at 15.15, after the MDAX-listed printing machine manufacturer said it no longer expects to reach its sales, EBIT, and net profit guidance for the 2007/08 business year ended March 31 due to a difficult market environment.
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Amsterdam
Amsterdam shares TFN market data at 9.48 am - Unilever higher
MAJOR INDICES
AEX 443.61 points, up 1.18 points, or 0.27 percent
AMX 629.51 points, up 3.56 points, or 0.57 percent
Government bonds mixed
MAJOR GAINERS
Unilever up 2.49 percent to 21.80 euros after Deutsche Bank upped the stock to 'buy' from 'hold' with a 25 euros price target
Philips up 0.95 percent to 24.46 euros
Imtech up 2.26 percent to 17.19 euros after announcing the add-on acquisiiton of a small maritime technology company
Kardan up 1.12 percent to 7.20 euros after reporting a 120 percent rise in full-year net attributable profit and saying it sees investment opportunities in 2008
ASML up 1.61 percent to 9.47 euros
Aegon up 1.82 percent to 9.49 euros
Fortis up 0.94 percent to 16.09 euros
MAJOR DECLINERS
Ahold down 0.21 percent to 9.38 euros
ArcelorMittal down 0.93 percent to 51.40 euros
Royal Dutch Shell down 0.69 percent to 21.71 euros
Forex
London 0914 BST Hong Kong 1.00 p.m. (0500 GMT)
U.S. dollar
yen 100.13 up from 99.95
swiss franc 1.0018 up from 0.9947
Euro
U.S. dollar 1.5675 down from 1.5772
pound 0.7935 down from 0.7949
yen 157.01 down from 157.61
swiss franc 1.5704 up from 1.5686
Pound
U.S. dollar 1.9750 down from 1.9831
yen 197.84 down from 198.26
swiss franc 1.9786 up from 1.9733
Australian dollar
U.S. dollar 0.9093 down from 0.9100
pound 0.4603 up from 0.4587
yen 91.09 up from 90.98
Lost news service Check here until I get it back
http://www.microcapmarkets.com/news_today.jsp?sParam=ALL&market=OTCBB
CMNN Live Current Media Inc. Reports Record Revenues for the 2007 Fiscal Year
Business Wire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 4:20:01 PM
Company Builds Strong Senior Management Team, Invests in Creating
a Foundation to Rapidly Scale its Content and Commerce Business
VANCOUVER, Mar 31, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Communicate.com Inc. d.b.a Live Current Media Inc. (OTCBB:CMNN), a media company built around content and commerce destinations, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. All results are reported in US Dollars under United States generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP). The financial results for the fourth quarter are extrapolated from the Company's unaudited financial statements. The financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 are extrapolated from the Company's audited financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's December 31, 2007 financial statements and related notes included in its annual report on SEC Form 10-KSB.
Select Fiscal 2007 Highlights and Corporate Developments:
-- Appointed Geoffrey Hampson as CEO and Chairman of the Board, Jonathan Ehrlich as President and COO, and Mark Melville as Chief Corporate Development Officer replacing the former senior management team with these experienced managers and entrepreneurs with proven track records in creating shareholder value.
-- Appointed James P. Taylor, CPA, to the Board of Directors and elected him Chairman of the Audit Committee, and Mark Benham to the Board of Directors. The appointment of these Directors reflects the Company's desire to ensure competent and knowledgeable individuals are on the Board of Directors to assist and guide management.
-- Closed two non-brokered private placements of common shares: $1 Million from new CEO Geoff Hampson and a subsequent placement of $5.1 Million at $2 per share. Participants in the $5.1 Million financing included institutional investors as well as Live Current CEO, Geoffrey Hampson and President & COO, Jonathan Ehrlich.
-- Launched a new website for Perfume.com to fuel organic growth.
-- Regained total control of the Company's valuable travel and country domains.
Subsequent Growth-Focused Developments:
-- Signed strategic agreement with Wanderspot to design and build select online sites including travel-focused destinations: Brazil.com, Indonesia.com, Malaysia.com and Vietnam.com.
-- Appointed Dr. Boris Wertz, known Internet pioneer to the Board of Directors, further establishing a Board with operational and management experience in the consumer Internet space.
-- Entered into a binding agreement to acquire Auctomatic, a new commerce platform, and add experienced product and technology development team to the Company.
Geoffrey Hampson, CEO and Chairman of Live Current stated, "2007 reflected a year of major shifts as we put necessary changes in action to bring us much closer to our goal of creating a top echelon content and commerce Company. Since joining the Company in June of 2007, I have been focused on building a world class team to turn our valuable real estate into some of the best, most highly trafficked and profitable consumer destinations on the Internet. Since June, Jonathan Ehrlich and Mark Melville have joined our management team and James Taylor, Mark Benham and Boris Wertz have joined our Board of Directors. All of these individuals have a wealth of experience and each brings a different skill set which adds significant value to Live Current Media."
Mr. Hampson continued, "More recently we signed an agreement with Wanderspot and entered into a binding agreement to acquire Auctomatic, both actions bring tremendous value to the Company through their technology and industry experience. The anticipated acquisition of Auctomatic brings us a talented group of individuals well versed in social media applications and commerce technology that will be evaluated for the most advantageous integration within our destinations. We are excited to have these relationships in place to drive us toward our goals in 2008."
On the subject of top-line revenue and investing for the future, Mr. Hampson stated, "Through the end of the 2007 year, the Company was generating 90% of its revenue from one single destination: Perfume.com. Perfume.com extensively over-performed compared to last year and we are now positioned to enhance this revenue-driving destination and quickly build and monetize our other powerful destinations including sites in the travel, sports, and health and beauty segments. The opportunity presented by scaling from focusing on one primary destination to building out many subject-specific, consumer-facing sites brings a reality to the strategy that we have put in place."
Full Year 2007 Financial Results
Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007 increased 17% to $9.1 million compared to $7.8 million for the same period in 20061. During the 2007 fiscal year, the Company began executing on its strategy for growth focused on building its content and commerce destinations. As such, there were no domain names sold as opposed to selling Vancover.com and Wrestling.com for $623,800 in 2006. Ecommerce sales represented the majority of sales and increased 15% to $8.6 million in 2007 compared to $7.5 million in 2006.
Cost of sales for 2007 increased 13% to $7.0 million compared to $6.2 million in 2006. This increase is in line with the growth of sales over the same period. Gross profit for 2007 increased 24% to $2.1 million compared to $1.7 million for 2006. Gross margins for 2007 were 23% compared to 21% for 2006. In 2007, the Company was successful in providing attractive customer discounts while controlling costs.
In 2007, the Company experienced higher expenses compared to 2006. General and administrative expenses totaled $1.0 million, an increase of 83% compared to $550,110 in 2006. This increase was due to increased server hosting fees, audit and legal fees, recruiting costs to attract new management and expenditures associated with investor relations and equity financing. Management fees and employee salaries also increased year over year due to the new management team members brought on during 2007 totaling $2.0 million, an increase of 85% compared to $1.1 million in 2006. These totals include stock based compensation. The Company believes that the increase in these costs were necessary to build the appropriate corporate infrastructure to manage and service future growth and position the Company for accelerated growth in the future.
The Company also incurred various one-time costs relating to restructuring and the recruiting and relocating costs associated with attracting the new management team as well as a severance package for an outgoing senior management team member. Total other expenses for 2007 were $637,730 compared to $0 for 2006.
The Company also acquired Internet traffic by paying-for-clicks, search-engine-placements and affiliate marketing. In 2007 marketing expenses increased 141% to $817,101 compared to $339,505 in 2006. Marketing expenses will continue to grow in the future as management is focused on investing in tools and resources to drive more traffic to the key destination sites.
The Company reported a net loss for 2007 of $2.0 million or a loss of $0.11 per basic and diluted share compared to a net income of $414,437 or $0.02 per basic and diluted share for 2006. The net loss was primarily attributable to the various growth related expenses and one-time costs incurred during the year as discussed above.
From a balance sheet perspective, the Company reported total assets of $9.6 million and total liabilities of $1.9 million resulting in shareholders' equity of $7.7 million up from $3.1 million in shareholders' equity in 2006. The Company improved its current ratio significantly to 4.07 to 1 for the period ended December 31, 2007 compared to 2.43 to 1 for the period ended December 31, 2006. Cash and cash equivalents for the period ended December 31, 2007 totaled $7.4 million compared to $2.1 million for the same period in 2006.
1 *COMPARATIVE FIGURES: Certain comparative figures have been reclassified in order to conform to the current year's consolidated financial statement presentation.
Fourth Quarter 2007 Financial Results
The fourth quarter of 2007 was the highest revenue quarter in the Company's history, totaling $4 million, an increase of 24% compared to $3.2 million for the same period in 2006. This increase was primarily due to strong product sales during the holiday season from Perfume.com following the refresh to the Perfume.com site. For the fourth quarter of 2007, ecommerce sales represented 95% of revenues totaling $3.7 million compared to 98% and $3.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2006.
Cost of sales for the fourth quarter of 2007 totaled $3.2 million compared to $2.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2006, an increase of 23%, which is in line with our growth in sales over the same period. Gross profit for the fourth quarter of 2007 increased 29% to $770,799 compared to $599,068 for the same period in 2006. Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2007 was 20% compared to a gross margin of 19% for the same period in 2006.
The Company reported a net loss of $1.3 million or a loss of $0.06 per basic and diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to a net income of $26,157 for the fourth quarter of 2006. As we mentioned earlier, there were increased growth related expenses and one-time costs incurred during the fourth quarter which affected the net income of the Company.
Mr. Hampson continued, "We have put the majority of the re-structuring costs behind us and are now in an excellent position to capitalize on the combined experience of the new team and the incredible potential of the Company's assets. Looking forward to 2008, we are focused on building upon the foundation we have laid out in 2007 for a rapidly scaling media business around our content and commerce destinations. Although our financial results for the fourth quarter and 2007 showed a loss, we continued to add the necessary building blocks for future success. We are encouraged by the growing sales of our flagship commerce property Perfume.com, which clearly exhibits the power of a great domain name. The new team at Live Current Media is now positioned to focus on Perfume.com as well as our other valuable real estate including Cricket.com to become the leaders in creating and monetizing next-generation consumer Internet experiences called DestinationHubs(TM)."
Detailed information regarding Live Current's 2007 financial results can be found in the Company's annual report on Form 10-KSB, which has been filed with the SEC and is available through the investor section of Live Current's corporate website, at http://livecurrent.com/investors.php.
About Live Current Media Inc.
Communicate.com Inc. is doing business as "Live Current Media Inc." and will seek formal shareholder approval to change its legal name to Live Current Media Inc. later in 2008.
Live Current builds, owns and operates some of the most powerful and engaging content and commerce destinations on the Internet. Through subject-specific DestinationHubs(TM), Live Current properties connect people to each other and to the information, brands, and products they are passionate about. Live Current has headquarters in Vancouver, Canada with a location in Seattle, WA and is publicly traded on the NASD OTCBB (CMNN). For more information, visit www.livecurrent.com.
Safe Harbor: Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Communicate.com Inc. d.b.a Live Current Media Inc. believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions; it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include financial performance, regulatory changes, changes in economic conditions and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
The following selected financial data was derived from the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with the Company's financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in its annual report on SEC Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Fourth Quarters Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
Quarter Quarter
Ended Ended
December December
31, 2007 31, 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SALES
$ $
ECommerce 3,744,465 3,117,975
Domain name leasing and advertising 180,956 71,389
Miscellaneous income 35,810 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Sales 3,961,231 3,189,364
----------------------------------------------------------------------
COST OF SALES
ECommerce 3,190,432 2,590,296
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Cost of Sales 3,190,432 2,590,296
----------------------------------------------------------------------
GROSS PROFIT 770,799 599,068
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
Amortization and depreciation 20,080 3,521
General and administrative 447,478 180,281
Management fees and employee salaries 884,998 280,147
Marketing 460,074 124,132
Other expenses 637,730 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Expenses 2,450,360 588,081
----------------------------------------------------------------------
LOSS BEFORE OTHER ITEMS (1,679,561) 10,987
Interest and investment income 61,925 12,873
Gain on disposal of subsidiary of
Frequenttraveler.com Inc. 276,805 -
Non-controlling interest share of loss in
Frequenttraveler.com Inc. - 2,297
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ $
(LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD (1,340,831) 26,157
----------------------------------------------------------------------
$ $
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (0.06) 0.00
======================================================================
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
SHARES OUTSTANDING - BASIC AND DILUTED 21,389,558 17,836,339
======================================================================
The following selected financial data was derived from the Company's audited consolidated financial statements. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with the Company's financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in its annual report on SEC Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Years Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006
Year Ended Year Ended
December December
31, 2007 31, 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SALES
$ $
eCommerce 8,593,811 7,476,203
Domain name leasing and advertising 449,613 312,792
Miscellaneous income 35,810 21,673
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Sales 9,079,234 7,810,668
----------------------------------------------------------------------
COST OF SALES
eCommerce 7,021,473 6,155,568
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Cost of Sales 7,021,473 6,155,568
----------------------------------------------------------------------
GROSS PROFIT 2,057,761 1,655,100
----------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
Amortization and depreciation 29,169 15,277
General and administrative 1,007,038 550,110
Management fees and employee salaries 1,981,051 1,069,157
Marketing 817,101 339,505
Other expenses 637,730 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Expenses 4,472,089 1,974,049
----------------------------------------------------------------------
LOSS BEFORE OTHER ITEMS (2,414,328) (318,949)
Royalty settlement - 250,000
Net proceeds from sales of domain names - 432,788
Interest and investment income 119,574 48,301
Gain on disposal of subsidiary of
Frequenttraveler.com Inc. 276,805 -
Non-controlling interest share of loss in
Frequenttraveler.com Inc. - 2,297
----------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ $
(LOSS) FOR THE YEAR (2,017,949) 414,437
----------------------------------------------------------------------
$ $
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE (0.11) 0.02
======================================================================
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
SHARES OUTSTANDING - BASIC AND DILUTED 19,070,236 17,786,339
======================================================================
BALANCE SHEET As at December 31, 2007 and 2006
2007 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current
$ $
Cash and cash equivalents 7,375,245 2,105,340
Restricted cash - 20,000
Available for sale securities - 261,912
Accounts receivable 138,930 21,206
Prepaid expenses 246,174 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets 7,760,349 2,408,458
Property & equipment 175,797 45,032
Intangible assets 1,645,061 1,645,061
----------------------------------------------------------------------
$ $
Total Assets 9,581,207 4,098,551
======================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current
$ $
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,756,719 991,855
Deferred revenue 53,079 -
Current portion of deferred lease inducements 20,138 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities 1,829,936 991,855
Deferred lease inducements 75,518 -
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Liabilities 1,905,454 991,855
======================================================================
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock
Authorized: 50,000,000 common shares,
$0.001 par value
Issued and outstanding:
21,446,623 common shares (December 31, 2006
- 17,836,339) 12,456 8,846
Additional paid-in capital 10,188,975 3,605,579
Accumulated deficit (2,525,678) (507,729)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 7,675,753 3,106,696
----------------------------------------------------------------------
$ $
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity 9,581,207 4,098,551
======================================================================
SOURCE: Live Current Media Inc.
Company Contact:
Live Current Media Inc.
Adam Rabiner
Director, Investor Relations
(604) 453-4875 or 1-866-898-4354
adam@livecurrent.com
or
Investor Contact:
Alliance Advisors, LLC
Mark McPartland
Vice President
(910) 221-1827
markmcp@allianceadvisors.net
or
Media Contact:
Live Current Media Inc.
Becky Porter
Director, Corporate Communications
(206) 713-7959
becky@livecurrent.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
MIGL MISCOR Group Reports Sharply Higher Operating Income on Increased Sales
PR Newswire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 4:01:00 PM
Organic Growth, Improved Balance Sheet Fuel Growth
SOUTH BEND, Ind., Mar 31, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
Industrial services provider MISCOR Group, Ltd. (OTC Bulletin Board: MIGL) reported a sharp increase in operating income for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2007, driven by a 20.6 percent increase in net sales. The results were primarily attributable to product and services gains in both of the Company's two operating segments: Repair, Remanufacturing and Manufacturing (RRM) and Construction and Engineering Services (CES).
South Bend, Ind.-based MISCOR, a supplier of mechanical and electrical industrial products and services, said net sales in 2007 increased to $73.2 million compared to $60.7 million for fiscal 2006 due to increased market penetration, an expanded geographic service area and the acquisitions of 3-D Service and Ideal Consolidated. Operating income for fiscal 2007 increased 21.7 percent to approximately $1.5 million, up from $1.2 million in the prior year. The top-line gains helped reduce MISCOR's 2007 net loss to $2.0 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $2.6 million, or $0.61 per diluted share for fiscal 2006. The net loss was attributed to a $2.3 million loss on debt extinguishment absorbed in the first quarter of 2007 concurrent with the Company's $12.5 million private placement. The private placement was completed in order to increase working capital $5.8 million and reduce long-term debt by approximately $6.7 million. In addition, higher sales and lower interest expenses helped to narrow the year-end loss.
"We are pleased with our progress and the solid performance delivered by our entire team in 2007," said John Martell, president and CEO of MISCOR. "The 20-plus percent growth we drove in sales and operating income is a direct result of our ability to attract new customers while growing our existing customer base and our dedication to building the business on the platform we established in 2006. While we experienced a net loss on the year, we continued to close the gap toward profitability, setting our family of companies up for continued success in 2008."
For the fourth quarter of 2007, MISCOR posted a 29.7 percent increase in net sales to $22.6 million, compared to net sales of $17.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Strong product sales to both new and existing customers across MISCOR's two segments helped to drive growth in the quarter, increasing product sales 30.8 percent to $5.1 million, compared to $3.9 million in the year-ago period. Service revenues benefited from MISCOR's expanding geographic presence and increasing industry recognition, climbing 29.6 percent to $17.5 million compared to $13.5 million in the year-ago period.
MISCOR's operating income in the fourth quarter rose sharply, increasing more than 1,800 percent to $557,000 compared to $29,000 in the fourth quarter of 2006. The Company also recorded its third consecutive profitable quarter, posting net income of $289,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to $452,000, or $0.10 per diluted share in the 2006 fourth quarter. The 39.6 percent decline in quarter-over-quarter net income was primarily due to the gain in warrant liability of $1.3 million in 2006, offset by higher operating income and lower interest expense in 2007.
Segment Results
In the first quarter of 2007, MISCOR completed an internal realignment process as it relates to the Company's former three operating segments in order to better serve customers across its markets. In an effort to bring further clarity to the business, MISCOR realigned its segment reporting and now operates two segments: Repair, Remanufacturing and Manufacturing (RRM), which provides maintenance and repair services for industrial motors, generators and lifting magnets, as well as diesel engine component manufacturing, remanufacturing and repair services; and the Construction and Engineering Services (CES) segment, which provides a wide range of electrical contracting, engineering and repair services for electrical power distribution systems to industrial, commercial and institutional customers.
For fiscal 2007, total revenues for the two segments increased $12.5 million. RRM contributed $8.5 million to the overall increase due to a 23 percent increase in product sales to $22.2 million primarily attributed to an increase in the sale of diesel engine components, as well as product revenue from the acquisition of 3-D. In addition, service revenues grew 17 percent to $29.4 million on an increasing demand for motor repair, testing and maintenance services. Total sales for RRM for 2007 were $51.6 million. CES added $4 million to the overall revenue growth due to a strong local construction market and the acquisition of Ideal Consolidated, which also contributed on the year. Total sales for CES for 2007 were $21.6 million.
"Thanks to our increasing name recognition and growing reputation for product and service excellence, coupled with our sales teams' growing ability to attract new business, we drove significant top-line increases in both the quarter and the year, while making strides towards overall profitability," said Rich Mullin, chief financial officer of MISCOR. "With our ability to attract significant new business contracts, a roster of existing blue chip customers, and one of the most experienced management teams in the multi- industrial industry at the helm, we are well positioned for growth in 2008."
Conclusion
Martell concluded: "A number of key events in 2007, including moving into the wind generation repair business, helped put us one step closer to our goal of becoming the national industrial service provider of choice. Our initiatives to recapitalize our balance sheet and add key industry veterans to our bench, combined with our ongoing acquisition strategy, have helped solidify our position within the multi-industrial services industry and drives us towards our goal of long-term profitability."
About MISCOR
South Bend, Ind.-based MISCOR Group, Ltd. (OTC Bulletin Board: MIGL) provides electrical and mechanical solutions to industrial, commercial and institutional customers through two segments: RRM (repair, remanufacturing and manufacturing) segment, which provides maintenance and repair services for industrial motors, generators and lifting magnets, and diesel engine component manufacturing, remanufacturing and repair services; and CES (construction and engineering services) segment, which provides a wide range of electrical and mechanical contracting services and engineering and repair services for electrical power distribution systems. In 2007, MISCOR entered the wind power industry through its acquisition of 3-D Service, Ltd., providing both onsite and in-shop maintenance and repair services for wind farms. MISCOR was ranked on the Inc. 500 in 2004 and 2005 and has grown to more than 600 employees in 14 locations nationwide.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that ultimately may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. For further discussion of risks and uncertainties, individuals should refer to the Company's SEC filings. MISCOR Group, Ltd. undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this press release. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
SOURCE MISCOR Group, Ltd.
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
CNCT 180 Connect Inc. announces 2007 year end results
Canada News Wire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 4:24:50 PM
TORONTO and ENGLEWOOD, CO, Mar 31, 2008 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) --
Revenue increases to a record $380 million, representing a 15% increase
from the Prior Year
Stock Symbols: OTCBB: CNCT.OB, CNCTU.OB, CNCTW.OB
TORONTO and ENGLEWOOD, CO, March 31 /CNW/ - 180 Connect Inc. ("180 Connect" or the "Company") (OTCBB: CNCT.OB, CNCTU.OB, CNCTW.OB), one of North America's largest providers of installation, integration and fulfillment services to the home entertainment, communication, and home integration service industries, today released its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Certain information contained in this news release constitutes forward-looking information, including anticipated growth and financial performance. See "Forward-Looking Information".
<<
Selected Financial Highlights - Year Ended December 31, 2007
For the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to the year ended
December 31, 2006:
Year to Date Highlights
- Revenue grew to $379.8 million, an increase of $48.6 million, or
14.7%, compared to revenue of $331.2 million in 2006.
- EBITDA from continuing operations (2) was $19.3 million, an increase
of $5.8 million or 42.8% compared to $13.5 million in 2006.
- Total cash provided by operating activities was $1.5 million, a
decrease of $4.8 million from the cash provided by operating
activities of $6.3 million in 2006.
- Loss from continuing operations was $22.9 million, an increase of
$14.1 million compared to a loss from continuing operations of
$8.8 million in 2006.
- Net loss was $24.9 million, an increase of $10.3 million compared to a
net loss of $14.6 million in 2006.
- Net loss per share for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and
December 31, 2006, respectively, is as follows:
- Loss from continuing operations was $1.20 per share basic and
diluted compared to a loss from continuing operations of $0.60 per
share basic and diluted in 2006.
- Net loss was $1.30 per share basic and diluted compared to net loss
of $1.00 per share basic and diluted in 2006.
>>
Peter Giacalone, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company stated;
"2007 was a significant and successful year for 180 Connect. The management team was highly focused on improving margins and rebuilding shareholder confidence in the organization. Major initiatives included the significant capital raise through completing the merger with Ad Venture Partners, expanding and strengthening our relationship with our major customers, and streamlining of the systems and processes of control and management. Our employees continue to deliver some of the best quality and consumer satisfaction metrics in the industry despite the challenges of weather and geography.
180 Connect's team delivered a 43% increase in EBITDA on 15% revenue growth, year over year, with a strong focus on cash management and delivery. We are also very pleased to note that DIRECTV was ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Satellite/Cable TV Subscribers" in the southern, western and eastern regions of the United States, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Residential Cable/Satellite TV Customer Satisfaction Study. As 180 Connect is the primary service provider for DIRECTV's western region, I believe that the award reflects our commitment and ability to deliver exceptional customer service."
2007 Highlights
2007 financial results were strong as the Company achieved significant revenue growth and record EBITDA from continuing operations(2). Revenue for 2007 increased to $380 million, from $331 million in 2006. This 15% increase reflects across-the-board volume increases in satellite and cable and also includes contribution from 180 Network Services and Digital Interiors - Home businesses. DIRECTV volume increased 15% year over year, as they not only continue to channel more work through the Home Service Provider Network, but also continue to sell more advanced product. Cable revenues increased 10% year over year as the Company continued to benefit from its investments in its cable workforce and significant growth in the Company's Canadian operations with Rogers Communications which increased by 60%.
180 Connect's Network Services business reported modest top line growth in 2007 as certain municipal fiber projects originally forecast to contribute in 2007 have been deferred to 2008 as a result of delays in financing associated with the current credit markets. The Company remains cautiously optimistic that this business will provide meaningful contributions in 2008, with the focus on its several fiber-to-the-home private developments. The Company remains confident in the long term growth prospects for this business and is pleased to announce an award for a $2 million airport project with the City of San Jose, CA.
The pace of growth in 180 Connect's Home business was moderate as a result of the slowdown in the production home housing market. The Company will continue to monitor this business closely and has already begun the process of focussing its efforts on the higher end custom home and multi-dwelling unit market which has remained fairly steady despite the deterioration in the broader housing market. Long term, in-home technology remains an increasingly important factor in home buying decisions, and we believe this will continue to support the growth of the business, particularly in the higher end segment of the housing market.
Earnings performance for 2007 was the strongest in the history of the Company. EBITDA from continuing operations was $20.1 million for 2007 excluding stock based compensation expense of $0.9 million, an increase of $6.6 million or 48% year over year. On an adjusted basis excluding US listing costs, restructuring charges and stock based compensation expense, EBITDA from continuing operations was $21.3 million for 2007, an increase of 47% year over year. These results were primarily attributable to underlying operational improvements implemented in streamlining the Company's management team, reduced insurance costs, improved inventory process and controls coupled with volume increases. General and Administrative costs declined despite the 15% increase in revenue. General and Administrative costs excluding stock-based compensation as a percentage of revenue declined to 4.8% in 2007 from 5.9% in 2006 as a result of more stringent approval processes and reductions in legal and professional fees. Both reported and adjusted EBITDA were negatively impacted by approximately $0.4 million of earnings related to the closure of a Networks Services operation during the fourth quarter, now reported within discontinued operations.
Looking Forward
The Company set out last fall to refinance its existing debt in an effort to supplement its liquidity and lower its borrowing costs. While the Company continues to monitor the deteriorating debt markets, it has been able to manage its seasonal working capital needs by lowering its costs, working with its vendors, reducing customer chargebacks, focusing on collecting receivables and most recently, negotiating a reduction in its required letter of credit for its insurance obligations, freeing up its restricted cash. As such, the Company has not pursued any of the term loan proposals received to date largely due to the impact of increasing the cost of capital and the requirement to issue significant additional equity. The Company believes that its effective cash management performance will remain on track and is not currently in the market for additional financing.
Over the past 12 months 180 Connect has experienced significant growth. While the Company believes it has been successful in achieving many of its goals and positioning itself to become a dominant sector player, these efforts are not, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, being appropriately valued by the public markets. As such, the Board of Directors of 180 Connect has appointed a Special Committee comprised of independent directors of the Board, with a mandate to consider and review strategic alternatives for the Company, including transaction proposals that have or may be received from time to time. The Special Committee has retained investment bankers to assist in this process and is considering a number of alternatives to improve shareholder value. The Board of Directors has not set any deadline for completing the review of its strategic options and may ultimately determine that its current business plan is the best means to build and deliver shareholder value.
Summary Results
The following is a summary of the Company's selected consolidated data and operating information for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 and should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements. The amounts presented below have been reclassified to reflect the adjustments associated with the discontinued operations of the Company and the reclassification of certain amounts of long term debt to the current portion of long term debt.
<<
Selected Consolidated Financial and Operating Data:
Twelve Months Twelve Months
Ended Ended
December 31, December 31,
2007 2006 % Change
--------------------------------------------
Revenue......................$ 379,767,879 $ 331,175,241 14.7%
Direct expenses.............. 341,108,774 297,073,863 14.8%
--------------------------------------------
Direct contribution
margin (1).................. 38,659,105 34,101,378 13.4%
General and
administrative (a).......... 19,223,846 19,675,497 (2.3)%
Foreign exchange (gain) loss (124,329) 30,361 (509.5)%
Restructuring costs.......... 275,000 892,688 (69.2)%
--------------------------------------------
EBITDA (2) EBITDA............ 19,284,588 13,502,832 42.8%
Depreciation................. 12,061,858 13,398,987 (10.0)%
Amortization of customer
contracts................... 3,681,499 3,712,673 (0.8)%
Other (income) expense
Interest and loan fees..... 16,272,393 10,043,504 62.0%
Gain on extinguishment of
debt...................... - (1,233,001) -
(Gain) loss on sale of
investments and assets.... 715,151 (726,086) (198.5)%
(Gain) loss on change in
fair value of derivative
liabilities............... 5,020,945 (1,363,936) (468.1)%
Other expense.............. 3,579,459 - -
--------------------------------------------
Loss from continuing
operations before income tax
expense (benefit)........... (22,046,717) (10,329,309) 113.4%
Income tax expense (benefit). 856,576 (1,503,271) (157.0)%
--------------------------------------------
Loss from continuing
operations.................. (22,903,293) (8,826,038) 159.5%
Loss from discontinued
operations.................. (2,039,073) (5,762,800) (64.6)%
--------------------------------------------
Net loss for the period......$ (24,942,366) $ (14,588,838) 71.0%
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
(a) General and administrative expense includes stock-based
compensation of $860,035 and $91,214, for the years ended
December 31, 2007, and December 31, 2006, respectively.
Per Share Data
Twelve Months Twelve Months
Ended Ended
December 31, December 31,
2007 2006
-----------------------------
Loss per share from continuing operations
Basic.....................................$ (1.20) $ (0.60)
Diluted...................................$ (1.20) $ (0.60)
Net loss per share:
Basic.....................................$ (1.30) $ (1.00)
Diluted...................................$ (1.30) $ (1.00)
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding - basic........................ 19,155,718 14,641,010
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding - diluted...................... 19,155,718 14,641,010
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
As of
December 31, December 31,
2007 2006
-----------------------------
(Restated)
Cash and cash equivalents...................$ 366,449 $ 2,904,098
Working capital deficit..................... 30,162,680 32,218,721
Total assets................................ 158,284,151 165,443,572
Total debt and capital lease obligations.... 56,765,878 77,355,246
Total shareholders' equity..................$ 22,211,042 $ 9,402,081
A copy of the annual audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 is attached to this
news release. The Company will be releasing its year end report on
March 31, 2008 which will be available on EDGAR and the Company's
website. Additional information relating to the Company is available on
EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the
Company's website at www.180connect.net.
Non-GAAP Measures:
(1) The term "Direct Contribution Margin" consists of revenue less
direct expenses and excludes general and administrative expense,
foreign exchange loss (gain), (gain) loss on sale of investments and
assets, depreciation, amortization of customer contracts, interest
and loan costs, (gain) loss on change on fair value of derivative
liabilities, gain on extinguishment of debt, other expense, and
income tax expense (benefit). DCM, as referred to in this news
release, is a non-GAAP measure which does not have any standardized
meaning prescribed by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be
comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers.
Management believes that this term provides a better assessment of
the contribution of the field operations dealing directly with its
customers' subscribers by eliminating: (1) the general and
administrative costs that are not part of the direct costs of
generating revenue; (2) the charge for customer contracts and
depreciation which are non-cash expense items; and (3) (gain) loss
on sale of investments and assets, (gain) loss on change in fair
value of derivative liabilities, gain on extinguishment of debt, and
other expense, which are not considered to be in the normal course
of operating activity. Investors should be cautioned, however, that
DCM should not be construed as an alternative to income (loss) from
continuing operations determined in accordance with GAAP as an
indicator of the Company's performance.
Following is a reconciliation of DCM to the comparable GAAP measure being
net loss from continuing operations:
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2007 2006
-------------- --------------
Direct contribution margin (1)..............$ 38,659,105 $ 34,101,378
General and administrative.................. 19,223,846 19,675,497
Foreign exchange loss (gain)................ (124,329) 30,361
Restructuring costs......................... 275,000 892,688
Depreciation................................ 12,061,858 13,398,987
Amortization of customer contracts.......... 3,681,499 3,712,673
Interest and loan costs..................... 16,272,393 10,043,504
Gain on extinguishment of debt.............. - (1,233,001)
(Gain) loss on sale of investments and
assets..................................... 715,151 (726,086)
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of
derivative liabilities..................... 5,020,945 (1,363,936)
Other expense............................... 3,579,459 -
Income tax expense (benefit)................ 856,576 (1,503,271)
-------------- --------------
Net loss from continuing operations.........$ (22,903,293) $ (8,826,038)
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
(2) The term "EBITDA from continuing operations" refers to loss from
continuing operations before deducting depreciation, amortization of
customer contracts, (gain) loss in sale of investments and assets,
interest and loan fees, (gain) loss on change in fair value of
derivative liabilities, gain on extinguishment of debt, other
expense, and income tax expense (benefit). EBITDA from continuing
operations, as referred to in this news release, is a non-GAAP
measure which does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by
GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures
presented by other issuers. Management believes that EBITDA from
continuing operations provides a better assessment of cash flow from
the operations of the Company by eliminating: (1) the charge for
depreciation, and amortization of customer contracts which are non-
cash expense items and (2) (gain) loss on sale of assets, (gain)
loss on change in fair market value of derivative liabilities, gain
on extinguishment of debt, and other expense, which are not
considered to be in the normal course of operating activity. In
addition, financial analysts and investors use a multiple of EBITDA
from continuing operations for valuing companies within the same
sector, in order to eliminate the differences in accounting
treatment from one company to the next. Given that the Company is in
a growth stage, management believes the focus on EBITDA from
continuing operations gives the investor or reader of the
consolidated financial statements and MD&A more insight into the
operating capabilities of management and its utilization of its
operating assets. Management further believes that EBITDA from
continuing operations is also the best metric for measuring
valuation. Investors should be cautioned, however, that EBITDA from
continuing operations should not be construed as an alternative to
income (loss) from continuing operations determined in accordance
with GAAP as an indicator of the Company's performance.
Following is a reconciliation of EBITDA from continuing operations to the
comparable GAAP measure being net loss from continuing operations:
Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31,
2007 2006
-------------- --------------
EBITDA from continuing operations (2)....... 19,284,588 13,502,832
Depreciation................................ 12,061,858 13,398,987
Amortization of customer contracts.......... 3,681,499 3,712,673
Interest and loan costs..................... 16,272,393 10,043,504
Gain on extinguishment of debt.............. - (1,233,001)
(Gain) loss on sale of investments and
assets..................................... 715,151 (726,086)
(Gain) loss on change in fair value of
derivative liabilities..................... 5,020,945 (1,363,936)
Other expense............................... 3,579,459 -
Income tax expense (benefit)................ 856,576 (1,503,271)
-------------- --------------
Net loss from continuing operations.........$ (22,903,293) $ (8,826,038)
-------------- --------------
-------------- --------------
>>
Conference Call Information
A live webcast of 180 Connect Inc.'s 2007 year end results earnings call will be available at www.180connect.net. The call will begin at 5:00 p.m. EST, March 31, 2008. The dial-in numbers for the call are international dial 617.213.8853 and toll free at 866.831.6224, participant pass code is 15653962. The webcast will be archived on the Company's website and a replay of the call will be available beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST on Monday, March 31, 2008 through to 11:59 p.m. EST Monday, April 7, 2008. The dial-in numbers for the replay are 617.801.6888 International Dial and toll free at 888.286.8010 pass code 92229639.
180 Connect Inc.
180 Connect Inc. is one of North America's largest providers of installation, integration and fulfillment services to the home entertainment, communications and home integration service industries. With more than 4,000 skilled technicians and 750 support personnel based in over 85 operating locations, 180 Connect is well positioned as the only pure play national residential service provider in the market. 180 Connect shares are traded under the name of 180 Connect Inc. on the OTCBB under the symbols CNCT.OB, CNCTU.OB and CNCTW.OB.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management's expectations regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Statements about the Company's future plans and intentions, results, levels of activity, performance, goals or achievements or other future events constitute forward-looking statements. Wherever possible, words such as "will be", "may", "should", "could", "expect", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict" or "potential" or the negative or other variations of these words, or other similar words or phrases, have been used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed under section 1A "Risk Factors" of the Report Form 10-K could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and prospective investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.
<<
Consolidated Financial Statements
180 Connect Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
December 31, December 31,
2007 2006
-----------------------------
(Restated)
(Note 1)
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 366,449 $ 2,904,098
Accounts receivable (less allowance for
doubtful accounts of $3,750,200 and
$2,506,637, respectively) 48,378,339 48,934,952
Inventory 20,180,167 15,816,148
Restricted cash 10,169,108 14,503,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets 9,378,519 7,910,255
-----------------------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 88,472,582 90,068,453
Property, plant and equipment 34,906,750 34,882,890
Goodwill 11,034,723 11,034,723
Customer contracts, net 21,391,257 25,072,756
Other assets 2,478,839 4,384,750
-----------------------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 158,284,151 $ 165,443,572
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 79,115,651 $ 78,686,245
Current portion of long-term debt 27,769,301 26,502,096
Fair value of derivative financial
instruments 122,168 4,065,729
Current portion of capital lease obligations 11,628,142 13,033,104
-----------------------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 118,635,262 122,287,174
Income tax liability 191,580 -
Long-term debt - 12,264,621
Convertible debt - 6,276,584
Capital lease obligations 17,246,267 15,213,112
-----------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 136,073,109 156,041,491
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock $.0001 par value; authorized
100,000,000, at December 31, 2007 and
December 31, 2006 issued and outstanding
shares 25,520,152 and 14,685,976,
respectively 2,552 1,469
Paid-in capital 130,096,083 91,871,813
Treasury stock, 500,000 shares and zero at
December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006
respectively (224,019) -
Accumulated deficit (107,898,597) (82,956,231)
Accumulated other comprehensive income 235,023 485,030
-----------------------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 22,211,042 9,402,081
-----------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY $ 158,284,151 $ 165,443,572
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
Note 1: The 2006 consolidated balance sheet has been restated to
reclassify $20,534,422 of debt previously reported as long-term to
current in accordance with the requirements of Emerging Issues Task Force
Issue No. 95-22, "Balance Sheet Classification of Borrowing Outstanding
under Revolving Credit Agreements that Include Both a Subjective
Accelerator Clause and a Lock-Box Agreement." This restatement had no
impact on the previously reported consolidated statements of results of
operations, shareholder's equity and cash flows. Consolidated Financial
Statements
180 Connect Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31, December 31,
2007 2006 2005
--------------------------------------------
Revenue $ 379,767,879 $ 331,175,241 $ 278,640,517
Expenses
Direct expenses 341,108,774 297,073,863 255,120,324
General and
administrative (1) 19,223,846 19,675,497 21,702,824
Foreign exchange loss (gain) (124,329) 30,361 (18,692)
Restructuring costs 275,000 892,688 1,672,485
Depreciation 12,061,858 13,398,987 6,147,874
Amortization of customer
contracts 3,681,499 3,712,673 4,093,985
Other (income) expense
Interest and loan fees 16,272,393 10,043,504 3,440,690
Gain on extinguishment of
debt - (1,233,001) -
(Gain) loss on sale of
investments and assets 715,151 (726,086) (6,897,291)
Impairment of goodwill and
customer contracts - - 608,096
(Gain) loss on change in
fair value of derivative
liabilities 5,020,945 (1,363,936) -
Other expense 3,579,459 - -
--------------------------------------------
Loss from continuing
operations before income tax
expense (benefit) (22,046,717) (10,329,309) (7,229,778)
Income tax expense (benefit) 856,576 (1,503,271) (2,001,727)
--------------------------------------------
Loss from continuing
operations (22,903,293) (8,826,038) (5,228,051)
Loss from discontinued
operations, net of income
taxes of zero (2,039,073) (5,762,800) (3,288,604)
--------------------------------------------
Net loss for the period $ (24,942,366) $ (14,588,838) $ (8,516,655)
--------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
Net loss per share from
continuing operations:
Basic $ (1.20) $ (0.60) $ (0.36)
Diluted $ (1.20) $ (0.60) $ (0.36)
Net loss per share:
Basic $ (1.30) $ (1.00) $ (0.59)
Diluted $ (1.30) $ (1.00) $ (0.59)
Weighted average number of
shares outstanding - basic 19,155,718 14,641,010 14,368,864
Weighted average number of
shares outstanding - diluted 19,155,718 14,641,010 14,368,864
(1) General and administrative includes stock-based compensation of
$860,035, $91,214 and $1,387,133 for the years ended December 31,
2007, December 31, 2006, and December 31, 2005, respectively.
180 Connect Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
Common
Stock
Outstanding Common Paid in Treasury
Shares Stock Capital Stock
-------------------------------------------------------
Balances at
December 25,
2004 14,296,622 $ 1,430 $ 86,878,322 $ -
Issuance on
exercise of stock
options for cash 408,847 41 728,291 -
Share repurchase (175,320) (18) (759,810) -
Stock-based
compensation - - 1,387,133 -
Sale of
investment - - - -
Net loss - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------
Balances at
December 31,
2005 14,530,149 1,453 88,233,936 -
Issuance on
exercise of
stock options
for cash 155,827 16 259,696 -
Issuance of
warrants on
long-term debt - - 3,286,967 -
Stock-based
compensation - - 91,214 -
Net loss - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------
Balances at
December 31,
2006 14,685,976 1,469 91,871,813 -
Issuance on
exercise of
stock options
for cash 46,467 4 77,507 -
Issuance on
exercise of
warrants for
cash 1,200,000 120 17,140 -
Issuance on
exercise of
convertible
debt 510,000 51 2,293,179 -
Net proceeds
from reverse
merger 9,577,709 958 37,932,207 -
Issuance costs
attributed to
reverse merger - - (6,976,440) -
Stock-based
compensation - - 860,035 -
Issuance of
warrants on
long-term debt - - 2,803,296 -
Issuance of
warrants in
support of
Arrangement - - 800,000 -
Acquisition of
net assets of AVP - - (7,099,514) -
Reclassification
of the Public
Warrants - - 7,516,810 -
Purchase of
500,000 shares
of treasury stock (500,000) (50) 50 (224,019)
Foreign currency
translation
adjustment - - - -
Net loss - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------
Balances at
December 31,
2007 25,520,152 $ 2,552 $130,096,083 $ (224,019)
-------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Accumulated Income
Deficit (loss) Total
-----------------------------------------
Balances at
December 25,
2004 $(59,452,519) $ 6,988,770 $ 34,416,003
Issuance on
exercise of stock
options for cash - - 728,332
Share repurchase (398,219) - (1,158,047)
Stock-based
compensation - - 1,387,133
Sale of
investment - (6,503,740) (6,503,740)
Net loss (8,516,655) - (8,516,655)
-----------------------------------------
Balances at
December 31,
2005 (68,367,393) 485,030 20,353,026
Issuance on
exercise of
stock options
for cash - - 259,712
Issuance of
warrants on
long-term debt - - 3,286,967
Stock-based
compensation - - 91,214
Net loss (14,588,838) - (14,588,838)
-----------------------------------------
Balances at
December 31,
2006 (82,956,231) 485,030 9,402,081
Issuance on
exercise of
stock options
for cash - - 77,511
Issuance on
exercise of
warrants for
cash - - 17,260
Issuance on
exercise of
convertible
debt - - 2,293,230
Net proceeds
from reverse
merger - - 37,933,165
Issuance costs
attributed to
reverse merger - - (6,976,440)
Stock-based
compensation - - 860,035
Issuance of
warrants on
long-term debt - - 2,803,296
Issuance of
warrants in
support of
Arrangement - - 800,000
Acquisition of
net assets of AVP - - (7,099,514)
Reclassification
of the Public
Warrants - - 7,516,810
Purchase of
500,000 shares
of treasury
stock - - (224,019)
Foreign currency
translation
adjustment - (250,007) (250,007)
Net loss (24,942,366) - (24,942,366)
-----------------------------------------
Balances at
December 31,
2007 $(107,898,597) $ 235,023 $ 22,211,042
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
180 Connect Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
December 31, December 31, December 31,
2007 2006 2005
--------------------------------------------
Cash provided by (used in)
the following activities:
Operating
Loss from continuing
operations..................$ (22,903,293) $ (8,826,038) $ (5,228,051)
Add (deduct) items not
affecting cash:
Depreciation, amortization
and impairment............ 15,743,357 17,111,660 10,849,955
Non-cash interest expense.. 8,117,147 3,210,141 459,852
Stock-based compensation... 860,035 91,214 1,387,133
Deferred income taxes...... - (1,561,031) (1,491,941)
Settlement of derivative
liability................. (2,766,573) - -
Gain on extinguishment of
debt...................... - (1,233,001) -
(Gain) loss on change in
fair value of derivative
liabilities............... 5,020,945 (1,363,936) -
(Gain) loss on sale of
investments and assets.... 715,151 (726,086) (6,897,291)
Other...................... (177,050) (291) 3,816
Changes in non-cash working
capital balances related to
operations:
Accounts receivable......... 556,613 227,513 (6,464,271)
Inventory.................. (4,364,019) 4,486,519 (2,412,713)
Other current assets....... (1,222,516) 338,030 (688,922)
Insurance premium deposits. (16,195) (6,209,037) 1,126,896
Other assets............... (377,949) (37,035) (18,928)
Settlement of class action
lawsuit................... - - (7,973,623)
Settlement of certain wage
practices................. - - (1,217,639)
Restricted cash............ 4,333,892 247,366 (8,696,719)
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities....... (9,660) 2,375,179 14,320,065
Operating cash flows from
discontinued operations... (1,966,397) (1,842,778) (2,597,616)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total cash provided by
(used in) operating
activities................ 1,543,488 6,288,389 (15,539,997)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Investing
Purchase of property, plant
and equipment............... (3,373,257) (2,742,727) (5,656,286)
Net proceeds from disposition
of investments.............. - 1,327,693 10,968,388
Proceeds from sale of
property, plant and
equipment................... - - 665,000
Short-term investments....... - - 16,178,848
Business acquisition......... - - (429,603)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total cash used in investing
activities.................. (3,373,257) (1,415,034) 21,726,347
-------------- -------------- --------------
Financing
Repayment of capital lease
obligations................. (12,105,040) (15,010,698) (4,960,341)
Repayment of debt............ (12,333,337) (7,350,000) (6,908,003)
Proceeds from share issuance. 94,771 259,712 723,608
Net proceeds from reverse
merger...................... 37,933,165 - -
Issuance costs on reverse
merger...................... (6,976,440) - -
Redemption of convertible
debt........................ (10,393,577) - -
Increase (decrease) in
borrowings under the
Revolver credit facility.... (101,160) (377,494) -
Issuance costs on long-term
debt........................ - (3,546,150) -
Net proceeds from refinancing
of vehicles................. 3,470,714 2,127,542 -
Proceeds from issuance of
convertible debt............ - 10,686,101 -
Proceeds from refinancing of
long-term debt.............. - 42,140,497 -
Extinguishment of long-term
debt........................ - (32,863,525) -
Repurchase of common stock... (224,019) - -
Repurchase of shares through
normal course issuer bid.... - - (1,158,047)
Settlement with selling
shareholders of
Mountain Center Inc......... - - (2,950,000)
Issuance costs paid on
convertible debt............ - (1,388,985) -
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total cash provided by
(used in) financing
activities.................. (634,923) (5,323,000) (15,252,783)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Effect of exchange rates on
cash and cash equivalents... (72,957) 291 39,753
-------------- -------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) in
cash and cash equivalents
during the period........... (2,537,649) (449,354) (9,026,680)
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period......... 2,904,098 3,353,452 12,380,132
-------------- -------------- --------------
Cash and cash equivalents,
end of period...............$ 366,449 $ 2,904,098 $ 3,353,452
-------------- -------------- --------------
-------------- -------------- --------------
Supplemental cash flow
information:
Interest paid................$ 8,779,371 $ 6,091,487 $ 2,485,035
-------------- -------------- --------------
-------------- -------------- --------------
Income taxes paid............$ 257,120 $ 429,279 $ 1,265,756
-------------- -------------- --------------
-------------- -------------- --------------
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing transactions:
For the years ended December 31, 2007, December 31, 2006 and December 31,
2005, the Company had additional capital lease obligations for vehicles
of $9,080,617, $6,401,900 and $39,403,406 respectively.
>>
%SEDAR: 00025856E
SOURCE: 180 Connect Inc.
please contact the following or visit our website at www.180connect.net. Claudia A. Di Maio, Director Investor Relations, TEL: (866) 995-8888, DIRECT LINE: (416) 930-7710, EMAIL: cdimaio@180connect.net; Devlin Lander, Integrated Corporate Relations, TEL.: (415) 292-6855
Copyright (C) 2008 CNW Group. All rights reserved.
DAAT DAC Technologies Announces 2007 Results and New Business
Internet Wire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 4:31:15 PM
LITTLE ROCK, AR, Mar 31, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
DAC Technologies (OTCBB: DAAT) today announced financial results for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Company reported net sales of $14,777,645 and operating income of $884,219 for 2007. Income before taxes was $557,841 and after tax net income was $340,894, or 6 cents per share.
David A. Collins, Chairman and CEO, stated, "During 2007, the Company continued to experience pressure on its gross margins due to the high cost of raw materials (commodities) and the devaluation of the U.S. dollar versus the Chinese RMB, resulting in a decrease in gross margins. The Company believes these issues have somewhat stabilized, and our gross margins will also stabilize. While the Company has been able to make significant reductions in its operating expenses in certain areas, our liability insurance costs in 2007 increased significantly, from $93,793 in 2006 to $300,994 in 2007. This increase of $207,201 includes the settlement of a lawsuit for $146,500 and other charges related to prior years. Without these increased insurance costs, earnings would have been 8 cents per share."
Collins also stated, "DAC Technologies' main growth in 2003 through 2006 came from the sporting goods area, mainly gun cleaning kits. This is a mature market, and the Company gained a large market share in this area, which it is mostly maintaining, although some business has been lost due to product maturity and competition. The Company will continue to introduce new items in the hunting/sporting goods area, such as a new line of gun cases, but we do not feel that the necessary growth the Company needs can come from this area. Therefore, the Company is entering other areas in which it can use its overseas manufacturing expertise to manufacture other items such as household cleaning items and fireplace equipment. The Company has begun to manufacture and ship three cleaning dusters for Wal-Mart, and recently was awarded two more items, a long Flex-Duster and refill. These two new items will begin shipping in May 2008. These five new household cleaning items are expected to add $2 to $2.5 million in revenue in 2008. Also, two weeks ago, the Company won a majority of the fireplace equipment business at Wal-Mart. These items will include fireplace screens, tool sets and accessories. The fireplace equipment will begin shipping in August 2008 and continue through December 2008. The Company looks for these items to contribute another $2 to $2.5 million in additional business for 2008. Most of the growth in sales for 2008 will come in the third and fourth quarters. The Company will be expanding its household/micro fiber cleaning line to ten to twelve items, and begin showing at the hardware/household trade shows, along with its fireplace line. Although these are competitive items, it shows the Company can manufacture and compete in most areas."
Collins further stated, "Although the Company has experienced some difficult times maintaining its growth in sales and profits, the Company is back on the right track for growth. We expect revenue in 2008 to be between $16 and $18 million, with earnings in the 13 to 15 cents per share range."
About DAC:
DAC Technologies Group International, Inc. is an outsource manufacturer of high quality, reasonably priced security safes, gunlocks, gun cleaning kits, sporting goods, household cleaning products and various hardware items. DAC distributes its products through mass merchandisers such as Wal-Mart and Kmart, and sporting goods retailers and distributors such as Cabela's, Acusport, Jerry's, RSR, Maurice, Academy Sports, Sports Authority and others. DAC also provides gunlocks to OEM gun manufacturers such as Glock, SigArms, Savage, Marlin, Weatherby, as well as others. Also, DAC's products are distributed through catalog companies.
The Private Securities Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in written statements to be made) contains statements that are forward looking, such as those relating to consummation of the transaction, anticipated future revenue of the Company's and success of current public offerings. Such forward looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statements.
For Shareholder Information please call: 1-800-920-0098 Email Contact
SOURCE: DAC Technologies Group International, Inc.
http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=9F31572F5763B642
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
CORG Cordia Announces Financial Results for Year End 2007
Business Wire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 4:36:01 PM
Revenue of $43.8 Million up from $37.5 Million Previous Year
International Revenues Increase Quarter over Quarter
WINTER GARDEN, Fla., Mar 31, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Cordia Corporation (OTCBB: CORG), a global communications service provider of CLEC and Voice over Internet Protocol ("VOIP") technologies, announced the results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
The company reported revenues of approximately $43.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007; an increase of approximately $6.3 million from the reported revenues for the same period last year. Approximately $900,000 in reported revenues was related to our international and domestic VoIP service offerings, representing an increase of approximately $400,000 from the previous year.
CORG reported a net loss for the year of approximately $3.1 million or ($0.55) per basic and fully diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to a net loss of approximately $3.1 million or ($0.55) per basic and fully diluted share for the same period in 2006.
Joel Dupre, Chief Executive Officer of Cordia Corporation, stated, "We have continued to make progress during our most recent quarter and believe we are well positioned for a strong 2008. We've recently completed the integration of the NorthStar/Midwest Marketing Group acquisition, which included the consolidation of systems, staff, and service offerings. Additionally, we are continuing to invest in our International VoIP business and have been pleased with the growth experienced over the last couple quarters."
"We see significant opportunities in the International market for Cordia during 2008," Mr. Dupre continued. "We recently commenced the soft launch of our VoIP product through a resale arrangement in Brazil, launched our VoIP service offering in India via our Joint Venture, and entered into peering relationships in Asia that give us low cost access to networks in the APAC region. We believe these efforts will afford Cordia the opportunity to continue the expansion of its VoIP network and product offerings on a global scale. Our revenues from these markets have consistently increased over the past couple quarters and we believe we will see continued growth from our international endeavors in 2008."
Mr. Dupre further stated, "The Company continues to believe that its shares are undervalued. During 2007, and continuing into January 2008, the company bought back more than 400,000 shares of its common stock. This includes the purchase of all of its outstanding Series A Convertible Preferred, which were later converted into common stock."
"We are pleased with our revenue growth of approximately 17% for 2007, as compared to 2006," said Kevin Griffo, President of Cordia Corporation. "In addition, with the recent introduction of our $29.95 calling plan we believe we have gotten off to a good start in 2008, as we have seen an increase in our line count. We believe this trend will continue as this calling plan has been well received as is less expensive than most plans offered by our wireline competitors and comparable in price to our VOIP competitors."
Mr. Griffo continued, "In addition, we have seen a reduction in our overall sales and marketing of approximately $1.4 million or 33% for 2007, as compared to 2006. This reduction is due to our elimination of outsourcing our sales efforts to third party telemarketing firms. This was achieved through the integration of Midwest Marketing Group and the launch of our Cebu, Philippines call center, which reduce our costs of acquisition."
"Although we experienced higher than expected bad debt associated with our My Tel service offering, which targeted the secondary credit market, we don't believe this trend will continue into 2008," Mr. Griffo said. "We have discontinued targeting these customers and the promotion of our My Tel service offerings, and have shifted these marketing efforts to our Cordia and NorthStar brands which are already showing a positive trend in our bad debt number."
Conference Call
The conference call will take place at 10 a.m. eastern, on Tuesday, April 1, 2008. Anyone interested in participating should dial 800-762-9441 if calling within the United States or 480-629-9041 if calling internationally approximately 5 to 10 minutes prior to 10:00 a.m. The pass code for entrance into the conference is 3861122. There will be a playback available until April 15, 2008. To listen to the playback, please call 800-406-7325 if calling within the United States or 303-590-3030 if calling internationally. Please use pass code 3861122 for the replay.
This call is being webcast by ViaVid Broadcasting and can be accessed at Cordia's website at http://www.cordiacorp.com . The webcast may also be accessed at ViaVid's website at www.viavid.net. The webcast can be accessed through June 30, 2008 on either site. To access the webcast, you will need to have the Windows Media Player on your desktop. For the free download of the Media Player, please visit: www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/en/download/default.asp.
About Cordia Corporation
Cordia Corporation, through its operating subsidiaries, Cordia Communications Corp., CordiaIP Corp., My Tel Co, Inc., Northstar Telecom, Inc., and Cordia International Corp. offers business, residential, and wholesale customers local and long distance telecommunications services in more than sixty (60) countries utilizing traditional wireline and Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP") technologies. In addition, Cordia develops and provides a suite of proprietary web-based billing software and outsourced services to local, long distance and VoIP telecommunications providers.
Safe Harbor
This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Cordia's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among others, availability of management; availability, terms, and deployment of capital; Cordia's ability to successfully market its services to current and new customers, generate customer demand for its product and services in the geographical areas in which Cordia can operate, access new markets, all in a timely manner, at reasonable cost and on satisfactory terms and conditions, as well as regulatory, legislative and judicial developments that could cause actual results to vary in such forward-looking statements.
CORDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,
2007 2006
------------ ------------
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 999,039 $ 370,832
Cash - restricted 173,848 1,003,707
Accounts receivable, less allowance for
doubtful accounts of 2,002,823 (2007)
and $931,050 (2006) 2,859,531 4,538,342
Prepaid expenses 1,427,093 620,338
Accrued usage receivable 314,215 340,498
------------ ------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 5,773,726 6,873,717
------------ ------------
Property and equipment, at cost
Office and computer equipment 2,006,879 1,166,522
Computer software 2,059,386 1,353,670
Leasehold improvements 561,505 370,236
------------ ------------
4,627,770 2,890,428
Less: Accumulated
depreciation/amortization 2,237,604 1,110,326
------------ ------------
NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 2,390,166 1,780,102
------------ ------------
Other Assets
Goodwill 3,293,468 383,317
Security deposits and other assets 861,791 253,417
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates 336,541 -
------------ ------------
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS 4,491,800 636,734
------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS $12,655,692 $ 9,290,553
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT)
Current Liabilities
Capital lease obligations, current
portion $ 12,953 $ 11,990
Note payable, current portion 557,062 -
Accounts payable 3,881,337 3,445,144
Accrued expenses 939,769 1,000,569
Billed taxes payable 8,029,921 3,966,608
Deferred revenue 1,315,900 1,198,727
------------ ------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 14,736,942 9,623,038
------------ ------------
Noncurrent Liabilities
Deferred rent 82,378 72,037
Deferred income tax liability 2,004 -
Notes Payable, net of current portion 1,058,804 -
Capital lease obligation, net of
current portion 25,221 38,175
------------ ------------
TOTAL NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 1,168,407 110,212
------------ ------------
MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARY - 2,745
------------ ------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Stockholders' (Deficit)
Preferred stock, $.001 par value;
5,000,000 shares authorized, 707,800
(2006) shares issued and outstanding - 708
Common stock, $.001 par value;
100,000,000 shares authorized, 6,916,574
(2007) and 5,808,774 (2006) shares
issued 6,917 5,809
Additional paid-in capital 6,707,581 6,159,395
Comprehensive (loss) (48,121) (3,540)
Accumulated deficit (9,595,241) (6,502,020)
------------ ------------
(2,928,864) (339,648)
Less: Treasury stock, at cost 589,186
(2007), and 187,594 (2006) common
shares (320,793) (105,794)
------------ ------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) (3,249,657) (445,442)
------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
(DEFICIT) $12,655,692 $ 9,290,553
============ ============
CORDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31,
--------------------------------------
2007 2006 2005
------------ ------------ ------------
Revenues
Wireline services $42,480,993 $36,349,028 $41,202,610
VoIP services 920,295 516,965 35,770
Business process outsourced
services 387,394 638,887 712,835
------------ ------------ ------------
43,788,682 37,504,880 41,951,215
Cost of Revenues
Resale and wholesale line
charges 25,004,649 20,308,992 21,807,095
------------ ------------ ------------
Gross Profit 18,784,033 17,195,888 20,144,120
------------ ------------ ------------
Operating Expenses
Sales and marketing 2,772,471 4,158,275 4,336,415
Bad debts 4,110,988 3,079,163 5,381,753
General and administrative 13,559,472 12,082,509 8,978,211
Impairment of Goodwill 284,117 17,067 -
Depreciation 1,153,915 755,896 313,998
------------ ------------ ------------
21,880,963 20,092,910 19,010,377
------------ ------------ ------------
Operating (Loss) Income (3,096,930) (2,897,022) 1,133,743
------------ ------------ ------------
Other Income (Expenses)
Interest income 34,974 35,998 35,097
Interest expense (29,546) (3,690) (8,739)
------------ ------------ ------------
5,428 32,308 26,358
------------ ------------ ------------
(Loss) Income Before Income
Taxes and Minority Interest (3,091,502) (2,864,714) 1,160,101
Income Tax Provision
(Benefit) 4,464 254,669 (105,359)
------------ ------------ ------------
(Loss) Income Before Minority
Interest (3,095,966) (3,119,383) 1,265,460
Minority interest in loss of
subsidiary 2,745 24,092 -
------------ ------------ ------------
Net (Loss) Income (3,093,221) (3,095,291) 1,265,460
Dividends on preferred stock - - (212,415)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net (Loss) Income applicable to
common stockholders $(3,093,221) $(3,095,291) $ 1,053,045
============ ============ ============
Basic (Loss) Income per share $ (0.55) $ (0.55) $ 0.23
============ ============ ============
Weighted Average Common Shares
Outstanding 5,674,397 5,602,370 4,675,779
============ ============ ============
Diluted (Loss) Income per
share $ (0.55) $ (0.55) $ 0.20
============ ============ ============
Weighted Average Common and
Common Equivalent Shares
Outstanding 5,674,397 5,602,370 6,379,229
============ ============ ============
SOURCE: Cordia Corporation
Cordia Corporation Kevin Griffo, 866-777-7777 kgriffo@cordiacorp.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
OLOU OmniaLuo Reports Record Annual Revenue of $7.9 Million
Internet Wire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 4:41:45 PM
SHENZHEN, CHINA, Mar 31, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
OmniaLuo, Inc. ("OmniaLuo" or the "Company") (OTCBB: OLOU), a China-based company engaged in the business of designing, developing, marketing and distributing fine women's apparel under the brand name OMNIALUO, has announced operating results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2007.
OmniaLuo reported revenue of approximately $2.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, compared to approximately $1.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 -- an 80% increase. OmniaLuo reported revenue of approximately $7.9 million for the year ended December 2007. Since the Company was incorporated on August 11, 2006 and only began sales in the fourth quarter of 2006, a year-on-year comparison is not meaningful. The increase in revenue was attributable to the increase in the number of retail stores from 84 at year end 2006 to 184 at year end 2007.
OmniaLuo also reported operating income of approximately $0.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, compared to approximately $0.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2006. OmniaLuo reported operating income of approximately $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Excluding approximately $1.0 million of charges associated with its 2007 reverse acquisition through a share exchange with Wentworth II, Inc. and private placement transactions, OmniaLuo would have reported operating income of approximately $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
OmniaLuo reported net income of approximately $0.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, compared to net income of approximately $0.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 -- a 25% increase. The Company reported a net loss of approximately $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Excluding approximately $1.0 million of charges associated with its 2007 reverse acquisition through a share exchange with Wentworth II, Inc. and private placement transactions and $2.3 million of non-cash charges arising from the return of escrowed shares from escrow to the Company's chief executive officer and another stockholder (explained below), OmniaLuo would have reported net income of approximately $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Pursuant to the terms of a "make good provision" in the 2007 $6.15 million private placement transaction, the chief executive officer and another stockholder placed approximately 4.5 million shares into escrow and agreed to return up to 50% of the shares to investors who participated in the private placement transaction if the Company failed to report net income of at least $2.0 million before adjustments for charges related to the reverse acquisition and private placement transactions. However, the Company achieved its stated goals and met the threshold; thus, 50% of the shares are being returned to the chief executive officer and the other stockholder.
Based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding of approximately 21,993,753 as of December 31, 2007, OmniaLuo reported a loss of approximately $0.05 per share for the year ended December 31, 2007. Excluding approximately $1.0 million of charges associated with its 2007 reverse acquisition through a share exchange with Wentworth II, Inc. and private placement transactions and $2.3 million of non-cash charges arising from the previously described return of escrowed shares, OmniaLuo would have reported earnings of approximately $0.10 per share for the year ended December 31, 2007.
As of December 31, 2007, a total of 28,544,752 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding on a fully diluted basis included: 1) 22,840,000 issued and outstanding shares, 2) 4,920,000 shares issuable upon exercise of private placement investor warrants, 3) 492,000 shares issuable upon exercise of placement agent warrants and 4) 292,752 shares issuable upon exercise of venture capital investor warrants.
"This past year has been one of many milestones for our Company," stated Chairwoman and CEO Cindy Luo. "We opened an additional 100 retail stores, achieved a U.S. public quotation, completed a $6.15 million PIPE transaction, and most importantly, hit our projected 2007 revenue figure of $7.9 million and adjusted net income figure of $2.2 million. And while we have grown quickly in the last year, most of our strategic growth is still before us -- we will open many additional retail stores throughout China and plan to bring the total store count to more than 250 by year-end 2008. As we continue to achieve our financial goals we will begin to focus on international expansion into the U.S. and Southeast Asia. We have now established a profitable platform upon which we can build a high-growth future," concluded Ms. Luo.
Earnings Conference Call
OmniaLuo will host a conference call on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 to review fourth quarter and full year 2007 earnings results. The conference call is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. To participate in the call, please dial:
- U.S. and Canada: 1 (888) 241-0558 - International: 1 (647) 427-3417 - Conference ID: 41095127
A replay of the call will be available 24 hours after completion of the call. You will be able to access it at any time through the OmniaLuo Website at http://ir.omnialuoinc.com, or by phone until May 1, 2008. To access the replay by phone, please dial:
- U.S. and Canada: 1 (888) 214-7699 - International: 1 (402) 220-1554 - Conference ID: 41095127
About OmniaLuo, Inc.
OmniaLuo, Inc. (ir.omnialuoinc.com), based in China's fashion capital of Shenzhen, is in the business of designing, developing, marketing and distributing fine women's apparel under the brand name OMNIALUO. OMNIALUO's apparel embodies elegance, femininity and sophistication for China's rapidly growing class of urban and affluent female professionals. With its rapid and strategic expansion plan, OMNIALUO plans to increase its retail presence throughout China from its current 187 stores to more than 250 stores by year end 2008. Under the leadership of Cindy Luo, the Company's founder and award winning chief designer, OMNIALUO is positioned to become the Chinese brand equivalent of Donna Karan or Liz Claiborne.
OmniaLuo Investor Resources
Article Appearing on CNNMoney.com: http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0379865.htm
Article Appearing on Reuters.com: http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS183841+26-Mar-2008+MW20080326
Fact Sheet and Presentation: http://ir.omnialuoinc.com
Video: http://ir.omnialuoinc.com/video/omnialuo.cfm
(Due to their length, these URLs may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove extra spaces if they exist.)
SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements that include the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, among others, our dependency on our chief executive officer, principal stockholder and chief designer, our sensitivity to economic conditions and consumer spending in China, competition in our industry, our ability to effectively manage our growth, our ability to raise capital in the future, changes in China's economic or political situation, and other factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise set forth from time to time in our other public filings. This news release speaks as of the date first set forth above and the Company assumes no responsibility to update the information included herein for events occurring after the date of this news release.
OmniaLuo, Inc.
(Formerly Wentworth II, Inc.)
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
Year ended December 31,
-------------- -------------
2007 2006
Revenues $ 7,875,757 $ 1,479,603
Cost of revenues (3,624,486) (788,050)
-------------- -------------
Gross profit 4,251,271 691,553
-------------- -------------
Expenses
General and administrative expenses 1,923,899 113,760
Depreciation 129,678 20
Selling and marketing expenses 979,459 93,537
-------------- -------------
3,033,036 207,317
-------------- -------------
Income from operations 1,218,235 484,236
Interest income 5,647 900
Other income 19,329 -
Finance costs (38,802) (339)
Make good provision (2,299,893) -
-------------- -------------
(Loss) income before income taxes (1,095,484) 484,797
Income taxes - (78,114)
-------------- -------------
Net (loss) income $ (1,095,484) $ 406,683
============== =============
Other comprehensive income
Foreign currency translation adjustments 286,560 10,162
-------------- -------------
Comprehensive (loss) income $ (808,924) $ 416,845
============== =============
(Loss) earnings per share
Basic and diluted $ (0.05) $ 0.02
============== =============
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
Basic and diluted 21,993,753 16,800,000
============== =============
OmniaLuo, Inc.
(Formerly Wentworth II, Inc.)
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Stated in U.S. Dollars)
December 31,
-------------
2007
-------------
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,083,715
Trade receivables (net of allowance of
doubtful accounts of $8,313) 1,573,644
Inventories 2,602,653
Deposits 1,995,229
-------------
Total current assets 9,255,241
Property and equipment, net 724,681
-------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 9,979,922
=============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Trade payables $ 281,027
Loans from stockholders 14,294
Other payables, deposits received and
accrued expenses 1,368,890
-------------
Total current liabilities 1,664,211
-------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,664,211
-------------
COMMITMENTS
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock: par value $0.01 per share
Authorized 40,000,000 shares; issued and
outstanding 22,840,000 shares 228,400
Preferred stock: par value $0.01 per share
Authorized 10,000,000 shares; none issued and
outstanding -
Additional paid-in capital 8,479,390
Statutory reserve 261,948
Accumulated other comprehensive income 296,722
Accumulated deficit (950,749)
-------------
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 8,315,711
-------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 9,979,922
=============
Contact:
After Market Support, LLC
Vivien Yeh
Phone: 1 (877) 880-OLOU (6568)
vivien.yeh@aftermarketsupport.com
SOURCE: OmniaLuo, Inc.
mailto:vivien.yeh@aftermarketsupport.com
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
WLSA Wireless Age Announces Record Revenues for 2007
Internet Wire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 4:45:20 PM
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Mar 31, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
Wireless Age Communications, Inc. (OTCBB: WLSA) announced its fourth quarter and audited results for 2007 today, reporting revenues of $10,886,972 and $32,682,756, respectively.
Revenues during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 were $10,886,972 compared to $6,936,581 in the comparative period a year ago, representing an increase of 57%. Fourth quarter continuing operations earnings before interest, taxes, amortization and depreciation ("EBITDA") was 91% higher, at $757,047, than $395,484 a year ago. Pre-tax continuing operations earnings were $634,109 in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to a loss of $1,091,430 a year ago and earnings attributable to common shareholders (after deemed dividends) were $455,804 in the most recent current quarter compared to a loss of $6,557,511 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006.
Consolidated revenues from continuing operations were $32,682,756 during fiscal 2007 compared to $24,127,026 during fiscal 2006. The company posted $28,327,665 in product sales revenues and $4,355,091 in commissions and residual revenues during fiscal 2007, compared to $20,511,694 and $3,615,332, respectively, during fiscal 2006. Retail operating segment revenues grew from $13,875,641 in 2006 to $17,742,726 during fiscal 2007 representing growth of over 27%. Commercial operating segment revenues from continuing operations grew from $10,251,385 during fiscal 2006 to $14,940,030 in 2007, representing a 46% increase.
The fiscal 2007 operating results included a non-cash $2,515,767 deemed dividend representing the fair value of a incremental beneficial conversion feature associated with a 2006 financing. During fiscal 2006 the Company recorded a similar deemed dividend of $3,848,714. The earnings from continuing operations during fiscal 2007 totalled $575,100 and earnings from discontinued operations were $1,642,319. The loss attributable to common shareholders during fiscal 2007 was $298,348 substantially improved from $9,927,265 during fiscal 2006.
The operating results of mmwave Technologies Inc. and Knowlton Pass Electronics Inc. have been classified as discontinued operations and the earnings recorded represent the disposal of entities with significant shortfalls in net assets.
John Simmonds, Wireless Age's CEO commented, "We're pleased with the 2007 turnaround. The latter half of the year and in particular the fourth quarter is indicative of the results of our efforts to clean up matters. The outlook for the Company is very bright and we now have all the historical problems behind us. Our plan now is to focus on several opportunities that have been identified that can make Wireless Age a significant participant in our market place."
About Wireless Age
Wireless Age Communications, through its 99.7% owned subsidiary, Wireless Age Communications Ltd., is in the business of operating retail cellular and telecommunications outlets in cities in western Canada. Through its other wholly owned subsidiary, Wireless Source Distribution Ltd., the company distributes two-way radio products, prepaid phone cards, wireless accessories and various battery and ancillary electronics products in Canada.
Note: This press release contains "forward looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and management's views and assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Wireless Age Communications, Inc. cannot provide assurances that the matters described in this press release will be successfully completed or that the company will realize the anticipated benefits of any transaction. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: global economic and market conditions; the war on terrorism and the potential for war or other hostilities in other parts of the world; the availability of financing and lines of credit; successful integration of acquired or merged businesses; changes in interest rates; management's ability to forecast revenues and control expenses, especially on a quarterly basis; unexpected decline in revenues without a corresponding and timely slowdown in expense growth; the company's ability to retain key management and employees; intense competition and the company's ability to meet demand at competitive prices and to continue to introduce new products and new versions of existing products that keep pace with technological developments, satisfy increasingly sophisticated customer requirements and achieve market acceptance; relationships with significant suppliers and customers; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in Wireless Age Communications, Inc. SEC filings. Wireless Age Communications, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update information contained in this release. For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Wireless Age Communications, Inc.'s business, please refer to the risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Wireless Age Communications, Inc.'s SEC filings.
Contacts:
Wireless Age Communications, Inc.
John G. Simmonds
Chairman & CEO
(905) 833-2753 ext. 223
Wireless Age Communications, Inc.
Andrew Barwicki
Investor Relations
(516) 662-9461
For Media inquiries:
aka Communication Associates
Mike Connell
(416) 463-8913 ext. 230
Email: mconnell@akacom.com
SOURCE: Wireless Age Communications, Inc.
mailto:mconnell@akacom.com
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
MNSB MainStreet Bank Announces 2007 Results
PR Newswire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 4:46:00 PM
HERNDON, Va., March 31, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
MainStreet Bank (OTC Bulletin Board: MNSB), a Virginia state-chartered bank that opened in May 2004, announced a 38% increase in total assets over the prior year. Gross loans increased 37% and total deposits increased 48% over the same time period. Asset quality remains strong and the Bank is not exposed to the subprime mortgage market.
The Bank reported a fourth quarter 2007 net loss of $83 thousand, or ($0.03) per diluted common share, compared to net income of $35 thousand, or $0.01 per diluted common share for the same period last year. The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $496 thousand, or ($0.20) per diluted common share, compared to net income of $47 thousand, or $0.02 per diluted common share for 2006.
"The loss in 2007 was a function of our planned growth strategy, which resulted in higher operating and overhead expenses," said President & CEO Jeff W. Dick. "Through this strategy, we assembled an exceptional team and expanded our traditional branch banking footprint into Fairfax, Virginia. As a result, we experienced quality loan and deposit growth during the year."
Looking forward, Dick said "Our objective in 2008 is to achieve and sustain profitability after the first quarter. The local, national and global economy is providing challenges, but barring any unforeseen obstacles, we expect to achieve our 2008 objective."
The Bank has offices located at 727 Elden Street in Herndon, Virginia and 4029 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax, Virginia. In addition, MainStreet Bank is not bounded by its branch network, offering business customers the ability to Put Our Bank in Your Office(R) with robust yet simple-to-use technology. The Bank's secure web-enabled technology is used to manage accounts, pay bills, transfer funds, initiate wire transfers, sweep funds, make loan payments and advance from lines of credit. The technology interfaces with Intuit(R) and Microsoft(R) accounting software for greater efficiency in accounting and finance operations. For accounts payable, customers can also build in reminders, customize loan payments, and set up regular funds transfers.
Further information on the Bank can be obtained by visiting its website at http://www.mstreetbank.com.
This release contains forward-looking statements, including our expectations with respect to future events, that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations include: fluctuation in market rates of interest and loan and deposit pricing, adverse changes in the overall national economy as well as adverse economic conditions in our specific market areas, maintenance and development of well-established and valued client relationships and referral source relationships, and acquisition or loss of key production personnel. Other risks that can affect the Bank are detailed from time to time in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. We caution readers that the list of factors above is not exclusive. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and we may not undertake steps to update the forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of any circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements are made. In addition, our past results of operations are not necessarily indicative of future performance.
MAINSTREET BANK
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (Unaudited)
Quarter Ended Year to-Date
(000's except share data) (000's except share data)
% %
Operations 12/31/07 12/31/06 Change 12/31/07 12/31/06 Change
Interest income $2,652 $2,027 30.8 $9,668 $7,304 32.4
Interest expense 1,258 869 44.8 4,414 3,034 45.5
Net interest income 1,394 1,158 20.4 5,254 4,270 23.0
Provision for loan
losses 16 47 (66.0) 328 264 24.2
Net interest income
after provision for
loan losses 1,378 1,111 24.0 4,926 4,006 23.0
Other income 55 29 89.7 197 109 80.7
Operating expenses 1,516 1,105 37.2 5,619 4,068 38.1
(Loss) income before
income taxes (83) 35 nm (496) 47 nm
Income taxes -- -- -- -- -- --
Net (loss) income $(83) $35 nm $(496) $47 nm
Per Share Data
(Loss) earnings per
share (basic and
diluted) ($0.03) $0.01 nm ($0.20) $0.02 nm
Book value per
share $8.73 $8.87 (1.6) $8.73 $8.87 (1.6)
Closing stock price $8.25 $13.25 (37.7) $8.25 $13.25 (37.7)
Weighted average
shares (basic
and diluted) 2,425,893 2,421,908 2,426,764 2,421,180
Selected Balance
Sheet Data
Investments $27,636 $18,231 51.6
Gross Loans $ 113,022 $82,678 36.7
Total Assets $ 146,064 $ 105,729 38.1
Deposits $ 115,466 $78,000 48.0
Borrowings $8,639 $5,742 50.5
Stockholders'
Equity $21,266 $21,492 (1.1)
Ratios
(Loss) return on
average assets (0.06%) 0.03% (0.39%) 0.05%
(Loss) return on
average equity (0.39%) 0.16% (2.31%) 0.22%
Gross loans to
deposits 97.88% 106.00%
Net interest margin 3.90% 4.34% 4.17% 4.33%
Efficiency ratio 104.62% 93.10% 103.09% 92.90%
Allowance for loan
losses to total
loans 1.14% 1.16%
Regulatory Capital
Ratios
Tier 1 risk-based
capital ratio 18.03% 23.82%
Total risk-based
capital ratio 19.07% 24.83%
Leverage ratio 15.55% 20.99%
Balance Sheet (averages)
Investments $13,549 $15,324 (11.6) $ 13,838 $ 16,834 (17.8)
Gross Loans $111,301 $78,345 42.1 $99,565 $70,521 41.2
Total Assets $144,286 $107,698 34.0 $128,480 $100,397 28.0
Deposits $113,453 $79,832 42.1 $98,587 $72,742 35.5
Borrowings $8,781 $5,701 54.0 $7,857 $5,726 37.2
Stockholders'
Equity $21,318 $21,572 (1.2) $21,480 $21,522 (0.2)
Nm = not material
Contact: Jeff W. Dick
(703) 481-4567
SOURCE MainStreet Bank
http://www.mstreetbank.com
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
CGDF Colombia Goldfields Ltd. Closes US $5.4 Million Private Placement
Canada News Wire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 5:00:06 PM
TORONTO, Mar 31, 2008 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) --
Colombia Goldfields Ltd. (the "Company") (TSX: GOL/OTCBB: CGDF) ("CGL" or the "Company") announced today that it has closed a non-brokered private placement of 6,342,411 units at a price of US$0.85 per unit, providing the Company with gross proceeds of approximately US $5.4 million. Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant of the Company. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of US$1.10 for a period of two years from the closing date.
The net proceeds will be used to advance the purchase of the legal mining claims and milling operations on Marmato Mountain, for exploration expenditures, to repay related party debts and for general corporate purposes.
The units will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933 and any applicable state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the units.
About Colombia Goldfields
Colombia Goldfields Ltd., through its subsidiaries Compania Minera de Caldas S.A. and Gavilan Minerals S.A., is developing what it believes is a multi-million ounce gold resource in Colombia's historic Marmato Mountain gold district.
Colombia Goldfields is traded in the US under the symbol CGDF, on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol GOL, and in Germany under the symbol C2B.
Disclaimer
This release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the beliefs of Colombia Goldfield's management and reflect Colombia Goldfield's current expectations as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. When used in this release, the words "estimate, "project," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "expect," "plan," "predict," "may," "should," "will," "can," the negative of these words, or such other variations thereon, or comparable terminology, are all intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of Colombia Goldfields with respect to future events based on currently available information and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks and uncertainties pertaining to development of mining properties, changes in economic conditions and other risks, uncertainties and factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to differ materially from the forward looking statements. In particular, there is no assurance that a definitive agreement will be executed or that the proposed transaction will be completed.
SOURCE: Colombia Goldfields Ltd.
Company Contact: J. Randall Martin, Vice Chairman and CEO, Colombia Goldfields Ltd.
(TSX: GOL, OTC BB: CGDF), 8 King Street East, Suite 208, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 1B5,
T: (416) 361-9640, F: (416) 361-0883, info@colombiagoldfields.com,
www.colombiagoldfields.com; U.S. Investor Relations: John Menditto, Roth Investor
Relations, Inc., Tel. (732) 792-2200, Email: johnmenditto@rothir.com; Canadian
Investor Relations: Martti Kangas, Colombia Goldfields, Ltd., Tel: (416) 361-9640,
martti@colombiagoldfields.com
Copyright (C) 2008 CNW Group. All rights reserved.
HBDT Health Benefits Direct Closes a $5 Million Private Placement
PrimeZone via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 5:01:34 PM
Announces Changes to Senior Management Team
RADNOR, Pa., Mar 31, 2008 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) --
Health Benefits Direct Corporation (OTCBB:HBDT), a leading technology innovator in the direct marketing and distribution of a wide range of health and life insurance and related products for individuals and families, today announced it has closed on a private placement of common stock and warrants to a group of accredited investors led by The Co-Investment Fund II, L.P., which raised aggregate gross proceeds of $5 million. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the private placement for working capital purposes.
In connection with such private placement, Health Benefits Direct has issued 6.25 million shares of common stock, as well as five-year warrants to purchase 6.25 million shares of its common stock at an initial exercise price of $0.80 per share. The common stock and warrants were offered in "units", with each unit consisting of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase one share of common stock and being sold at a price per unit of $0.80. Health Benefits Direct may sell up to an additional 1 million units within 30 days. The Co-Investment Fund II, L.P. has a right of first refusal to purchase these additional units.
In conjunction with the financing transaction, Health Benefits also announced the following changes to its senior management team, effective April 1, 2008:
-- Alvin H. Clemens, the Company's current Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, will resign as Chief Executive Officer and
will become Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors.
-- Donald R. Caldwell, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cross
Atlantic Capital Partners Inc., is appointed as a member and
Co-Chairman of our Board of Directors and will serve as Chairman
of the Audit Committee. Caldwell is a Certified Public Accountant
with significant executive and financial experience, and sits on
the boards of several publicly traded companies.
-- C. Richard Arenschield will become interim-CEO of the Company.
Arenschield was formerly the Founder and President of New Horizon
Consulting Group, a boutique management consulting firm
specializing in enhancing operating performance.
-- Edmond J. Walters, Chief Executive Officer of eMoney Advisor, a
wealth planning and management solutions provider for financial
advisors, will join the Company's Board of Directors. Walters has
over 20 years' experience in the financial services industry.
Alvin Clemens, current Chairman and CEO, said, "Today's announcement is a definitive step in the right direction for the Company -- from both a strategic and financial perspective. Securing this additional capital will not only allow us to continue to execute on our strategic growth initiatives, but provides us with a partner that has a sincere interest in helping us take the organization to the next level. We look forward to having Donald, Richard and Edmond join our executive team and believe the added perspective they bring to the organization will help us establish a solid foundation for long-term success.
"Our business model is positioned to capitalize on the retail insurance revolution through our multi-channel sales process and industry-leading technology platforms. Consumers have a broader choice of services, including our online portal and tele-agent call center, and through traditional agents that utilize our revolutionary field agent sales platform, Insurint(tm). Insurance carriers and Third Party Administrators can also capitalize on the growing individual market by utilizing InsPro by Atiam, a Health Benefits subsidiary, a comprehensive internet-based insurance marketing and administration software system," concluded Mr. Clemens.
Donald Caldwell, the newly appointed Co-Chairman, said, "The work that Al and his team have done provides the platform needed to fully capitalize on the rapidly growing individual health insurance market. We are strong believers in the future prospects of the Company, and by working closely with the senior management team, we believe there is significant opportunity to further leverage Health Benefits' innovative and proprietary technology solutions."
The shares of common stock, warrants to purchase common stock and the common stock underlying the warrants have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities law of any jurisdiction, and may not be subsequently offered or sold by the investors in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. Health Benefits Direct expects to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to register the resale of the shares of common stock to be issued and the resale of the shares of common stock to be issued upon the exercise of the warrants to be issued.
This release does not, and shall not, constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.
About Health Benefits Direct Corporation
Health Benefits Direct Corporation is a technologically innovative contact center based insurance agency that operates an interactive online marketplace enabling consumers to shop for, compare, and apply for health and life insurance and related products for individuals and families. Its streamlined Quick-to-Call sales platform, supported by proprietary online technology, dialing applications and tele-application voice signature process, promotes efficiency for consumers purchasing and carriers underwriting insurance products. Through its subsidiary, Insurint Corporation, Health Benefits Direct provides a proprietary, professional-grade, web-based agent quote engine portal that aggregates accurate real-time quotes from multiple highly rated carriers of health and life insurance and related products. Insurint's user-friendly platform enables agents to view and share with proposed insureds detailed comparisons of multiple products, policy brochures and other useful information instantly, resulting in highly competitive application processing platform for agents and consumers. Through its subsidiary, Atiam Technologies, Health Benefits Direct offers the InsPro system, an internet-based marketing and administration system used by Insurance carriers and Third Party Administrators. www.healthbenefitsdirect.com
Safe Harbor Statement
In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the company's business strategy, organic growth plan, the expansion and development of its interactive online insurance agency and its plans to file a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, Health Benefits Direct cautions readers that forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially and which are identified from time to time in Health Benefits Direct's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. Health Benefits Direct undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement.
This news release was distributed by PrimeNewswire, www.primenewswire.com
SOURCE: Health Benefits Direct Corporation
The Piacente Group Lenny Santiago 212-481-2050 Lenny@tpg-ir.com
(C) Copyright 2008 PrimeNewswire, Inc. All rights reserved.
RYPE Royalite Petroleum Company Inc. Appoints Norris Harris as Chairman and CEO; Announces $2 Million Private Placement
Internet Wire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 5:06:15 PM
HENDERSON, NV, Mar 31, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
Royalite Petroleum Company Inc. (OTCBB: RYPE) ("Royalite") is pleased to announce that Mr. Norris Harris has agreed to become Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Royalite. Mr. Harris has considerable experience over the past 50 years in oil and gas exploration, founding and restructuring of oil and gas companies, and in oil and gas drilling and operations. He was founder and president of Gulfport Oil & Gas Inc., Texas Arkansas Petroleum Company, Centex Oil & Gas Inc., and Basin Exploration Corporation. He has considerable international oil and gas exploration experience as a geophysicist with Mobil Oil Corporation where he worked in Turkey, Austria, Holland, England (North Sea) and Nigeria.
Mr. Harris has an extensive base of contacts in the oil and gas industry and Royalite believes his appointment will provide the expertise required for the Company to properly evaluate and exploit its existing oil and gas properties and to seek other opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
Private Placement
Royalite also announces that its Board of Directors has approved a private placement of up to 8,000,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $0.25 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,000,000 (the "Offering"). The purchase price represents a discount of approximately 8% from the average closing price of Royalite's common stock for the last ten trading days. The proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund Royalite's business and for working capital purposes. The Offering is intended to be made to accredited investors pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated under the United States Securities Act of 1933. There is no assurance that the Offering will be completed on the above terms or at all.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless an exemption from such registration is available.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Press Release may contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. When used in this news release, the words such as "could," "plan," "estimate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "may," "potential," "should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. The risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include, but are not restricted to the Company's limited operating history, uncertainties about the availability of additional financing, geological or mechanical difficulties affecting geological work programs, uncertainty of estimates, operational risk, environmental risk, financial risk, currency risk, dependence on third parties and other statements that are not historical facts as disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's periodic filings with securities regulators in the United States. In particular, there is no assurance that the Company will complete its proposed private placement or be successful in acquiring any additional oil and gas properties.
For more information contact: Royalite Petroleum Company Inc. Logan B. Anderson President (360) 201-0400
SOURCE: Royalite Petroleum Company Inc.
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
NTLNF Northcore raises $525,000 through private placement
Canada News Wire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 5:08:22 PM
TORONTO, Mar 31, 2008 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) --
(TSX: NTI; OTCBB: NTLNF)
Northcore Technologies Inc. (TSX: NTI; OTCBB:NTLNF), a global provider of core asset solutions, confirmed today that it has closed a private placement securing gross proceeds of $525,000 through the issuance of convertible debentures. The funds will be used to sustain Northcore's operations and for general working capital purposes.
Under the terms of the private placement, investors will be able to convert the Series L debentures at any time during the five-year term into units priced at $0.10. Each unit consists of one common share and one warrant. Each warrant may be converted into a common share at the exercise price of $0.15 at any time prior to the earlier of the maturity date of the debentures or upon a 60-day notice issued by the company confirming that the closing price of its shares on the TSX was $0.36 or above for 10 consecutive trading days.
The Series L debentures will mature on March 31, 2013. Northcore will pay investors 10 percent interest per annum, paid annually, for unconverted debentures. Interest payments for the first two years will be payable through the issuance of common shares.
Northcore's board of directors considered the financing arrangements and unanimously passed a resolution approving the terms. Northcore has also received conditional approval from the TSX for the private placement.
As a result of the Series L private placement, Northcore will issue up to 11,550,000 common shares.
A commission of four percent of the gross proceeds was paid to Dundee Securities Corporation.
This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
About Northcore Technologies Inc.
---------------------------------
Northcore Technologies provides core asset solutions that help organizations source, manage and sell their capital equipment. Northcore works with a growing number of customers and partners in a variety of sectors including oil and gas, government, and financial services.
Current customers include GE Commercial Finance, Paramount Resources and Trilogy Energy Trust.
Northcore owns a 50 percent interest in GE Asset Manager, a joint business venture with GE.
This news release may include comments that do not refer strictly to historical results or actions and may be deemed to be forward-looking within the meaning of the Safe Harbor provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. These include, among others, statements about expectations of future revenues, cash flows, and cash requirements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause Northcore's ("the Company") results to differ materially from expectations. These risks include the Company's ability to raise additional funding, develop its business-to-business sales and operations, develop appropriate strategic alliances and successful development and implementation of technology, acceptance of the Company's products and services, competitive factors, new products and technological changes, and other such risks as the Company may identify and discuss from time to time, including those risks disclosed in the Company's Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, there is no certainty that the Company's plans will be achieved.
%SEDAR: 00019461E
SOURCE: Northcore Technologies Inc.
At Northcore Technologies Inc., Joe Racanelli, Chief Marketing Officer, Tel: (416) 640-0400 ext. 273, Fax: (416) 640-0412, E-mail: jracanelli@northcore.com
Copyright (C) 2008 CNW Group. All rights reserved.
CACN Customer Acquisition Network Holdings, Inc. Reports Increase in Fourth Quarter Revenue to a Record $5.48 Million
Business Wire via COMTEX
Mar 31, 2008 5:13:01 PM
- Company Posts 57% Sequential Quarterly Revenue Growth -
NEW YORK, Mar 31, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Customer Acquisition Network Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") (OTCBB: CACN), a fast growing Internet multi-channel network, announced today record fourth quarter and year-end results for the period ended December 31, 2007. Results include the acquisition of interCLICK on August 31, 2007. Pro forma results, provided for comparative purposes, include the operating results of interCLICK for periods prior to the acquisition on August 31, 2007.
In the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007, the Company posted record revenue of $5,484,777. Quarterly revenue grew 57% on a sequential basis when compared to pro forma third quarter 2007 revenue of $3.5 million.
Gross margins for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007 improved significantly compared to pro forma third quarter gross margins for the period ended September 30, 2007. Gross margins increased to 23% from 17%, primarily as a result of expanding interCLICK's agency sales force during the fourth quarter, resulting in the addition of several Fortune 500 advertisers. As a result, during the fourth quarter, the majority of revenue was derived from cost-per-thousand (CPM) advertisers. Previously, a majority of revenue had been generated from direct response advertisers on a cost-per-action (CPA) basis.
The Company recorded a 2007 fourth quarter operating loss of $2,289,876, including $911,258 in non-cash stock-based compensation expense. The Company's 2007 fourth quarter net loss was $2,295,180, or $0.07 per share.
For the six and one-half month period since the Company's inception on June 14, 2007 through December 31, 2007, the Company recorded revenue of $6,654,768. During that period, the Company had a loss from operations of $3,531,677, which includes non-cash expenses of $954,167 related to stock-based compensation and $349,782 for depreciation and amortization of intangible assets. The Company made significant investments in sales and marketing to expand its geographic reach as well as technology support and development. The Company had a net loss of $3,232,967, or $0.12 per share from June 14, 2007 through December 31, 2007. Comparisons to the previous year were unavailable as 2007 represents the Company's first year of operations.
"In the short time since the Company has become publicly traded, we have built a robust display advertising network, as a result of our unique ability to deliver transparency and site-by-site results to our advertisers," said Michael Mathews, CEO. "The recent acquisition of Options Media Group (an industry leading email service provider) represents an important incremental component in creating the first fully-integrated, internet multi-channel network."
Company highlights include:
-- In August, 2007 the Company acquired interCLICK, one of the nation's leading display advertising networks. According to comScore, the leading Internet audience tracker, as of December 31, 2007 interCLICK was the eleventh largest Internet-based advertising network in the U.S. and served advertising to approximately 100 million unique U.S. visitors per month.
-- In January, 2008, the Company acquired Options Media Group ("OMG"), one of the leading Email Service Providers (ESPs) in the U.S. OMG designs custom e-mail delivery solutions for companies that own or license large customer lists and continually optimizes their system to maximize inbox deliverability. OMG currently has over 100 industry-leading e-mail marketing firms, corporate brand advertisers and agencies as clients under management, representing over 120 million unique e-mail addresses.
-- interCLICK was ranked the fastest growing ad network for calendar year 2007 according to comScore. interCLICK is the only ad network that provides full site-by-site transparency and results to advertisers and ad agencies.
About interCLICK
interCLICK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Customer Acquisition Network Holdings, Inc., operates the interCLICK Network, a highly targeted contextual marketing network designed to balance the interests of publishers, advertisers and users. The interCLICK Network combines advanced contextual awareness technology with a large base of top tier publisher sites to create a highly effective advertising platform. interCLICK's unique model delivers dramatically higher response rates than traditional ad networks, helping advertisers increase brand awareness, catalyze customer action and improve ROI on their advertising spend. The objective is to assist advertisers so that the consumer appreciates the targeted content, the advertiser obtains a significantly improved return on investment, and the publisher shows higher quality and better paying ads. For more information about the interCLICK Network, visit http://www.interclick.com.
About Customer Acquisition Network Holdings, Inc.
Customer Acquisition Network Holdings, Inc. was established to build an integrated, multi-channel network that provides advertisers the ability to drive high-volume, high-quality customer leads and acquisitions, and refocus ad dollars quickly based upon ROI. For more information about Customer Acquisition Network, visit www.customeracquisitionnetwork.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for statements of historical fact, the matters discussed in this press release are forward looking and made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that may cause actual results to differ materially from stated expectations. These risk factors include, among others, limited operating history, difficulty in developing, exploiting and protecting proprietary technologies, intense competition and additional risks factors as discussed in the reports filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on its website at http://www.sec.gov.
SOURCE: Customer Acquisition Network Holdings, Inc.
Customer Acquisition Network Holdings, Inc. Devon M. Cohen, 954-712-0000 Chief Operating Officer or Public Relations: Trylon SMR Tiffany Guarnaccia / Chris Spagnuolo 212-725-2295 or Investor Relations: CEOcast, Inc. Daniel Schustack, 212-732-4300
Copyright Business Wire 2008
GRAND FINALLY
(What can I say... I spent to much on ebay:)
Pursuant to NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4350 Progressive Gaming Reports Going Concern Explanatory Paragraph
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
LAS VEGAS, Mar 28, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Pursuant to Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350, Progressive Gaming International Corporation (Nasdaq: PGIC) is filing a press release to indicate that the report of the independent registered public accounting firm included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 17, 2008, included an explanatory "going concern" paragraph related to the Company's obligation to repay its $30 million 11.875% Senior Secured Notes due in August 2008. The Company is in the process of evaluating refinancing alternatives and intends to refinance the Senior Secured Notes by July 2008.
This announcement does not represent any change or amendment to Company's 2007 financial statements or its Form 10-K.
About the Company
Progressive Gaming is a leading supplier of integrated casino and jackpot management system solutions for the gaming industry worldwide. This technology is widely used to enhance casino operations and drive greater revenues for existing products. Progressive Gaming is unique in the industry in offering casino management and progressive systems in a modular yet integrated solution. Products include multiple forms of regulated wagering solutions in wired, wireless and mobile formats. There are Progressive Gaming products in over 1,000 casinos throughout the world. For further information, visit www.progressivegaming.net.
(C)2008 Progressive Gaming International Corporation(R). All rights reserved.
Safe Harbor Statements under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expense, timing and ability to repay or restructure the Company's outstanding 11.875% Senior Secured Notes. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual circumstances, events or results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences include, but are not limited to the risk that additional capital for refinancing the Senior Notes and other working capital needs may not be available to the Company on favorable terms, or at all, the risk that markets for the Company's products are not as large as the Company anticipates or that competing products may reduce demand for the Company's products, the risk that the on-going relationship related to the sale of the Company's Table Games Division may not provide anticipated benefits, the risk that the Company may not realize expected annual savings from certain cost reduction initiatives, the risk that regulatory approvals may not be obtained when expected, or at all, the status of rights licensed from content providers, risks related to the Company's ability to enforce and develop its intellectual property rights, including rights licensed from third parties, the risk that patents may exist of which the Company is not aware, or that existing patents may provide benefits to third parties beyond those anticipated by the Company, the Company's ability to meet its capital requirements, relationships with casino operators, the overall industry environment, customer acceptance of the Company's new products, further approvals of regulatory authorities, adverse court rulings, production and/or quality control problems, the denial, suspension or revocation of privileged operating licenses by governmental authorities, competitive pressures and general economic conditions as well as the Company's debt service obligations. For a discussion of these and other factors which may cause actual events or results to differ from those projected, please refer to the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new circumstances or anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances.
SOURCE: Progressive Gaming International Corporation
Progressive Gaming International Corporation Heather A. Rollo, 702-263-2583 Chief Financial Officer Or Jaffoni & Collins Incorporated Richard Land/Dave Jacoby, 212-835-8500 pgic@jcir.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Statement by visionGATEWAY Inc.
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
SAN DIEGO, CA, Mar 28, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
visionGATEWAY Inc. (PINKSHEETS: VGWA) today released the following Statement by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michael Emerson, on behalf of visionGATEWAY, Inc. and its Australian subsidiary, visionGATEWAY Pty Ltd.
Mr. Emerson said, "If you are a shareholder or an interested party, you may have received or may have come into possession of a purported Notice of a proposed Extraordinary General Meeting circulated to shareholders and others calling for a meeting to be held in Alexandra Hills, Queensland, Australia in April, 2008.
"That Notice has been circulated without the authority or approval of the company, its directors or officers.
"The persons who called the meeting have not identified themselves and have no power under the by-laws to do so. None of the directors or officers of the company will be in attendance.
"Serious and damaging untrue allegations have been made about the company and its Chairman and President, Mr. Martin Wotton. The company and Mr. Wotton labeled the allegations false, scurrilous, far-fetched and defamatory and unreservedly deny them."
About visionGATEWAY, Inc.
visionGATEWAY is committed to the development of a high-growth, public company that creates, acquires, licenses and markets software solutions for Internet Resource Management and Security, capitalizing on the explosive growth of Internet use worldwide. As the global economy becomes ever more dependent on Internet-based tools and services, visionGATEWAY is positioned to exploit several multibillion dollar markets by delivering highly sophisticated security solutions to key government agencies, businesses, universities, financial services, and directly to the retail Internet consumer.
visionGATEWAY's INTERScepter(TM) Solution provides complete control over all use of the internet for a business -- managing all users and how they access web sites and applications (such as Facebook, YouTube, MySpace, Instant Messaging, Email and Chat Rooms). It also features minute-by-minute reporting and control over all of the 65,000 ports that access the internet. The appliance version is a plug and play option that is easily installed in an office network without disrupting the information flow.
visionGATEWAY is growing revenues worldwide within expanding markets in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, South East Asia, Japan, as well as Australia and New Zealand. For more information, please visit: www.visiongateway.net.
Contact: Michael Emerson Chief Executive Officer visionGATEWAY, Inc. Tel - +1-858-794-1416 Fax - +1-858-794-1450 Email: info@visiongateway.net http://www.visiongateway.net
SOURCE: visionGATEWAY, Inc.
mailto:info@visiongateway.net http://www.visiongateway.net
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FNM
First Alert News Brought To
You By:
3/28/08 5:30:02 PM
Fitch Rates Florida HFC's $50MM Mortgage Revenue Bonds 'AA+'
Read the full story.
http://www.smallcapcenter.com/story.asp?mysection=headlines&mypage=newsalerts.asp&ticker=FNM&NewsFeed=1&storyid=4947189&fans=1&email=smoking.usa@gmail.com
FNM
First Alert News Brought To
You By:
3/28/08 5:17:05 PM
Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc. Announces Filing of Annual Report
Read the full story.
http://www.smallcapcenter.com/story.asp?mysection=headlines&mypage=newsalerts.asp&ticker=FNM&NewsFeed=1&storyid=4947170&fans=1&email=smoking.usa@gmail.com
+++++++++++++++++
IAMGOLD Provides Segmented Information For the Quarter
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Mar 28, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD" or "the Company") (TSX: IMG)(NYSE: IAG)(BOTSWANA: IAMGOLD) provides additional segmented information on its fourth quarter 2007 results.
IAMGOLD Corporation Segmented Information
(US$'000 unless otherwise stated)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold Mines
Suriname Canada Botswana Mali Ghana Total
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth quarter
ended
December 31, 2007
Revenues 60,924 39,287 12,081 49,535 - 161,827
Earnings from
working
interests - - - - 7,872 7,872
Depreciation,
depletion and
amortization 10,010 10,085 5,811 5,846 - 31,752
Exploration
expense (1,473) 87 48 886 - (452)
Impairment
charges - 5,489 - - - 5,489
Investment income
(expense) - - (564) - - (564)
Income and mining
taxes
(recovery) 7,344 (391) - 5,134 - 12,087
Net earnings
(loss) 13,576 571 (4,617) 11,835 7,872 29,237
Expenditure for
mining
assets and
capitalized
exploration and
development 19,504 4,570 248 4,106 - 28,428
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Exploration
Total Gold and
Mines Non Gold Development Corporate Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth quarter
ended
December 31, 2007
Revenues 161,827 32,419 - - 194,246
Earnings from
working
interests 7,872 - - - 7,872
Depreciation,
depletion and
amortization 31,752 6,051 71 189 38,063
Exploration
expenses (452) - 10,918 (726) 9,740
Impairment
charges 5,489 - - 414 5,903
Investment income
(expense) (564) - 121 2,777 2,334
Interest expense - 10 - 143 153
Income and mining
taxes
(recovery) 12,087 (1,534) 43 5,589 16,185
Net earnings
(loss) 29,237 8,961 (13,856) (15,844) 8,498
Expenditure for
mining
assets and
capitalized
exploration and
development 28,428 7,262 4,914 - 40,604
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gold Mines
Suriname Canada Botswana Mali Ghana Total
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth quarter
ended
December 31, 2006
Revenues 27,025 19,209 12,017 50,090 - 108,341
Earnings from
working interests - - - - 6,303 6,303
Depreciation,
depletion and
amortization 4,220 2,106 4,453 4,231 - 15,010
Exploration
expense 242 886 128 3 - 1,259
Interest expense - - - 343 - 343
Income and mining
taxes (recovery) 3,127 184 (1,514) 7,876 - 9,673
Net earnings
(loss) (1,065) 1,718 (2,440) 18,517 6,303 23,033
Expenditure for
mining assets and
capitalized
exploration and
development 5,878 1,762 1,525 2,292 - 11,457
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Exploration
Total Gold and
Mines Non Gold Development Corporate Total
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth quarter
ended
December 31, 2006
Revenues 108,341 12,831 - 78 121,250
Earnings from
working interests 6,303 - - - 6,303
Depreciation,
depletion and
amortization 15,010 4,024 - 195 19,229
Exploration
expenses 1,259 - 5,016 1,761 8,036
Impairment
charges - - 1,199 183 1,382
Investment income - - 33 881 914
Interest expense 343 16 - 368 727
Income and mining
taxes (recovery) 9,673 (266) 383 (441) 9,349
Net earnings from
discontinued
operations, net
of tax - 93 - - 93
Net earnings
(loss) 23,033 2,205 (6,712) (9,159) 9,367
Expenditure for
mining assets and
capitalized
exploration and
development 11,457 981 3,064 - 15,502
Please note:
This entire press release may be accessed via fax, e-mail, IAMGOLD's website at www.iamgold.com and through Marketwire's website at www.marketwire.com. All material information on IAMGOLD can be found at www.sedar.com or at www.sec.gov.
Si vous desirez obtenir la version francaise de ce communique, veuillez consulter le http://www.iamgold.com/fr/accueil.html.
Contacts:
IAMGOLD Corporation:
Lisa Doddridge
Director, Investor Relations
(416) 360-4710 or Toll Free: 1-888-IMG-9999
(416) 360-4750 (FAX)
Email: info@iamgold.com
Website: www.iamgold.com
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
John Boidman
(514) 939-3989
(514) 939-3717 (FAX)
Email: jboidman@renmarkfinancial.com
Renmark Financial Communications Inc.
Henri Perron
(514) 939-3989
(514) 939-3717 (FAX)
Email: hperron@renmarkfinancial.com
Website: www.renmarkfinancial.com
SOURCE: IAMGOLD Corporation
mailto:info@iamgold.com http://www.iamgold.com mailto:jboidman@renmarkfinancial.com mailto:hperron@renmarkfinancial.com http://www.renmarkfinancial.com
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
=============================
VIA Pharmaceuticals Complies With NASDAQ Rule
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, March 28, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIAP), a biotechnology company focused on the development of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, announced today, in compliance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4350(b)(1)(B), that the independent audit report included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 28, 2008 contained an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The disclosure in this press release is required under the above NASDAQ rule and does not represent any change to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2008 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on the development of compounds for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. VIA is building a pipeline of small-molecule drugs that target a significant unmet medical need: reducing inflammation in the blood vessel wall, which is an underlying cause of atherosclerosis and its complications, including heart attack and stroke. The company's lead drug candidate, VIA-2291, is in multiple Phase 2 clinical studies in patients with cardiovascular disease. For more information, visit: http://www.viapharmaceuticals.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or to VIA's future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause VIA's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond VIA's control and which could materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to:
-- our ability to obtain necessary financing;
-- our ability to control our operating expenses;
-- our ability to recruit and enroll patients for the ACS and FDG-PET
clinical trials;
-- failure to obtain sufficient data from enrolled patients that can be
used to evaluate VIA-2291, thereby impairing the validity or
statistical significance of our clinical trials;
-- our ability to successfully complete our clinical trials of VIA-2291 on
expected timetables and the outcomes of such clinical trials;
-- complexities in designing and implementing cardiovascular clinical
trials using histological examinations, measurement of biomarkers,
medical imaging and atherosclerotic plaque bioassays;
-- the results of our clinical trials, including without limitation, with
respect to the safety and efficacy of VIA-2291;
-- the outcome of any legal proceedings;
-- our ability to obtain necessary FDA approvals;
-- our ability to successfully commercialize VIA-2291;
-- our ability to obtain and protect our intellectual property related to
our product candidates;
-- our potential for future growth and the development of our product
pipeline;
-- our ability to form and maintain collaborative relationships to develop
and commercialize our product candidates;
-- general economic and business conditions; and
-- the other risks described under Item IA "Risk Factors" in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 on file
with the SEC.
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and VIA undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of these statements in light of new information or future events.
SOURCE VIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
http://www.viapharmaceuticals.com
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
SECX Nationwide and SED Add Samsung to Warehouse Direct Program
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
ATLANTA, Mar 28, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) and SED International (OTCBB:SECX) announced that Samsung Electronics products are now available for purchase via Nationwide's Warehouse Direct fulfillment and distribution program. Samsung will be fulfilled through Nationwide's distribution partner SED International, Inc.
Samsung products supplied through this agreement consist of LCD and Plasma TV's and DVD players, including Blu-ray DVD.
"As a new vendor partner, Samsung will create and enable NMG Members to offer one of the leading brands in their marketplace that will also attract new shoppers to their stores," says Mike Decker, Vice President Marketing Electronics for Nationwide, "Through Direct Nationwide at SED, one of NMG's strategic fulfillment partners, members can now order products from multiple power brands, such as Samsung, combined into one shipment and delivered within 48 hours."
According to Nationwide, Samsung Electronics will be joining the list of over 180 appliance, electronics and furniture manufacturers who already service Nationwide Marketing Group's affiliates each year.
"The addition of Samsung to the Warehouse Direct line-up will give Nationwide Members the strongest consumer electronics line-up in the U.S. Combining Samsung's leading market share position with Nationwide's retail strength, will drive more consumers through member stores," said Tom Roper, VP & GMM Of Consumer Electronics for SED International.
Other brands available through Warehouse Direct-SED include JVC, RCA, Broksonic, SLS, Universal Remote, Omnimount, and Bell'O.
Warehouse Direct-SED provides same day shipping, up to 90 days free flooring through DirectPlus!, and five locations to efficiently serve Nationwide Members throughout the United States. Nationwide Members can reach Warehouse Direct-SED at 1-800-549-8220.
About Nationwide Marketing Group
Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG), headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC, is the nation's largest buying and marketing organization for independent appliance, electronics, and furniture dealers. Larger than all competing groups combined, NMG has approximately 2,800 independent member dealers throughout the United States with more than 8,000 storefronts and a combined $11 billion in annual sales. Nationwide Marketing Group, the parent organization of RentDirect Nationwide and Specialty Electronics Nationwide, offers a unique portfolio of services designed to support its members and strengthen their position in the marketplace. Additional information can be found at www.nationwidegroup.org.
About SED International, Inc.
SED International, Inc., founded in 1980 is a leading provider of consumer electronics, computer, and wireless communications products to channel partners throughout the United States and Latin America.
Known for industry leading service levels, SED International delivers world-class offerings including flexible financing, end-user fulfillment, expert technical support, and customized reseller programs. SED International is headquartered in Atlanta, GA with additional sales offices and distribution centers in Dallas, TX; Miami, FL; Tampa, FL; City of Industry, CA; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Bogota, Columbia. Additional information can be found at www.sedonline.com.
SOURCE: SED International, Inc.
SED International, Inc. Rob Kalman - VP, US Marketing, 770-243-1056 rkalman@sedintl.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
MMTIF Micromem files interim financials and grants options
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
TORONTO, Mar 28, 2008 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) --
Micromem Technologies Inc., ("Micromem") (OTC-BB:MMTIF) a Toronto-based developer of magnetic random access memory (MRAM), has filed its interim financial statements for the period ended January 31, 2008, together with the Management's Discussion & Analysis on SEDAR and EDGAR. These documents may be viewed at www.sedar.com and by searching EDGAR at http://www.sec.gov/.
The Company also announces that between March 3, 2008 and March 12, 2008 its Board of Directors approved the granting of an aggregate of 695,000 incentive stock options to certain directors and key consultants of the Company. Of the total grant, 350,000 were granted pursuant to the appointment of a new director. These options have exercise prices ranging between $1.01 and $1.20 per share. Of these Options, 595,000 will vest immediately; the remaining options will vest pursuant to the stock option agreement. These stock options are exercisable according to the terms of the Company's stock option plan and will expire five years from the grant date.
Listing: NASD OTC-Bulletin Board - Symbol: "MMTIF"
Shares issued: 77,220,575
SEC File No: 0-26005
About Micromem Technologies Inc.
--------------------------------
Micromem Technologies, Inc. (www.micromeminc.com) is focused on the development of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) technology.
Statements in this news release that are not historical facts, including statements about plans and expectations regarding products and opportunities, demand and acceptance of new or existing products, capital resources and future financial results are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause Micromem's actual results in future periods to differ materially from those expressed or suggested herein. These uncertainties and risks include, without limitation, the inherent uncertainty of research, product development and commercialization, the impact of competitive products and patents, our ability to fund our current and future business strategies and respond to the effect of economic and business conditions generally as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Micromem's filings with the Securities & Exchange Commission. There can be no guarantee that Micromem will be able to enter into any commercial arrangements on terms that are favorable to it, or at all. For more information, please refer to Micromem's Annual Report on Form 20-F and its Form 6-Ks as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Micromem is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any obligation) to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
%SEDAR: 00004447E
SOURCE: Micromem Technologies Inc.
Jason Baun, Chief Information Officer, 1-877-388-8930
Copyright (C) 2008 CNW Group. All rights reserved.
KYCN Keystone Announces Receipt of $25 Million From Subscription Rights Offering
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
DALLAS, March 28, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: KYCN) announced that on March 24, 2008 it received $25,000,000 and issued an additional 2,500,000 shares of its common stock pursuant to a subscription rights offering that expired on March 17, 2008. Keystone used the offering proceeds to reduce indebtedness under its revolving credit facility, which in turn created additional availability under that facility that can be used for general corporate purposes, including scheduled debt payments, capital expenditures, potential acquisitions or the liquidity needs of Keystone's current operations.
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this release that are not historical in nature are forward-looking and are not statements of fact. Forward-looking statements represent the Company's beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. In some cases you can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "believes," "intends," "may," "should," "could," "anticipates," "expected" or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategies or trends. Although Keystone believes the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it does not know if these expectations will be correct. Forward-looking statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results. Actual future results could differ materially from those predicted. While it is not possible to identify all factors, the Company continues to face many risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause Keystone's actual future results to differ materially from those described herein are the risks and uncertainties discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC including, but not limited to, the following:
-- Future supply and demand for Keystone's products (including cyclicality
thereof),
-- Customer inventory levels,
-- Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as ferrous
scrap and energy)
-- The possibility of labor disruptions,
-- General global economic and political conditions,
-- Competitive products and substitute products,
-- Customer and competitor strategies,
-- The impact of pricing and production decisions,
-- Environmental matters (such as those requiring emission and discharge
standards for existing and new facilities),
-- Government regulations and possible changes therein,
-- Significant increases in the cost of providing medical coverage to
employees,
-- The ultimate resolution of pending litigation,
-- International trade policies of the United States and certain foreign
countries,
-- Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes,
fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime and transportation
interruptions),
-- The Company's ability to renew or refinance credit facilities,
-- Any possible future litigation, and
-- Other risks and uncertainties as discussed in the Company's filings
with the SEC.
Should one or more of these risks materialize, if the consequences worsen, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those forecasted or expected. Keystone disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement whether as a result of changes in information, future events or otherwise.
Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc. is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The Company is a leading manufacturer of steel fabricated wire products, industrial wire, billets and wire rod. Keystone also manufactures welded wire reinforcement, coiled rebar and steel bars and shapes. The Company's products are used in the agricultural, industrial, cold drawn, construction, transportation, original equipment manufacturer and retail consumer markets. Keystone's common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board (Symbol: KYCN).
SOURCE Keystone Consolidated Industries, Inc.
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
IOMI Iomai Reports 'Going Concern' Qualification in 10-K
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 28, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
Iomai Corporation (Nasdaq: IOMI) today announced, in compliance with NASDAQ marketplace rules, that the independent audit report included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2008 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 contained a "going concern" qualification. This disclosure is required under NASDAQ marketplace rules and does not represent any change to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and filed on March 27, 2008 with the SEC.
ABOUT IOMAI CORPORATION
Iomai Corporation discovers and develops vaccines and immune system stimulants, delivered via a novel, needle-free technology called transcutaneous immunization (TCI). TCI, discovered by researchers at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, taps into the unique benefits of a major group of antigen-presenting cells found in the outer layers of the skin (Langerhans cells) to generate an enhanced immune response. Iomai is leveraging TCI to enhance the efficacy of existing vaccines, develop new vaccines that are viable only through transcutaneous administration and expand the global vaccine market. Iomai currently has four product candidates in development: three targeting influenza and pandemic flu and one to prevent travelers' diarrhea. For more information on Iomai, please visit http://www.iomai.com.
SOURCE Iomai Corporation
http://www.iomai.com
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
ZENN Motor Company Details Plans for Highway Capable ZENN Powered by EEStor!
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Mar 28, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
ZENN Motor Company Inc. (TSX VENTURE: ZNN) (the "Company"), a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles, held its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders at which time management updated shareholders with Company progress in 2007 and detailed future plans for EEStor implementation including specifications around a highway capable, fully electric cityZENN!
ZENN Motor Company's business will expand to include highway capable vehicles and international markets:
Target Launch of the cityZENN, powered by EEStor: Fall 2009
The cityZENN is planned to be a fully certified, highway capable vehicle with a top speed of 125 KPH/ 80 MPH and a range or 400 kilometres/250 miles. Powered by EEStor, the cityZENN will be rechargeable in less than 5 minutes, feature operating costs 1/10th of a typical internal combustion engine vehicle and be 100% emission-free! The Zero-Emission, No-Noise cityZENN will be designed to meet the transportation requirements of a large percentage of drivers worldwide.
"EEStor's game-changing energy storage technology is in the advanced stages of commercialization", stated Ian Clifford, Chief Executive Officer. "EEStor has publicly committed to commercialization in 2008 and their first production line will be used to supply ZENN Motor Company."
ZENN Motor Company also plans to expand its low-speed product lineup for the 2009 model year with a four-passenger and a utility LSV (Low-Speed Vehicle). Both products will dramatically increase ZMC's available target audience and potential market for LSVs.
The Company also plans to work with strategic OEMs to offer a ZENNergy drivetrain, powered by EEStor, in various vehicle platforms as ZENN branded vehicles. ZENNergy drive systems will also be developed for the retrofitting and conversion of existing internal combustion vehicles to electric drive. The Company's initial target for these retrofit kits will be large, high-profile fleet opportunities.
In order to capitalize on all future growth opportunities, the team has been diligently working on building awareness of the ZENN brand - with overwhelming success. ZENN Motor Company has garnered an impressive amount of international media coverage, and it is clear from both its customers and retailers that the Zero-Emission, No-Noise message resonates clearly with its target market. The current ZENN LSV is recognized as a leading, cost-effective, zero emission vehicle for urban travel.
The team has been assessing the relative merit and opportunities of different key markets globally and is defining the planned roll-out sequence including discussions with established dealer networks in major markets around the world.
The growing electric vehicle market represents a dynamic, truly global opportunity and ZENN Motor Company is excited to be a key player. In addition to the Company's exclusive technology agreement with EEStor for new vehicles up to 1400 kg (curb weight), and the global rights to ALL retrofit conversions of existing internal combustion vehicles to electric, the Company is also an equity investor in EEStor. EEStor's energy storage technology is THE key enabler of many clean technologies today: renewable energy; grid load-leveling; consumer electronics and security applications are ALL looking for a 'better battery.' EEStor is the enabler.
"I founded ZENN Motor Company with the vision of it becoming the global leader in zero emission vehicles, and that vision is being made a reality by the entire team at ZENN Motor Company and our energy storage partner, EEStor," stated Ian Clifford, Chief Executive Officer. "We have laid the foundation of a sustainable business with explosive growth opportunities. We are well-positioned to capitalize on the global imperative for zero-emission vehicles."
An archived podcast of the Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders meeting may be found at www.ZENNcars.com and www.newswire.ca.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this news release that are not reported financial results or other historical information are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. They include, for example, statements about our business outlook, strategies, product direction and assessment of market conditions. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words "expect", "will", "believe", "anticipate", and other terms with similar meaning indicating possible future events or actions or potential impact on the business or shareholders of the Company.
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on management's assumptions, beliefs and expectations, all of which involve a number of business risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, supplier agreements, technology developments, actions of competitors and Canadian dollar exchange rates. Additional factors are listed from time to time in the Company's filings on SEDAR with Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including those factors contained in the company's Annual Information Form filed on January 21, 2008, under the caption "Description of the Business - Risk Factors." All forward-looking statements in this news release are expressly qualified by information contained in the company's filings with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. ZENN Motor Company Inc. disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.
Any information about industry or general economic conditions contained in this news release is derived from third party sources that the company believes are widely accepted and accurate; however, the company has not independently verified this information and cannot assure its accuracy.
ABOUT ZENN MOTOR COMPANY (ZMC)
www.ZENNcars.com
ZENN Motor Company, Toronto, Canada, is dedicated to being the global leader in zero emission vehicles. Driven by quality, ingenuity, and a philosophy of social responsibility, the ZMC team is dedicated to redefining what is possible in both urban and business fleet transportation.
The ZENN(TM) (Zero Emission No Noise) provides a complete, no-compromise transportation solution for those who want to dramatically reduce their operating costs, eliminate harmful emissions and free themselves from dependence on foreign oil. The current ZENN vehicle is perfect for urban commuters and commercial fleets such as resorts, gated communities, airports, college and business campuses, municipalities, parks and more!
The planned commercialization of the ultra capacitor being developed by ZENN Motor Company's strategic partner, EEStor Inc. for future ZENN vehicles will enable ZMC vehicles to travel at greater speeds and distances, just like a traditional car but at a fraction of the cost and with zero emissions!
Contacts: ZENN Motor Company Catherine Scrimgeour Public Affairs Specialist (416) 535-8395 x 201 Email: cscrimgeour@ZENNcars.com Website: www.ZENNcars.com
SOURCE: ZENN Motor Company
mailto:cscrimgeour@ZENNcars.com http://www.ZENNcars.com
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
CTIG CTI Group Reports Year End Results for 2007
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
INDIANAPOLIS, IN, Mar 28, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
CTI Group (Holdings) Inc. (OTCBB: CTIG), an international provider of electronic invoice processing and management (EIM), enterprise communications management software and services solutions, and carrier class voice over internet protocol ("VoIP") management applications, reported revenues of $21,344,922 for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to $12,811,385 for the year ended 2006. The increase in revenues was primarily the result of the reflection of the first full year of operation of the acquired operations of Ryder Systems, Limited ("Ryder") located in Blackburn, UK, which has been renamed CTI Billing Solutions Limited. The company reported a loss of $1,493,634, or $0.05 cents a share, in 2007 compared to a loss of $1,087,640, or $0.04 cents a share, in 2006. The increase in loss was primarily attributable to the company incurring interest expense of $427,518 in 2007 compared to interest income of $344,600 in 2006. This $772,118 swing was related to the cash used and debt incurred in the acquisition of Ryder.
"We are very pleased with the performance of our acquired operations, CTI Billing Solutions Limited, which provides EIM software and solutions to major mobile phone carriers in Europe. With the first full year of operations of the new company behind us, we have made great strides towards the integration of Ryder with CTI Group including moving the development of all EIM products to the Blackburn office. The acquisition provides us with a growing recurring revenue stream with leading international telecommunications service providers, with the emphasis on mobility and new on-line services. Ryder has performed well, with three new carriers added in 2007," said John Birbeck, chairman, president and chief executive officer of CTI Group.
The Company's new hosted voice and applications are expected to help eliminate customer resistance to conversion to next-generation platforms, while creating new revenue opportunities for service providers through the delivery of compelling value added services. CTI Group's new products include emPulse, a real-time web-based communications management and analysis solution, and the award-winning SmartRecord(R) IP, which enables service providers to selectively intercept and record any communications on behalf of their hosted and managed service customers. Specifically engineered to seamlessly integrate with the service provider's evolving online eBusiness strategy, these business applications provide enterprise customers with customized access to their provider's eBusiness portal and their complex service invoices. "We believe we are well positioned to grow with the adoption by the market of distributed VoIP services as the Tier 1 carriers commence their roll-out in earnest," stated Mr. Birbeck.
The Proteus(R) suite of products are used by companies, institutions and government agencies to track communications activity and to control costs associated with operating communications networks. Proteus(R) performs functions of call recording, call accounting, cost allocation, client bill-back, analyses of trunk traffic and calling and usage patterns, toll fraud detection, directory services and integration with other private branch exchange peripheral products. "With the launch of the new Proteus(R) VoIP QMS system in December, specifically designed for call manager networks, CTI now offers users a window into their VoIP networks," stated Mr Birbeck.
The EIM suite of products includes: Analysis, for complete on-line customer care of mobile, fixed line and data services; SplitBill to enable users to automate Business vs Personal use; and Dynamic Reports, which is a "push" analysis, billing and advertising medium for mobile, data and fixed line, targeting the consumer and SMB markets.
About CTI Group - CTI Group (Holdings) Inc. is an international provider of electronic invoice processing, enterprise communications management software and services solutions, and carrier class voice over Internet protocol ("VoIP") management applications. CTI Group's SmartBill(R) and Proteus(R) product suites offer a full array of solutions for traffic analysis, post-billing call analysis, and customer care. CTI Group's products are used by some of the top service providers in North America and the United Kingdom, and play a trusted role in managing telephony costs at major corporations internationally. Headquartered in Indianapolis, CTI Group maintains overseas offices in London and Blackburn, UK. For more information, please visit CTI Group's website at www.ctigroup.com. Safe Harbor Statement -- This release may contain "forward-looking" statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (a) projections of revenue, capital expenditures, growth, prospects, dividends, capital structure and other financial matters; (b) statements of plans and objectives of the Company or its management or Board of Directors; (c) statements of future economic performance; (d) statements of assumptions underlying other statements and statements about the Company and its business relating to the future; and (e) any statements using the words "could," "should," "anticipate," "expect," "may," "project," "intend," "will" or similar expressions. The Company's ability to predict projected results or the effect of events on the Company's operating results is inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in this document. In addition to information provided elsewhere in this document, shareholders should consider the following: the risk that the Company will not be able to attract and retain customers to purchase its products, the risk that the Company will not be able to commercialize and market products; results of research and development; technological advances by third parties; competition; future capital needs of the Company; history of operating losses; dependence upon key personnel and general economic and business conditions. Readers are referred to documents filed by CTI Group with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 10-KSB for its most recent fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Contact: CTI Group (Holdings) Inc. Fred Hanuschek 317.262.4666 fhanuschek@ctigroup.com
SOURCE: CTI Group (Holdings) Inc.
mailto:fhanuschek@ctigroup.com
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
AGWT AGT Files to Restructure Its Operations Under Chapter 11
via COMTEX
March 28, 2008
KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Mar 28, 2008 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) --
Atmospheric Glow Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:AGWT) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 27, 2008. With this action, the Company intends to restructure and preserve as much value as possible for its shareholders and creditors.
"Extensive efforts were undertaken to align business expenses with revenues, and we achieved break-even cash flow from operations over the past twelve months," said AGT CEO, Scott McDonald. "Regrettably, these and other significant actions have not been sufficient to enable AGT to secure new funding given the Company's substantial level of debt, negative equity and limited revenues, particularly within the confines of today's challenged financial markets."
The Company expects operations to continue as usual during the reorganization process. Upon court approval, AGT will utilize cash flow from operations to meet day-to-day capital requirements and seeks to successfully emerge from bankruptcy protection within 90 days, at which point it would be better positioned to secure new funding and strategic business partnerships.
As part of AGT's interim operating plan and to enable additional overhead cost reductions, Scott McDonald has resigned his paid CEO position and has accepted an uncompensated seat on AGT's Board of Directors vacated by outgoing Director Steve Harb. All other Board Members and Company Management are retaining their current positions.
About Atmospheric Glow Technologies, Inc.
AGT is a market driven science and engineering company focused on realizing the commercial potential of OAUGDP(r) technology, a proprietary method of creating plasma chemistry in air at atmospheric pressure. Management believes that OAUGDP(r) is an exciting breakthrough technology offering capabilities that other plasma technologies do not provide. AGT's technology has been the recipient of numerous federal contracts, grants and recognition awards. Additional information is available at http://www.atmosphericglow.com.
Statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, words such as "believes," "anticipates," "expects," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievement of events of the company, or events, or timing of events, relating to the company to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements of the forward-looking statements. The company cannot assure that it will be able to anticipate or respond timely to the changes, which could adversely affect its operating results in one or more fiscal quarters. Results of operations in any past period should not be considered indicative of results to be expected in future periods. Fluctuations in operating results may result in fluctuations in the price of the company's securities.
This news release was distributed by PrimeNewswire, www.primenewswire.com
SOURCE: Atmospheric Glow Technologies, Inc.
Atmospheric Glow Technologies, Inc. W. Scott McDonald, CEO 865-777-3776 ext. 223
(C) Copyright 2008 PrimeNewswire, Inc. All rights reserved.
DEO Diageo Canada granted agency rights for Grand Marnier and other Marnier-Lapostolle Group brands
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
TORONTO, Mar 27, 2008 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX News Network) --
Marnier-Lapostolle Group has chosen for the first time ever a single national agent for its brands in Canada. Under the agreement, Diageo Canada will add the leading luxury brand Grand Marnier(R) to its portfolio of international brands.
Marnier-Lapostolle Group, a family-owned company created in 1827 is the maker of the world famous ultra-premium orange and cognac liqueur Grand Marnier. A range of high-end versions complements the Grand Marnier line: the Cuvée Louis-Alexandre, the Cuvée du Centenaire and the Cuvée du Cent-Cinquantenaire, all made with higher quality of aged cognacs. Beyond Grand Marnier, Marnier-Lapostolle Group has more recently developed a high end natural vanilla and cognac liqueur NAVAN. In the ultra-premium wine category, its Loire-based Château de Sancerre and its Chilean made Casa-Lapostolle will also be part of the Diageo portfolio.
"We are pleased to be working with these leading, world-class luxury brands," says John Kennedy, President, Diageo Canada. "This is a strong addition to our luxury brands portfolio and is a good strategic fit for our reserve brand strategy, with great potential for long term growth."
"We felt that we had now reached a point for the national execution for our programs where we had to align ourselves with a coast to coast agent with a solid portfolio of premium and super premium spirits and wines. We felt that Diageo Canada share with us this culture for growing brand value and excellence in execution," said Emmanuel Cargill, COO Marnier-Lapostolle North America.
"We would like however to express our gratitude to our local agents who have accompanied us with dedication for many years. We built a good and mutually beneficial relationship but we had to accept the challenges of a competitive market and rethink our access to the Canadian consumers," said Jean Christophe Terzaghi, Country Director for Marnier-Lapostolle in Canada.
This new arrangement is specific to Canada, a key market for Marnier-Lapostolle, its second largest in the world. Diageo will take agency over in all but one province starting July 1, 2008; Alberta will be coming on board in July 2009.
"This is a win win for both companies with our shared focus of growth and luxury brand opportunities," adds Kennedy. "We are confident that these brands will continue to grow, develop and benefit from our sales, distribution and execution expertise, benefiting everyone involved."
About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wine and beer. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.
Diageo is a global company, trading in some 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at http://www.diageo.com.
Celebrating life, every day, everywhere, responsibly.
About Marnier-Lapostolle Group
In 1827, Jean-Baptiste Lapostolle founded a distillery in Neauphle-le-Château, near Paris. In 1880, Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle, the son-in-law of Eugène Lapostolle, son of the founder, created the famous Grand Marnier liqueur, a blend of cognac and tropical oranges. Today, the company is run by 5th and 6th generation members of the Marnier Lapostolle family, including Jacques Marnier Lapostolle, the current Chairman of the Board. With 90% of its production sold outside of France in over 150 countries, Grand Marnier has been the leading French liqueur in export sales for over 25 years. According to the magazine "Impact", Grand Marnier is among the top 100 major international brands of premium spirits and the third highest selling brand of liqueur worldwide (based on retail sales). A bottle of Grand Marnier is sold every 2 seconds around the world. Additional information is at www.grandmarnier.com.
SOURCE: Diageo Canada Inc.
Alanna Stone, Diageo Canada, (416) 626-2000 ext. 6662, alanna.stone@diageo.com; Anne Caron Van Laer, Grand Marnier, +011 33 1 42 66 43 11, caron.a@grandmarnier.tm.fr
Copyright (C) 2008 CNW Group. All rights reserved.
BRLC Shareholder Update: Zwerling, Schachter & Zwerling, LLP Reminds Shareholders Who Purchased Syntax-Brillian Corporation's Common Stock (Nasdaq: BRLC) Pursuant to the Public Offering on May 24, 2007 that the Deadline for Filing for Lead Plaintiff is
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
NEW YORK, March 28, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ --
Zwerling, Schachter & Zwerling, LLP ("Zwerling Schachter") has filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for District of Arizona on behalf of all persons and entities who purchased the common stock of Syntax-Brillian Corp. ("Syntax-Brillian" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: BRLC) pursuant to a public offering of approximately 25.6 million shares at $5.75 per share on May 24, 2007. The deadline to file a motion seeking to represent a class of investors who purchased Syntax Brillian's common stock on the public offering is April 7, 2008.
If you purchased the common stock of Syntax-Brillian on the May 24, 2007 offering, you may apply to serve as lead plaintiff for the class. The lead plaintiff is responsible for overseeing the prosecution of the action and ensuring that the interests of the class are protected. You may apply to be appointed lead plaintiff through Zwerling Schachter.
If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions concerning your rights and interests with respect to this securities litigation matter, please contact Zwerling Schachter (Kevin McGee, Esq. or Donald Lanier) at 1-800-721-3900 or by e-mail at kmcgee@zsz.com or dlanier@zsz.com.
The complaint alleges that defendants violated Sections 11, 12(a)(2) and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. Specifically, the complaint alleges that the registration statement and prospectus filed with the SEC in connection with the May 24, 2007 public offering contained materially false and misleading statements, or omitted to state other facts necessary to make the statements made not misleading, concerning Syntax-Brillian's revenue growth, profitability, and its business in China. On September 12, 2007, Syntax-Brillian announced that the results for its first quarter 2008, ending on September 30, 2007, would be significantly below expectations. The Company projected first quarter 2008 revenues of between $170-180 million, when analysts were expecting the Company to report revenues of $254 million, a shortfall of more than 25%. On November 11, 2007, the Company announced that revenues for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, was $150.6 million, a decline of 26.6% from the previous quarter, and that revenue from China in the quarter was $14.6 million, compared with $96.8 million in the prior quarter, a decline of approximately 85%.
The complaint alleges that Syntax-Brillian failed to disclose in the registration statement and prospectus that while the Company shipped hundreds of thousands of LCD televisions to its sole distributor in China during the Class Period, and recorded hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue in connection with these shipments, the end-user demand for the Company's LCD televisions in China was much weaker than what investors were led to believe.
Zwerling Schachter concentrates in prosecuting class actions nationwide on behalf of investors. The firm currently plays a leading role in numerous major securities and complex commercial litigations pending in federal and state courts and has offices in New York City, Uniondale, New York, Boca Raton, Florida and Seattle, Washington. The firm has been recognized by courts throughout the country as highly experienced and skilled in complex litigation, particularly with respect to federal securities class action litigation.
Visit our website at: http://www.zsz.com
SOURCE Zwerling, Schachter & Zwerling, LLP
http://www.zsz.com
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
PEIX Pacific Ethanol Closes $40 Million Equity Investment by Lyles United, LLC
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
Company Obtains Necessary Waivers on Credit Agreement
SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 27, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
Pacific Ethanol, Inc. (Nasdaq: PEIX) today announced that it has closed the transactions contemplated under its Securities Purchase Agreement dated March 18, 2008 with Lyles United, LLC. The Company sold (i) 2,051,282 shares of its Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, all of which are initially convertible into an aggregate of 6,153,846 shares of the Company's common stock based on an initial three-for-one conversion ratio, and (ii) a warrant to purchase an aggregate of 3,076,923 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $7.00 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $40 million.
In addition, the Company received waivers from its lenders as to defaults under its Credit Agreement.
"We are very pleased to extend our strategic relationship with the Lyles Companies with a $40 million equity investment in Pacific Ethanol. The investment shows confidence in our strategy, immediately strengthens our balance sheet, and keeps us on track to achieve our annual operating capacity goal of 220 million gallons in 2008," said Neil Koehler, President and CEO.
Additional information on the equity investment and the waivers can be found in the Company's Forms 8-K and 10-K filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Earnings Call
The Company will host a live conference call at 10:00 AM ET on March 31, 2008. To listen to the conference call by phone, United States callers may dial 866-383-8003. International callers may dial 617-597-5330. All callers should enter access code 20892643.
A link to the live audio webcast of the Company's earnings conference call can be found on the Company's website at www.pacificethanol.net.
Approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call, an audio replay of the call will be available. To listen to the replay by phone, United States callers may dial 888-286-8010. International callers may dial 617-801-6888. All callers should enter access code 27767518. The replay will be available through April 14, 2008.
About Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
Pacific Ethanol is the largest West Coast-based marketer and producer of ethanol. Pacific Ethanol has ethanol plants in Madera, California, and in Boardman, Oregon, and has two additional plants under construction in Burley, Idaho, and in Stockton, California. Pacific Ethanol also owns a 42% interest in Front Range Energy, LLC which owns an ethanol plant in Windsor, Colorado. Central to Pacific Ethanol's growth strategy is its destination business model, whereby each respective ethanol plant achieves lower process and transportation costs by servicing local markets for both fuel and feed. Pacific Ethanol's goal is to achieve 220 million gallons per year of ethanol production capacity in 2008 and to increase total production capacity to 420 million gallons per year in 2010. In addition, Pacific Ethanol is working to identify and develop other renewable fuel technologies, such as cellulose- based ethanol production and bio-diesel.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
With the exception of historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The actual future results of Pacific Ethanol could differ from those statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the ability of Pacific Ethanol to successfully and timely complete, in a cost-effective manner, construction of its ethanol plants under construction; the ability of Pacific Ethanol to obtain all necessary financing to complete the construction of its other planned ethanol production facilities; the ability of Pacific Ethanol to timely complete its ethanol plant build-out program and to successfully capitalize on its internal growth initiatives; the ability of Pacific Ethanol to operate its plants at their planned production capacities; the price of ethanol relative to the price of gasoline; the effect of federal and state governmental regulations on the demand for ethanol; and the factors contained in the "Risk Factors" section of Pacific Ethanol's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2008.
SOURCE Pacific Ethanol, Inc.
http://www.pacificethanol.net
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
ANV Allied Nevada Intersects 650 Feet of 0.027 and 615 Feet of 0.032 opt Gold Equivalent in 2 Holes in the Fire and Brimstone Oxide Zones at Hycroft
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
RENO, NEVADA, Mar 27, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
Allied Nevada Gold Corp. ("Allied Nevada" or the "Company") (TSX: ANV)(AMEX: ANV) is pleased to announce complete gold and silver assay results for 26 exploration holes, 22 of which are reported here. The four remaining holes showed insignificant results. The holes were drilled at the Company's Hycroft Heap Leach Mine ("Hycroft") located near Winnemucca, Nevada. As of March 25, 2008, 161 drill holes have been completed at Hycroft since the program was initiated in August of 2007, including 123 reverse circulation drill holes and 38 core holes for a total of 122,860 feet drilled. The holes were drilled to an average depth of approximately 760 feet. Four drill rigs (three reverse circulation rotary and one core rig) have operated at Hycroft since March 5, with one core drill leaving the Hycroft property for a prior commitment. From late January through late March the focus of the drill program has been to delineate oxide resources in the Brimstone pit area in furtherance of the Company's objective of confirming and expanding existing oxide reserves on its Hycroft property. That program is now completed and the results are being evaluated as the assay determinations are received. As previously reported, the Company currently targets the fourth quarter of 2008 to commence gold production.
21 of the 22 drill holes reported here and listed in the table below were drilled in the Fire and Brimstone Zones along or within the proposed Brimstone pit boundary. As reported previously, holes drilled in the oxide program are designed to fill in gaps in the ore block model as well as to better define pit limits. All 21 holes drilled in the Fire and Brimstone Zones, nine in the Fire and twelve in the Brimstone, intersected gold and silver mineralization. Twelve of the 21 holes intersected significant lengths of oxide and mixed oxide and sulfide gold and silver mineralization. A significant length in a drill hole is defined as a continuous intercept of 100 feet or more of gold and silver mineralization.
The nine Fire Zone drill holes reported here were drilled along approximately 2,800 feet of strike length of a north-south trending zone of mineralization 1,600 feet to 1,200 feet west of the center of the current Brimstone pit. As the Fire Zone trends southward, it appears to merge with the southwest trending Brimstone Zone. The twelve Brimstone Zone drill holes reported here were drilled within and along the western edge of the Brimstone pit to 2,000 feet southwest of the pit. The results of these drill holes continue to define the continuity of the Brimstone Zone gold and silver mineralization south and southwestward from the current Brimstone Pit. Three holes, R-3159, designated as a Fire Zone Hole, and R-3162 and R-3177, designated as Brimstone holes, were drilled in a triangular pattern 400 to 600 feet apart. Each drill hole intersected thick sections of gold and silver mineralization. Drill hole R-3159 (-75 degrees, East) intersected 650 feet of 0.027 opt gold equivalent from 185 to 835 feet. Drill hole R-3162 (vertical) drilled 615 feet of 0.032 opt gold equivalent from 245 to 860 feet and dill hole R-3177 (vertical) intersected 520 feet of 0.032 opt gold equivalent from 255 to 775 feet.
One core hole was drilled in the Boneyard Zone in late 2007 to test for sulfide mineralization in the southern end of the Boneyard pit. Assay results listed here reflect short discontinuous runs from poor core recovery due to very difficult drilling conditions. Additional drilling is planned in the Boneyard area.
Fire Zone
Gold
Drill Hole From To Interval Gold Silver Equivalent
(feet) (feet) (feet) (oz/ton) (oz/ton) (oz/ton)
------ ------ --------- -------- -------- -----------
H08R-3141 30 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
250 280 30 0.019 0.1 0.020
H08D-3144 234.5 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
399 510 111 0.014 0.1 0.016
& 603 726.5 123.5 0.027 1.2 0.049
including 645 650 5 0.076 20.2 0.448
H08R-3153 265 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
95 125 30 0.019 0.0 0.020
& 265 500 235 0.014 0.4 0.021
H08D-3155 79.5 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
277 356.5 79.5 0.014 0.4 0.022
H08R-3159 650 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
185 835 650 0.019 0.4 0.027
including 475 505 30 0.028 2.6 0.076
& 540 565 25 0.039 0.6 0.050
& 685 705 20 0.040 0.8 0.055
H08R-3165 315 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
95 240 145 0.034 0.7 0.046
including 120 180 60 0.056 0.9 0.072
& 330 500 170 0.019 0.2 0.023
including 340 360 20 0.032 0.5 0.042
H08R-3166 25 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
260 285 25 0.016 0.9 0.032
H08R-3205 125 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
220 245 25 0.017 0.1 0.019
& 280 380 100 0.018 0.7 0.031
including 280 295 15 0.038 0.4 0.045
& 340 345 5 0.021 5.5 0.123
H08R-3227 35 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
250 285 35 0.019 0.6 0.029
Brimstone Pit Area
H08R-3148 80 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
285 365 80 0.044 0.1 0.045
H08R-3158 355 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
130 205 75 0.023 0.0 0.023
& 225 350 125 0.020 0.1 0.022
including 265 280 15 0.052 0.1 0.054
& 380 535 155 0.025 0.7 0.038
including 380 415 35 0.029 2.4 0.073
& 485 490 5 0.191 0.0 0.191
H08D-3160 237.5 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
230 300 70 0.022 0.2 0.026
& 311 355 44 0.018 0.4 0.025
& 370 493.5 123.5 0.016 0.7 0.029
H08R-3162 615 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
245 860 615 0.021 0.6 0.032
including 520 625 105 0.047 1.1 0.068
& 800 820 20 0.059 0.7 0.071
H08R-3164 100 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
235 260 25 0.016 0.9 0.033
& 430 500 70 0.013 0.4 0.020
& 600 605 5 0.252 0.5 0.261
H08R-3177 520 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
255 775 520 0.021 0.6 0.032
including 290 310 20 0.033 0.8 0.048
& 340 355 15 0.031 1.1 0.052
& 395 410 15 0.013 3.3 0.073
& 480 485 5 0.144 6.6 0.265
& 545 565 20 0.034 0.6 0.044
H08R-3184 120 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
540 590 50 0.042 0.6 0.054
including 570 580 10 0.118 1.5 0.146
& 630 700 70 0.009 1.1 0.030
including 655 665 10 0.006 4.7 0.092
H08R-3189 140 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
280 420 140 0.011 0.7 0.024
including 405 420 15 0.023 1.1 0.043
H08R-3190 25 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
285 310 25 0.007 0.7 0.021
H08R-3198 205 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
0 135 135 0.013 0.4 0.021
170 240 70 0.013 2.4 0.056
including 170 180 10 0.008 13.1 0.249
H08R-3209 195 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
205 400 195 0.019 0.1 0.020
including 290 310 20 0.083 0.1 0.085
H08R-3231 45 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
310 355 45 0.026 0.2 0.029
Boneyard Zone
H07D-3119 128.5 Feet of Mineralization
------------------------------------------
2 23 21 0.025 0.2 0.029
& 190 224 34 0.012 0.0 0.012
& 255 312.5 57.5 0.009 0.0 0.010
& 685 701 16 0.024 0.0 0.024
"We have completed the oxide drilling programs in the Fire and Brimstone Zones and are finishing up the oxide drilling in the Cut 5 area. We are encouraged by the results of approximately 50 Fire and Brimstone oxide drill holes received to date," says Rick Russell, Allied Nevada's Vice President of Exploration. "In the near future, we plan to begin oxide drilling programs in other areas on the property that have the potential to yield additional gold and silver resources."
Completed footage of the current Hycroft drilling program is averaging approximately 15,000 feet/month based on one 12-hour shift/day for the three reverse circulation rotary drills and two shifts/day for the core drill. The four drill rigs are being deployed in geotechnical and condemnation drilling projects. The oxide drilling in the Cut 5 area is nearly completed and drill testing of other target areas is being planned. For complete drill hole assay information for the twenty holes reported here, please see assay data posted on the Company's website at www.alliednevada.com. Gold equivalent grades were calculated utilizing a $650 per ounce gold price and a $12 per ounce silver price.
(1) The drill program is being conducted under the supervision of Mr. Rick Russell, Vice President of Exploration for Allied Nevada Gold Corp., who is a Qualified Person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for program design and quality control of exploration undertaken by the Company at its Hycroft Mine. A combination of vertical and angle holes have been drilled to intersect mineralization; however, due to physical constraints and the complex nature of the deposit, true thickness of the drilled intervals cannot be assumed from the measured intercepts. Sampling and assaying methods of this program are being conducted in accordance with the CIM Mineral Exploration Best Practices Guidelines.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and the equivalent under Canadian securities laws), that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding results of exploration drilling and assay programs currently underway at Hycroft, potential for confirming, upgrading and expanding oxide gold mineralized material at Hycroft, results of evaluation of underlying sulfide mineralization at Hycroft, anticipated target date for commencement of gold production, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements address activities, events or developments that Allied Nevada expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, and are based on current expectations and assumptions. Although Allied Nevada management believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, risks relating to Allied Nevada's status as a newly formed independent company and its lack of operating history; risks that Allied Nevada's acquisition, exploration and property advancement efforts will not be successful; risks relating to fluctuations in the price of gold; the inherently hazardous nature of mining-related activities; uncertainties concerning reserve and resource estimates; availability of outside contractors in connection with Hycroft and other activities; and availability and timing of capital for financing the planned reactivation of the Hycroft Mine including uncertainty of being able to raise capital on favorable terms or at all; as well as those factors discussed in Allied Nevada's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") including Allied Nevada's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other SEC filings (and Canadian filings) including, without limitation, its latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company does not intend to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
Contacts: Allied Nevada Gold Corp. Scott Caldwell or Hal Kirby (775) 358-4455 Website: www.alliednevada.com
SOURCE: Allied Nevada Gold Corp.
http://www.alliednevada.com
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
CSBB CSB Bancorp, Inc. Declares First Quarter Cash Dividend
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
MILLERSBURG, Ohio, Mar 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
CSB Bancorp, Inc. (OTCBB: CSBB) today announced that the Company's Board of Directors has declared a first quarter cash dividend of $.18 per share on its common stock, payable April 22, 2008 to shareholders of record as of April 8, 2008.
CSB Bancorp, Inc. is a $340 million financial holding company headquartered in Millersburg, Ohio. CSB provides a complete range of banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses through its wholly owned subsidiary, The Commercial and Savings Bank, with ten banking centers in Holmes, Tuscarawas, and Wayne counties and Trust offices located in Millersburg and Wooster, Ohio. CSB is located on the web at http://www.csb1.com.
SOURCE: CSB Bancorp, Inc.
CSB Bancorp, Inc. Paula Meiler, SVP and CFO, 330-763-2873 paula.meiler@csb1.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
GMST Gemstar-TV Guide Announces Lifting of Court Order Restricting Funds
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
LOS ANGELES, Mar 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMST), a leading media, entertainment and technology company, announced today that a court order requiring the company to maintain certain funds, approximately $31.6 million as of December 31, 2007, in a segregated, interest-bearing bank account has been dissolved at the company's request. The Securities and Exchange Commission obtained the freeze order under Section 1103 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in 2003. The funds had originally been set aside for payment to the company's former Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Henry Yuen, in connection with its November 2002 management and corporate governance restructuring. However, in 2003, the company terminated Mr. Yuen's employment for cause and challenged Mr. Yuen's right to receive these payments. In 2007, an arbitration panel ruled that Mr. Yuen's claims to the segregated funds were invalid and awarded the company, among other things, an additional $88.8 million dollars in damages and interest. The SEC supported the company's application to dissolve the Court's order at this time.
Gemstar-TV Guide's Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Stephen H. Kay, said, "We are very pleased that the Court lifted the restrictions on the company's use of this money. The company's victory against Mr. Yuen in the arbitration proceeding clearly established that these funds belong to the company and its shareholders. It follows that there is no longer any reason to continue the freeze order."
As a result of this ruling, the company will reclassify approximately $31.6 million of restricted cash on its balance sheet to cash and cash equivalents for the quarter ending March 31, 2008.
About Gemstar-TV Guide
Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ: GMST) is a leading global media, entertainment, and technology company that develops, licenses, markets and distributes products and services that maximize the video guidance and entertainment experience for consumers. The Company's businesses include: television, publishing, and new media properties; interactive program guide services and products; and intellectual property licensing. Additional information about the Company can be found at www.gemstartvguide.com.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including risks and uncertainties related to the timely availability and market acceptance of products and services incorporating the Company's technologies and content; our investments in new and existing businesses; the impact of competitive products and services; the pending acquisition of the Company by Macrovision Corporation and events and circumstances related thereto; and the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including the most recent reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to time. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements
Note to Editors: Gemstar and TV Guide are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. The names of other companies, products and services used herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE: Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.
Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. Media: Eileen Murphy, 212-852-7336 eileen.murphy@tvguide.com or Analysts and Investors: Rob Carl, 323-817-4600 rob.carl@tvguide.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
AMPL Ampal-American Israel Corporation Files Draft Preliminary Prospectus with the Israel Securities Authority
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
Receives A2 Rating From Midroog Ltd. (An Affiliate of Moody's
Investors Service)
TEL AVIV, Israel, Mar 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Ampal-American Israel Corporation -- (NASDAQ: AMPL) announced today that it has filed a draft preliminary prospectus with the Israel Securities Authority and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in connection with a possible offering to the public in Israel of Series B debentures which will be listed only on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. This offering will only be made to certain non-U.S. persons in accordance with Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Ampal further announced that Midroog Ltd. (an affiliate of Moody's Investors Service) issued today a rating report raising the rating of Ampal's Series A debentures that are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange from A3 to A2. Midroog also granted a rating of A2 (subject to certain conditions) to the possible offering of the Ampal's Series B debentures in an offering amount of up to $176.5 million.
The debentures have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to United States persons without registration unless an exemption from such registration is available. This notice does not constitute an offer to sell the debentures nor a solicitation for an offer to purchase the debentures. Further, this press release shall not constitute any offer, solicitation or sale of any debentures in any jurisdiction in which such offering sold would be unlawful.
There is no assurance that the proposed offering of debentures will be completed. The consummation of this offering and its terms are subject to market conditions, a decision of Ampal's board of directors, to the publishing of a final prospectus approved by the Israel Securities Authority and the approval of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange for the listing of the debentures.
About Ampal:
Ampal and its subsidiaries acquire interests primarily in businesses located in the State of Israel or that are Israel-related. The Company is seeking opportunistic situations in a variety of industries, with a focus on energy and related sectors. The Company's goal is to develop or acquire majority interests in businesses that are profitable and generate significant free cash flow that Ampal can control. For more information about Ampal please visit our web site at www.ampal.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain information in this press release includes forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and information relating to Ampal that are based on the beliefs of management of Ampal as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of Ampal. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," and similar expressions as they relate to Ampal or Ampal's management, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of Ampal with respect to future events or future financial performance of Ampal, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements, including among others, the economic and political conditions in Israel, the Middle East, including the situation in Iraq, and the global business and economic conditions in the different sectors and markets where Ampal's portfolio companies operate. Should any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcome may vary from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Ampal or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. Please refer to the Ampal's annual, quarterly and periodic reports on file with the SEC for a more detailed discussion of these and other risks that could cause results to differ materially. Ampal assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: Ampal-American Israel Corporation
AMPAL-AMERICAN ISRAEL CORPORATION
Irit Eluz, CFO - SVP Finance & Treasurer
1-866-447-8636
irit@ampal.com
or
KM/KCSA Investor Relations
Roni Gavrielov, 011-972-3-516-7620
roni@km-ir.co.il
or
Jeff Corbin, 212-896-1214
jcorbin@kcsa.com
or
Marybeth Csaby, 212-896-1236
mcsaby@kcsa.com
or
David Burke, 212-896-1258
dburke@kcsa.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
CCIX Coleman Cable, Inc. Announces Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Results
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
WAUKEGAN, Ill., Mar 27, 2008 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) --
Coleman Cable, Inc. (Nasdaq:CCIX) (Coleman), a leading manufacturer and innovator of electrical and electronic wire and cable products, announced fourth-quarter and full-year 2007 financial results.
Fourth-Quarter Highlights
* Record revenue of $254.3 million, up 146 percent from last year
* EBITDA of $21.2 million, up 159 percent from last year
* EPS of $0.24 per share - an increase of 100 percent from last year
Full-Year Highlights
* Record revenue of $864.1 million - up 104 percent from last year
* EBITDA of $72.3 million - up 35 percent from last year
* Adjusted EPS of $1.40 - an increase of 14 percent from last year
Management Comments
Gary Yetman, president and CEO, said, "For the fourth quarter and full year, we produced record revenues and increased EBITDA and adjusted EPS. This strong performance was delivered despite challenging market conditions and the typical fourth-quarter softness we often experience as many end-markets reduce their inventory stocking levels associated with the year-end holidays.
"We continue to make significant progress integrating the two acquisitions made during 2007. With Copperfield, we are on track to meet our projection of $10 to $15 million of cost savings on an annualized basis, although the benefits have been somewhat eroded by rising PVC prices and increased freight costs. The consolidation of Copperfield manufacturing and distribution facilities continues to progress as planned. We anticipate completing the majority of these activities by the end of the year and expect to realize approximately $3 million of annual cash savings in 2009 and subsequent years.
"Our acquisition of Woods has also been successful as we achieved our goal of reducing working capital by $12 to $15 million. We are also on target to complete the consolidation of Woods' U.S. distribution and headquarters facilities by June 2008.
"A major project is also underway to consolidate a number of our Midwest distribution centers into a single expanded distribution facility in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. This new 500,000 square foot leased distribution center, which we plan to open in April of 2008, is designed to meet the growing demands of our business and should allow for greater efficiency and reduced costs in conducting our distribution operations.
"For the first quarter of 2008, we are projecting revenues to be in a range of $245 million to $255 million, EBITDA to be in a range of $18 million to $21 million, and EPS of $.15 to $.24. Looking at 2008 in total, we believe projected costs savings from an integrated Copperfield and the anticipated benefit to be derived in the back half of 2008 from the addition of Woods, is expected to offset the negative impact of current economic conditions and rising material and freight costs."
GAAP Fourth Quarter Results
Coleman reported revenues for the 2007 fourth quarter of $254.3 million compared to revenues of $103.2 million in the same period of last year, which represents an increase of 146 percent, primarily due to the addition of Copperfield and Woods. Volume (total pounds shipped) increased 148 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to the prior-year period, also primarily due to the acquisition of Copperfield and Woods. The Company's consolidated results of operations for 2007 include the results of Copperfield and Woods beginning with their respective acquisition dates: April 2, 2007 for Copperfield and November 30, 2007 for Woods.
Gross profit margin for the fourth quarter of 2007 was 12.0 percent compared to 15.8 percent for the same period of 2007 due primarily to the Copperfield acquisition. Copperfield prices its products to earn a fixed-dollar margin per pound of goods sold, which causes Copperfield's gross profit margins to compress in higher copper price environments. Gross profit margin was also negatively impacted by pricing pressures caused by contracting market conditions in a number of Coleman's segments, inflationary pressures related to certain raw material costs, including PVC and fuel costs, and increased factory variances due primarily to labor inefficiencies.
Selling, engineering, general and administrative expense for the 2007 fourth quarter was $13.0 million compared to $8.7 million for the 2006 fourth quarter, with the increase resulting from acquisitions, as well as increased corporate expenses, including most notably professional fees, payroll, and related costs.
Intangible amortization expense for the 2007 fourth quarter was $2.6 million due primarily to the Copperfield acquisition.
Restructuring charges for the fourth quarter of 2007 were $0.3 million as the result of integration activities related to Copperfield. Restructuring charges for the fourth quarter of 2006 were $0.2 million as the result of the closure of the Company's Miami Lakes, Fla., facility.
Interest expense, net, for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $8.1 million compared to $3.4 million for the same period of 2006, due primarily to additional expense related to increased borrowings.
Income tax expense was $2.6 million in the 2007 fourth quarter compared to $1.8 million for 2006 fourth quarter. The current year expense reflects the Company's status as a C-corporation for federal and state income tax purposes for the entire fourth quarter of 2007, and the expense in 2006 reflects the impact of converting to a C corporation for federal and state purposes in October 2006.
Net income for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $4.0 million, compared to $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Earnings per share for the fourth quarter were $0.24 in the 2007 period compared to $0.12 in the 2006 period. A number of items that were new in 2007 have impacted these results and are discussed in more detail below in the sections titled "Non-GAAP Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Results."
The Company continues to work to strengthen its balance sheet. Net working capital was approximately 21 percent of annualized net sales for the quarter, more than 3.4 percentage points less than last year's level mainly due to the acquisition of Copperfield. Capital expenditures were $1.1 million in the quarter, less than half of the fourth quarter's depreciation expense.
GAAP Full-Year Results
Net sales for the full year of 2007 were $864.1 million compared to $423.4 million for the same period of 2006, an increase of $440.7 million, or 104 percent. The increase includes the impact of adding the Copperfield business on April 2, 2007, which accounted for $396.6 million of consolidated net sales in 2007, and an increase of 93.7 percent in consolidated net sales for 2007 as compared to 2006.
Excluding Copperfield, net sales increased $44.1 million in 2007, or 10.4 percent, compared to 2006, with the increase primarily reflecting volume growth within the Company's consumer outlets segment, including the impact of the Woods business, and the impact of price increases associated with raw material cost increases. Total volume increased 92.6 percent in 2007, with current year acquisitions accounting for 94.0 percent of the increase in total volume compared to 2006 levels. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, the Company's total volume declined 1.4 percent, primarily reflecting decreased demand from existing customers in both its Specialty Distributors and OEMs segments and its Electrical/Wire and Cable Distributors segments.
Gross profit margin for 2007 was 12.1 percent compared to 19.3 percent for 2006 due primarily to the Copperfield acquisition as described earlier. Additionally, the gross profit margin decrease reflects the impact of pricing pressures throughout 2007 due to contracting market conditions in a number of Coleman's segments, inflationary pressures related to certain raw material costs, including PVC and fuel costs, and an increase in factory variances in 2007 due primarily to labor inefficiencies.
Selling, engineering, general and administrative expense for 2007 was $44.3 million compared to $31.8 million for 2006 due primarily to the reasons listed above, as well as increased stock compensation expense.
Intangible amortization expense for 2007 was $7.6 million due primarily to the Copperfield acquisition.
Restructuring charges of $0.9 million were recorded in 2007 compared to $1.4 million in 2006. These expenses were incurred in connection with the integration of Copperfield in 2007 (2007- $0.3 million), and the closure of our Miami Lakes and Siler City facilities in 2006 (2007- $0.6 million, 2006- $1.4 million). All actions associated with the closure of the Miami Lakes and Siler City facilities have been substantially completed as of December 31, 2007.
Interest expense, net, for 2007 was $27.5 million compared to $15.9 million for 2006 due primarily from the reasons listed above.
Income tax expense was $9.4 million for 2007, compared to $2.8 million for 2006 due to the Company's change from an S corporation to a C corporation in October 2006.
Net income for the full year 2007 was $14.9 million, compared to $29.4 million for the full year 2006. Earnings per diluted share for the full year 2007 were $0.88 compared to $2.15 in the 2006. A number of items that were new in 2007 have impacted these results and are discussed in more detail below.
Non-GAAP Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2007 Results
The acquisition of Copperfield, the equity offering in 2006, and the conversion of Coleman from an S-Corporation to a C-Corporation in 2006 have made comparing quarterly and period results year over year complex. In an effort to better assist investors in understanding its financial results, the Company has provided in this release Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS), and EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization), which are all measures not defined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). Management believes these numbers are useful to investors in understanding the results of operations because they illustrate the impact that interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and other non-recurring and/or non-cash charges had on results.
Webcast
Coleman Cable has scheduled its conference call for Friday, March 28, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. Central time. Hosting the call will be Gary Yetman, president and CEO, and Richard Burger, executive vice president and CFO. A live broadcast of Coleman Cable's conference call, along with accompanying visuals, will be available on-line through the Company's website at http://investors.colemancable.com/events.cfm. The webcast will be archived for 90 days. Additionally, the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 will be available tomorrow morning, Friday, March 28th.
About Coleman Cable, Inc.
Coleman Cable, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and innovator of electrical and electronic wire and cable products for the security, sound, telecommunications, electrical, commercial, industrial, and automotive industries. With extensive design and production capabilities and a long-standing dedication to customer service, Coleman Cable, Inc. is the preferred choice of cable and wire users throughout the United States.
Various statements included in this release, including those that express a belief, expectation or intention, as well as those that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," "continues," "could," "may," "might," "potential," "predict," "should," or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. In particular, statements about Coleman Cable's expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance contained in this release are forward-looking statements. Coleman Cable has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections. While Coleman Cable believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors, including those discussed in Coleman Cable's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (available at www.sec.gov), may cause its actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to differ from Coleman Cable's expectations include:
* fluctuations in the supply or price of copper and other raw
materials;
* increased competition from other wire and cable manufacturers,
including foreign manufacturers;
* pricing pressures causing margins to decrease;
* general economic conditions and changes in the demand for Coleman
Cable's products by key customers;
* the consummation of acquisitions, including Woods;
* failure to identify, finance or integrate acquisitions;
* failure to accomplish integration activities on a timely basis;
* failure to achieve expected efficiencies in Coleman Cable's
manufacturing and integration consolidations;
* changes in the cost of labor or raw materials, including PVC and
fuel costs;
* inaccuracies in purchase agreements relating to acquisitions;
* failure of customers to make expected purchases, including
customers of acquired companies;
* unforeseen developments or expenses with respect to Coleman Cable's
acquisition, integration and consolidation efforts; and
* other risks and uncertainties, including those described under
"Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Coleman Cable's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Coleman's views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. While Coleman may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, even if its estimates change and, therefore, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing Coleman's views as of any date subsequent to today.
Adjusted EPS Table Follows
COLEMAN CABLE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Adjusted EPS
Comparative Analysis
Coleman Cable, Inc. --------------------
$ in thousands (except EPS)(1) 2006 2007
---- ----
as Reported
-----------
Net sales $423,358 $864,144
Income before income taxes 32,130 24,265
Income tax expense 2,771 9,375
-------- --------
Net income $ 29,359 $ 14,890
======== ========
Earning per share data
Net income per share
Basic $ 2.15 $ 0.89
Diluted $ 2.15 $ 0.88
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic 13,637 16,786
Diluted 13,637 16,826
Pro forma(2)
------------
Income before income taxes 32,130 24,265
Income tax expense 12,400 9,375
-------- --------
Net income $ 19,730 $ 14,890
======== ========
Earning per share data
Net income per share
Basic $ 1.45 $ 0.89
Diluted $ 1.45 $ 0.88
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic 13,637 16,786
Diluted 13,637 16,826
Adjusted for
comparative purposes
--------------------
Income before income taxes $ 32,130 $ 24,265
Stock based compensation 1,412 3,739(4)
Intangible asset amortization -- 7,636(5)
Incremental depreciation expense -- 2,700(5)
-------- --------
Adjusted income before income taxes 33,542 38,340
Pro forma income tax expense 12,945(2) 14,813
-------- --------
Net income $ 20,597 $ 23,527
======== ========
Earning per share data
Net income per share
Basic $ 1.23 $ 1.40
Diluted $ 1.22 $ 1.40
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic 16,786(3) 16,786
Diluted 16,826(3) 16,826
(1) for presentation purposes rounding differences may occur
(2) Pro forma income tax expense computed for comparative purposes, as
Coleman was an S-Corp and converted to a C-Corp on October 10, 2006
(3) Used 2007 basic and diluted shares used for comparative purposes,
as the equity offering occurred in October 2006
(4) Non-cash stock based compensation expense incurred post the
equity offering in October 2006 and the adoption of a non-qualified
stock option plan
(5) Non-cash expenses directly associated with the allocation purchase
price of Copperfield, approximated 41% of which are tax deductible
CCIX-G
This news release was distributed by PrimeNewswire, www.primenewswire.com
SOURCE: Coleman Cable, Inc.
Dresner Corporate Services Investor Contact: Philip Kranz 312-780-7240 pkranz@dresnerco.com
(C) Copyright 2008 PrimeNewswire, Inc. All rights reserved.
TIBX TIBCO Software Reports Record First Quarter Financial Results
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
Total Revenue Up 17% Year over Year
PALO ALTO, Calif., March 27, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
TIBCO Software Inc. (Nasdaq: TIBX) today announced record results for its first quarter, which ended on March 2, 2008.
Total revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $146.6 million and net income was $5.5 million, or $0.03 per diluted share. This compares to total revenue of $125.7 million and net income of $10.4 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, as reported for the first quarter of fiscal 2007. Cash flow from operations was $60.2 million in the quarter compared with $42 million in the first quarter a year ago. This quarter's performance included results from Spotfire, Inc., which was acquired in the third quarter of fiscal 2007. Overall, TIBCO's results for total revenue, operating margin and earnings per share were at the upper end of or exceeded previously provided guidance.
On a non-GAAP basis, net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $14.1 million or $0.07 per diluted share, compared with $15.2 million or $0.07 per diluted share for the first quarter of fiscal 2007. Non-GAAP operating income for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 was $18.9 million, resulting in a non-GAAP operating margin of 13%. This compares to non-GAAP operating income of $19.4 million, resulting in a non-GAAP operating margin of 15% in the first quarter of fiscal 2007. Non-GAAP results exclude stock-based compensation expense and amortization of acquired intangible assets, and assume a non-GAAP effective tax rate of 34% for fiscal 2008 and 37% for fiscal 2007.
"TIBCO delivered a healthy start to our fiscal year with our Q1 results," said Vivek Ranadive, TIBCO's chairman and chief executive officer. "Our innovative technology offerings are seeing increased demand, especially in light of the growing adoption of SOA and infrastructure software."
First Quarter Fiscal 2008 Highlights
-- Total revenue rose 17% year over year to $146.6 million.
-- License revenue rose 11% year over year to $57.8 million.
-- Services and maintenance revenue rose 21% year over year to
$88.8 million.
-- Cash flow from operations rose 43% from a year ago to $60.2 million.
-- Total deferred revenue rose 41% from a year ago to $149.4 million.
-- The number of license deals over $100,000 rose 16% from a year ago to
87, with 14 deals over $1 million.
-- TIBCO expanded its business with leading companies in Q1 such as AT&T
Mobility, Alberta Electric Systems Operator, Deutsche Bank AG,
Emirates Bank, Fannie Mae, Infinity Property & Casualty Co., Kuwait
Middle East Financial Investment Company, LexisNexis, Live Nation,
National Australia Bank, Pioneer Investments and Reliance
Communications.
Conference Call Details
TIBCO has scheduled a conference call for 4:30 pm ET / 1:30 pm PT today to discuss its first quarter results.
The conference call will be hosted by Thomson Financial and may be accessed over the internet at http://www.tibco.com or via dial-in at (877) 719-9799 or (719) 325-4824. Please join the conference call at least 10 minutes early to register. A replay of the conference call will be available until midnight on April 27, 2008 at http://www.tibco.com or via dial-in at (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820. The pass code for both the call and the replay is 4035043.
About TIBCO
TIBCO digitized Wall Street in the '80s with its event-driven "Information Bus" software, which helped make real-time business a strategic differentiator in the '90s. Today, TIBCO's infrastructure software gives customers the ability to constantly innovate by connecting applications and data in a service-oriented architecture, streamlining activities through business process management, and giving people the information and intelligence tools they need to make faster and smarter decisions, what we call The Power of Now. TIBCO serves more than 3,000 customers around the world with offices in 40 countries and an ecosystem of over 200 partners. Learn more at http://www.tibco.com.
TIBCO, The Power of Now, Spotfire and TIBCO Software are trademarks or registered trademarks of TIBCO Software Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other product and company names and marks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned for identification purposes only.
About Non-GAAP Financial Information
This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures. For a description of these non-GAAP financial measures, including the reasons management uses each measure, and reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), please see the section entitled "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and the accompanying table entitled "Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures."
Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the federal securities laws. The final financial results for first quarter of fiscal year 2008 may differ materially from the preliminary results presented in this release due to factors that include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the final review of the results and preparation of financial statements. In addition, forward-looking statements such as statements regarding the future strength of the market opportunity for infrastructure software and TIBCO's ability to capitalize on such opportunity are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. These risks include but are not limited to: adverse changes in general economic or market conditions resulting in delays or reductions in information technology spending; successful execution of TIBCO's business plans; and competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures, industry consolidation and new product introductions. Additional information regarding potential risks is provided in TIBCO's filings with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2007. TIBCO assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements included in this release.
TIBCO Software Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
March 2, November 30,
2008 2007
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $203,242 $170,237
Short-term investments 83,222 95,534
Accounts receivable, net 113,580 161,730
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 49,039 53,540
Total current assets 449,083 481,041
Property and equipment, net 109,629 111,390
Goodwill 409,635 412,256
Acquired intangible assets, net 104,151 110,930
Long-term deferred income tax assets 40,805 35,307
Other assets 46,023 47,535
Total assets $1,159,326 $1,198,459
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $8,299 $12,076
Accrued liabilities 75,662 95,526
Accrued excess facilities costs 4,927 5,421
Deferred revenue 138,018 127,200
Current portion of long-term debt 1,951 1,924
Total current liabilities 228,857 242,147
Accrued excess facilities costs, less current
portion 9,557 10,811
Long-term deferred revenue 11,374 14,319
Long-term deferred income tax liabilities 18,107 25,821
Long-term income tax liabilities 11,843 -
Long-term debt, less current portion 44,060 44,558
Other long-term liabilities 4,756 5,006
Total long-term liabilities 99,697 100,515
Total liabilities 328,554 342,662
Minority interest 407 401
Total stockholders' equity 830,365 855,396
Total liabilities and stockholders'
equity $1,159,326 $1,198,459
TIBCO Software Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except net income per share)
Three Months Ended
March 2, March 4,
2008 2007
Revenue:
License revenue $57,753 $52,185
Service and maintenance revenue:
Service and maintenance 86,858 71,939
Reimbursable expenses 1,967 1,530
Total service and maintenance revenue 88,825 73,469
Total revenue 146,578 125,654
Cost of revenue:
License 7,280 4,071
Service and maintenance 35,770 30,828
Total cost of revenue 43,050 34,899
Gross Profit 103,528 90,755
Operating expenses:
Research and development 25,454 21,015
Sales and marketing 54,388 42,949
General and administrative 13,798 12,752
Amortization of acquired intangible assets 4,140 2,470
Total operating expenses 97,780 79,186
Income from operations 5,748 11,569
Interest income 3,258 6,390
Interest expense (842) (368)
Other income (expense), net 238 (1,265)
Income before provision for income taxes and
minority interest 8,402 16,326
Provision for income taxes 2,833 5,923
Minority interest, net of tax 55 12
Net income $5,514 $10,391
Net income per share:
Basic $0.03 $0.05
Diluted $0.03 $0.05
Shares used to compute net income per share:
Basic 186,315 208,398
Diluted 190,064 216,306
TIBCO Software Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
March 2, March 4,
2008 2007
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $5,514 $10,391
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment 4,015 4,080
Amortization of acquired intangible assets 7,957 3,872
Stock-based compensation 5,150 3,936
Deferred income tax (5,368) (588)
Tax benefits related to stock benefit plans 3,887 1,991
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation (3,801) (2,561)
Minority interest, net of tax 55 12
Other non-cash adjustments, net 67 (76)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 47,491 46,844
Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,096 558
Accounts payable (3,778) (1,700)
Accrued liabilities and excess facilities
costs (9,776) (24,759)
Deferred revenue 7,666 (48)
Net cash provided by operating
activities 60,175 41,952
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of short-term investments (34,999) (70,900)
Maturities and sales of short-term
investments 48,264 51,477
Purchases of private equity investments (9) (20)
Proceeds from private equity investments 222 -
Purchases of property and equipment (2,256) (2,607)
Restricted cash pledged as security (124) (725)
Net cash provided by (used for)
investing activities 11,098 (22,775)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 3,464 9,428
Repurchases of the Company's common stock (45,271) (41,814)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based
compensation 3,801 2,561
Principal payments on long-term debt (471) (620)
Proceeds from minority investors - 189
Net cash used for financing activities (38,477) (30,256)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
on cash and cash equivalents 209 (682)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 33,005 (11,761)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period 170,237 138,912
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $203,242 $127,151
About Non-GAAP Financial Measures
TIBCO provides non-GAAP measures for operating income, net income and net income per share data as supplemental information regarding TIBCO's business performance. TIBCO believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because they exclude non-operating charges. TIBCO's management excludes these non-operating charges when it internally evaluates the performance of TIBCO's business and makes operating decisions, including internal budgeting, performance measurement and the calculation of bonuses and discretionary compensation, because these measures provide a consistent method of comparison to historical periods. Moreover, management believes these non-GAAP measures reflect the essential revenue generation activities of TIBCO. Accordingly, management excludes gains and losses on equity investments, costs related to formal restructuring plans, stock-based compensation related to employee stock options, the amortization of acquired intangible assets and charges for acquired in-process research and development, and the income tax effects of the foregoing, as well as adjustments for the impact of changes in the valuation allowance recorded against TIBCO's deferred tax assets when making operational decisions.
TIBCO believes that providing the non-GAAP measures that management uses to its investors is useful to investors for a number of reasons. The non-GAAP measures provide a consistent basis for investors to understand TIBCO's financial performance on a trended basis across historical periods. In addition, it allows investors to evaluate TIBCO's performance using the same methodology and information as that used by TIBCO's management.
Non-GAAP measures are subject to material limitations as these measures are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, GAAP and thus TIBCO's definition may be different from similar non-GAAP measures used by other companies and/or analysts. However, TIBCO's management compensates for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of the items excluded in the calculation of non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share. In addition, some items such as restructuring charges that are excluded from non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per share can have a material impact on cash flows and stock compensation charges can have a significant impact on earnings. Management compensates for these limitations by evaluating the non-GAAP measure together with the most directly comparable GAAP measure. TIBCO has historically provided non-GAAP measures to the investment community as a supplement to its GAAP results, to enable investors to evaluate TIBCO's business performance in the way that management does.
The non-GAAP adjustments, and the basis for excluding them, are outlined below:
Stock-based Compensation
TIBCO incurs stock-based compensation expense under SFAS 123(R). TIBCO excludes this item for the purposes of calculating non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share because it is a non-cash expense that TIBCO believes is not reflective of its business performance. The nature of the stock-based compensation expense also makes it very difficult to estimate prospectively, since the expense will vary with changes in the stock price and market conditions at the time of new grants, varying valuation methodologies, subjective assumptions and different award types, making the comparison of current results with forward-looking guidance potentially difficult for investors to interpret. The tax effects of stock-based compensation expenses may also vary significantly from period to period, without any change in underlying operational performance, thereby obscuring the underlying profitability of operations relative to prior periods (including prior periods following the adoption of SFAS 123(R)). The exclusion of stock-based compensation from the non-GAAP measures also allows a consistent comparison of TIBCO's relative historical financial performance, since the method for accounting for stock-based compensation changed at the beginning of fiscal 2006 when TIBCO adopted SFAS 123(R). Finally, TIBCO believes that non-GAAP measures of profitability that exclude stock-based compensation are widely used by analysts and investors in the software industry.
Amortization of Intangible Assets
TIBCO has incurred amortization of intangible assets, included in its GAAP financial statements, related to various acquisitions TIBCO has made. Management excludes these items, for the purposes of calculating non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share. TIBCO believes that eliminating this expense from its non-GAAP measures is useful to investors, because the amortization of intangible assets can be inconsistent in amount and frequency and is significantly impacted by the timing and magnitude of TIBCO's acquisition transactions, which also vary substantially in frequency from period to period.
The following table is a reconciliation of GAAP measures to non-GAAP for the first quarter and year ended March 2, 2008.
TIBCO Software Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except net income per share)
Three Months Ended,
March 2, 2008 March 4, 2007
Operating Net Operating Net
Income Income Income Income
GAAP $5,748 $5,514 $11,569 $10,391
Amortization of intangible assets -
cost of revenue 3,817 3,817 1,402 1,402
Amortization of intangible assets -
operating expense 4,140 4,140 2,470 2,470
Stock-based compensation - cost of
revenue 595 595 481 481
Stock-based compensation - R&D
expense 1,019 1,019 868 868
Stock-based compensation - S&M
expense 1,730 1,730 1,220 1,220
Stock-based compensation - G&A
expense 1,806 1,806 1,367 1,367
Income tax adjustment for
non-GAAP (1) (4,480) (3,007)
Non-GAAP $18,855 $14,141 $19,377 $15,192
Diluted net income per share:
GAAP $0.03 $0.05
Non-GAAP $0.07 $0.07
Shares used to compute diluted net
income per share 190,064 216,306
(1) The estimated non-GAAP effective tax rate was 34% and 37% for the
first quarter of fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively, and has been
used to adjust the provision for income taxes for non-GAAP
purposes.
SOURCE TIBCO Software Inc.
http://www.tibco.com
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
GLOW Glowpoint Reports Record 2007 Revenues of $22.8 Million
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
Achieved Annual Core Revenue Growth of 20.6%
HILLSIDE, N.J., Mar 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Glowpoint, Inc. (OTC BB: GLOW), a premiere, IP-based managed video communications services provider, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007.
Financial Highlights
-- Realized the highest year-over-year growth in the Company's core revenue at 20.6% for the 2007 year. Core revenue includes our base subscription fees and related services, bridging events and one time services, the foundation of our business. Core revenue excludes our low margin Nuvision business which declined as expected 5.8% for the 2007 year and 22.3% for the 4th quarter of 2007. The two largest components of core revenue, are base monthly subscriptions which grew about 16.1% for the 2007 year and 20.3% for the 4th quarter of 2007 and multi-point bridging which grew by 21.1% for the 2007 year and 24% for the 4th quarter of 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006.
-- Achieved highest single month multi-point bridging revenue of $325,000 in 4th quarter of 2007.
-- Revenue derived from channel partners increased to 14.2% of total revenue in the month December 2007 from 8.5% of total revenue in the month of December 2006.
Full-Year Financial Results
For the year ended December 31, 2007, revenue increased $3.3 million, or 16.8%, to $22.8 million from $19.5 million in the 2006 year. Cost of revenue for the 2007 year increased $1.6 million, or 12.0%, to $15.2 million from $13.6 million in the 2006 year. Gross profit for the 2007 year increased $1.7 million, or 27.9%, to $7.6 million from $5.9 million in the 2006 year. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 33.3% for the 2007 year compared to 30.4% in the 2006 year, with the increase primarily due to continuing efforts to eliminate network costs and ongoing activity involving the renegotiation of rates and the migration of service to lower cost providers as well as a reduction in depreciation costs. Excluding the one-time integration services implementation, the Company's gross margin percentage is 34.5% for the 2007 year.
Total operating expense for the 2007 year decreased to $12.2 million or 15.5% from $14.4 million in the 2006 year. The loss from operations improved 45.7%, to $4.6 million in the 2007 year from $8.5 million in the 2006 year.
Michael Brandofino, Glowpoint's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Our core subscription-based business and multi-point bridging solutions posted respectable year-over-year growth and we also saw profit margin expansion while simultaneously reducing our operating expenses. The effectiveness of our approach over the last two years is clearly demonstrated by the positive trends in several key financial metrics. We have successfully expanded both revenue and margins, while stabilizing the cost of goods and reducing operational expenses at a rapid and accelerating pace. Revenue has grown almost 30% to $22.8 million in the 2007 year from $17.7 million in the 2005 year while cost of revenues has been approximately stable at $15 million or just below during that time. During this timeframe, gross profit has increased approximately 176% to $7.6 million in the 2007 year from $2.8 million in the 2005 year while operating expenses have declined 37% to $12.2 million in the 2007 year from $19.4 million in the 2005 year. We are encouraged by these trends."
Operational Highlights
-- Received first Patent for Video Operator services.
-- Signed a three-year agreement with Polycom, one of the world's leading manufacturers of video communications equipment to use Glowpoint as an underlying provider for a branded, managed service offering tailored specifically for Telepresence rooms.
-- Signed a two-year agreement with a leading publishing firm, listed as one of the "Forbes 400 Best Big Companies," to provide managed video services at 15 of its locations around the world.
-- Signed two-year agreement with NASCAR for HD video solution.
-- Signed deal with Big TenTV for HD Broadcast solution to cover College sports.
-- Participated in the Sports Video Group League Technology Summit by enabling panelists to participate remotely from a Glowpoint-connected NFL site using the "TeamCamHD(TM)" solution that Glowpoint has deployed for a number of broadcasters, including Big Ten Network.
-- Selected by the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University to facilitate multi-point video classroom sessions for their FlexMode MBA Program to employees of some of the country's leading corporations.
-- Channel partners involved in approximately 40% of closed deals, up from 25% in 2006.
"We realized the highest year-over-year growth in our core subscription in the 4th quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 and reported our sixth consecutive quarter of growth in our core subscription revenue, due in large part to the success of our channel partners," continued Mr. Brandofino. "In 2007, Glowpoint partnered with three out of the four Tandberg Master Distributors in the United States and is focused on expanding our channel program further in 2008. With the growing adoption of telepresence and HD technologies, our services become even more critical to our partners as they deploy these solutions."
Mr. Brandofino continued, "In 2008, we have added a new recurring revenue stream which, in part, is a result of our announcement that we had signed a three-year agreement with one of the world's leading manufacturers of video communications equipment to use Glowpoint as an underlying provider for a branded, managed service offering tailored specifically for Telepresence rooms. The Video Network Operation Center (VNOC) solution is actually a suite of services that address the demand for a single point of contact to provide scheduling, support, and management of Telepresence rooms and the associated equipment. We anticipated seeing revenue from this service sometime in the second quarter of 2008, but have already realized revenue related to this new service offering and landed our first VNOC deal in March. We anticipate establishing additional relationships related to VNOC services early in 2008 and expect them to contribute to growth as we move through the year."
Un-Audited Fourth Quarter Financial Results
For the 4th quarter ended December 31, 2007, total revenue increased $0.5 million, or 10.5%, to $5.5 million in the 4th quarter of 2007 from $5.0 million in the 4th quarter of 2006. Subscription and related revenue increased $0.6 million, or 18.0%, to $3.9 million in the 4th quarter of 2007 from $3.3 million in 4th quarter of 2006. The increased subscription and related revenue is the result of increases in installed subscription circuits and revenue per circuit. In the 4th quarter of 2007, non-subscription revenue consisting of bridging services, special events and other one-time fees increased $0.1 million, or 8.5%, to $0.9 million in the 4th quarter of 2007 from $0.8 million in the 4th quarter of 2006. The primary cause of the decrease was a $0.2 million reduction of low-margin ISDN resale services. This decrease was partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in Glowpoint's higher margin bridging services in the 4th quarter of 2007.
Mr. Brandofino continued, "Our stated goal throughout 2007 was to begin eliminating low margin revenue from a legacy ISDN reseller business we bought in 2003. In particular, we indicated during the third quarter of 2007 that we expected this ISDN resale revenue to decline in the fourth quarter. Our ability to offset this commoditized revenue with higher margin sales from recurring subscription and multipoint bridging services revenue demonstrates our focus on growing gross profit margins and building a sustainable, largely recurring base of revenue to support long-term success and shareholder value. As previously indicated, this will be further enhanced in 2008 with the new recurring revenue stream in the form of managed services for Telepresence rooms called VNOC services."
Cost of revenue for the 4th quarter of 2007 remained constant at $3.5 million as compared to the 4th quarter of 2006. Gross profit increased $0.5 million, or 41.9%, to $2.0 million in the 4th quarter of 2007 from $1.5 million in the 4th quarter of 2006. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 36.6% in the 4th quarter of 2007 compared to 30.3% in the 4th quarter of 2006.
Total SG&A increased to $3.3 million or 40.3% in the 4th quarter of 2007 from $2.0 million in the 2006 quarter. In the 4th quarter of 2006 the Company took various steps to eliminate non-essential spending and caused the cessation of some sales and marketing efforts and the hiring of needed employees in order to achieve positive operating income. This effort was successful with the Company being able to eliminate the exercisability of 6,180,000 of the Series B "penny" warrants which would have caused potentially significant dilution in the Company's outstanding shares. In the 4th quarter of 2007, Glowpoint's expenses were normalized with the exception of professional fees related to the audits, registration statement and debt restructuring.
The loss from operations increased $0.8 million to $1.3 million in the 4th quarter of 2007 from $0.5 million in the 4th quarter of 2006. Net income attributable to common stockholders was $6.9 million or $0.15 per basic and diluted share in the 4th quarter of 2007 compared to a loss of $1.3 million or $0.03 per basic and diluted share in the 4th quarter of 2006. The primary components of the decrease in the net loss attributable to common stockholders was (i) a decrease in the Company's common stock price to $0.48 per share at December 31, 2007 from $0.75 per share at September 30, 2007 which caused a $6.4 million decrease in the derivative liabilities and (ii) a reduction of $2.8 of the derivative liability related to the Convertible Notes as a result of the amendment of the related Registration Rights Agreement which eliminated the liability. In the 2006 quarter there was a nominal change in the derivative liability due to a $0.01 change in the common stock price from September 30, 2006 to December 31, 2006.
Mr. Brandofino concluded, "In the fourth quarter of 2006, our capital structure required that we run a lean organization, inhibiting our growth potential in 2007. However, in the second half of 2007 we improved our balance sheet and began recruiting and hiring sales and marketing personnel, attending trade shows, and traveling to demonstrate our solutions to customers. We have started to realize the benefit of these expenditures and expect 30% year-over-year core revenue growth for the full year of 2008."
Balance Sheet
At December 31, 2007, the Company had a working capital deficit of $9.1 million, compared to a working capital deficit of $11.9 at December 31, 2006, a decrease of $2.8 million. The Company had $2.3 million in cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2007, compared to $2.2 million at December 31, 2006, an increase of $0.1 million.
GLOWPOINT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par value and shares)
December 31,
---------------------
ASSETS 2007 2006
---------- ----------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,312 $ 2,153
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $132 and $121,
respectively 2,546 2,748
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 348 327
---------- ----------
Total current assets 5,206 5,228
Property and equipment, net 2,692 2,762
Other assets 664 403
---------- ----------
Total assets $ 8,562 $ 8,393
========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 1,575 $ 1,957
Accrued expenses 1,427 1,906
Accrued sales taxes and regulatory fees 4,011 4,216
Derivative financial instruments 6,117 4,301
Senior Secured Notes, net of discount of
$2,280 -- 4,326
Customer deposits 713 102
Deferred revenue 330 288
Current portion of capital lease 125 --
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities 14,298 17,096
Long term liabilities:
Senior Secured Notes, net of discount of
$3,912 6,647 --
Senior Secured Notes held by Insider
Purchasers - related parties, net of
discount of $221 226 --
Capital lease, less current portion 233 --
---------- ----------
Total long term liabilities 7,106 --
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 21,404 17,096
---------- ----------
Preferred stock:
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 0 and
5,000,000 shares authorized and redeemable; 0
and 120 Series B shares issued and outstanding
(stated value of $0 and $2,888; liquidation
value of $0 and $3,735), respectively -- 2,888
---------- ----------
Preferred stock, $10,000 par value; 1,500 and 0
shares authorized and redeemable; 475 and 0
Series C shares issued and outstanding recorded
at fair value (stated value and liquidation
value of $4,748 and 0), respectively 4,330 --
---------- ----------
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' deficit:
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 150,000,000
and 100,000,000 shares authorized;
47,629,564 and 46,389,564 shares issued;
46,064,673 and 46,349,673 shares
outstanding, respectively 5 5
Additional paid-in capital 162,300 161,267
Accumulated deficit (178,094) (172,623)
---------- ----------
(15,789) (11,351)
Less: Treasury stock, 1,564,891 and 39,891
shares at cost, respectively (1,383) (240)
---------- ----------
Total stockholders' deficit (17,172) (11,591)
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and stockholders'
deficit $ 8,562 $ 8,393
========== ==========
GLOWPOINT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2007 2006
----------- -----------
Revenue $ 22,792 $ 19,511
Cost of revenue 15,212 13,583
----------- -----------
Gross margin 7,580 5,928
----------- -----------
Operating expenses:
Research and development 810 816
Sales and marketing 3,061 2,570
General and administrative 8,330 11,049
----------- -----------
Total operating expenses 12,201 14,435
----------- -----------
Loss from operations (4,621) (8,507)
----------- -----------
Interest and other expense (income):
Interest expense, including $261 and $0,
respectively, for Insider Purchasers 6,043 3,969
Amortization of deferred financing costs,
including $14 and $0, respectively, for
Insider Purchasers 531 389
Decrease in fair value of derivative
financial instruments, including $328 and
$0, respectively, for Insider Purchasers (5,665) (1,992)
Interest income (59) (83)
----------- -----------
Total interest and other expense, net 850 2,283
----------- -----------
Net loss (5,471) (10,790)
Gain on redemption of preferred stock 799 --
Preferred stock dividends (252) (347)
----------- -----------
Net loss attributable to common stockholders $ (4,924) $ (11,137)
=========== ===========
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
per share:
Basic and diluted $ (0.11) $ (0.24)
=========== ===========
Weighted average number of common shares:
Basic and diluted 46,735 46,242
=========== ===========
GLOWPOINT, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
-----------------------
2007 2006
----------- -----------
Cash flows from Operating Activities:
Net loss $ (5,471) $ (10,790)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 1,467 1,947
Amortization of deferred financing
costs 531 389
Beneficial conversion feature for
Senior Secured Notes 1,977 1,850
Accretion of discount on Senior Secured
Notes 2,881 1,359
Loss on disposal of equipment 14 169
Expense recognized for the decrease in
the estimated fair value of derivative
financial instruments (5,665) (1,992)
Stock-based compensation 871 781
Increase (decrease) in cash
attributable to changes in assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable 202 (577)
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets (21) 183
Other assets 41 205
Accounts payable (382) 368
Accrued expenses, sales taxes and
regulatory fees 1,024 1,497
Customer deposits 611 3
Deferred revenue 42 (86)
----------- -----------
Net cash used in operating
activities (1,878) (4,694)
----------- -----------
Cash flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (1,053) (761)
----------- -----------
Net cash used in investing activities (1,053) (761)
----------- -----------
Cash flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Secured
Notes, including $400 and $0 from Insider
Purchasers and net of financing costs of
$308 and $595, respectively 3,230 5,585
Costs incurred in extension of maturity date
of Senior Secured Notes and Series C
convertible preferred stock exchange (140) --
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by financing activities 3,090 5,585
----------- -----------
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 159 130
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 2,153 2,023
----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 2,312 $ 2,153
=========== ===========
Supplement disclosures of cash flow
information:
Cash paid during the year for interest $ 5 $ 0
=========== ===========
Non-cash investing and financing:
Preferred stock dividends $ 252 $ 347
Capital lease used to acquire network
equipment 358 --
Additional Senior Secured Notes issued as
payment for interest including $9 and $0,
respectively, for Insider Purchasers 862 426
Deferred financing costs for Senior Secured
Notes incurred by issuance of placement
agent warrants 417 296
Teleconference
Glowpoint will host a conference call at 4:30 pm ET today to discuss the results and field questions from investors. Interested participants should call 866-203-2528 and use passcode 64455935. International participants should call 617-213-8847 and use the same passcode.
A recording of the conference call will be available beginning March 27, 2008 and will remain archived through April 27, 2008. To listen to the playback, please call 888-286-8010 and use passcode 76471403. For the international playback, dial 617-801-6888 and use the same passcode.
This call is being audio webcast by Thomson Financial and can be accessed at Glowpoint's website at http://www.glowpoint.com. The audio webcast will also be distributed over Thomson Financial's Investor Distribution Network to both institutional and individual investors. Individual investors can listen to the call through Thomson Financial's individual investor center at http://www.earnings.com or by visiting any of the investor sites in Thomson Financial's Individual Investor Network, such as America Online's Personal Finance Channel, Fidelity Investments(R) (www.fidelity.com), and others. Institutional investors can access the call via Thomson Financial's password-protected event management site, StreetEvents: http://www.streetevents.com.
About Glowpoint
Glowpoint, Inc. (OTC BB: GLOW), is a premiere, IP-based managed video communications services provider. Glowpoint is innovating video communications with services supporting traditional video conferencing, Telepresence VNOC, Broadcast Content Acquisition & Delivery, and Call Center Applications. Glowpoint's services are delivered over a robust, video-centric network that reaches around the world and serves clients ranging from Fortune 100 enterprises and leading broadcast networks to SMB markets. Glowpoint is headquartered in Hillside, New Jersey. To learn more, visit www.glowpoint.com.
The statements contained herein, other than historical information, are or may be deemed to be forward-looking statements and involve factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from such statements. These factors, risks, and uncertainties include market acceptance and availability of new video communication services; the nonexclusive and terminable-at-will nature of sales agent agreements; rapid technological change affecting demand for our services; competition from other video communications service providers; and the availability of sufficient financial resources to enable us to expand our operations, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE: Glowpoint, Inc.
Hayden Communications Brett Maas, 646-536-7331 brett@haydenir.com www.haydenir.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
CORG Cordia to Expand Into New Markets With Execution of Wholesale Services Agreement with McLeodUSA Inc., a subsidiary of PAETEC Holding Corp.
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
Agreement will extend Cordia's market access by offering Bundled
Telecommunications Services in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Texas
WINTER GARDEN, Fla., Mar 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Cordia Corporation (OTCBB: CORG), a global communications service provider of traditional CLEC and Voice over Internet Protocol ("VOIP") technologies, announced today that it will commence wireline service offerings in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Texas through an agreement with McLeodUSA Incorporated, a competitive communications carrier for businesses that was recently acquired by PAETEC Holding Corp. Cordia's anticipated services include value-driven bundled offerings of traditional local, long distance, toll-free calling and DSL services to customers in these states, representing a significant expansion of Cordia's geographic service area.
"We look forward to working with PAETEC and using the former McLeodUSA network footprint to serve consumers and small businesses in these large geographic areas," said Kevin Griffo, Cordia's President. "These new service areas will be able to receive both service and savings that our existing customers already enjoy. The customer response to our recent offering, an unlimited bundled plan for $29.95, has been strong, and we look forward to expanding the offering from our existing 17 states to these new markets. This new agreement not only expands our geographic footprint but also broadens our underlying service provider portfolio, which diminishes our reliance on traditional RBOCs."
Doug Derstine, President of PAETEC's Wholesale Markets stated, "We're very pleased to be working with Cordia as they expand their geographic presence, and both consumers and businesses should benefit from their market activity. PAETEC now owns and operates an extensive high-capacity fiber network, and our nationwide reach will extend to 82 of the top 100 US metropolitan areas in 2008. This means PAETEC can serve as an excellent alternative to incumbent local carriers at both the retail and wholesale levels."
About Cordia Corporation
Cordia Corporation, through its operating subsidiaries, Cordia Communications Corp., CordiaIP Corp., My Tel Co, Inc., Northstar Telecom, Inc., and Cordia International Corp. offers business, residential, and wholesale customers local and long distance telecommunications services in more than sixty (60) countries utilizing traditional wireline and Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP") technologies. In addition, Cordia develops and provides a suite of proprietary web-based billing software and outsourced services to local, long distance and VoIP telecommunications providers.
About PAETEC:
PAETEC (NASDAQ GS: PAET) personalizes communications solutions for business customers across the U.S. by offering a comprehensive suite of data, voice and IP services, as well as enterprise communications management software, network security solutions, CPE and managed services. For more information, visit www.paetec.com.
Safe Harbor
This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Cordia's actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, among others, availability of management; availability, terms, and deployment of capital; Cordia's ability to successfully market its services to current and new customers, generate customer demand for its product and services in the geographical areas in which Cordia can operate, access new markets, all in a timely manner, at reasonable cost and on satisfactory terms and conditions, as well as regulatory, legislative and judicial developments that could cause actual results to vary in such forward-looking statements.
SOURCE: Cordia Corporation
Cordia Corporation Kevin Griffo, 866-777-7777 kgriffo@cordiacorp.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
DIRI Direct Insite 2007 Year End Results
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
Net Income Increases 681% to $2,100,000
Revenue Up 13.7%
BOHEMIA, N.Y., Mar 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Direct Insite Corp. (OTC BB: DIRI.OB), a global provider of financial supply chain automation across procure-to-pay, order-to-cash, and shared services business processes, today announced financial results for the year ended December 31, 2007. Net income was $2,100,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007, up $1,831,000 compared to net income of $269,000 in 2006. Recurring revenue for the year 2007 was $7,606,000, a 17.3% increase over recurring revenue of $6,486,000 in 2006.
Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2007 was $2,695,000 compared to revenue of $2,493,000 in the fourth quarter of 2006, an increase of 8.1%. Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $10,111,000 compared to total revenue of $8,889,000 for the year 2006. The Company also realized growth in professional services revenue, which increased $102,000 (4.2%) to $2,505,000 for the year ended December 31, 2007, compared to professional services revenue of $2,403,000 in 2006.
Basic income per share attributable to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $0.17 compared to a basic net loss per share of $0.09 for the year ended December 31, 2006. Fully diluted income per share attributable to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2007 was $0.12 compared to a fully diluted loss per share of $0.09 for the year ended December 31, 2006.
"Strong, consistent demand for our ASP Software as Service model provides a solid base for continued growth in recurring revenues and profitability," said Chairman and CEO James A. Cannavino. "Our growing reputation for delivering savings through improved efficiency and increased customer satisfaction are fueling demand for our services."
About Direct Insite
Direct Insite provides best practice financial supply chain automation and workflow efficiencies for procure-to-pay and order-to-cash processing. The Company's global eInvoice Management services automate complex manual business processes such as invoice validation, order matching, consolidation, dispute handling, and e-payment processing. Direct Insite solutions are used by more than 7,000 corporations across 62 countries, 15 languages and multiple currencies. Direct Insite was selected by Deloitte and Touche as one of the '500 Fastest-Growing Technology Companies' in the United States and Canada. For more information, call (631) 873-2900, or visit www.directinsite.com
The financial information stated above and in the tables below has been abstracted from Direct Insite Corp.'s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2008, and should be read in conjunction with the information provided therein.
Summarized Financial Information
FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR
ENDED ENDED
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
2007 2006
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenue from continuing operations $10,111,000 $8,889,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income $ 2,216,000 $1,116,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Other expenses, net $ 89,000 $ 847,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes $ 2,127,000 $ 269,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Provision for income taxes $ 27 $ 0
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 2,100,000 $ 269,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Preferred Stock Dividends $(1,060,000) $ (714,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) attributable to common
shareholders $ 1,040,000 $ (445,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Basic net income (loss) per share
attributable to common shareholders $ 0.17 $ (0.09)
============ ===========
Fully diluted net income (loss) per share
attributable to common shareholders $ 0.12 $ (0.09)
--------------------------------------------============--============
BALANCE SHEET December. 31, 2007 December 31, 2006
-------------------------------===================-===================
Total Current Assets $3,805,000 $2,433,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Assets $4,522,000 $3,163,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Current Liabilities $5,418,000 $6,898,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Shareholders' Deficiency $1,045,000 $3,899,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including without limitation statements regarding the company's financial position, business strategy, and the plans and objectives of the company's management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this release, words such as "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the company's management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the company's management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to, business and economic conditions, competitive factors and pricing pressures, capacity and supply constraints. Such statements reflect the views of the company with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
SOURCE: Direct Insite Corp.
Direct Insite Corp. Michael J. Beecher, 631-873-2900 Chief Financial Officer
Copyright Business Wire 2008
MLXO Michelex Corp. and Source Bio-Plastics Re-Establish a Major Plastics Operation
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
MASSENA, NY, Mar 27, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
Michelex Corp. (PINKSHEETS: MLXO) today is pleased to report important events with respect to its Plastics Division.
As a partner in Source Bio-Plastics, Inc., a plan is being instituted to re-establish a significant plastics manufacturing facility in Massena, NY. Utilizing Michelex's modern facility and equipment for the proposed project, it is expected that both traditional and new products will be produced. The company plans to add nano particles to the polymers to build products of greater strength or that are degradable in landfills. The company expects to take an industry lead and address the world's growing need for adherence to green and environmentally friendly standards whenever possible.
Of major significance to this partnership is an approved and accepted $4.5 million incentive package granted by Empire State Development, State of New York. This package initially includes favorable loans and wage and tax incentives. This aid will allow the business to be rapidly brought back into operation in the next few months and grow to a minimum target of 175 employees over the next three years.
Tom Gramuglia, President and CEO of Michelex, stated that he is really pleased to be able to re-energize the plastics company, which has long been a successful and notable factor in the Massena area. "It is great to achieve this opportunity for an important division of our company and to be able to give back economically to our community and the State of NY, both which have supported us for many years."
Source Bio-Plastics President and CEO, Robert Rood, said, "We are excited to take advantage of the years of successful business activity of our partner, build on it, and utilize an excellent skilled local workforce. It is a win-win for everybody." Source Bio-Plastics is a green energy company based in Bethesda, MD.
Michelex expects to provide further details on aspects of this outstanding business development in the coming weeks. The company is also pleased to report that efforts continue in it's pursuit of exciting opportunities in bio-diesel and zero trans-fat oil markets and we will be reporting to our shareholders when any material activities are finalized. Investor understanding and continued support is appreciated. The company continues to work hard to increase the company's value for its shareholders and believes this news is a meaningful step in that direction.
About Michelex:
Michelex Plastics, founded in 1972, is currently a manufacturer/importer and distributor of primary plastic packaging products to the optical disc industry.
Safe Harbor:
This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation reform Act of 1995. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance development and results of the Company's business include but are not limited to fluctuations in financial results, availability and customer acceptance of our products and services, the impact of competitive products, services and pricing, general market trends and conditions, and other risks detailed in the Company's SEC reports.
Contact: Michelex Corp. Thomas Gramuglia (315) 769-6616 Gary Patterson Investor Communications Email Contact (916) 965-6439
SOURCE: Michelex
http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=004ADC34906B202E
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
BMSN Bio-Matrix Scientific Group to Open Its Facility for Public Tours March 31, 2008 Through April 3, 2008
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
SAN DIEGO, Mar 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. (OTCBB:BMSN) announced today that it will be opening its facility for public tours between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm beginning March 31st through April 3rd. The Company wants to provide interested parties the opportunity to view all the equipment, labs and additions to the building.
A spokesperson for the Company noted that Management is excited about the milestones achieved and the near term prospects of the Company getting to revenue.
Currently, everything is being set in place for the Company to apply for a tissue bank license. This license will allow the Company to process stem cell specimens and prepare them for cryogenic storage. Bio-Matrix already has its Biologics license and FDA registration, allowing it to store specimens. The Tissue Bank license will make the Company a complete stem cell processing and storage facility.
Brian Pockett, the Company's COO, said, "Currently, we are finishing up our Quality Systems Documentation (QSD). Once the QSD is complete, we can apply to be licensed as a tissue bank. Recently, we have brought into our facility testing devices, additional cryogenic storage tanks, shipping tanks and support systems that should make us one of the highest rated facilities of its kind in the U.S."
Those interested in touring the facility are encouraged to contact the Company to request a viewing at the earliest time. While the building is open for tours, availability will be limited. To request a reservation, please email at info@BMSN.us or call 619.398.3517 ext. 301.
About Bio-Matrix Scientific Group
Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. (www.BMSN.us) is a biotechnology company that seeks to operate stem cell banking for the storage of adult stem cell and cord blood. Additionally, the company seeks to commercialize medical devices and monitoring systems for the growing, worldwide stem cell research market. The company aligns itself with strategic partners that offer key technologies in biomedical device development, tissue engineering, cell culturing, genome therapy and drug delivery systems to become a leading source for stem cell research technology and innovation. Bio-Matrix operates a 15,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, located in the heart of San Diego's biotechnology corridor. The Company anticipates opening its facility for specimen storage in the first half of 2008. It will house Bio-Matrix's secure Cryogenic Stem Cell Bank, three research laboratories, aseptic cellular/tissue class 10,000/100 processing laboratory, hematology, microbiology and flow cytometry laboratories.
DISCLAIMER: This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties to which forward-looking statements are subject include, but are not limited to, the effect of government regulation, competition and other material risks.
SOURCE: Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc.
Bio-Matrix Scientific Group Inc. Investor Relations, 619-398-3517 ext. 301 info@BMSN.us
Copyright Business Wire 2008
ADTR Alliance Distributors Holding Inc. Reports 2007 Fourth Quarter and Year End Financial Results
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
NEW YORK, March 27, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ --
Alliance Distributors Holding Inc. (Pink Sheets: ADTR), a distributor of interactive video games and gaming products, announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2007.
Net sales for the quarter increased 28% to $36.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2007 from $28.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Net income was $750,000, or $0.01 per share, in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to $90,000 or $0.00 per share in the fourth quarter of 2006.
For the year ended December 31, 2007, net sales increased 16% to $81.6 million, compared to $70.3 million in 2006. The company incurred a net loss of $1.3 million, or $0.03 per share, in the year ended December 31, 2007, which includes a $430,000 charge for separation pay to the company's former President. This compares with a net loss of $214,000, or $0.00 per share that the company incurred in the year ended December 31, 2006.
Jay Gelman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said "The first half of 2007 was a particularly challenging time in video game distribution. Scarcity of hardware systems from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft coupled with a reduced number of new software titles meant limited product available to drive revenues and profit. During the second quarter in particular, we aggressively sold inventory at reduced prices to drive sales and increase inventory turns."
Gelman continued, "Although we could not make up the entire loss we incurred during the first half of 2007, I am still very pleased with the trend we showed in revenue growth and bottom-line profitability during the second half of 2007. We made $1.1 million of adjusted EBITDA in the second half of 2007, resulting in $350,000 of adjusted EBITDA for the full 2007 year."
About Alliance Distributors Holding Inc.
Alliance Distributors Holding Inc. (www.alliancedistributors.com), which does business as Alliance Distributors, is a full-service wholesale videogame distributor, specializing in gaming products and accessories for all key manufacturers and 3rd party publishers. Alliance Distributors offers support on: PS3, PSP, PS2, X-Box 360, Wii, DS and GBA SP, peripherals and software titles.
Safe Harbor
Certain statements contained in this press release contain forward-looking statements including without limitation, statements concerning our operations, economic performance, and financial condition. The words "estimate," "believe," "expect," and "anticipate" and other similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements, which are based largely on our current expectations, involve risks and uncertainty. Actual results, events and circumstances (including future performance, results and trends) could differ materially from those set forth in such statements due to various factors, risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, risks associated with technological change, competitive factors and general economic conditions, changes in marketing and distribution strategies by manufacturers, continued shortages of new platform systems, difficulty in integrating and deriving synergies from acquisitions, potential undiscovered liabilities of companies that we acquire, changes in our business or growth strategy, the emergence of new or growing competitors, various other competitive and technological factors. There can be no assurance that the results referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this release will occur. The Company has no duty and undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
ALLIANCE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDING INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months ended Year ended
December 31, December 31,
(unaudited) (audited)
2007 2006 2007 2006
NET SALES $36,119 $28,279 $81,582 $70,318
COST OF GOODS SOLD 32,841 25,956 74,141 63,425
GROSS PROFIT 3,278 2,323 7,441 6,893
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Selling and administrative
expenses 2,266 1,787 7,908 6,054
Terminated transaction
costs - 53 - 310
Total operating expenses 2,266 1,840 7,908 6,364
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 1,012 483 (467) 529
Interest expense 262 239 854 790
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE PROVISION
FOR (BENEFIT FROM) INCOME TAXES 750 244 (1,321) (261)
Provision for (benefit from)
income taxes - 154 - (47)
NET INCOME (LOSS) $750 $90 $(1,321) $(214)
Net income per share:
Basic and diluted $0.01 $- $(0.03) $-
Weighted average common shares
outstanding:
Basic 50,968 48,721 49,615 48,584
Diluted 51,208 50,751 49,615 48,584
ALLIANCE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDING INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2007
(Audited, In Thousands)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and equivalents $320
Accounts receivable-net 6,645
Inventory 10,322
Due from vendors 72
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 144
Deferred income taxes 141
Total current assets 17,644
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - NET 606
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 77
OTHER ASSETS 59
TOTAL $18,386
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Notes payable - bank $6,787
Accounts payable 8,937
Current portion of long term obligations 5
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 545
Total current liabilities 16,274
DEFERRED LEASE OBLIGATIONS 50
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 2,062
TOTAL $18,386
ALLIANCE DISTRIBUTORS HOLDING INC.
Statement of Stockholders' Equity
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 AND 2006
(In thousands)
Total
Preferred Stock Common Stock Additional Accumu- Stock-
Shares Amount Shares* Amount Paid in lated holders'
Capital Deficit Equity
Balance,
January 1,
2006 347 - 47,369 47 3,224 (20) 3,251
Conversion of
Preferred
Stock A into
Common Stock (85) 1,352 2 (2) -
Stock option
compensation
expense 193 193
Net loss - - - - - (214) (214)
Balance,
December 31,
2006 262 $- 48,721 $49 $3,415 $(234) $3,230
Conversion of
Preferred
Stock A into
Common Stock (256) - 4,064 4 (4) -
Stock option
compensation
expense 153 153
Net loss - - - - - (1,321) (1,321)
Balance,
December 31,
2007 6 $- 52,785 $53 $3,564 $(1,555) $2,062
* - As of March 27, 2008, there were approximately 53,883,000 shares of
common stock outstanding, including 1 million shares of restricted
stock that were granted in February 2008.
SOURCE Alliance Distributors Holding Inc.
http://www.alliancedistributors.com
Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
ADVFN III Morning Euro Markets Bulletin
Daily world financial news from Thomson Financial News Supplied by advfn.com
27 Mar 2008 09:58:09
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London
London shares higher in early trade; Compass and FirstGroup stronger
At 9.02 am, the FTSE 100 was up 54.2 points at 5,714.6, having fallen 28.7 points to close at 5,660.4 yesterday. The FTSE 250 was up 129.4 points at 9,885.5. Volume was average with 276.4 mln shares changing hands in 77,181 deals.
Wall Street pulled back yesterday after a drop in February's durable goods orders injected more pessimism about the economy into the stock market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 109.74, or 0.88 pct, to 12,422.86, after sinking as much as 155 points during trading. Broader stock indicators also retreated. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 11.86, or 0.88 pct, to 1,341.13, while the Nasdaq composite index fell 16.69, or 0.71 pct, to 2,324.36.
The indices ended the day at levels similar to where they had been as the London market was closing. In Asia this morning, Japan's Nikkei 225 ended the day 102.05 points, or 0.8 pct, lower at 12,604.58. Hong Kong's Hang Seng closed up 47.21 points, or 0.2 pct, at 22,664.22. Oil prices were higher in Asian trade, bolstered by a weaker-than-expected energy stockpiles report in the US, the world's biggest energy user.
In afternoon trade, New York's main contract light sweet crude for May delivery rose 45 cents to 106.35 usd a barrel from Wednesday's close of 105.90 during US floor trading hours. London's Brent North Sea crude for May delivery gained 35 cents to 104.34 usd a barrel.
Back in London, caterer Compass Group headed the FTSE 100 leaderboard after saying trading in the first five months of the current year was ahead of its expectations and it is confident the current momentum will be maintained throughout the second half. The shares rose 12-1/4 pence to 322-3/4.
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Bus and train operator FirstGroup rose 19 pence to 563-1/2 pence after an in-line trading update. The company said it hopes to meet UK government demands to improve the performance of its controversial train franchise First Great Western (FGW) as it forecast full year results in line with expectations.
Banking shares recovered some of the ground lost yesterday. Barclays was 8-1/4 pence higher at 453, after Merrill Lynch added the company to its 'most preferred' list on valuation grounds and on the expectation that the Bank of England will take action to help return the UK money markets to a more normal state.
Standard Chartered, retained on the broker's most preferred list, was up 15 at 1,773. Building materials group Wolseley was 18 higher at 545 rose after Goldman Sachs upgraded it to 'neutral' from 'sell' on valuation grounds.
The higher oil price boosted Cairn Energy, up 78 at 2,764, and Tullow Oil, up 9-1/2 at 667. Kingfisher was the biggest FTSE 100 faller in early trade, down 2.1 pence at 133 pence after the global home improvement retailer slashed its final dividend payout by 50 pct as it reported an expected 2.8 pct fall in full year underlying pretax profit.
The group, which trades from about 780 stores in nine countries in Europe and Asia, also said it expected to cut its interim dividend in the current year by the same magnitude.
For the year to Feb 2, 2008 Kingfisher made a profit before tax and exceptional items of 386 mln stg -- in line with analysts' consensus forecast of 385 mln stg but down from 397 mln stg in the previous year.
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In reaction, Pali International, which has a 'sell' rating on Kingfisher, said the dividend cut was not as bad as it had expected, but with the interim to be halved to 1.9p, the cut is actually worse than it looks, with the rebased annual dividend effectively 5.33 pence. There is no trading update, but we can assume that the key Easter weekend for B&Q was pretty disastrous, said Pali.
Among the midcaps, Northern Foods was up 7 pence, or 8.1 pct, at 94, after saying its trading performance continued to meet expectations and it sees adjusted pretax profit for the year to March 29 beating the median market consensus.
The maker of Goodfella's pizzas and Fox's biscuits said full-year underlying revenue grew 3.2 pct, with prices up 2.4 pct and volumes up 0.8 pct.
Chloride Group rose 15-3/4 pence, or 9.3 pct, to 185, making it the biggest FTSE 250 riser, after saying it expects its results for the year ended March 31 to be ahead of its expectations, with an increase in operating profit before amortisation of 50 pct over the previous year, as it announced the retirement of its chief executive.
The power services company said it continues to make excellent progress, and that it expects sales for the year to be around 30 pct higher than last year "with organic sales growth well ahead of the market".
UK Diary of Events:
For a diary of key financial and corporate events in the UK today, Click here
US Summary:
For a summary of US stocks at yesterday's close of trade, Click here
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Milan
Milan shares TFN market data at 10.00 am; Unipol leads gains, Alitalia suspended
Main indices
Mibtel at 24,067, up 0.93 pct
S&P/Mib at 31,563, up 0.90 pct
Main S&P/Mib gainers
Unipol up 4.89 pct at 1.972 eur
Seat Pagine Gialle up 3.40 pct at 0.1096
Impregilo up 2.77 pct at 2.89. The construction group yesterday said it was waiting to finalise a 523 mln eur contract to build universities in Libya
Tenaris up 2.12 pct at 15.86
UBI Banca up 1.92 pct at 16.38 after the group will propose a 19 pct hike in its dividend to 0.95 eur per share, at the top end of the forecast range. The group however announced a 10.4 pct rise in full year net profit, missing analysts' expectations.
Main S&P/Mib losers
Luxottica down 1.34 pct at 15.19 after confirming its full year EPS guidance of 1.11-1.14 eur per share despite the dollar's continued slip against the euro. According to Deutsche Bank, the guidance looks challenging but the broker confirmed its 'buy' stance on the stock with a 22.0 eur target
Pirelli down 0.73 pct at 0.724. The group yesterday said its EBIT fell to 366.9 mln eur from 401.4 mln in 2006, in line with market expectations, depressed by weak contributions from its real estate unit and broadband activities. The group will propose a 0.016 eur dividend, after not having paid one the previous year. Deutsche Bank raised its price objective on the stock from 0.79 eur from 0.82 eur
Mondadori down 0.55 pct at 5.285
Terna down 0.46 pct at 2.6925
Atlantia down 0.04 pct at 18.63
Other stocks in the news
Alitalia still suspended limit up on speculation over its privatisation. Centre-right coalition leader Silvio Berlusconi, favoured to win in Italy's April 13-14 general elections, told daily La Stampa that in the next few days a group of Italian investors will present their offer to take over the ailing airline. Alitalia is currently in talks with Air France-KLM
Geox up 6.87 pct at 10.145 after news that the stock will replace Alitalia from Monday on the blue-chip S&P/Mib index
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Frankfurt
German shares TFN market data at 10.24 am
DAX - up 65.13 points or 1.00 pct at 6,554.39
MDAX - up 90.48 points or 1.05 pct at 8,692.58
TecDAX - up 14.50 points or 1.95 pct at 756.61
DAX futures - up 95.00 points or 1.45 pct at 6,627.00
Major outperformers:
Hypo Real Estate, up 1.06 eur or 7.12 pct at 15.94, as the stock rallied after losses this morning on news it may not meet its full-year targets. Traders said the announcement was not new and praised the company's transparence in a difficult market
Commerzbank, up 0.56 eur or 2.94 pct at 19.60, continuing gains due to a general recovery in the local banking sector
Infineon, up 0.12 eur or 2.72 pct at 4.53, with trader's pointed to continued effects from UBS reiterating its 'buy' rating yesterday
Bayer, up 1.00 eur or 2.01 pct at 50.81
Continental, up 1.04 or 1.69 pct at 62.59
Major Underperformers:
SAP, down 1.17 eur or 3.58 pct at 31.47, after disappointing earnings overnight from US peer Oracle, with a newswire report that US-based Waste Management Inc is suing SAP over a faulty computer system also weighing on the share.
Deutsche Postbank, down 0.08 eur or 0.14 pct at 59.11
Other Stocks in the News:
TecDAX-listed Q-Cells, up 4.35 eur or 8.43 pct at 55.98 after the solar energy company raised its outlook for 2008 and 2009 due to a new silicon supply agreement.
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Paris
Paris shares TFN market data 10.40 am; shares resume rebound
Major indices:
CAC-40 up 52.66 points or 1.13 pct at 4,728.49
SBF-80 up 52.04 or 0.98 pct at 5,366.84
SBF-120 up 36.91 or 1.09 pct at 3,421.36
36 CAC-40 stocks up
4 CAC-40 stocks down
Major gainers:
Saint-Gobain, up 1.45 eur or 2.90 pct at 51.40. Investment company Wendel said last night it has raised its stake in St-Gobain to 20.6 pct from 17.9 pct previously. In an interview with Les Echos this morning, Wendel's CEO Jean-Bernard Lafonta said the company intends to raise its stake further to 21.5 pct
Schneider Electric, up 1.88 or 2.30 pct at 83.68. Sodexo, up 1.23 or 3.32 pct at 38.27. UK peer Compass gave a positive trading update today and said it expects margins to improve by 50 basis points versus 2007
Eramet, up 35.50 or 6.72 pct at 532.00 amid ongoing speculation that it could become a bid target after the breakdown of takeover talk between Vale and Xstrata yesterday
Major losers:
Capgemini, down 0.44 or 1.23 pct at 35.25; Dassault Systemes down 0.61 or 1.66 pct at 36.16. The IT services sector is being impacted by disappointing third-quarter sales and a weak fourth-quarter outlook from US business software maker Oracle Corp
Safran, down 0.07 or 0.54 pct at 12.79. Exane BNP Paribas downgraded the stock to 'neutral' from 'outperform'
Michelin, down 0.51 or 0.76 pct at 66.88. Dealers said Exane BNP Paribas had issued a bearish note on the stock after a private analyst meeting
Most active stocks:
Axa, up 0.45 or 2.00 pct at 22.95. 2.91 mln shares traded
Alcatel-Lucent, up 0.06 or 1.67 pct at 3.66. 1.89 mln shares traded
Forex
London 0816 GMT Hong Kong 1.00 pm (0500 GMT)
US dollar
yen 99.44 up from 98.87
sfr 0.9968 up from 0.9908
Euro
usd 1.5749 down from 1.5800
stg 0.7843 down from 0.7880
yen 156.68 up from 156.34
sfr 1.5701 up from 1.5663
Sterling
usd 2.0075 up from 2.0051
yen 199.77 up from 198.33
sfr 2.0020 up from 1.9870
Australian dollar
usd 0.9197 down from 0.9211
stg 0.4581 down from 0.4593
yen 91.65 up from 91.13
ASTI Hydro Increases Stake to 35% in Ascent Solar
Business Wire via COMTEX
Mar 27, 2008 6:00:02 AM
LITTLETON, Colo., Mar 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules, announced today that Norsk Hydro ASA, through its subsidiary Norsk Hydro Produksjon AS, has exercised an option to purchase an additional 2,341,897 shares of Ascent Solar common stock and 1,689,905 Class B warrants. The option was granted to Hydro and approved by Ascent Solar's shareholders in June 2007. Gross proceeds to the company from the follow on investment will be approximately $28.4 million, and reflect per share and per warrant purchase prices equal to the average of the closing bids of each security, as reported by Nasdaq, for the five consecutive trading days preceding exercise. Ascent Solar expects the transaction to close by March 31, 2008. Upon acquiring these additional securities, Hydro will hold approximately 35% of the total outstanding common shares and approximately 35% of the total outstanding Class B warrants of Ascent Solar.
"Hydro is excited by Ascent Solar and its thin, flexible solar modules. We believe that Ascent Solar's modules will help lay the foundation for the energy solutions of tomorrow, and we feel that Ascent Solar's products will be a very good fit with Hydro's continuing commitment to develop energy efficient building systems, in which solar energy will play a central role," says Jorgen C. Arentz Rosrup, Executive Vice President for Energy at Hydro.
Ascent Solar President and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Foster said "I thank the management team at Hydro for its continued support and this vote of confidence in Ascent Solar's technologies and products. We intend to use these proceeds to support expansion of Ascent Solar's production capacity."
About Norsk Hydro ASA:
Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Hydro is one of the world's leading suppliers of aluminum, and is a major global supplier of aluminum-based building systems. The company employs approximately 22,000 people in more than 30 countries and has activities on all continents. Please visit Hydro's website for additional information at www.hydro.com.
About Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.:
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic materials and modules and is located in Littleton, Colorado. Please visit our website for additional information at www.ascentsolar.com.
Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE: Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.
Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. Brian Blackman, 832-515-0928 (Investor Relations) bblackman@ascentsolar.com or Brand Fortified Public Relations Kelly Brandner, 303-289-4303 (Media) kellybrandner@msn.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
GEYI Global Energy Lays Groundwork for Project in Ethiopia
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
Company to Plant, Harvest and Produce High Quality Oil for
BioDiesel and Other Applications With Non-Edible Castor
NEW YORK, Mar 27, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Global Energy (OTCBB:GEYI), an alternative energy innovator focusing on the processing of organic solid and energy waste into usable products, today announced that the Company has successfully finalized the first stage of its agricultural activities -- castor farming in Ethiopia.
Global, in conjunction with its subsidiaries, Global NRG Pacific and Global Energy Ethiopia ("GEE"), is involved in a project to plant, harvest and produce non-edible oil for the biodiesel industry and a myriad of other uses.
GEE expects to commence seeding of castor in April, 2008 and harvest in August/September 2008. The expected yield of the harvest is 28,000 tons of seeds producing approximately 12,000 tons of castor oil. The current commodity price for castor ranges from $700.00U.S. to $1100.00 per ton.
During the past five months, GEE has developed an infrastructure for an agricultural cooperative, in the regions of Waletia and Goma Gofa, Ethiopia. This includes, but is not limited to, signed agreements with over 25,000 families, to farm castor on approximately 7,500 hectares of their land. GEE's operations center is based in Sodo, Ethiopia, and includes a logistics center, computer center and a staff of Company trained agricultural supervisors.
The castor initiative is located in southern Ethiopia, approximately 320 km south of the capital of Addis Ababa and is comprised of land area totaling 220km by 110km.
GEE is concurrently conducting a research and development program to achieve new "species" of castor to improve future yields and intends to conduct studies in eight experimental sites simulating a variety of conditions. Additionally, the Company is training local personnel with twelve agronomists.
"Global's work in Ethiopia represents another business model for the Company, one that is practical, provides a service to members of the local communities, and holds the potential to generate an ongoing significant revenue stream for the Company," stated Asi Shalgi, CEO.
About Global Energy
Global Energy's mission is to commercialize innovative technologies which produce energy from waste and renewable sources, while contributing to a vision of a cleaner environment. Global Energy intends to use the most efficient and environmentally friendly of all currently available alternative fuel technologies, each originally developed and patented by acclaimed scientists.
For further information please visit www.global-energy.net.
Forward-Looking Statements.
Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, that seeding of castor would commence in April 2008 and harvest in August/September 2008, that the expected yield of the harvest is 28,000 tons of seeds producing approximately 12,000 tones of castor oil, and that we will conduct studies in eight experimental sites to achieve a new "species" of castor to improve future yields; that we will commercialize innovative technologies which produce energy from waste and renewable sources; and that we will use the most efficient and environmentally friendly of all currently available alternative fuel technologies.
Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others: (i) the inherent uncertainties and speculative nature associated with biofuels and alternative fuel sources; (ii) potential environmental liabilities, weather, mechanical failures, safety concerns, labor problems and financing problems; (iii) changes in economic conditions, adverse exchange rates and financial markets; (iv) the risk that we are not able to execute our business plan, such as entering agreements with strategic partners, leasing land, obtaining loans, etc; (v) the inability to retain key employees; (vi) changes in energy prices and the high cost of alternative fuels; (vii) Global Energy's inability to finance its operations or growth; (viii) the inability to obtain all necessary government, environmental and regulatory approvals; (ix) an increase in competition in the biofuel and alternative fuel market; (x) the possibility that our technology does not work as well as expected; and (xi) inability to access additional funds under the arranged convertible debenture which is subject to certain conditions to funding. Further, commodity prices for castor oil may decline, and our crops may not grow as expected. Investors should consider all of these risks and should also refer to the risk factors disclosed on the SEC filings of other start up alternative energy companies.
SOURCE: Global Energy
Global Energy Inc. Cynthia DeMonte, 917-273-1717 cdemonte@demonte.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
HWBI Hot Web, Inc. Announces Elimination of Legacy Debts and Capital Restructuring
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
BOISE, ID, Mar 27, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
Hot Web, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: HWBI) announced today that the Company has successfully eliminated approximately $1.6 Million in "legacy" debt that was incurred by Snap 'N Sold Corporation, Hot Web's predecessor company, in an effort to prepare Hot Web, Inc. for future financial audits, fully-reporting listing status and growth of its businesses.
Hot Web Chairman & CEO, George Stevens, stated, "When we hired the legal firm of Ater Wynne LLP in the third quarter of 2007 and began working with them to prepare to become a fully reporting public company, we thoroughly reviewed the outstanding liabilities of Hot Web. Speaking with debt holders, it became readily apparent that some of the debts incurred by the former management team of Hot Web's predecessor, had to be dealt with in order to give the company a fighting chance to succeed moving forward. The overhang from these previous debts would stymie the ability to finance the company responsibly into the future. Unfortunately, it took us nine months to negotiate applicable solutions, but that process has now been completed."
Under current Hot Web management, the Company reached a restructuring agreement with existing debt holders that eliminated $1.6mm of the Company's debts and debentures. The restructuring agreement also provided for an additional equity-based capital infusion of $500,000 for ongoing expansion and marketing of the Company's businesses. In consideration for this $2.1 Million conversion of debt and increase in net equity, the various debt holders and investors will receive 200,000,000 newly issued restricted common shares of Hot Web at a cost basis of $.0105 -- a 3500% premium to yesterday's closing price for Hot Web's common shares.
Pursuant to the restructuring, the capital structure of Hot Web is as follows: Officially, there are currently 750 Million shares Authorized with 454,887,086 shares Issued and Outstanding. Internal estimates of the "tradable" float remain -- otherwise known as shares within the DTC system -- at approximately 191,592,711.
Stevens continued, "Not only were we able to eliminate the debt under favorable terms, but we were also able to improve the capital position of Hot Web. After lengthy discussions with Hot Web's management team and a comprehensive review of the Company's business plan and operating models, the cost basis that the debt holders and investors accepted under this agreement truly shows the potential they believe Hot Web possesses."
About Hot Web, Inc.
Hot Web, Inc. is engaged in the business of consigning "big ticket" transportation related items through its diversified presences, both online and offline. The Company's mission is to "change the way the world buys and/or bids online" by harnessing the power of the Internet and coupling it with human interaction and expertise to create a safe, productive, comfortable and 'Fraud Free' way to conduct online/offline commerce. The company utilizes both its internal certified regional representative base in addition to online third-party marketing tools like eBay Motors and others to attract and market vehicle listings.
The Company's current portfolio of niche-focused online businesses consists of www.hotautoweb.com, www.hotboatweb.com, www.hotcycleweb.com, www.hotrvweb.com and www.hotplaneweb.com. The company is also currently developing other Hot Web branded online business units to complement its current roster.
Safe Harbor
This press release contains statements, which may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of Hot Web, Inc., and members of its management as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-statements include fluctuation of operating results, the ability to compete successfully and the ability to complete before-mentioned transactions. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, investors are asked to visit the Company's website at www.hotwebinc.com. Or Contact Investor Relations: Matthew Lovito, Brass Bulls Corp. 1-866-342-2700
SOURCE: Hot Web, Inc.
http://www.hotwebinc.com
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
ESFS Eco-Safe Achieves Marketing Goal
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
LOS ANGELES, CA, Mar 27, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
Eco-Safe Systems USA, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ESFS) is pleased to announce the achievement of another goal in their corporate marketing plan.
In less than one week, three existing Eco-Safe customers placed unsolicited re-orders of Eco-Safe Ozone Disinfection Units, marking the realization of another goal in Eco-Safe's corporate marketing plan. One of these customers ordered multiple R-1000-3 Disinfection Systems system-wide for all of their plants.
Michael Elliot, President of Eco-Safe Systems USA, Inc., commented that, "One of our primary marketing goals was to establish an industry awareness and satisfaction level on the part of our existing customers for them to re- order and expand the presence of our Disinfection Systems throughout their businesses. Spontaneous re-orders and new customers initiating contact outside our formal marketing efforts give us increasing sales volume with decreasing marketing cost per unit. These sales which do not require a direct marketing effort or expense by Eco-Safe add to our profit margin and lead us to believe that our name and the value of our products are becoming known throughout the food preparation industry."
The foregoing contains forward-looking information within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. The actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. The company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results (expressed or implied) will not be realized.
Contact: Eco-Safe Systems USA, Inc. www.ecosafeusa.com Michael Elliot President Email Contact
SOURCE: Eco-Safe Systems USA, Inc.
http://www.ecosafeusa.com http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=262D2C3081EC027D
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
ITRO Itronics Receives GOLD'n GRO Guardian Deer Repellent Registration From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
via COMTEX
March 27, 2008
RENO, NV, Mar 27, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX News Network) --
Itronics Inc. (OTCBB: ITRO) (FRANKFURT: ITG) (BERLIN: ITG) today reported that its wholly owned subsidiary Itronics Metallurgical, Inc. has received label registration for GOLD'n GRO Guardian deer repellent from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
With notification of registration of GOLD'n GRO Guardian deer repellent, registration statements will be filed in Nevada and Northeastern states where the Company plans to start marketing the deer repellent. Plans are being implemented for manufacturing, marketing, and sales launch in May, 2008.
"Receipt of this bio-pesticide label registration is the result of several years of intensive, successful product development," said Dr. John Whitney, Itronics President. "This opens another important avenue for internally generated growth for Itronics, and represents a significant extension of the Company's proprietary GOLD'n GRO nutrient delivery technology."
The GOLD'n GRO Guardian registration, manufacturing, and sales will expand the GOLD'n GRO brand into another important market segment, which is expected to further broaden the customer base and increase the rate of sales growth. Earlier this year the Company completed a detailed deer damage study which indicates that deer damage in suburban America is in the $5 billion range and that sales of its GOLD'n GRO Guardian deer repellent could top $200 million annually.
Itronics' continuing expansion is a result of years of research and development that has made its innovative vertically integrated photochemical recycling technology that completely converts the waste stream to pure silver, and its high quality GOLD'n GRO brand of environmentally compatible fertilizers a success.
About Itronics
Itronics, through its subsidiary, Itronics Metallurgical, Inc., is the only company in the world with a fully permitted "Beneficial Use Photochemical, Silver, and Water Recycling" plant located in the United States which can convert used photoliquids into pure silver and liquid fertilizers. At the Company's Reno, Nevada factory more than 99 percent of the silver and virtually all the other toxic heavy metals are extracted from used photoliquids. The purified liquids are converted into environmentally beneficial, chelated, micronutrient and multinutrient liquid fertilizers sold under the GOLD'n GRO trademark. The silver is refined and sold as bullion and 5 troy ounce, 0.999 pure, Silver Nevada Miner numismatic bars. The environmentally friendly liquid fertilizers can be used for lawns and houseplants, and are available, along with GOLD'n GRO liquid fertilizer injectors, at the Company's "e-store" catalog at http://goldngro.com. The popular Silver Nevada Miner bars are available at the Company's "e-store" catalog at http://www.itromet.com.
Headquartered in Reno, Nevada, Itronics Inc. is a "Creative Environmental Technology" company and a world leader in photochemical recycling. The Company also provides mine development services to the Gold mining industry and operates the popular InsideMetals.com web site, http://www.insidemetals.com.
Which provides a value-added WORLD VIEW of Gold Producer Stocks and Junior Gold Stocks. Itronics has received numerous domestic and international awards that recognize its ability to successfully create and implement new recycling and fertilizer technologies.
VISIT OUR WEB SITE: http://www.itronics.com
("Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains or may contain forward-looking statements such as statements regarding the Company's growth and profitability, growth strategy, liquidity and access to public markets, operating expense reduction, and trends in the industry in which the Company operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in risks, uncertainties or assumptions underlying or affecting such statements, or for prospective events that may have a retroactive effect.)
Contact: Paul Knopick 888-795-6336
SOURCE: Itronics Inc.
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
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