WEALTH UNIVERSITY

[Aggie9518]

LZR wow...From 4.65 close yesterday to 6.67 HOD today on earning news.....

Emergent Group Inc. Reports Record Fourth Quarter Revenue and Net Income
8:00a ET March 4, 2009 (GlobeNewswire)
Emergent Group Inc. (NYSE Alternext US:LZR), a leading provider of mobile medical lasers and surgical equipment, today announced significant increases in fourth quarter and fiscal 2008 sales and net income as the Company continued to pursue its growth strategies.

Included in Emergent Group's reported results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 was the recognition of deferred tax benefits (the "tax benefits") that increased net income by $1.3 million for each period. For the comparable prior year periods, the recognition of deferred tax benefits was $10,088.

Following are highlights of the fourth quarter 2008 results:

* Revenue set another record, increasing 56% to $7.0 million versus $4.5 million in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2007. * Income from operations rose 69% to $1.2 million from $716,000 in the prior year period. * Net income, including the above-mentioned tax benefits, was $2.3 million compared to $460,000 in the prior year period, while net income per diluted share, including the tax benefits, was $0.33 versus $0.08, respectively. * Net income, adjusted to exclude the 2008 tax benefits, was a record $927,540, representing a 106% increase versus the prior year period, while net income per diluted share, excluding the 2008 tax benefits, was $0.14, a 75% increase versus the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007. (See supplemental information for a reconciliation of net income as reported versus net income as adjusted to exclude the 2008 tax benefits.) * Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding were 6.8 million versus 5.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2007.

"Emergent Group achieved record fourth quarter and fiscal year 2008 results as our company continued to pursue strategies for growth and expansion," said Chairman and CEO Bruce J. Haber. "We've reported strong performance despite a challenging national economic environment and believe there are additional opportunities to enhance our competitive position in the growing medical technology field. Some of these opportunities are expected to come from our August 2008 acquisition and subsequent integration of the Surgical Services Division of PhotoMedex, Inc." This is the first full quarter that includes results generated by the acquisition.

"Our ongoing strong cash flow is providing us with a solid foundation for future growth and giving us the opportunity to address shareholder value, as evidenced by our Board's fourth quarter declaration of a $0.30-per-share annual dividend," he added. "We're pleased to note that Emergent Group has paid cumulative annual dividends of $0.90 per share over the past four fiscal years.

"As we look back on a record year," Haber said, "our company remains focused on these growth strategies:

* Expanding per-procedure rentals of existing medical equipment and sales of accompanying disposable items in markets covering 16 states. * Capitalizing on a growing number of medical procedures and upcoming limits on physician ownership of equipment. * Identifying and offering new, cost-effective medical technologies to hospitals and physician groups with the aid of company-trained technicians. * Pursuing future acquisitions that expand Emergent's sales and geographic footprint."

Beyond these strategies, Haber noted that the company may also benefit as some hospitals take greater advantage of equipment rental opportunities to curb their capital expenditures in the challenging economic climate.

Emergent Group reported the following results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008:

* Revenue increased 29% to a record $22.8 million versus $17.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. * Income from operations rose 50% to $4.2 million from $2.8 million in the prior year period. * Net income, including the above-mentioned tax benefits, was $4.1 million versus $1.8 million in the prior year period, while net income per diluted share, including the tax benefits, was $0.65 versus $0.31, respectively. * Net income, adjusted to exclude the 2008 tax benefits, was a record $2.8 million, representing a 60% increase versus the prior year period, while net income per diluted share, excluding the 2008 tax benefits, was $0.44, or a 47% increase compared to fiscal 2007. (See supplemental information for a reconciliation of net income as reported versus net income as adjusted to exclude the 2008 tax benefits.) * Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding were 6.4 million versus 5.8 million for the fiscal year 2007.

During the quarter, the company also launched a new corporate website - www.emergentgroupinc.com - with an extensive company profile, Emergent Group's latest investor presentation and information covering growth strategies, leadership and governance, financial performance, SEC filings and company news.

About Emergent Group Inc.

Emergent Group Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, PRI Medical Technologies, Inc. ("PRI Medical"), provides mobile medical laser and surgical equipment in 16 states on a per-procedure basis to hospitals, outpatient surgery centers and physicians' offices. Surgical equipment is provided to customers along with technical support personnel to ensure that such equipment is operating correctly. PRI Medical currently offers its services in five states in the western United States and 11 states along the eastern seaboard. For product and other information, visit Emergent Group's website, www.emergentgroupinc.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1993 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements may involve various risks and uncertainties, some of which may be discussed in the Company's most recent report on 2007 Form 10-KSB and subsequently filed SEC reports. There is no assurance any forward-looking statements will prove accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those presently anticipated.

Emergent Group Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets December 31, ------------------------ 2008 2007 ----------- ----------- ASSETS Current assets Cash $ 4,586,107 $ 3,043,654 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $58,984 and $17,460 3,759,834 2,313,084 Inventory, net 837,143 504,792 Prepaid expenses 231,763 164,857 Deferred income taxes 986,000 915,488 ----------- ----------- Total current assets 10,400,847 6,941,875 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $7,247,482 and $5,954,233 6,070,228 4,142,230 Goodwill 1,120,058 1,120,058 Deferred income taxes 1,261,000 -- Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $226,997 and $172,355 403,152 93,930 Deposits and other assets 84,934 104,758 ----------- ----------- Total assets $19,340,219 $12,402,851 =========== =========== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Current portion of capital lease obligations $ 1,909,057 $ 1,143,198 Current portion of notes payable -- 100,888 Dividends payable 1,989,750 1,686,095 Accounts payable 1,538,797 709,027 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1,997,312 1,559,046 ----------- ----------- Total current liabilities 7,434,916 5,198,254 Capital lease obligations, net of current portion 3,344,820 2,341,710 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities 10,779,736 7,539,964 Minority interests 696,430 592,807 Shareholders' equity Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, non-voting 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding -- -- Common stock, $0.04 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized 6,631,576 and 5,619,392 shares issued and outstanding 265,260 224,772 Additional paid-in capital 16,235,369 14,836,263 Accumulated deficit (8,636,576) (10,790,955) ----------- ----------- Total shareholders' equity 7,864,053 4,270,080 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $19,340,219 $12,402,851 =========== =========== EMERGENT GROUP INC. Consolidated Statements of Income Year Ended Three Months Ended December 31, December 31, ------------------------ ------------------------ 2008 2007 2008 2007 ------------------------ ------------------------ Revenue $22,785,922 $17,661,541 $ 6,985,110 $ 4,480,234 Cost of goods sold 13,354,071 10,473,805 4,286,307 2,597,191 ------------------------ ------------------------ Gross profit 9,431,851 7,187,736 2,698,803 1,883,043 Selling, general, and administrative expenses 5,241,682 4,390,996 1,488,129 1,166,624 ------------------------ ------------------------ Income from operations 4,190,169 2,796,740 1,210,674 716,419 Other income (expense) (190,916) (152,104) (47,339) (31,112) ------------------------ ------------------------ Income before provision for income taxes, deferred tax benefit, and minority interest 3,999,253 2,644,636 1,163,335 685,307 Provision for income taxes (225,641) (193,922) (12,169) (59,424) Deferred tax benefits 1,331,512 10,088 1,331,512 10,088 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income before minority interest 5,105,124 2,460,802 2,482,678 635,971 Minority interest in income of consolidated limited liability companies (960,994) (692,209) (223,626) (176,143) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net income $ 4,144,130 $ 1,768,593 $ 2,259,052 $ 459,828 =========== =========== =========== =========== Basic earnings per share $ 0.69 $ 0.32 $ 0.35 $ 0.08 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.65 $ 0.31 $ 0.33 $ 0.08 Basic weighted- average shares outstanding 6,003,420 5,533,348 6,444,690 5,575,338 Diluted weighted- average shares outstanding 6,385,629 5,798,015 6,840,311 5,837,809
Supplemental Information -- Reconciliation of Net Income as Reported to Net Income Excluding the Recognition of Deferred tax benefits:
Year Ended Three Months Ended December 31, December 31, ------------------------ ------------------------ 2008 2007 2008 2007 Net income as reported $ 4,144,130 $ 1,768,593 $ 2,259,052 $ 459,828 Less: Recognition of deferred tax benefits (1,331,512) (10,088) (1,331,512) (10,088) ------------------------ ------------------------ Net income excluding recognition of deferred tax benefits $ 2,812,618 $ 1,758,505 $ 927,540 $ 449,740 ======================== ======================== Net income per share as reported - basic $ 0.69 $ 0.32 $ 0.35 $ 0.08 Net income per share as reported - diluted $ 0.65 $ 0.31 $ 0.33 $ 0.08 Net income per share excluding deferred tax benefits - basic $ 0.47 $ 0.32 $ 0.14 $ 0.08 Net income per share excluding deferred tax benefits - diluted $ 0.44 $ 0.30 $ 0.14 $ 0.08 Basic weighted- average shares outstanding 6,003,420 5,533,348 6,444,690 5,575,338 Diluted weighted- average shares outstanding 6,385,629 5,798,015 6,840,311 5,837,809

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: Emergent Group Inc.

Emergent Group Inc. Bruce J. Haber [phone], x. 12 [e-mail]