- Quarterly Net Sales Surpassed $10 Million Level -
- Significant Sales Growth of 19% Driven by Online Channels and Traditional Retail -
- Profitability Achieved in Consecutive Quarters in FY 2019 with 67% Annual EPS Growth -
- Compelling Gross Margin of 47% Powered by E-commerce and Forever One™ Sales -
- Conference Call with Accompanying Slide Presentation Scheduled Today at 4:30 PM ET -
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Feb. 07, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTHR), the original and leading worldwide source of created
moissanite, reported financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 (“second quarter Fiscal 2019”). For the second
quarter Fiscal 2019, the Company reported net sales of $10.1 million and net income of $1.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted
share.
Suzanne Miglucci, President and CEO of Charles & Colvard, said, “We had a robust quarter with strong revenue growth of 19%, an
impressive gross margin level of 47%, positive cash flow and consecutive quarterly profitability. We believe these financial
achievements were the result of strategic focus and operational excellence. We applied our learnings from prior holiday seasons and
leveraged technology to enhance our e-commerce website, execute more effective marketing campaigns, balance our inventory and offer
a seamless customer experience.”
“The revenue growth was driven by strength in both our Online Channels and Traditional segments, which indicates the growing
acceptance of our lab-created gemstones. Our proprietary Signature Collection and expanded Forever One™ designs have been
very well received in the market and are expanding finished jewelry sales, which had a positive impact on margins. For our brick
and mortar presence, we benefited from a broader product selection, better in-store placement, including expanded bridal
assortments, and new styles delivered in the quarter that performed well,” Ms. Miglucci continued.
“In terms of long-term strategic growth, we were pleased to see global engagement and increasing brand awareness, even as our
international expansion is still in the early stages. International revenues increased 124% to represent 13% of sales, with strong
demand from international distributors. Cross border trade, which results from customers outside the U.S. ordering products from
our domestic e-commerce site, increased more than 250% as a result of our adoption of a new technology platform enabling
streamlined distribution, expanded payment and currency options. We supported this initiative with targeted in-country advertising
designed to build brand awareness and demand.”
“As this quarter demonstrates, we are successfully transforming Charles & Colvard into a growing e-commerce company with unique
products and an established brand. We are proud of the Company’s track record of executing and delivering results. We are using
data-driven strategies and actions that are leading to better margins and improved return on investment. With numerous
opportunities for growth and an improving financial position, we believe we are well-positioned for the future,” Ms. Miglucci
concluded.
Recent Corporate Highlights
- Executed on the new strategic retail partnership with Macy’s providing online customers with a curated collection of jewelry
featuring Moissanite by Charles & Colvard®;
- Enhanced the Company’s ability to drive international sales on its U.S.-based e-commerce site, through the implementation of
a cross-border trade technology platform that provides a personalized, on-site experience and seamless buying process for
customers outside of the U.S.;
- Generated sales in new international markets using an agile, low-cost approach providing Charles & Colvard created moissanite
jewelry on established marketplaces including Amazon sites in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and Australia, along with Australian
sites eBay and Catch;
- Introduced the availability of Charles & Colvard moissanite jewelry through Google Shopping Actions, which allows consumers
to seamlessly search and purchase products across multiple devices; and
- Expanded Charles & Colvard’s presence with existing retail partners in brick-and-mortar stores with additional bridal, fine
and fashion jewelry, and loose gemstones.
Financial Summary for Second Quarter Fiscal 2019
(Quarter Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Quarter Ended December 31, 2017)
- Net sales were $10.1 million for the quarter, an increase of 19% compared with $8.5 million in the year-ago quarter.
- Finished jewelry net sales were $5.2 million for the quarter, an increase of 10% compared with $4.7 million in the year-ago
quarter.
- Loose jewel net sales were $4.9 million for the quarter, an increase of 30% compared with $3.8 million in the year-ago
quarter.
- In the Online Channels segment, which consists of e-commerce outlets including charlesandcolvard.com, third-party online
marketplaces, drop-ship and other pure-play, exclusively e-commerce outlets, net sales increased 18% to $5.4 million, or 54% of
total net sales for the quarter, compared with $4.6 million, or 54% of total net sales in the year-ago quarter.
- In the Traditional segment, which consists of wholesale, retail, and historically, television customers, net sales increased
19% to $4.7 million, or 46% of total net sales for the quarter, compared with $3.9 million, or 46% of total net sales in the
year-ago quarter.
- Operating expenses were $3.6 million for the quarter, compared to $3.1 million in the year-ago quarter.
- Net income for the quarter was $1.2 million, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with net income of $0.7 million, or $0.03
per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.
Financial Summary for the First Six Months of Fiscal 2019
(Six Months Ended December 31, 2018 Compared to Six Months Ended December 31, 2017)
- Net sales were $16.7 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018, an increase of 13% compared with $14.7 million in
the year-ago period.
- Finished jewelry net sales were $7.8 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018, an increase of 13% compared with
$6.8 million in the year-ago period.
- Loose jewel net sales were $9.0 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018, an increase of 14% compared with $7.9
million in the year-ago period.
- In the Online Channels segment, net sales increased 28% to $8.5 million, or 51% of total net sales for the six months ended
December 31, 2018, compared with $6.7 million, or 45% of total net sales in the year-ago period.
- In the Traditional segment, net sales increased 2% to $8.2 million, or 49% of total net sales for the six months ended
December 31, 2018, compared with $8.1 million, or 55% of total net sales in the year-ago period.
- Operating expenses were $6.5 million for the six months ended December 31, 2018, compared to $6.0 million in the year-ago
period.
- Net income for the six months ended December 31, 2018 was $1.3 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared with net income
of $0.5 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, in the year-ago period.
Financial Position
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $3.0 million at December 31, 2018, representing an increase of $0.8 million
from $2.2 million at September 30, 2018 and a decrease of $0.4 million from $3.4 million at June 30, 2018. The Company had no debt
outstanding as of December 31, 2018. Total inventory was $32.8 million at December 31, 2018, compared with $32.8 million at
September 30, 2018 and $31.8 million at June 30, 2018.
Investor Conference Call
Shareholders and other interested parties may participate in the upcoming investor conference call by dialing 844-875-6912 (U.S.
toll-free) or 412-317-6708 (international) and asking to be connected to the “Charles & Colvard, Ltd. Conference Call” a few
minutes before 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 7, 2019. Please note that there will be an accompanying slide presentation, which
will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Charles & Colvard website at http://ir.charlesandcolvard.com/events.
A replay of this conference call will be available until February 14, 2019 at 877-344-7529 (U.S. toll-free) or 412-317-0088
(international). The replay conference ID is 10128080. The call will also be available live and for replay in the Investor
Relations section of the Company’s website at http://ir.charlesandcolvard.com/events.
About Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
Charles & Colvard (Nasdaq: CTHR) believes luxury can be beautiful and conscientious. As an e-commerce-driven business, the
Company uses innovative technology and sustainable practices to lead a revolution in the jewelry industry. As the original pioneer
of lab-created moissanite, a rare gemstone formed from silicon carbide, Charles & Colvard delivers a brilliant product at a
revolutionary value that meets the needs of today’s discerning customer. Jewelry consumers seek Charles & Colvard products because
of their exceptional quality as well as their environmental and social responsibility. Charles & Colvard was founded in 1995 and is
based in the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. For more information, please visit www.charlesandcolvard.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains 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 expressing expectations regarding our
future and projections relating to our products, sales, revenues, and earnings are typical of such statements and are made under
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements
about our plans, objectives, representations, and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of
terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue,” and
similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently.
All forward-looking statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in predicting the future. You should be aware
that although the forward-looking statements included herein represent management’s current judgment and expectations, our actual
results may differ materially from those projected, stated, or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of many
factors including, but not limited to, our dependence on consumer awareness, acceptance, and growth of sales of our products
resulting from our strategic initiatives; the impact of the execution of our business plans on our liquidity; our ability to
fulfill orders on a timely basis; our ability to maintain compliance with The Nasdaq Stock Market’s continued listing requirements;
intense competition in the worldwide gemstone and jewelry industry; the financial condition of our major customers and their
willingness and ability to market our products; dependence on a limited number of distributor and retail partners in our
Traditional segment; dependence on our exclusive supply agreement with Cree, Inc., for the supply of our silicon carbide, or SiC,
crystals; general economic and market conditions, including the current economic environment; quality control challenges from time
to time that can result in lost revenue and harm to our brands and reputation; the potential impact of seasonality on our business;
the impact of natural disasters on our operations; the pricing of precious metals, which is beyond our control; the impact of
significant changes in e-commerce opportunities, technology, or models; the risk of a failure of our information technology
infrastructure to protect confidential information and prevent security breaches; our current customers’ potential perception of us
as a competitor in the finished jewelry business; risks of conducting business in foreign countries; the potential adverse
effect of December 2017 U.S. tax legislation; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the potential adverse impact of
negative or inaccurate social media commentary; the failure to evaluate, implement, and integrate strategic opportunities; possible
adverse effects of governmental regulation and oversight; and the impact of anti-takeover provisions included in our charter
documents, in addition to the other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
or the SEC, including our Transition Report on Form 10-KT for the transition period ended June 30, 2018 and subsequent reports
filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or
revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur except as required by the federal
securities laws, and you are urged to review and consider disclosures that we make in the reports that we file with the SEC that
discuss other factors relevant to our business.
Contacts:
Clint J. Pete
Chief Financial Officer
919-468-0399
cpete@charlesandcolvard.com
Jenny Kobin
Investor Relations
800-695-0650
Jenny.Kobin@IRAdvisory.com
-Financial Tables Follow-
CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
| |
Three Months Ended December 31, |
|
Six Months Ended December 31, |
|
| |
2018 |
|
2017 |
|
2018 |
|
2017 |
|
| Net sales |
$ |
10,139,461
|
|
$ |
8,536,982 |
|
$ |
16,734,167
|
|
$ |
14,745,790 |
|
| Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cost of goods sold |
|
5,346,207 |
|
|
4,926,314 |
|
|
8,959,956 |
|
|
8,409,917 |
|
| Sales and marketing |
|
2,346,893 |
|
|
2,028,159 |
|
|
3,988,017 |
|
|
3,785,166 |
|
| General and administrative |
|
1,250,181 |
|
|
1,077,205 |
|
|
2,474,956 |
|
|
2,214,941 |
|
| Research and development |
|
1,422 |
|
|
81 |
|
|
1,422 |
|
|
570 |
|
| Total costs and expenses |
|
8,944,703 |
|
|
8,031,759 |
|
|
15,424,351 |
|
|
14,410,594 |
|
| Income from operations |
|
1,194,758 |
|
|
505,223 |
|
|
1,309,816 |
|
|
335,196 |
|
| Other (expenses) income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Interest expense |
|
(352 |
) |
|
(444 |
) |
|
(698 |
) |
|
(449 |
) |
| Loss on foreign currency |
|
(74 |
) |
|
- |
|
|
(102 |
) |
|
- |
|
| Gain on insurance settlement |
|
- |
|
|
183,217 |
|
|
- |
|
|
183,217 |
|
| Other expense |
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
- |
|
| Total other (expense) income |
|
(426 |
) |
|
182,773 |
|
|
(813 |
) |
|
182,768 |
|
| Income before income taxes |
|
1,194,332 |
|
|
687,996 |
|
|
1,309,003 |
|
|
517,964 |
|
| Income tax expense |
|
(4,767 |
) |
|
(4,507 |
) |
|
(9,534 |
) |
|
(9,014 |
) |
| Net income |
$ |
1,189,565 |
|
$ |
683,489 |
|
$ |
1,299,469 |
|
$ |
508,950 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Basic |
$ |
0.06 |
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
| Diluted |
$ |
0.05 |
|
$ |
0.03 |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
$ |
0.02 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Weighted average number of shares used in computing net income per common share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Basic |
|
21,468,569 |
|
|
21,222,228 |
|
|
21,461,773 |
|
|
21,193,793 |
|
| Diluted |
|
21,681,484 |
|
|
21,731,440 |
|
|
21,623,967 |
|
|
21,536,020 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| |
December 31, 2018
(unaudited) |
|
June 30, 2018 |
|
| ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
2,803,621 |
|
$ |
3,393,186 |
|
| Restricted cash |
|
201,081 |
|
|
- |
|
| Accounts receivable, net |
|
2,972,322 |
|
|
1,765,722 |
|
| Inventory, net |
|
11,318,267 |
|
|
10,979,891 |
|
| Prepaid expenses and other assets |
|
1,305,119 |
|
|
916,162 |
|
| Total current assets |
|
18,600,410 |
|
|
17,054,961 |
|
| Long-term assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Inventory, net |
|
21,474,480 |
|
|
20,848,647 |
|
| Property and equipment, net |
|
1,200,342 |
|
|
1,144,198 |
|
| Intangible assets, net |
|
89,729 |
|
|
34,833 |
|
| Other assets |
|
387,165 |
|
|
389,868 |
|
| Total long-term assets |
|
23,151,716 |
|
|
22,417,546 |
|
| TOTAL ASSETS |
$ |
41,752,126 |
|
$ |
39,472,507 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accounts payable |
$ |
4,467,137 |
|
$ |
4,170,952 |
|
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
|
1,125,481 |
|
|
618,945 |
|
| Total current liabilities |
|
5,592,618 |
|
|
4,789,897 |
|
| Long-term liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Deferred rent |
|
315,613 |
|
|
393,051 |
|
| Accrued income taxes |
|
480,660 |
|
|
471,126 |
|
| Total long-term liabilities |
|
796,273 |
|
|
864,177 |
|
| Total liabilities |
|
6,388,891 |
|
|
5,654,074 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Shareholders’ equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Common stock, no par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 21,568,069 and 21,705,173 shares issued and
outstanding at December 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018, respectively |
|
54,247,296 |
|
|
54,243,816 |
|
| Additional paid-in capital |
|
15,203,924 |
|
|
14,962,071 |
|
| Accumulated deficit |
|
(34,087,985 |
) |
|
(35,387,454 |
) |
| Total shareholders’ equity |
|
35,363,235 |
|
|
33,818,433 |
|
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY |
$ |
41,752,126 |
|
$ |
39,472,507 |
|
| |
CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
| |
Six Months Ended December 31, |
|
| |
2018 |
|
2017 |
|
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net income |
$ |
1,299,469 |
|
$ |
508,950 |
|
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Depreciation and amortization |
|
230,013 |
|
|
207,854 |
|
| Stock-based compensation |
|
243,082 |
|
|
237,396 |
|
| Provision for (recovery of) collectible accounts |
|
8,056 |
|
|
(1,000 |
) |
| Provision for sales returns |
|
635,000 |
|
|
67,000 |
|
| Provision for inventory reserves |
|
52,000 |
|
|
551,000 |
|
| Provision for accounts receivable discounts |
|
38,788 |
|
|
- |
|
| Gain on insurance claim settlement |
|
- |
|
|
(183,217 |
) |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Accounts receivable |
|
(1,888,444 |
) |
|
(1,451,017 |
) |
| Inventory |
|
(1,016,209 |
) |
|
(2,353,372 |
) |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets, net |
|
(386,254 |
) |
|
(78,294 |
) |
| Accounts payable |
|
296,185 |
|
|
601,185 |
|
| Deferred rent |
|
(77,438 |
) |
|
(69,079 |
) |
| Accrued income taxes |
|
9,534 |
|
|
9,014 |
|
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities |
|
506,536 |
|
|
303,741 |
|
| Net cash used in operating activities |
|
(49,682 |
) |
|
(1,649,839 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Purchases of property and equipment |
|
(285,377 |
) |
|
(44,757 |
) |
| Intangible assets |
|
(55,676 |
) |
|
(508 |
) |
| Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(341,053 |
) |
|
(45,265 |
) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCIANG ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stock option exercises |
|
2,251 |
|
|
- |
|
| Net cash provided by financing activities |
|
2,251 |
|
|
- |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH |
|
(388,484 |
) |
|
(1,695,104 |
) |
| CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD |
|
3,393,186 |
|
|
6,289,111 |
|
| CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD |
$ |
3,004,702 |
|
$ |
4,594,007 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Cash paid during the period for interest |
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
| Cash paid during the period for taxes |
$ |
- |
|
$ |
- |
|
| Reconciliation to Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets: |
|
December 31,
2018 |
|
December 31,
2017 |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
2,803,621 |
|
$ |
4,594,007 |
|
| Restricted cash |
|
|
201,081 |
|
|
- |
|
| CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH |
|
$ |
3,004,702 |
|
$ |
4,594,007 |
|
