Comtex Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2008 Earnings
12 May 2008 - 10:15PM
PR Newswire (US)
NEW YORK, May 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Comtex News Network,
Inc. (OTC:CMTX) (BULLETIN BOARD: CMTX) , a leading provider of
economically useful electronic real-time news, content and
SmarTrend(R) market products, today announced financial results for
its third fiscal quarter and the nine month period ended March, 31,
2008. Comtex reported $232,000 of operating income and net income
of $244,000, or $0.02 per share for the third quarter of fiscal
2008, compared to operating income of $61,000 and a net loss of
$(181,000), or $(0.01) per share for the quarter ended March 31,
2007. The growth in profitability resulted primarily from decreases
in both fixed product costs and overhead expenses. Comtex's
revenues were approximately $1.8 million for both the quarter ended
March 31, 2008 and for the third quarter of the previous fiscal
year. Comtex reported operating income of $797,000 and net income
of $754,000, or $0.05 per share for the nine months ended March 31,
2008, versus operating income of $83,000 and a net loss of
$(192,000), or $(0.01) per share, for the comparative prior year
period. Comtex reported revenues of $5.4 million for the nine
months ended March 31, 2008 compared to $5.2 million for the nine
months ended March 31, 2007. The increase in revenue was primarily
due to the realization of approximately $181,000 of previously
unrecognized revenue, plus increased sales to existing clients. For
the nine months ended March 31, 2008, EBITDA (as defined and
explained in the accompanying note to the table below), excluding
the effects of stock- based compensation, was approximately
$858,000, compared to $204,000 for the nine months ended March 31,
2007. The increased EBITDA was primarily the result of the
collection and recognition of revenue from prior periods, the
reversal of accrued expenses related to a legal settlement, and
reductions in both fixed product costs and overhead expenses. Chip
Brian, Comtex's President and CEO, stated, "Comtex's third quarter
fiscal 2008 financial results show increased profit margins,
working capital and stockholders' equity, while revenues remained
basically unchanged. Comtex is well positioned to capitalize on the
convergence of content and technology to create innovative new
products and services." About Comtex Comtex
(http://www.comtex.com/) provides real-time news, Comtex
SmarTrend(R) Alerts and economically useful information. Comtex
customers receive select content from key sources which is further
enhanced with stock tickers and an extended lexicon of relevant
terms. With a specialization in the financial news and content
marketplace, Comtex receives, enhances, combines and filters news
and content received from national and international news bureaus,
agencies and publications, and distributes more than one million
total stories per day. Comtex's state-of-the-art technology
delivers this relevant content and reliable service in real-time.
Comtex also provides several proprietary SmarTrend Alert products
to investors, including a daily stock market letter (Morning Call),
selected stock news (SmarTrend Spotlights), and SmarTrend Alerts
(via subscription at http://www.mysmartrend.com/). Comtex has
offices in New York City; Boston, Massachusetts; and Alexandria,
Virginia. SmarTrend(R) is a registered trademark of Comtex News
Network, Inc. Contact: Amber Gordon 703-797-8011 FINANCIAL TABLE
FOLLOWS Comtex News Network, Inc. Selected Financial Data
(unaudited / amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) Three
Months Nine Months Ended March 31 Ended March 31 2008 2007 2008
2007 Revenues $1,770 $1,796 $5,426 $5,247 Operating Income 232 61
797 83 Net Income (Loss) $244 $(181) $754 $(192) Earnings (Loss)
Per Share Basic and Diluted $0.02 $(0.01) $0.05 $(0.01) Weighted
Avg. # Shares: Basic 15,294 14,233 15,294 13,878 Diluted 15,460
14,233 15,467 13,878 Reconciliation to EBITDA: Net Income (Loss)
$244 $(181) $754 $(192) Stock-based compensation - 11 3 33
Depreciation and Amortization 19 24 59 88 Interest/Other (Income)
Expenses, net (12) 238 37 269 Income Taxes - 4 5 6 EBITDA $251 $96
$858 $204 Please Note: EBITDA consists of earnings before
stock-based compensation, debt conversion expense, interest
expense, interest and other income, unrealized and realized gains
(losses) in marketable securities, income taxes, and depreciation
and amortization. EBITDA is not a term defined by U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles, and as a result, our measure of
EBITDA might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by
other companies. However, we believe that EBITDA is relevant and
useful information, which is often reported and widely used by
analysts, investors and other interested parties in our industry.
Accordingly, we are disclosing this information to permit a more
comprehensive analysis of our operating performance. Also Please
Note: Except for the historical information contained herein, this
press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These
forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a
future period by use of forward-looking terminology such as
"anticipate," "expect," "could," "intend," "may" and other words of
a similar nature. These statements involve risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
contemplated herein, including the occurrence of unanticipated
events or circumstances relating to the fact that Comtex is in a
highly competitive industry subject to rapid technological, product
and price changes. Other factors include the possibility that
demand for the Company's products may not occur or continue at
sufficient levels, changing global economic and competitive
conditions, technological risks and other risks and uncertainties,
including those detailed in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Comtex undertakes no obligation
to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise. DATASOURCE:
Comtex News Network, Inc. CONTACT: Amber Gordon of Comtex News
Network, Inc., +1-703-797-8011, Web site: http://www.comtex.com/
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