LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., Sept. 10, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aceto Corporation (Nasdaq:ACET), a global leader in the sourcing, quality assurance, regulatory support, marketing and distribution of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, specialty chemicals and crop protection products, today announced results of operations for its fiscal 2010 fourth quarter and year ended June 30, 2010.
Net sales for the fiscal 2010 fourth quarter were $105.8 million, an increase of 41.4% from $74.8 million we reported in the year ago quarter. This represents the highest level of quarterly sales in Aceto's history. Prior to this quarter, the highest level of quarterly sales was $104.7 million achieved in the fiscal 2008 fourth quarter. Gross profit increased 34.4% to $15.7 million in the 2010 fiscal quarter compared to $11.7 million in the 2009 quarter. SG&A expenses decreased 3.6% to $10.3 million in the 2010 quarter compared to $10.7 million in the year ago comparable quarter. Net income increased 303.2% to $4.2 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, compared to $1.1 million or $0.04 per diluted share in the 2009 quarter.
Net sales for the year ended June 30, 2010 were $346.6 million, a 7.4% increase from $322.6 million for fiscal 2009. Gross profit for fiscal 2010 was $54.2 million, a decrease of 2.6% from $55.6 million in fiscal 2009. Net income was $6.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, for fiscal 2010. Fiscal 2010 has been negatively impacted by three one-time, pre-tax, charges which were reflected in the fiscal 2010 second quarter results and were discussed in that quarter's results release. Had it not been for these charges, we would have reported net income of $9.7 million, or $0.39 per diluted share for fiscal 2010, as compared to $8.6 million, or $0.35 per diluted share in fiscal 2009.
The Company is pleased with the results that we are reporting today. As we had anticipated, we had a strong quarter across the board which resulted in quarterly record sales of $105.8 million for the Company in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2010. During the fiscal fourth quarter, sales in our Health Sciences segment increased 10.3% from the 2009 comparable quarter, largely the result of increased sales across all business components of this segment. Sales in our Specialty Chemicals business segment increased 41.2% compared to the 2009 comparable quarter, largely the result of increased sales in both domestic and international markets. Sales of products used in surface coatings and in the food, beverage and cosmetics industries all showed continued strength. Sales in our Crop Protection segment increased 293.7% from the 2009 comparable quarter, largely the result of sales of glyphosate which commenced in the third quarter of fiscal 2010.
With respect to our animal vaccine project, Vincent Miata stated, "We are still awaiting the USDA's decision regarding our permit application. We continue to reiterate that this is a regulatory review and there is no prescribed timetable for the USDA to make their final decision. Looking at our effort to sell finished dosage form generic drugs, we continue to introduce additional products from our external pipeline as the business remains a focus of ours."
The Board of Directors of Aceto Corporation also announced two changes in its senior management today. Albert Eilender has been named executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Concurrently, Vince Miata has been named President and Chief Operating Officer also effective immediately.
Mr. Eilender has served as non-Executive Chairman since October 2009, and been a member of Aceto's Board since December 1999. For approximately five years, Mr. Eilender served as the Lead Independent Director. Mr. Miata has served as the company's President since December 2008, and its CEO since October 2009.
The Board took this action to a) maximize utilization of its executive resources, and b) align the strengths of its executives with their key roles to facilitate growth and enhanced profitability. With the ever-increasing level of required internal and external activities, the Board believes that these changes will allow Mr. Miata to focus his skills and attention on the company's ongoing operations. This should significantly benefit Aceto's international, sales, marketing, and sourcing activities. As COO, Mr. Miata will continue to have all three Aceto business segments reporting to him.
As Chairman and CEO, Mr. Eilender will assume leadership for all aspects of Aceto Corporation. He will concentrate on strategic issues, long range planning and acquisition activity, while continuing to coordinate the Board of Directors' agenda, and investor relations. This management change is designed to sharpen the focus on all aspects of the company's business and to aid in developing a cohesive succession plan throughout the company's hierarchy.
Mr. Eilender said that "With the global economic conditions still unsettled, the Board felt that it was incumbent to put in-place and institute a more dynamic approach to seeking growth and profitability through pursuit of opportunities both from internal and external sources, while maintaining an unwavering concentration on the core business. Neither the business model nor the strategic direction of the company is anticipated to be altered as a result of this change. That said, the process for deciding where and how to utilize our resources will be more rigorous and structured."
CONFERENCE CALL
Albert Eilender, Vincent Miata and Douglas Roth will conduct a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET on Friday, September 10, 2010. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 800-447-0521 (847-413-3238 for international callers) – please call in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin, and ask for the Aceto call (conference ID # 27693155). The conference call will also be webcast live via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, . To listen to the live call please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. The conference call will be archived on the Company's website, and a recorded phone replay will also be available from 1:00 p.m. ET on Friday, September 10, 2010 until 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday, September 13, 2010. Dial 888-843-8996 (630-652-3044 for international callers) and enter the code 27693155 for the phone replay.
ABOUT ACETO
Aceto Corporation, incorporated in 1947, is a global leader in the sourcing, quality assurance, regulatory support, marketing and distribution of pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, specialty chemicals and crop protection products. With business operations in ten countries, Aceto distributes over 1000 chemical compounds used either as principal raw materials or as finished products in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, surface coating/ink and general chemical consuming industries. Aceto's global operations, including a staff of 26 in Shanghai and 12 in India are distinctive in the industry and enable its worldwide sourcing and regulatory capabilities. (ACET-F)
This news release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the federal securities laws. The events described in forward-looking statements contained in this news release may not occur. Generally, these statements relate to our business plans or strategies, projected or anticipated benefits or other consequences of Aceto's plans or strategies, financing plans, projected or anticipated benefits from acquisitions that Aceto may make, or projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings or other aspects of Aceto's operating results or financial position, and the outcome of any contingencies. Any such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of management. Aceto intends for these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend," "estimate," and "continue," and their opposites and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's strategic initiatives, including providing vaccines for companion animals, selling finished dosage form generic drugs, and statements regarding the prospects for long-term growth. Aceto cautions you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks and other influences, many of which are beyond Aceto's control, that may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projections upon which the statements are based. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth or implied by any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, unforeseen environmental liabilities, international military conflicts, the mix of products sold and the profit margins thereon, order cancellation or a reduction in orders from customers, disruption of supply chain due to trade matters, competitive product offerings and pricing actions, the availability and pricing of key raw materials, dependence on key members of management, continued successful integration of acquisitions, receipt of regulatory approvals, risks of entering into new European markets, economic and political conditions in the United States and abroad, Aceto's ability to continue strong cost controls as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in Aceto's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Aceto's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 and other filings. Copies of these filings are available at www.sec.gov.
Any one or more of these uncertainties, risks and other influences could materially affect Aceto's results of operations and whether forward-looking statements made by Aceto ultimately prove to be accurate. Aceto's actual results, performance and achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Aceto undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether from new information, future events or otherwise.
CONTACT: Aceto Corporation Theodore Ayvas, Director of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations (516) 627-6000 www.aceto.com