PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., May 6, 2011 (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 2011 third quarter ended March 31, 2011.
Net sales for the fiscal 2011 third quarter were $117.9 Million, an increase of 18.7% from $99.3 Million in the year ago quarter. Gross profit increased 22.6% to $19.4 Million in the 2011 fiscal quarter compared to $15.9 Million in the 2010 quarter. As a result of the Rising acquisition and integration, SG&A expenses were up 32% to $13.3 Million in the 2011 fiscal quarter compared to the same period last year. Net income was flat at $3.8 Million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to $3.8 Million or $0.15 per diluted share in the 2010 quarter.
Net sales for the nine months ended March 31, 2011 were $291.2 Million, a 20.9% increase from $240.9 Million for the fiscal 2010 comparable period. Gross profit for the first nine months of fiscal 2011 was $45.8 Million, an increase of 19.2% from $38.4 Million in the fiscal 2010 comparable period. For the first nine months of fiscal 2011, we reported net income of $5.5 Million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to $2.3 Million, or $0.09 per diluted share in the fiscal 2010 comparable period. Both the fiscal 2010 and 2011 nine month periods were negatively impacted by several one-time charges. The fiscal 2011 period was impacted by costs relating to the acquisition of assets of Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Rising") and the fiscal 2010 period was impacted by costs relating to various one-time charges, all of which have been previously discussed in our press releases. Adjusting for the one-time charges that negatively impacted both periods, we would have reported $8.8 Million, or $0.34 per share for the fiscal 2011 period compared to $5.5 Million or $0.22 per share for the 2010 comparable period.
Commenting on the results, Albert Eilender, Chairman and CEO of Aceto stated, "We are pleased with the results that we have reported today. All three of our business segments showed sales growth during the quarter. During the quarter, sales in our Health Sciences segment increased 20.1% from the 2010 comparable quarter, largely the result of increased sales from our international operations and the addition of sales of Rising products where we had no comparable sales in prior periods. These increases were partially offset by decreases in sales of pharmaceutical intermediates and other products in the domestic generic products group. Sales in our Specialty Chemicals segment increased 13.8% compared to the 2010 comparable quarter, largely the result of increased sales of chemicals used in surface coatings as well as increased sales of agricultural, dye, pigment and miscellaneous intermediates. Sales in our Crop Protection segment increased 27.8% from the 2010 comparable quarter as a result of increased sales among a number of our products in this segment."
Commenting on the Rising Pharmaceuticals transaction, Mr. Eilender stated, "We are pleased that the integration of Rising has gone extremely smoothly and that the synergistic business opportunities in the finished dosage form area that we believed would be created as a result of the acquisition have, in fact, begun to materialize."
Mr. Eilender continued, "We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Salvatore Guccione as the newest addition to our Board of Directors. Mr. Guccione brings to Aceto more than 20 years of investing and operating experience in the specialty chemicals and healthcare industries and we believe he will be a valuable addition to our current Board. Additionally, as of April 4, 2011, we have moved into our new corporate headquarters in Port Washington, New York. We welcome our shareholders, vendors, customers and suppliers to come in and visit with us at our new offices."
DIVIDEND
Aceto also announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular, semi-annual dividend of $0.10 per common share which will be distributed on June 24, 2011 to shareholders of record as of June 13, 2011.
CONFERENCE CALL
Albert Eilender, Vincent Miata, Ronald Gold and Douglas Roth will conduct a conference call at 9:00 a.m. ET on Friday, May 6, 2011 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 # 29541765). The conference call will also be webcast live via the Investor Relations section of our 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 May 6, 2011 until 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday May 9, 2011. Dial 888-843-7419 (630-652-3042 for international callers) and enter the code 29541765 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 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, which 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, 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: Theodore Ayvas Director of Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Aceto Corporation (516) 627-6000 www.aceto.com