Kailua Kona, Hawaii August 15, 2008 — Cyanotech Corporation, a world leader in producing high-value nutrition and health products from microalgae, today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2009, ended June 30, 2008.
Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 43% to $3,701,000, compared to revenues of $2,583,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Gross profit for the current first quarter was $1,304,000, with gross profit margin of 35%, compared to a gross profit of $746,000 and gross profit margin of 29% reported for the same quarter of the prior year. Net income for the first quarter was $271,000, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $382,000, or ($0.07) per diluted share for the first quarter of fiscal 2008.
Sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 increased due to increases in both spirulina and natural astaxanthin product sales. Spirulina sales increased 33% over the same period of fiscal year 2008, primarily due to increased units sold of both bulk and packages products while prices increased only slightly. Natural astaxanthin product sales increased as well over the comparable prior year period due to an increase in sales of both bulk and packaged astaxanthin products. Bulk products sales increased by 49% while packaged nutrition products increased by 126%.
The improvement in net income is the result of increased sales, increased gross profit and a reduction in operating expenses.
Cash and cash equivalents were $1,099,000 as of June 30, 2008 compared to the March 31, 2008 balance of $1,090,000. Working capital was $3,289,000 at June 30, 2008 compared to $3,092,000 at March 31, 2008.
“We are pleased with first quarter fiscal year 2009 results,” said Andrew H. Jacobson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The team really pulled together with improvements in all aspects of the business, including production. Our recent accomplishments in no way suggest we have turned our issues around, but they do show momentum toward continued improvement.”
Mr. Jacobson went on to say, “We expect continued pressure on input costs going forward and this could cause margins to decline in future periods. As everyone is aware, rising fuel and energy costs have taken a toll. This issue is not unique to Cyanotech Corporation. After careful evaluation, we have determined that we can no longer absorb fuel and energy increases, especially being located in Hawaii, which has some of the highest energy costs in the world. We therefore will be instituting a price increase across all our products. The increase should be fully implemented by the middle of the third quarter of fiscal year 2009.”