Attached files
| file | filename |
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| 8-K - FORM 8-K - CHARLES & COLVARD LTD | form8k.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
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NEWS RELEASE |
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300 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite A
Morrisville, North Carolina 27560
919.468.0399
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Company Contact:
Timothy Krist
Chief Financial Officer
919.468.0399, ext. 295
tkrist@charlesandcolvard.com
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Investor Relations:
R. Jerry Falkner
RJ Falkner & Company, Inc.
Investor Relations Counsel
800.377.9893
info@rjfalkner.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHARLES & COLVARD REPORTS FIRST QUARTER OPERATING RESULTS
MORRISVILLE, N.C. -- April 28, 2011 -- Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CTHR), the sole manufacturer of created moissanite gemstones, The Most Brilliant Jewel in the World®, today announced its operating results for the first quarter of 2011.
Financial Highlights:
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·
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Q1 net sales increase 4% to $3.0 million vs. $2.9 million in Q1 2010
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·
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Net loss of $236,000 vs. prior-year period net income of $298,000
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$9.0 million cash and investments and no long-term debt at 3/31/11
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·
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Positive cash flow from operations of $491,000
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Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased 4% to approximately $3.0 million, compared with approximately $2.9 million in net sales during the corresponding period of the previous year. Loose moissanite gemstone sales were relatively flat versus the prior-year period, during what is historically the slowest quarter of the year. Finished jewelry sales increased 130% to $410,000 in the first quarter of 2011 from $178,000 in the first quarter of 2010 as a result of the Company’s strategic initiative to expand this new business opportunity.
The Company recorded a net loss of $236,000, or $0.01 per share, in the first quarter of 2011, compared with net income of $298,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2010. The net loss was primarily a result of higher manufacturing overhead and operating expenses incurred during the quarter to invest in new business initiatives to support future revenue streams. Operating expenses increased $227,000, or 14%, when compared with the same period in 2010.
“Our first quarter results reflect our focus upon establishing customer relationships that can increase future sales of finished jewelry, combined with the fact that January and February are seasonally the slowest months of the year for wholesale jewelry sales,” commented Randy N. McCullough, Chief Executive Officer of Charles & Colvard, Ltd. “Historically, the vast majority of our revenue has been derived from the sale of loose gemstones to distributors and jewelry manufacturers, which excluded us from participating in the incremental revenue and gross profit generated by the sale of finished jewelry to retailers and consumers. As a result, Charles & Colvard had very little control over the final product and how it was positioned to the marketplace. Last year, we made a strategic decision to
Charles & Colvard Reports First Quarter Operating Results
April 28, 2011
Page 2 of 6
increase jewelry manufacturing activities and finished jewelry sales as a percentage of the Company’s total revenues. While gross profit margins on finished jewelry, due to labor and overhead, are generally lower than margins on loose gemstones, we believe the success of this new business initiative will increase the total revenue and gross profit dollars that Charles & Colvard generates from the ultimate sale of moissanite jewelry to the consumer. In addition, we believe our entry into the finished jewelry business positions us to expand consumer awareness of moissanite.”
“I am pleased to report that management’s efforts to broaden our customer base and expand marketing channel relationships have been successful in recent months, and we believe this will be evident in our results for the year ending December 31, 2011,” continued McCullough. “We continue to believe that created moissanite gemstones and finished jewelry containing moissanite are destined to capture a growing share of the $120 billion global jewelry market in coming years. As more retailers and consumers become aware of the value proposition of moissanite, which offers greater brilliance and fire than diamonds at significantly lower prices, we are confident in our ability to successfully execute a multi-brand strategy that can realize the full potential of The Most Brilliant Jewel in the World®.”
Financial Position
Cash and liquid long-term investments totaled $9.0 million at the end of the first quarter of 2011, up slightly from approximately $8.8 million at December 31, 2010, and the Company had no long-term debt outstanding as of March 31, 2011. Cash generated from operations totaled $491,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2011. Receipt of an income tax receivable of $113,000, a net decrease in inventory of $578,000, a decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets of $35,000, and an increase in trade accounts payable of $146,000 were the primary drivers of positive cash flow, more than offsetting the Company’s net loss of $236,000 that includes $240,000 of non-cash expenses, an increase in trade accounts receivable of $288,000, and a net decrease in accrued liabilities of $92,000.
Total inventory, including long-term and consignment inventory, approximated $36.8 million as of March 31, 2011, which was down from approximately $37.4 million at the end of 2010 primarily as a result of sales, offset in part by purchases of jewelry castings, findings, and other jewelry components and limited production of moissanite gemstones. Net trade accounts receivable approximated $4.0 million at the end of the first quarter of 2011, up from approximately $3.7 million at the end of 2010, primarily due to sales that occurred late in the quarter and extended payment terms that are offered by the Company from time to time.
Investor Conference Call
The Company will host an investor conference call at 11:15 a.m. EDT today, April 28, 2011, to discuss its first quarter 2011 operating results, along with other topics of interest. Shareholders and other interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing 877-317-6789 (international/local participants dial 412-317-6789) and asking to be connected to the “Charles & Colvard, Ltd. Conference Call” a few minutes before 11:15 a.m. EDT on Thursday, April 28, 2011. The call will also be broadcast live on the Internet at www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=78953.
Charles & Colvard Reports First Quarter Operating Results
April 28, 2011
Page 3 of 6
A replay of the conference call will be available one hour after the call through Thursday, May 5, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. EDT by dialing 877-344-7529 (U.S.) or 412-317-0088 (international) and entering the conference ID number 450483.
The conference call will be archived for review on the Internet at www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=78953 and on the Company’s website at www.charlesandcolvard.com through Thursday, May 5, 2011.
About Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
Charles & Colvard, Ltd., based in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina, is the global sole source of moissanite, a unique, near-colorless created gemstone that is distinct from other gemstones and jewels based on its exceptional fire, brilliance, luster, durability, and rarity. Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® is currently incorporated into fine jewelry sold through domestic and international retailers and other sales channels. Charles & Colvard, Ltd. is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, and its common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CTHR”. For more information, please access www.moissanite.com or www.charlesandcolvard.com.
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 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 acceptance and growth of sales of our products; our dependence on third parties for the sales and marketing of our products to end consumers; dependence on a limited number of customers; our current customers’ potential perception of us as a competitor as we enter the finished jewelry business; general economic and market conditions, including the current economic environment; dependence on Cree, Inc. as the current supplier of the raw material; intense competition in the worldwide jewelry industry; the financial condition of our major customers; risks of conducting business in foreign countries; the pricing of precious metals, which is beyond our control; our ability to protect our intellectual property; and possible adverse effects of governmental regulation and oversight, in addition to the other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 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.
(Financial Highlights Follow)
Charles & Colvard Reports First Quarter Operating Results
April 28, 2011
Page 4 of 6
Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
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Three Months Ended March 31,
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2011
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2010
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Net sales
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$ | 2,977,556 | $ | 2,853,675 | ||||
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Costs and expenses:
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Cost of goods sold
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1,328,521 | 1,058,981 | ||||||
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Sales and marketing
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681,285 | 586,598 | ||||||
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General and administrative
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1,184,972 | 1,023,665 | ||||||
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Research and development
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12,548 | 41,857 | ||||||
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Total costs and expenses
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3,207,326 | 2,711,101 | ||||||
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(Loss) income from operations
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(229,770 | ) | 142,574 | |||||
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Other income (expense):
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Interest income
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17,919 | 26,522 | ||||||
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Interest expense
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(12 | ) | (676 | ) | ||||
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Loss on call of long-term investments
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(2,913 | ) | - | |||||
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Total other income (expense)
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14,994 | 25,846 | ||||||
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(Loss) income before income taxes
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(214,776 | ) | 168,420 | |||||
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Income tax net (expense) benefit
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(21,612 | ) | 129,965 | |||||
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Net (loss) income
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$ | (236,388 | ) | $ | 298,385 | |||
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Net (loss) income per common share:
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Basic
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$ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 0.02 | |||
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Fully diluted
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$ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 0.02 | |||
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Weighted average number of shares used in computing net (loss) income per common share:
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Basic
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19,297,861 | 19,019,402 | ||||||
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Fully diluted
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19,297,861 | 19,214,466 | ||||||
Charles & Colvard Reports First Quarter Operating Results
April 28, 2011
Page 5 of 6
Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
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March 31, 2011
(unaudited)
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December 31, 2010
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ASSETS
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Current assets:
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$ | 7,973,131 | $ | 7,736,044 | ||||
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Accounts receivable, net
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4,013,649 | 3,679,141 | ||||||
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Interest receivable
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11,789 | 6,163 | ||||||
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Income tax receivable
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- | 113,030 | ||||||
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Inventory, net
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6,164,918 | 6,306,875 | ||||||
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Prepaid expenses and other assets
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296,065 | 343,137 | ||||||
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Total current assets
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18,459,552 | 18,184,390 | ||||||
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Long-term assets:
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Held-to-maturity investments
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1,010,098 | 1,018,551 | ||||||
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Inventory, net
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30,618,094 | 31,075,626 | ||||||
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Property and equipment, net
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618,186 | 377,352 | ||||||
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Patent and license rights, net
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246,739 | 252,542 | ||||||
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Other assets
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13,746 | 1,990 | ||||||
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Total long-term assets
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32,506,863 | 32,726,061 | ||||||
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TOTAL ASSETS
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$ | 50,966,415 | $ | 50,910,451 | ||||
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
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Current liabilities:
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Accounts payable
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$ | 687,905 | $ | 542,084 | ||||
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Accrued cooperative advertising
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319,000 | 314,000 | ||||||
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Accrued expenses and other liabilities
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190,068 | 308,653 | ||||||
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Total current liabilities
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1,196,973 | 1,164,737 | ||||||
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Long-term liabilities:
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Accrued income taxes
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959,025 | 937,414 | ||||||
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Total liabilities
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2,155,998 | 2,102,151 | ||||||
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Commitments and contingencies
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Shareholders’ equity:
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Common stock, no par value
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53,144,937 | 53,113,608 | ||||||
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Additional paid-in capital – stock-based compensation
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7,018,864 | 6,811,688 | ||||||
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Accumulated deficit
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(11,353,384 | ) | (11,116,996 | ) | ||||
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Total shareholders’ equity
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48,810,417 | 48,808,300 | ||||||
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
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$ | 50,966,415 | $ | 50,910,451 | ||||
Charles & Colvard Reports First Quarter Operating Results
April 28, 2011
Page 6 of 6
Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
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Three Months Ended March 31,
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2011
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2010
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CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
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Net (loss) income
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$ | (236,388 | ) | $ | 298,385 | |||
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Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
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Depreciation and amortization
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42,439 | 31,887 | ||||||
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Amortization of bond premium
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1,165 | 2,894 | ||||||
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Stock-based compensation
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219,343 | 107,485 | ||||||
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Provision for uncollectible accounts
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29,000 | (40,000 | ) | |||||
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Provision for sales returns
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(76,000 | ) | (30,000 | ) | ||||
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Provision for inventory reserves
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21,000 | (96,000 | ) | |||||
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Benefit for deferred income taxes
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- | (102,443 | ) | |||||
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Loss on call of long-term investments
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2,913 | - | ||||||
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Changes in assets and liabilities:
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Accounts receivable
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(287,508 | ) | (594,531 | ) | ||||
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Interest receivable
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(5,626 | ) | (39,681 | ) | ||||
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Income tax receivable
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113,030 | - | ||||||
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Note receivable
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- | 54,627 | ||||||
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Inventory
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578,489 | 734,564 | ||||||
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Prepaid expenses and other assets, net
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35,316 | (23,196 | ) | |||||
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Accounts payable
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145,821 | 31,830 | ||||||
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Accrued cooperative advertising
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5,000 | 138,000 | ||||||
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Accrued income taxes
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21,611 | (27,522 | ) | |||||
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Other accrued liabilities, net
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(118,585 | ) | 43,039 | |||||
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Net cash provided by operating activities
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491,020 | 489,338 | ||||||
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CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
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Purchases of property and equipment
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(271,035 | ) | (48,459 | ) | ||||
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Purchases of long-term investments
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(495,625 | ) | (5,056,990 | ) | ||||
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Proceeds from call of long-term investments
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500,000 | - | ||||||
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Patent and license rights costs
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(6,435 | ) | (7,051 | ) | ||||
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Net cash used in investing activities
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(273,095 | ) | (5,112,500 | ) | ||||
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CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
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Stock option exercises
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19,162 | 3,450 | ||||||
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Net cash provided by financing activities
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19,162 | 3,450 | ||||||
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NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
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237,087 | (4,619,712 | ) | |||||
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
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7,736,044 | 7,405,685 | ||||||
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
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$ | 7,973,131 | $ | 2,785,973 | ||||
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Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
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Cash paid during the year for interest
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$ | 12 | $ | 676 | ||||
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