MUNDELEIN, Ill., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Bio-logic Systems Corp.
(Nasdaq: BLSC), a designer and marketer of computerized medical
electro-diagnostic equipment, today reported results for the fiscal 1999 third
quarter and nine months ended November 30, 1998. Total sales in the recent
third quarter decreased nearly 4 percent as the Asian economic crisis, which
has been adversely impacting the company's operations since the first quarter,
continued to impede international sales.
"Fiscal 1999 will be recorded as a year of transition for Bio-logic. At a
time when we are undertaking several initiatives to expand the long-term
potential of the company -- our conversion to Windows 95/NT software;
achieving ISO 9000 certification; launching a major new product line to two
substantial and new markets; and, continuing to develop innovative,
next-generation product modules to support our specialist markets -- our
customers in Asia and South America are facing economic turmoil," said Dr.
Gabriel Raviv, president and chief executive officer. "Consequently, we are
experiencing reduced sales and higher costs associated with research and
development, and regulatory compliance.
"While Asia's economic problems are beyond our control, we believe that
the efforts we've made this year in penetrating new markets, upgrading our
product lines and marketing our substantial capabilities have laid the
foundation for important growth over the next few years."
Total sales for the third quarter were $4.4 million compared with
$4.5 million last year. International sales fell nearly 19 percent over a
year ago, and now represent 16 percent of total sales. Net income for the
three months was $27,544, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared with $360,639,
or $0.09 per diluted share, last year. The decrease in net income resulted
from the lower net sales and a 29 percent increase in research and development
costs.
For the nine months, net sales were $12.5 million compared with
$13.3 million last year. Net loss was $100,732, or $0.03 per diluted share,
compared with net income of $794,097, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the nine
months a year earlier. The net loss was attributed to a decline in
international sales of 29 percent from a year ago, a substantial increase in
research and development expenses related to new product development and the
conversion of all product software and higher SG&A expenses attributed to
ISO 9000 compliance led to the net loss.
Sales of Bio-logic's new hearing screening product, AuDX(R), which is
primarily targeted at the $300 million office-based physician market, continue
to increase steadily. The company is supporting recent legislation for
mandatory newborn hearing testing by initiating discussions with hospital
decision-makers in Massachusetts, California, Virginia, West Virginia, Utah,
Colorado, Mississippi, Connecticut, Hawaii, and Rhode Island to assess their
product and training needs, and present AuDX's capabilities.
Another substantial opportunity for Bio-logic is its Ceegraph system of
neurological monitoring devices, which continues to drive revenues. Ceegraph
4, the first Windows 95/NT integrated digital system for all EEG, ambulatory
and epilepsy monitoring needs was introduced in October 1998 and sales are
just beginning to ramp up.
The company's newest EEG system, the Ceegraph XL, is a 64-128 channel
module that is positioned to compete in the $20 million, long-term epilepsy
monitoring market. It utilizes Ceegraph's single-solution expandable system,
which integrates all EEG needs, including routine tests, ambulatory recordings
and epilepsy monitoring. The 64-128 channel system raises the industry
standard in epilepsy monitoring, and Bio-logic is one of only a few
competitors offering this capability. The company has a growing backlog of
orders for this product that it expects to ship in the fiscal 2000 first
quarter.
As announced earlier this week, Boston Children's Hospital has awarded
Bio-logic a contract worth approximately $1.4 million for the purchase of
Bio-logic's comprehensive neurodiagnostic systems including long-term epilepsy
monitoring, clinical EEG, ambulatory EEG, polysomnography, intraoperative
evoked potential monitoring and reader stations for multiple locations.
In addition, Bio-Logic enhanced its strong presence in the Japanese market
with Hokaido University's decision to award its $400,000 neurodiagnostic
network entirely to Bio-Logic. Similar to Boston Children's order, this
network will utilize the latest developments of Bio-logic's EEG technologies.
"Our company was founded on the idea that our systems should be expandable
to perform more than one type of test and that these tests should be
upgradeable so that our customers can cost-effectively increase their
capabilities," said Dr. Israel Raz, Bio-logic Systems Corp. marketing
director. "Boston Children's selection of Bio-logic affirms that we are
taking the right approach, utilizing the best technology."
As the company closes out fiscal 1999, its goal is to complete the
conversion of its Windows-based Sleepscan system, for diagnosis of sleep
disorders, and continue to market its AuDX and Ceegraph XL systems, leveraging
the growing demand for these innovative product lines.
"We will continue to execute our expansion strategy and capitalize on the
superiority of our state-of-the-art, integrated monitoring devices," said
Raviv. "The complications in the Far East will continue to impact our
operations, but as we shift our primary strategy from compliance and software
upgrades, which were necessary this year, to focus more aggressively on
marketing and production, we believe our domestic sales should begin to
recover in 2000."
Bio-logic financial position remains strong. The company's cash and
marketable securities increased to $6.0 million at November 30, 1998, compared
with $5.1 million at February 28, 1998. Debt was a modest 3 percent of
capitalization, and the current ratio was 4.9.
Bio-logic Systems Corp., headquartered in Mundelein, Ill., designs,
develops, assembles and markets computer-based electro-diagnostic systems for
use by hospitals, clinics, universities and physicians. The systems conduct
tests that are typically used by medical practitioners to aid in the diagnosis
of certain neurological, psychiatric and sensory disorders, psychological and
learning disorders, brain disorders and tumors.
Except for descriptions of historical facts, this release contains
forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, which may
cause the company's actual results in the future to differ materially from
those currently anticipated. These risks include, among others, fluctuations
in sales and operating results; risk associated with international operations
including monetary crisis; regulatory, competitive, and contractual risks; the
effects of economic conditions; and the availability of capital to finance
planned growth, as well as other risks detailed from time to time in the
company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
BIO-LOGIC SYSTEMS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
UNAUDITED
THE THREE MONTHS ENDED THE NINE MONTHS ENDED
Nov. 30, Nov. 30, Nov. 30, Nov. 30,
1998 1997 1998 1997
NET SALES $4,380,800 $4,549,481 $12,449,281 $13,304,511
COST OF SALES 1,357,619 1,390,959 3,949,753 4,258,481
Gross Profit 3,023,181 3,158,522 8,499,528 9,046,030
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Selling, general &
administrative 2,259,874 2,066,456 6,582,739 6,193,026
Research &
development 785,339 608,875 2,241,061 1,809,960
Total Operating
Expenses 3,045,213 2,675,331 8,823,800 8,002,986
OPERATING INCOME
(LOSS) (22,032) 483,191 (324,272) 1,043,044
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest Income 69,959 56,084 198,316 156,371
Interest expense (5,468) (10,694) (23,657) (32,299)
Miscellaneous (1,240) 1,758 (1,644) 2,544
Total Other Income 63,251 47,148 173,015 126,616
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE
INCOME TAXES 41,219 530,339 (151,257) 1,169,660
PROVISION (BENEFIT)
FOR INCOME TAXES 13,675 169,700 (50,525) 375,563
NET INCOME (LOSS) $27,544 $360,639 $(100,732) $794,097
EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE:
Primary and Fully
Diluted $0.01 $0.09 $(0.03) $0.19
BASIC SHARES
OUTSTANDING 4,015,536 3,969,040 4,009,103 3,952,326
DILUTED SHARES
OUTSTANDING 4,050,893 4,192,019 4,087,188 4,106,013
SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DATA
As of As of
November 30, February 28,
1998 1998
Cash and marketable securities 6,049,430 5,124,467
Current Assets 12,858,132 12,882,143
Total Assets 15,590,972 15,801,237
Current liabilities 2,623,831 2,645,722
Long-term obligations 331,005 427,174
Shareholders' equity 12,391,756 12,434,793
SOURCE Bio-logic Systems Corp.
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CONTACT: Gabriel Raviv, President & CEO of Bio-logic Systems Corp., 847-949-5200; or General Information, Leslie Hunziker, 312-640-6760, Analyst Information, Leslie Loyet, 312-266-7800, or Media Information, Darcy Bretz, 312-640-6756, all of The Financial Relations Board
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