Archive for October, 2009

Citizens South Banking Corp. (CSBC) Announces Withdrawal of $30 Million Offensive Common Stock Offering

GASTONIA, N.C., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Citizens South Banking Corporation (Nasdaq: CSBC), today announced that it has withdrawn its public offering of approximately $30 million in common stock due to unfavorable market conditions. As stated by President and CEO, Kim Price: “Over the course of the past few days there have been a series of negative industry announcements, which have adversely impacted the capital raising environment. Given the current market conditions, raising capital to take advantage of opportunities in our markets would have required unacceptable levels of dilution to current shareholders. We are focused on preserving and building shareholder value, and we believe raising capital in light of recent industry events this week would conflict with our goals.” Continued Price: “The Company is in the fortunate position of already exceeding all regulatory capital requirements, which enables us to continue to pursue our corporate objectives.”

About Citizens South Banking Corporation

Citizens South is the holding company for Citizens South Bank, which is headquartered in Gastonia, North Carolina. At September 30, 2009, Citizens South had approximately $820.6 million in assets with 16 full-service offices in the Charlotte region, including Gaston, Iredell, Rowan, Mecklenburg, and Union counties in North Carolina, and York County, South Carolina. For more information, visit www.citizenssouth.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on such statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, (1) adverse developments in the capital markets in general or in the markets for financial institutions stock in particular; (2) changes in legislation or regulatory requirements affecting financial institutions, including the current debate in Congress as to restructuring the financial services industry; (3) changes in the interest rate environment; and (4) adverse changes in general economic conditions.

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Citizens South Banking Corp. (CSBC) Announces Withdrawal of $30 Million Offensive Common Stock Offering

Heidrick & Struggles (HSII) Reports 2009 Third Quarter Financial Results

CHICAGO, Oct. 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. (Nasdaq:HSII), a premier leadership advisory firm providing executive search and leadership consulting services worldwide, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

Consolidated net revenue of $103.5 million declined 34.6 percent from $158.3 million in the 2008 third quarter, or approximately 32 percent on a constant currency basis. Net revenue declined 37.7 percent in the Americas, 36.9 percent in Europe (approximately 31 percent on a constant currency basis), and 20.7 percent in the Asia Pacific region (approximately 19 percent on a constant currency basis). Executive Search represented 92.8 percent of net revenue and Leadership Consulting Services represented 7.2 percent in the 2009 third quarter.

Operating income was $6.7 million and operating margin (measured as a percentage of net revenue) was 6.5 percent, compared to 2008 third quarter operating income of $20.9 million and operating margin of 13.2 percent.

The number of executive search confirmations in the quarter decreased 17 percent compared to the 2008 third quarter, but increased 17 percent compared to the 2009 second quarter. The number of consultants at September 30, 2009 was 365, compared to 416 at September 30, 2008, and 380 at June 30, 2009. Productivity, as measured by annualized net revenue per consultant, was $1.1 million compared to $1.5 million in the 2008 third quarter. The average revenue per executive search was $97,300 compared to $127,200 in last year’s third quarter.

Commenting on the third quarter results, Chief Executive Officer L. Kevin Kelly said, “Although year-over-year comparisons still reflect the impact of a worldwide economic downturn, there are increasing signs that we’ve seen the bottom of this historic recession. Net revenue increased for the second quarter in a row, confirmations increased 17 percent compared to the second quarter, and backlog increased for the first time in the past six quarters. All three regions realized sequential revenue growth compared to the second quarter, and all achieved higher operating income and operating margins compared to second quarter. We can now look forward to capitalizing on the strategic actions and cost savings initiatives we’ve made over the last year.”

Consolidated salaries and employee benefits declined 37.2 percent to $68.2 million, from $108.6 million in the comparable quarter of 2008. This decrease mostly reflects a reduction in bonus expense associated with the decline in revenue, and a decline in base salaries and payroll expense resulting from the company’s workforce reductions in January and May 2009. Salaries and employee benefits were 65.9 percent of net revenue for the quarter, compared to 68.6 percent in the 2008 third quarter.

Consolidated general and administrative expenses were $28.6 million, compared to $28.8 million in the 2008 third quarter. As a percentage of net revenue, consolidated general and administrative expenses were 27.6 percent, compared to 18.2 percent in the 2008 third quarter. In addition to the year-over-year decline in net revenue, this increase reflects higher fees paid for professional services, primarily related to an operations process improvement project, offset by continued cost savings initiatives.

Net income was $4.4 million and diluted earnings per share were $0.25, based upon an effective tax rate in the quarter of 39.2 percent. These results compare to net income in the 2008 third quarter of $14.0 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.80, which reflected an effective tax rate in the quarter of 38.0 percent.

Net cash generated by operating activities was $12.1 million in the 2009 third quarter, compared to net cash generated of $61.1 million in the 2008 third quarter. Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2009 were $75.3 million, compared to $183.0 million at September 30, 2008 and $64.6 million at June 30, 2009.

 Regional Review

   $ in millions   3Q 09    3Q 08   Change    3Q 09    2Q 09   Change
                  -------------------------  -------------------------
 Americas
 --------
   Net revenue    $ 50.9   $ 81.8   $(30.9)  $ 50.9   $ 48.3   $  2.6

   Operating
    income        $  8.6   $ 14.0   $ (5.4)  $  8.6   $  5.1   $  3.5
   Consultants       172      211      (39)     172      178       (6)

 Europe
 ------
   Net revenue    $ 31.5   $ 49.9   $(18.4)  $ 31.5   $ 27.5   $  4.0
   Operating
    income        $  2.1   $  7.9   $ (5.8)  $  2.1   $  1.4   $  0.7
   Consultants       115      129      (14)     115      122       (7)

 Asia Pacific
 ------------
   Net revenue    $ 21.1   $ 26.6   $ (5.5)  $ 21.1   $ 17.3   $  3.8
   Operating
    income        $  4.3   $  5.4   $ (1.1)  $  4.3   $  2.2   $  2.1
   Consultants        78       76        2       78       80       (2)

 Corporate        $ (8.3)  $ (6.5)  $ (1.8)  $ (8.3)  $ (8.2)  $ (0.1)
 Restructuring &
  impairment
  charges         $   --   $   --   $   --   $   --   $(12.1)  $ 12.1
                  -------------------------  -------------------------
   Operating
    income (loss) $  6.7   $ 20.9   $(14.1)  $  6.7   $(11.6)  $ 18.3
                  -------------------------  -------------------------

In the 2009 third quarter, all regions reported year-over-year declines in net revenue and operating income. All of the industry practice groups in each region experienced declines. Compared to the 2009 second quarter, the Americas region achieved an increase in net revenue driven by double digit increases in the Consumer, Financial Services, and Life Sciences practices. The sequential increase in Europe’s net revenue was driven by improvements in the Consumer, Financial Services, and Industrial practices, as well as Leadership Consulting Services. Asia Pacific saw good sequential improvement in net revenue from the Financial Services, Industrial and Technology practices, and from Leadership Consulting Services. All three regions achieved higher operating income and operating margins compared to the 2009 second quarter.

Nine Months Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, consolidated net revenue of $285.8 million declined 40.6 percent from $481.0 million in the first nine months of 2008, or approximately 36 percent on a constant currency basis. The number of executive searches confirmed in the first nine months of 2009 declined 31 percent compared to the first nine months of 2008. The reported operating loss of $37.2 million compares to operating income of $50.4 million for the first nine months of 2008. The reported net loss for the first nine months of 2009 was $30.3 million and the net loss per share was $1.80, reflecting an effective tax benefit rate of 24.8 percent. Net income for the first nine months of 2008 was $33.8 million and diluted earnings per share were $1.89, which reflected an effective tax rate of 38.5 percent. Excluding restructuring and impairment charges of $25.4 million, which management believes more appropriately reflects core operations, the operating loss for the first nine months of 2009 was $11.8 million.

2009 Outlook

The company expects that fourth quarter net revenue will be between $103 million and $108 million, resulting in 2009 net revenue of between $389 million and $394 million. With the changes the company has made to improve its operating cost structure, and excluding restructuring and impairment charges, the company believes that breakeven operating income in 2009 is still achievable at the high end of its revenue guidance. Net income (loss) and earnings per share in 2009 are expected to reflect a full-year effective tax benefit rate between 23 percent and 26 percent but may be impacted by country-level results and by discrete items that require immediate recognition in a particular quarter.

Kelly added, “As difficult as 2009 has been, I am excited by the progress we have made in executing our strategy to become the world’s premier Leadership Advisory Firm, fully integrating our executive search and leadership consulting services. Many of our clients are already benefiting from Heidrick & Struggles’ leadership advisory capabilities. This progress, combined with the significant restructuring of our cost structure, make me very enthusiastic about the firm’s growth potential as the economy recovers. We have already seen the results of our initiatives in the third quarter and expect to see positive trends continue in the fourth quarter of 2009 and into 2010.”

Quarterly Conference Call

Executives of Heidrick & Struggles will host a conference call to review 2009 third quarter results today, October 27, at 9:00 am central time. Participants may access the company’s call and supporting slides through the internet at www.heidrick.com. For those unable to participate on the live call, a webcast and copy of the slides will be archived at www.heidrick.com and available for up to 30 days following the investor call.

About Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.

Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. is the world’s premier provider of senior-level executive search and leadership consulting services, including succession planning, executive assessment, talent retention management, executive development, transition consulting for newly appointed executives, and M&A human capital integration consulting. For more than 55 years, we have focused on quality service and built strong leadership teams through our relationships with clients and individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles leadership experts operate from principal business centers in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information about Heidrick & Struggles, please visit www.heidrick.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. A “non-GAAP financial measure” is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that excludes or includes amounts different than the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flow of the company. Pursuant to the requirements of Regulation G, the Corporation has provided a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

The non-GAAP financial measures used within this earnings release are: operating income (loss), net income (loss), and net income (loss) per share (i.e., EPS) to the extent presented as “excluding restructuring and impairment charges.” These measures are presented because management uses this information to monitor and evaluate financial results and trends. Management believes this information is also useful for investors.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “forecasts,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed, forecasted or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may affect the outcome of the forward-looking statements include, among other things: our ability to attract and retain qualified executive search consultants; further declines in the global economy and our ability to execute successfully through business cycles; the timing, speed or robustness of any future economic recovery; social or political instability in markets where we operate; the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; price competition; the ability to forecast, on a quarterly basis, variable compensation accruals that ultimately are determined based on the achievement of annual results; our ability to realize our tax loss carryforwards; the timing of the establishment or reversal of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets; the mix of profit and loss by country; an impairment of our goodwill and other intangible assets; delays in the development and/or implementation of new technology and systems; and the ability to meet and achieve the expected savings resulting from cost-reduction initiatives and restructuring activities. Our reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also include information on factors that may affect the outcome of forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

               Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
                Consolidated Statements of Operations
                 (In thousands, except per share data)
                              (Unaudited)

                               Three Months Ended
                                   September 30,
                             ---------------------
                                 2009      2008     $ Change  % Change
                             ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
 Revenue:
   Revenue before
    reimbursements
    (net revenue)            $ 103,523  $ 158,318  $ (54,795)   -34.6%
    Reimbursements               4,747      7,009     (2,262)   -32.3%
                             ---------- ---------- ----------
     Total revenue             108,270    165,327    (57,057)   -34.5%

 Operating expenses:
   Salaries and employee
    benefits                    68,184    108,611    (40,427)   -37.2%
   General and administrative
    expenses                    28,623     28,849       (226)    -0.8%
   Reimbursed expenses           4,747      7,009     (2,262)   -32.3%
                             ---------- ---------- ----------
     Total operating expenses  101,554    144,469    (42,915)   -29.7%
                             ---------- ---------- ----------
     Operating income            6,716     20,858    (14,142)   -67.8%

 Non-operating income:
   Interest income, net             64      1,181
   Other, net                      470        499
                             ---------- ----------
     Net non-operating income      534      1,680

 Income before income taxes      7,250     22,538

 Provision for income taxes      2,842      8,559
                             ----------

 Net income                  $   4,408  $  13,979
                             ========== ==========

 Basic weighted average
  common shares outstanding     17,030     16,455
 Diluted weighted average
  common shares outstanding     17,635     17,395
 Basic earnings per common
  share                      $    0.26  $    0.85
 Diluted earnings per common
  share                      $    0.25  $    0.80
 Salaries and employee
  benefits as a percentage of
  net revenue                     65.9%      68.6%
 General and administrative
  expense as a percentage of
  net revenue                     27.6%      18.2%
 Operating income as a
  percentage of net revenue        6.5%      13.2%
 Effective tax rate               39.2%      38.0%

               Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
                         Segment Information
                            (In thousands)

                            Three Months Ended September 30,
              --------------------------------------------------------
                                                       2009     2008
                 2009     2008    $ Change  % Change Margin * Margin *
              --------- --------- --------- -------- -------- --------
 Revenue:
  Americas    $  50,949 $  81,844 $ (30,895)  -37.7%
  Europe         31,513    49,906   (18,393)  -36.9%
  Asia Pacific   21,061    26,568    (5,507)  -20.7%
              --------- --------- ---------
   Revenue
    before
    reimburse-
    ments (net
    revenue)    103,523   158,318   (54,795)  -34.6%
  Reimburse-
   ments          4,747     7,009    (2,262)  -32.3%
              --------- --------- ---------
   Total
    revenue   $ 108,270 $ 165,327 $ (57,057)  -34.5%
              ========= ========= =========

 Operating
  income:
  Americas    $   8,578 $  13,989 $  (5,411)  -38.7%    16.8%    17.1%
  Europe          2,093     7,931    (5,838)  -73.6%     6.6%    15.9%
  Asia Pacific    4,303     5,443    (1,140)  -20.9%    20.4%    20.5%
              --------- --------- ---------
   Total
    regions      14,974    27,363   (12,389)  -45.3%    14.5%    17.3%
  Corporate      (8,258)   (6,505)   (1,753)  -26.9%
              --------- --------- ---------
   Operating
    income    $   6,716 $  20,858 $ (14,142)  -67.8%     6.5%    13.2%
              ========= ========= =========

   * Margin based on revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).

               Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
                 Consolidated Statements of Operations
                 (In thousands, except per share data)
                              (Unaudited)

                                Nine Months Ended
                                  September 30,
                             ---------------------
                                2009       2008     $ Change  % Change
                             ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
 Revenue:
   Revenue before
    reimbursements (net
    revenue)                 $ 285,779  $ 480,975  $(195,196)   -40.6%
   Reimbursements               13,812     22,108     (8,296)   -37.5%
                             ---------- ---------- ----------
     Total revenue             299,591    503,083   (203,492)   -40.4%

 Operating expenses:
   Salaries and employee
    benefits                   212,110    336,535   (124,425)   -37.0%
   General and administrative
    expenses                    85,447     94,039     (8,592)    -9.1%
   Reimbursed expenses          13,812     22,108     (8,296)   -37.5%
   Restructuring and
    impairment charges          25,439         --     25,439
                             ---------- ---------- ----------
     Total operating expenses  336,808    452,682   (115,874)   -25.6%
                             ---------- ---------- ----------
     Operating income (loss)   (37,217)    50,401    (87,618)  -173.8%

 Non-operating income
  (expense):
  Interest income, net             912      4,127
  Other, net                    (3,974)       394
                             ---------- ----------
     Net non-operating income
      (expense)                 (3,062)     4,521

 Income (loss) before income
  taxes                        (40,279)    54,922

 Provision for (benefit from)
  income taxes                  (9,993)    21,131
                             ---------- ----------

 Net income (loss)           $ (30,286) $  33,791
                             ========== ==========

 Basic weighted average
  common shares outstanding     16,845     16,877
 Diluted weighted average
  common shares outstanding     16,845     17,841
 Basic earnings (loss) per
  common share               $   (1.80) $    2.00
 Diluted earnings (loss) per
  common share               $   (1.80) $    1.89
 Salaries and employee
  benefits as a percentage of
  net revenue                     74.2%      70.0%
 General and administrative
  expense as a percentage of
  net revenue                     29.9%      19.6%
 Operating income (loss) as a
  percentage of net revenue         n/a      10.5%
 Effective tax rate               24.8%      38.5%

               Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
                         Segment Information
                            (In thousands)

                              Nine Months Ended September 30,
              --------------------------------------------------------
                                                       2009      2008
                 2009     2008    $ Change  % Change Margin * Margin *
              --------- --------- --------- -------- -------- --------
 Revenue:
  Americas    $ 145,669 $ 246,183 $(100,514)  -40.8%
  Europe         87,075   156,116   (69,041)  -44.2%
  Asia Pacific   53,035    78,676   (25,641)  -32.6%
              --------- --------- ---------
   Revenue
    before
    reimburse-
    ments (net
    revenue)    285,779   480,975  (195,196)  -40.6%
  Reimburse-
   ments         13,812    22,108    (8,296)  -37.5%
              --------- --------- ---------
   Total
    revenue   $ 299,591 $ 503,083 $(203,492)  -40.4%
              ========= ========= =========

 Operating
  income
  (loss):
  Americas    $   6,211 $  38,271 $ (32,060)  -83.8%     4.3%    15.5%
  Europe            885    20,872   (19,987)  -95.8%     1.0%    13.4%
  Asia Pacific    5,453    14,784    (9,331)  -63.1%    10.3%    18.8%
              --------- --------- ---------
   Total
    regions      12,549    73,927   (61,378)  -83.0%     4.4%    15.4%
  Corporate     (24,327)  (23,526)     (801)   -3.4%
              --------- --------- ---------
   Operating
    income
    (loss)
    before
    restructu-
    ring and
    impairment
    charges     (11,778)   50,401   (62,179) -123.4%             10.5%
 Restructuring
  and
  impairment
  charges       (25,439)       --   (25,439)
              --------- --------- ---------
   Operating
    income
    (loss)    $ (37,217)$  50,401 $ (87,618) -173.8%             10.5%
              ========= ========= =========

   * Margin based on revenue before reimbursements (net revenue).

               Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
                 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                            (In thousands)

                                           September 30,  December 31,
                                               2009          2008
                                           ------------- -------------
                                            (Unaudited)
 Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents               $     75,294  $    234,531
   Restricted cash                                6,043            --
   Accounts receivable, net                      76,736        68,233
   Other receivables                              7,409         8,586
   Prepaid expenses                              21,838        19,520
   Other current assets                           1,981         1,788
   Income taxes recoverable, net                 16,360         7,719
   Deferred income taxes, net                    13,474        13,893
                                           ------------- -------------
       Total current assets                     219,135       354,270
                                           ------------- -------------

 Non-current assets:
   Property and equipment, net                   25,917        28,172
   Restricted cash                                4,171         9,655
   Assets designated for retirement and
    pension plans                                26,150        24,973
   Investmentsng income (loss)                   10,275        12,594
   Other non-current assets                       5,621         7,203
   Goodwill                                     109,182       101,234
   Other intangible assets, net                   9,251        13,543
   Deferred income taxes, net                    36,073        35,313
                                           ------------- -------------
       Total non-current assets                 226,640       232,687
                                           ------------- -------------

 Total assets                              $    445,775  $    586,957
                                           ------------- -------------

 Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                        $      6,410  $     11,977
   Accrued salaries and employee benefits        62,355       163,695
   Other current liabilities                     35,986        49,443
   Current portion of accrued restructuring
    charges                                       3,491         2,280
                                           ------------- -------------
       Total current liabilities                108,242       227,395
                                           ------------- -------------

 Non-current liabilities:
   Retirement and pension plans                  30,113        27,503
   Other non-current liabilities                 26,352        25,755
                                           ------------- -------------
       Total non-current liabilities             56,465        53,258
                                           ------------- -------------

 Stockholders' equity                           281,068       306,304
                                           ------------- -------------

 Total liabilities and stockholders'
  equity                                   $    445,775  $    586,957
                                           ------------- -------------

               Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                            (In thousands)

                                                Three Months Ended
                                                  September 30,
                                           ---------------------------
                                               2009           2008
                                           ------------- -------------
                                            (Unaudited)

 Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                              $      4,408  $     13,979
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to
    net cash provided by operating
    activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                2,777         2,708
     Write-off of software development
      project                                     1,329            --
     Deferred income taxes                       (2,495)          491
     Net realized and unrealized (gains)
      losses on investments                         939          (525)
     Stock-based compensation expense, net        4,357         6,198
     Cash paid for restructuring charges         (6,462)         (716)
     Changes in assets and liabilities, net
      of effects of acquisitions:
       Trade and other receivables              (11,929)        4,649
       Accounts payable                             690          (674)
       Accrued expenses                          10,263        33,826
       Income taxes payable, net                  5,111         3,039
       Prepayments                                  396          (122)
       Other assets and liabilities, net          2,756        (1,712)
                                           ------------- -------------
         Net cash provided by operating
          activities                             12,140        61,141
                                           ------------- -------------

 Cash flows from investing activities:
   Restricted cash                                 (642)           --
   Acquisition of businesses, net of cash
    acquired                                         --        (3,610)
   Capital expenditures                            (590)       (2,760)
   Proceeds from sales of equity securities          --           353
   Payments to consultants related to sales
    of equity securities                             (3)          (60)
   Other, net                                         5            --
                                           ------------- -------------
         Net cash used in investing
          activities                             (1,230)       (6,077)
                                           ------------- -------------

 Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from stock options exercised             --           251
   Purchases of treasury stock                       --        (5,051)
   Cash dividends paid                           (2,231)       (2,142)
   Payment of employee tax withholdings on
    equity transactions                             (52)         (233)
                                           ------------- -------------
         Net cash used in financing
          activities                             (2,283)       (7,175)
                                           ------------- -------------

 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on
  cash  and cash equivalents                      2,039       (10,940)
                                           ------------- -------------

 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents       10,666        36,949
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period                                         64,628       146,074
                                           ------------- -------------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of
  period                                   $     75,294  $    183,023
                                           ============= =============

 Supplemental schedule of noncash financing
  activities:
   Beginning of period - Accrued treasury
    stock purchases                        $         --  $        706
   Treasury stock purchases                          --         5,378
   Cash paid for treasury stock purchases            --        (5,051)
                                           ------------- -------------
       Accrued treasury stock purchases    $         --  $      1,033
                                           ============= =============

               Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
                 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                            (In thousands)

                                                Nine Months Ended
                                                   September 30,
                                           ---------------------------
                                                2009         2008
                                           ------------- -------------
                                            (Unaudited)

 Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income (loss)                       $    (30,286) $     33,791
    Adjustments to reconcile net income
     (loss) to net cash used in operating
     activities:
      Depreciation and amortization               8,360         8,068
      Write-off of investment                     2,977            --
      Write-off of software development
       project                                    1,329            --
      Deferred income taxes                      (6,214)        5,466
      Net realized and unrealized (gains)
       losses on investments                      1,831          (910)
      Stock-based compensation expense, net      15,027        18,767
      Impairment charge                           3,849            --
      Restructuring charges                      21,590            --
      Cash paid for restructuring charges       (23,439)       (2,121)
      Changes in assets and liabilities,
       net of effects of acquisitions:
        Trade and other receivables              (4,350)      (29,134)
        Accounts payable                           (152)         (313)
        Accrued expenses                       (101,975)      (34,508)
        Income taxes recoverable, net            (8,568)       (4,054)
        Prepayments                              (1,556)       (6,094)
        Other assets and liabilities, net         1,538        (3,224)
                                           ------------- -------------
          Net cash used in operating
           activities                          (120,039)      (14,266)
                                           ------------- -------------

 Cash flows from investing activities:
   Restricted cash                                 (483)          138
   Acquisition of businesses, net of cash
    acquired                                    (15,453)      (14,655)
   Capital expenditures                         (10,053)       (7,928)
   Purchases of equity method investments        (1,300)           --
   Proceeds from sales of equity securities           6           779
   Payments to consultants related to sales
    of equity securities                             (3)         (229)
   Proceeds from sales of short-term
    investments                                      --        22,275
   Proceeds from sale of a business                  --         1,559
   Other, net                                        15             8
                                           ------------- -------------
          Net cash provided by (used in)
           investing activities                 (27,271)        1,947
                                           ------------- -------------

 Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from stock options exercised          1,238           831
   Purchases of treasury stock                       --       (47,038)
   Cash dividends paid                           (7,063)       (6,623)
   Payment of employee tax withholdings on
    equity transactions                          (3,117)       (8,356)
                                           ------------- -------------
          Net cash used in financing
           activities                            (8,942)      (61,186)
                                           ------------- -------------

 Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on
  cash  and cash equivalents                     (2,985)       (4,052)
                                           ------------- -------------

 Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (159,237)      (77,557)
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
  period                                        234,531       260,580
                                           ------------- -------------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of
  period                                   $     75,294  $    183,023
                                           ============= =============

 Supplemental schedule of noncash financing
  activities:
   Beginning of period - Accrued treasury
    stock purchases                        $         --  $      1,605
   Treasury stock purchases                          --        46,466
   Cash paid for treasury stock purchases            --       (47,038)
                                           ------------- -------------
          Accrued treasury stock purchases $         --  $      1,033
                                           ============= =============
CONTACT:  Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
          Investors & Analysts:
          Julie Creed, VP, Investor Relations
          +1 312 496 1774
          jcreed@heidrick.com
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Heidrick & Struggles (HSII) Reports 2009 Third Quarter Financial Results

Hiland Partners, LP and Hiland Holdings GP, LP Announce Extension of Merger Agreements

ENID, Okla., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Hiland Partners, LP (Nasdaq: HLND) and Hiland Holdings GP, LP (Nasdaq: HPGP) announced today that each company will adjourn its special meeting of unitholders scheduled for this morning. The meetings are being adjourned to allow the boards of directors and conflicts committees additional time to consider the previously announced proposals made by Harold Hamm, on behalf of certain of his affiliates, to increase the merger consideration payable to each company’s common unitholders.

The Hiland Partners special meeting will be adjourned and the vote postponed until November 3, 2009 at 3:30 p.m., central time, and the Hiland Holdings special meeting will be adjourned and the vote postponed until November 3, 2009 at 4:30 p.m., central time. Each special meeting will be held at 302 N. Independence, Ball Room, Second Floor, Enid, Oklahoma 73701.

On October 26, 2009, in letters to the conflicts committees of the Hiland companies, Mr. Hamm proposed amending the merger agreements between certain of his affiliates and each Hiland company to increase the consideration payable to Hiland Partners common unitholders from $7.75 to $10.00 per common unit and to increase the consideration payable to Hiland Holdings common unitholders from $2.40 to $3.20 per common unit, respectively.

In connection with Mr. Hamm’s proposal and the adjournment of the Hiland Partners special meeting, Hiland Partners and Mr. Hamm have agreed to amend the merger agreement between Hiland Partners and affiliates of Mr. Hamm to extend its end date to November 6, 2009. Similarly, Hiland Holdings and Mr. Hamm have agreed to amend the merger agreement between Hiland Holdings and affiliates of Mr. Hamm to extend its end date to November 6, 2009. In his letter to each conflicts committee, Mr. Hamm indicated that, if his proposals are accepted, he expects that the end date under each merger agreement would be further extended as necessary to consummate the transactions.

The record date for determining unitholders eligible to vote at the special meetings will remain September 9, 2009. Valid proxies submitted by unitholders of Hiland Partners or Hiland Holdings prior to the adjourned October 27, 2009 special meetings will continue to be valid for purposes of the reconvened special meetings scheduled for November 3, 2009.

Common unitholders of Hiland Partners or Hiland Holdings as of September 9, 2009 who have not voted but wish to do so or who would like to change their vote should contact D.F. King at 1-800-967-4612.

About the Hiland Companies

Hiland Partners, LP is a publicly traded midstream energy partnership engaged in purchasing, gathering, compressing, dehydrating, treating, processing and marketing of natural gas, and fractionating, or separating, and marketing of natural gas liquids, or NGLs. Hiland Partners, LP also provides air compression and water injection services for use in oil and gas secondary recovery operations. Hiland Partners, LP’s operations are primarily located in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. Hiland Partners, LP’s midstream assets consist of fifteen natural gas gathering systems with approximately 2,147 miles of gathering pipelines, six natural gas processing plants, seven natural gas treating facilities and three NGL fractionation facilities. Hiland Partners, LP’s compression assets consist of two air compression facilities and a water injection plant.

Hiland Holdings GP, LP owns the two percent general partner interest, 2,321,471 common units and 3,060,000 subordinated units in Hiland Partners, LP, and the incentive distribution rights of Hiland Partners, LP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking statements, including statements about potential amendments to each of the merger agreements and statements about the intentions Mr. Hamm expressed in his proposal letters. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond management’s control. An extensive list of factors that can affect future results are discussed in the definitive joint proxy statement filed by Hiland Partners and Hiland Holdings, in Hiland Partners’ and Hiland Holdings’ Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any such forward looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and neither Hiland Partners nor Hiland Holdings undertakes any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events.

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Hiland Partners, LP and Hiland Holdings GP, LP Announce Extension of Merger Agreements

China Technology Development Group (CTDC) to Acquire Majority Interest in On-Grid Solar Power Station Business

HONG KONG, Oct. 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — China Technology Development Group Corporation (Nasdaq:CTDC) (“CTDC” or “the Company”), a growing integrated clean energy group based in China that provides solar energy products and solutions, today announced that the Company has entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with China Technology Solar Power Holdings Limited (“CTSPHL Group”) and its direct and indirect shareholders to acquire a 51% equity interest and become the major shareholder of CTSPHL Group.

CTSPHL Group, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, is developing a 100MW grid-connected solar power plant project located in Delingha City of Qaidam Basin in Qinghai Province, Northwestern China (the “Delingha 100MW Solar Project”). Upon closing of the acquisition, the Company and CTSPHL Group will jointly develop the Delingha 100MW Solar Project. CTDC believes that its co-development of the Delingha 100MW Solar Project will further its goal of becoming an integrated solar company with strong capabilities in designing, building and operating solar power plants.

CTSPHL Group has obtained a 25-year operating license from the Qinghai Provincial Development and Reform Commission for the first phase of the Delingha 100MW Solar Project, consisting of 10MW. Construction commenced on the first phase on 28th September 2009 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. Warm congratulations on the project commencement were received from Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong S.A.R, and Mr. Shi Dinghuan, Counselor of State Council of the PRC and Director General of Chinese Renewable Energy Association. Mr. Shi commented, “China’s new energy industry is only at its beginning stage. We really welcome more overseas companies to work together with local PV companies to grow and strengthen the new energy sector.”

“We are very pleased to become a controlling shareholder of CTSPHL Group. This marks a significant step that CTDC has made to enter into the solar power station arena and become one of the first overseas listed Chinese companies to hold an operating license from the Chinese government to operate on-grid solar power stations in China,” commented by Mr. Alan Li, Chairman and CEO of the Company. “The Chinese government has been very supportive of the development of renewable energy. Chinese President Hu Jintao listened to our project briefing in March in Beijing with great interest. He highly praised our endeavor in solar plant development. On September 22, 2009, President Hu reiterated China’s goal of reaching 15% renewable energy by 2020 at the UN climate summit in New York.”

Mr. Li further commented, “In response to President Hu’s call for a greener and cleaner environment, we are greatly honoured to undertake the responsibility and looking forward to closely cooperating with CTSPHL Group and Qinghai local governments. We are committed to making the Qaidam Basin a leading solar power plant base in the world.”

About CTDC:

CTDC is a growing integrated clean energy group based in China to provide solar energy products and solutions. CTDC’s major shareholders include China Merchants Group (http://www.cmhk.com), a state-owned conglomerate in China, and Beijing Holdings Limited, the largest offshore subsidiary established by Beijing Municipal Government.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.chinactdc.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure:

Certain statements herein which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding: A) the timing of product, service and solution deliveries; B) our ability to develop, implement and commercialize new products, services, solutions and technologies; C) expectations regarding market growth, developments and structural changes; D) expectations regarding our product volume growth, market share, prices and margins; E) expectations and targets for our results of operations; F) the outcome of pending and threatened litigation; G) expectations regarding the successful completion of contemplated acquisitions on a timely basis and our ability to achieve the set targets upon the completion of such acquisitions; and H) statements preceded by “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “foresee,” “target,” “estimate,” “designed,” “plans,” “will” or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management’s assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from the results that we currently expect. Factors that could cause these differences include the risk factors specified on our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008 under “Item 3.D Risk Factors.” Other unknown or unpredictable factors or underlying assumptions subsequently proving to be incorrect could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. CTDC does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on China Technology Development Group (CTDC) to Acquire Majority Interest in On-Grid Solar Power Station Business

Elron (ELRN) Announces Receipt of Non-Binding Indication of Interest to Acquire Medingo

Oct. 26, 2009 (Business Wire) — Elron Electronic Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ:ELRN)(TASE:ELRN) today announced that a non-binding indication of interest (the “Indication”) of a third party regarding a potential acquisition of Medingo Ltd. (“Medingo”), an Elron subsidiary, has been received.

The Indication relates to an acquisition of Medingo’s entire share capital for a cash consideration ranging from $150 million to $170 million and a contingent additional cash consideration conditional upon one or more milestone(s) to be mutually agreed, which may bring total consideration up to between $185 million and $213 million. The transaction would be subject mainly to (i) the parties entering into a mutually agreed definitive agreement; (ii) satisfactory completion of a full due diligence by the third party; and (iii) the parties obtaining applicable corporate and regulatory approvals.

In the event of consummation of such transaction, Elron would be expected to record a net gain initially estimated at this stage to be between approximately $54 million and approximately $80 million. This gain includes Elron’s share in the net gain expected to be recorded by RDC Rafael Development Corporation Ltd. (“RDC”), through which Elron owns part of its holding in Medingo.

There is no assurance of the occurrence, timing or terms of any such transaction.

Medingo is 92% held by Elron (including 83% held by RDC, Elron’s 50.1% subsidiary). Medingo is engaged in the development and commercialization of a miniature insulin dispensing patch pump for the needs of insulin-dependent diabetic patients. For more information concerning Medingo, see Item 4 of our annual report on Form 20-F for 2008 which is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Elron Electronic Industries Ltd. (TASE & NASDAQ: ELRN), a member of the IDB Holding group, is a high-technology holding company traded in the Nasdaq and in the Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange. Elron’s group companies currently comprise a diverse range of publicly-traded and privately held companies primarily in the fields of medical devices, information & communications technology, clean technology and semiconductors. Included in our group companies are well established companies which are leaders in their fields, such as Given Imaging and 013 NetVision, together with innovative start-up s who possess growth potential in Israel and the rest of the world. For further information, please visit www.elron.com.

Monday, October 26th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Elron (ELRN) Announces Receipt of Non-Binding Indication of Interest to Acquire Medingo

Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. (MHR) Announces New $150 Million Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

HOUSTON, TX — (Marketwire) — 10/26/09 — Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation (NYSE Amex: MHR) (the “Company”) announced today that the Company has received a commitment for a new $150 million three-year term senior secured revolving credit facility (“the new bank facility”) provided by the Bank of Montreal (“BMO”). The new bank facility will be used for general corporate purposes, including the acquisition of crude oil and natural gas properties.

The new bank facility will be governed by a semi-annually redetermined borrowing base value assigned to the Company’s proved crude oil and natural gas reserves. An initial borrowing base of $25 million has been established. Based on values assigned to crude oil and natural gas properties which may be either acquired or discovered over time, the Company’s borrowing base may be increased up to a maximum of $150 million commitment level.

All other terms and conditions are those usual and customary for this type of commercial bank borrowing facility. The applicable interest rate margin for this new bank facility will range from LIBOR plus 2.50% to LIBOR plus 3.50% depending on the actual level of outstanding borrowings. The final agreement which includes the specific terms and covenants governing the Company’s new bank facility will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at closing.

BMO will act as Lead Arranger, Book Runner and Administrative Agent for the Company’s new bank facility. It is anticipated that the final closing of this new bank facility will occur by November 15, 2009.

Management Comments

Mr. Ronald D. Ormand, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, commented, “As part of our strategy to position the Company for future growth, we are pleased to have received this new $150 million revolving credit facility. We appreciate the work performed by the senior credit officers at the Bank of Montreal to put this new lending facility into place during a difficult period in the overall financial markets. Having one of the premier lenders to the North American energy industry approving a $150 million facility is a testament to senior management’s track record with the banking industry, as well as our relationship with BMO in particular. The new credit facility will allow the Company to make accretive oil and gas property acquisitions to enhance shareholder value. Magnum Hunter now has increased financial capabilities, allowing the Company to continue moving forward on the growth and acquisition efforts we initiated several months ago.”

About Magnum Hunter Resources

Magnum Hunter Resources Corporation and subsidiaries are a Houston, Texas based independent exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition of exploratory leases and producing properties, secondary enhanced oil recovery projects, exploratory drilling, and production of oil and natural gas in the United States.

For more information, please view our website at www.magnumhunterresources.com

Forward-looking Statements

The statements contained in this press release that are not historical are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including statements, without limitation, regarding the Company’s expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things: (1) the Company’s proposed exploration and drilling operations on its various properties, (2) the expected production and revenue from its various properties, (3) the Company’s proposed redirection as an operator of certain properties and (4) estimates regarding the reserve potential of its various properties. These statements are qualified by important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: (1) the Company’s ability to finance the continued exploration, drilling and operation of its various properties, (2) positive confirmation of the reserves, production and operating expenses associated with its various properties; and (3) the general risks associated with oil and gas exploration, development and operation, including those risks and factors described from time to time in the Company’s reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Form 10-K/A and Form10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2009, April 29, 2009 and September 11, 2009, respectively, and the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ending March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, filed on My 11, 2009 and August 14, 2009, respectively. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur.

Monday, October 26th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. (MHR) Announces New $150 Million Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

Collectors Universe (CLCT) Resumes Payment of Cash Dividends

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Collectors Universe, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLCT), a leading provider of value-added authentication and grading services to dealers and collectors of high-value collectibles, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a cash dividend policy that calls for the payment of $0.25 per share per quarter. The first of the quarterly cash dividends of $0.25 per share under the new dividend policy will be paid on November 24, 2009 to Stockholders of Record as of November 10, 2009.

The declaration of cash dividends in the future, pursuant to the Company’s dividend policy, is subject to final determination each quarter by the Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including the Company’s financial performance and its available cash resources, its cash requirements and alternative uses of cash that the Board may conclude would represent an opportunity to generate a greater return on investment for the Company. For these reasons, as well as others, there can be no assurance that dividends in the future will be equal or similar in amount to the amounts described in this press release or that the Board of Directors will not decide to suspend or discontinue the payment of cash dividends in the future.

About Collectors Universe

Collectors Universe, Inc. is a leading provider of value added services to the high-value collectibles markets. The Company authenticates and grades collectible coins, trading cards, autographs and stamps. The Company also compiles and publishes authoritative information about United States and world coins, collectible trading cards and sports memorabilia and collectible stamps and operates its CCE dealer-to-dealer Internet bid-ask market for certified coins and its Expos trade show and conventions business. This information is accessible to collectors and dealers at the Company’s web site, http://www.collectors.com, and is also published in print.

Monday, October 26th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Collectors Universe (CLCT) Resumes Payment of Cash Dividends

ParkerVision (PRKR) Announces Sample Phones Tested and Accepted by Its Commercial Chipset Customer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 26, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ParkerVision, Inc. (Nasdaq:PRKR) (“ParkerVision”) announced today that it has successfully delivered sample 3G mobile handsets incorporating its d2p radio frequency integrated circuits to its commercial chipset customer. The performance of these sample handsets was tested, verified and accepted by the chipset customer, a licensee of ParkerVision’s d2p and d2d(TM) technologies. The sample handsets were assembled for the purpose of verifying the d2p technology in working mobile handset implementations, testing the technology in actual network operation, and creating sales samples for handset OEM/ODMs who purchase chipsets from ParkerVision’s licensee.

The handsets met all relevant industry standards and passed a series of tests that verify operational performance of the hardware when deployed on mobile phone networks. The customer verified that the d2p transmit chain achieved power consumption savings at all points along the RF transmit power curve when compared against the mass produced transmit chain that d2p replaced in the mobile phone reference design. The customer also determined that the power savings achieved by the sample handsets incorporating the d2p technology exceeded their own internal expectations for the initial mass production run of d2p chips.

ParkerVision’s commercial chipset customer is a global supplier of chipsets that support 2G, 2.5G and 3G mobile standards with engineering design and sales locations in both North America and Asia. This customer designs and supplies chipsets and related handset reference designs, predominantly to ODMs, for incorporation into mobile handsets and reported three of the top five handset manufacturers among its customer base. The name of ParkerVision’s chipset customer remains confidential in accordance with the terms of their licensing agreement.

About ParkerVision

ParkerVision, Inc. is in the business of designing, developing and selling its proprietary radio frequency technologies and products for use in semiconductor circuits for wireless communication products. ParkerVision is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. For more information please visit www.parkervision.com. (PRKR-G)

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, each of which speaks only as of the date made. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which are disclosed in the Company’s SEC reports, including the Form 10K/A for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the Forms 10Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated or projected.

Monday, October 26th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on ParkerVision (PRKR) Announces Sample Phones Tested and Accepted by Its Commercial Chipset Customer

012 Smile.Communications to Acquire a Controlling Interest in Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Corp.

PETACH TIKVA, Israel, Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — 012 Smile.Communications Ltd. (Nasdaq Global Market and TASE: SMLC), an Israeli telecommunications service provider, today announced that it has entered into a definitive share purchase agreement under which it will acquire a controlling interest of approximately 30.6% in Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Corp., Israel’s largest telecommunications provider (TASE: BZEQ) from Ap.Sb.Ar. Holdings Ltd. (the Apax Partners-Saban Capital Group Inc.-Arkin consortium), in a cash transaction currently valued at approximately NIS 6.5 billion, or NIS 8.00 per share, representing a 7.0% discount on the shares of Bezeq based on Bezeq’s closing share price prior to the announcement (as of October 22, 2009). 012 Smile will be entitled to receive all dividends payable by Bezeq to Ap.Sb.Ar. prior to closing. The transaction, which was approved by the Board of Directors of 012 Smile, is subject to the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, including approvals from the Israeli Ministry of Communications, the Israeli Antitrust Commissioner and from the Prime Minister and the Minister of Communications of the State of Israel.

Stella Handler, Chief Executive Officer of 012 Smile, said: “This transaction is in line with our strategy to become, through selective investments, the leading integrated player in Israel’s telecom marketplace. Given its unique competitive positioning and strong cash flow generation, Bezeq represents an attractive investment for 012 Smile.”

As the largest telecom operator in Israel, Bezeq provides wired and wireless telephone and other communications services to consumer and business subscribers throughout Israel. Bezeq, which has over 2.5 million access lines and about 1 million broadband ASL lines, also provides mobile services through its cellular phone subsidiary, Pelephone Communications, to approximately 2,700,000 accounts. Bezeq serves approximately 560,000 satellite television viewers with its YES brand through its DBS Satellite subsidiary. Additionally, Bezeq International is an ISP and data service provider and an international long distance service provider in Israel.

The transaction will be financed through a combination of cash, debt and stock. 012 Smile has agreed to sell its current telecommunications assets in order to obtain anti-trust approval, which proceeds will also be used to finance the transaction. 012 Smile will announce the composition of its financing package in the near future.

The company expects that the transaction will close in approximately six months, subject to receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals.

J.P. Morgan plc acted as exclusive financial adviser and Fischer Behar Chen Well Orion & Co. as legal adviser to 012 Smile in connection with the transaction.

About 012 Smile.Communications

012 Smile.Communications is a growth-oriented communication services provider in Israel with a leading market position, offering a wide range of broadband and traditional voice services. Its broadband services include broadband Internet access with a suite of value-added services, specialized data services and server hosting, as well as new innovative services such as local telephony via voice over broadband and a WiFi network of hotspots across Israel. Traditional voice services include outgoing and incoming international telephony, hubbing, roaming and signaling and calling card services. 012 Smile.Communications services residential and business customers, as well as Israeli cellular operators and international communication services providers through its integrated multipurpose network, which allows it to provide services to almost all of the homes and businesses in Israel.

012 Smile is a 75.3 % owned subsidiary of Internet Gold – Golden Lines Ltd. (Nasdaq: IGLD) one of Israel’s leading communications groups with a major presence across all Internet-related sectors. In addition to 012 Smile, its 100% owned Smile.Media subsidiary manages a growing portfolio of Internet portals and e-Commerce sites. Internet Gold and 012 Smile are part of the Eurocom Communications Group. 012 Smile’s shares trade on the Nasdaq Global Market and on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange.

For additional information about 012 Smile.Communications Ltd., please visit the Company’s investors’ site at http://www.012.net.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general business conditions in the industry, changes in the regulatory and legal compliance environments, the failure to manage growth and other risks detailed from time to time in 012 Smile.Communications’ filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. These documents contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statement.

Monday, October 26th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on 012 Smile.Communications to Acquire a Controlling Interest in Bezeq The Israel Telecommunication Corp.

RightNow Technologies (RNOW) Announces Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Oct. 22, 2009 (Business Wire) — RightNow® Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:RNOW) today announced results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009. Total revenue in the third quarter of 2009 was $38.7 million, compared to $36.2 million in the third quarter of 2008. Recurring revenue in the third quarter of 2009 increased 15% to $29.7 million from $25.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. Net income in the third quarter of 2009 was $2.0 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to a net loss of $(1.4) million, or $(0.04) per share, in the third quarter of 2008. Non-GAAP net income in the third quarter of 2009, which excludes stock-based compensation charges of $1.8 million, was $3.8 million, or $0.12 per share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $85,000, or $0.00 per share, in the third quarter of 2008.

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $111.1 million, compared to $104.4 million for the comparable period in 2008. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $3.3 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to a net loss of $(8.0) million, or $(0.24) per share, for the comparable period in 2008. Non-GAAP net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, which excludes stock-based compensation charges of $6.1 million, was $9.4 million, or $0.29 per share, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $(3.3) million, or $(0.10) per share, for the comparable period in 2008.

New, renewed and expanded customer relationships during the third quarter of 2009 included Epson, FICO, iRobot, Lucent-Alcatel, The Men’s Wearhouse, Nike, Photobox, TiVo, U.S. Air Force and Virgin Mobile.

“Our focus on delivering meaningful business results for large consumer organizations translated into another great quarter, both in terms of our financial results and our overall business,” stated Greg Gianforte, CEO and Founder. “As we head into our Annual Summit next week, we are excited to share our customers’ success, and demonstrate our vision to combine the social experience with our existing customer experience solutions.”

“We are pleased to report revenue and earnings ahead of guidance, which was driven by recurring revenue growth,” said Jeff Davison, CFO. “During the third quarter recurring revenue grew $2.3 million, or 9% sequentially over the second quarter of 2009. Through three quarters, we have generated $0.29 non-GAAP earnings per share, well ahead of our guidance.”

Guidance

  • For the fourth quarter of 2009, revenue is expected to be in the range of approximately $39 to $40 million. Fourth quarter net income (loss) per share is expected to be in the range of $(0.01) to $0.01. Non-GAAP net income per share, which excludes stock-based compensation, is expected to be in the range of $0.04 to $0.06. This would equate to full year revenue of approximately $150 to $151 million, net income per share of $0.09 to $0.11 and non-GAAP net income per share of $0.33 to $0.35

Quarterly Conference Call

RightNow Technologies will discuss its quarterly results today via teleconference at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.) To access the call, please dial 877-627-6585, or outside the U.S. 719-325-4805, at least five minutes prior to the 2:30 p.m. MT start time. A live webcast of the call will also be available at http://investor.rightnow.com/index.cfm under the Investor Webcasts menu. An audio replay will be available between 5:30 p.m. MT October 22, 2009 and 9:59 p.m. MT November 5, 2009 by calling 888-203-1112 or 719-457-0820, with passcode 3459047. The replay will also be available on our website at http://investor.rightnow.com.

About RightNow Technologies

RightNow (NASDAQ:RNOW) delivers the high-impact technology solutions and services organizations need to cost-efficiently deliver a consistently superior customer experience across their frontline service, sales and marketing touch-points. Approximately 1,900 corporations and government agencies worldwide depend on RightNow to achieve their strategic objectives and better meet the needs of those they serve. RightNow is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana. For more information, please visit www.rightnow.com.

RightNow is a registered trademark of RightNow Technologies, Inc. NASDAQ is a registered trademark of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

All statements included in this press release, other than statements or characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject to change. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projected results of operations and management’s future strategic plans. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

The risks and uncertainties referred to above include, but are not limited to, risks associated with general economic conditions; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange; our business model; our ability to develop or acquire, and gain market acceptance for, new products in a cost-effective and timely manner; the success of our efforts to integrate HiveLive’s people and processes, following our recent acquisition of that company; the risk of asset impairment associated with the acquisition of HiveLive; the gain or loss of key customers; competitive pressures; our ability to expand or contract operations and to grow profitability; fluctuations in our earnings as a result of the impact of stock-based compensation expense; interruptions or delays in our hosting operations; breaches of our security measures; our ability to protect our intellectual property from infringement, and to avoid infringing on the intellectual property rights of third parties; our ability to manage and expand our partner relationships; any unanticipated ambiguities in fair value accounting standards; and our ability to expand, retain and motivate our employees. Further information on potential factors that could affect our financial results is included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports of Form 10-Q, and in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason.

FRNOW

RightNow Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

September 30, Dec 31,
2009 2008
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 32,388 $ 51,405
Short-term investments 60,634 34,412
Accounts receivable 31,034 36,770
Term receivables, current 3,011 5,752
Allowance for doubtful accounts (1,701 ) (2,277 )
Net receivables 32,344 40,245
Deferred commissions 5,822 5,381
Prepaid and other current assets 2,867 2,150
Total current assets 134,055 133,593
Long-term investments 4,963
Property and equipment, net 9,781 10,141
Term receivables, non-current 1,447 3,547
Intangible assets, net 11,222 6,399
Deferred commissions, non-current 2,828 2,840
Other 941 854
Total Assets $ 160,274 $ 162,337
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Accounts payable $ 4,593 $ 5,058
Commissions and bonuses payable 4,838 5,665
Other accrued liabilities 12,008 11,165
Current portion of long-term debt 34 46
Current portion of deferred revenue 75,643 77,584
Total current liabilities 97,116 99,518
Long-term debt, less current portion 22
Deferred revenue, net of current portion 28,298 35,614
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock 34 34
Additional paid-in capital 109,394 102,662
Treasury stock, at cost (15,007 ) (13,209 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,395 1,916
Accumulated deficit (60,956 ) (64,220 )
Total stockholders’ equity 34,860 27,183
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 160,274 $ 162,337
RightNow Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Operating Statements

(In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2009 2008 2009 2008
Revenue:
Software, hosting and support $ 29,754 $ 25,956 $ 83,223 $ 76,085
Professional services 8,977 10,281 27,885 28,271
Total revenue 38,731 36,237 111,108 104,356
Cost of revenue:
Software, hosting and support 5,232 5,305 15,135 15,383
Professional services 6,365 8,133 19,719 23,228
Total cost of revenue 11,597 13,438 34,854 38,611
Gross profit 27,134 22,799 76,254 65,745
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing 16,175 16,889 47,046 51,334
Research and development 5,100 4,671 14,907 13,664
General and administrative 4,018 3,215 11,671 10,621
Total operating expenses 25,293 24,775 73,624 75,619
Income (loss) from operations 1,841 (1,976 ) 2,630 (9,874 )
Interest and other income, net 342 552 1,094 2,009
Income (loss) before income taxes 2,183 (1,424 ) 3,724 (7,865 )
Benefit (provision) for income taxes (218 ) (23 ) (460 ) (110 )
Net income (loss) $ 1,965 $ (1,447 ) $ 3,264 $ (7,975 )
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic $ 0.06 $ (0.04 ) $ 0.10 $ (0.24 )
Diluted $ 0.06 $ (0.04 ) $ 0.10 $ (0.24 )
Shares used in the computation:
Basic 31,733 33,640 31,731 33,585
Diluted 32,424 33,640 32,249 33,585
Supplemental information of stock-based compensation expense included in:
Cost of software, hosting and support $ 120 $ 87 $ 358 $ 243
Cost of professional services 138 158 480 476
Sales and marketing 761 738 2,335 1,871
Research and development 285 252 924 729
General and administrative 548 297 2,007 1,376
Total stock-based compensation $ 1,852 $ 1,532 $ 6,104 $ 4,695
RightNow Technologies, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2009 2008 2009 2008
Operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 1,965 $ (1,447 ) $ 3,264 $ (7,975 )
Non-cash adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization 1,797 1,956 5,410 5,866
Stock-based compensation 1,852 1,532 6,104 4,695
Provision for losses on accounts receivable 30 64 117 179
Changes in operating accounts:
Receivables 2,333 1,143 10,731 12,652
Prepaid expenses (628 ) (211 ) (735 ) (654 )
Deferred commissions (65 ) (957 ) (142 ) (2,170 )
Accounts payable (1,397 ) (523 ) (567 ) 1,061
Commissions and bonuses payable (132 ) 166 (941 ) (615 )
Other accrued liabilities (30 ) 565 415 1,016
Deferred revenue (569 ) (3,566 ) (12,036 ) (2,999 )
Other (247 ) (52 ) 256 (142 )
Cash provided (used) by operating activities 4,909 (1,330 ) 11,876 10,914
Investing activities:
Net change in short-term investments (13,081 ) 2,218 (21,391 ) 996
Acquisition of property and equipment (1,243 ) (1,311 ) (3,673 ) (4,344 )
Intangible asset additions (144 ) (244 )
Business acquisitions (5,906 ) (5,906 )
Other 3 2 8 (25 )
Cash provided (used) by investing activities (20,371 ) 909 (31,206 ) (3,373 )
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 167 618 396 1,266
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised 95 232
Common stock repurchased (1,798 )
Payments on long-term debt (12 ) (11 ) (35 ) (33 )
Cash provided (used) by financing activities 250 607 (1,205 ) 1,233
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents 613 (1,822 ) 1,518 (1,310 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (14,599 ) (1,636 ) (19,017 ) 7,464
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 46,987 52,781 51,405 43,681
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 32,388 $ 51,145 $ 32,388 $ 51,145
RightNow Technologies, Inc.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measurements

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

Diluted Earnings Per Share Reconciliation

Three Months Ended

September 30,

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2009 2008 2009 2008
Net income (loss) as reported $ 1,965 $ (1,447 ) $ 3,264 $ (7,975 )
Add stock-based compensation (“SBC”) 1,852 1,532 6,104 4,695
Net income (loss) before SBC $ 3,817 $ 85 $ 9,368 $ (3,280 )
Net income (loss) per share, as reported (basic and diluted) $ 0.06 $ (0.04 ) $ 0.10 $ (0.24 )
Net income (loss) per share, before SBC (basic) $ 0.12 $ 0.00 $ 0.30 $ (0.10 )
Net income (loss) per share, before SBC (diluted) $ 0.12 $ 0.00 $ 0.29 $ (0.10 )
Shares outstanding (basic), as reported 31,733 33,640 31,731 33,585
Shares outstanding (diluted), as reported 32,424 34,432 32,249 33,585
Forward-Looking Guidance Reconciliation
GAAP Guidance Non-GAAP Guidance
From To Adjustment From To
Fourth quarter ending December 31, 2009
Net income $ (400 ) $ 300 $ 1,800 [a] $ 1,400 $ 2,100
Net income (loss) per share $ (0.01 ) $ 0.01 $ 0.04 $ 0.06
Shares (diluted) 32,000 32,500 32,500 32,500
Year ending December 31, 2009
Net income $ 2,864 $ 3,564 $ 7,904 [a] $ 10,768 $ 11,468
Net income per share $ 0.09 $ 0.11 $ 0.33 $ 0.35
Shares (diluted) 32,500 32,500 32,500 32,500

[a] Estimated stock-based compensation expense to be recorded for the periods indicated in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, which is effective for periods beginning January 1, 2006.

Friday, October 23rd, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on RightNow Technologies (RNOW) Announces Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results

Healthways (HWAY) Reports Third-Quarter Earnings of $0.26 Per Diluted Share

Oct. 22, 2009 (Business Wire) — Healthways, Inc. (NASDAQ: HWAY) today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. Total revenues for the quarter were $181.6 million compared with revenues of $187.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008. Net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $8.8 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, which was two cents above the Company’s earnings guidance range. Net income for the third quarter of 2008 was $15.6 million, or $0.45 per diluted share.

COMPARISON OF COMPONENTS OF NET INCOME PER DILUTED SHARE
Three Months Ended September 30,
2009 2009 2008
Actual Guidance Actual
Domestic $ 0.29 $ 0.22 – 0.25 $ 0.47
International (0.03 ) (0.02)-(0.01 ) (0.02 )
Net income per diluted share $ 0.26 $ 0.20 – 0.24 $ 0.45

Ben R. Leedle, Jr., chief executive officer of Healthways, commented, “The performance of our domestic operations once again enabled us to exceed our revenue and earnings expectations for the quarter. These better than expected results for the third quarter were driven primarily by the timing of performance-based revenue recognition, as certain performance targets were measured and achieved earlier than forecast, and by higher than projected billed lives. The strong earnings performance by our domestic operations was slightly offset by higher than anticipated net costs in our international operations, primarily related to the start-up of the Australian contract with Hospitals Contribution Fund.

“The Company’s cash flow from operations was a strong $42.1 million for the third quarter. In addition to investing approximately $13.4 million in capital expenditures during the quarter, we also reduced our debt by $34.1 million. This reduction contributed to a debt to EBITDA ratio as calculated under our credit agreement of 2.0 at the end of the quarter, which is the low end of the forecasted range for 2009. Combined with our debt reduction during the first six months of the year, our total debt to capitalization has improved 410 basis points to 42.1% at the end of the third quarter from 46.2% at December 31, 2008.

“Since the beginning of the third quarter, we have signed new, expanded or extended contracts that reflect demand across the breadth of our solutions from new and existing Healthways customers, representing regional Blue Cross Blue Shield health plans, state governments, and Fortune 100 employers. Under these agreements, we will provide our chronic condition management, Silver Sneakers®, QuitNet® comprehensive smoking cessation, lifestyle health coaching, and/or WholeHealth solutions.

“Among these customers, we are pleased to report today a significant new agreement that expands our long-term relationship with Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), one of the nation’s largest health plans. Under the terms of this multi-year agreement, Healthways will make its national fitness center network available to approximately 6.7 million of HCSC’s commercial members. With this unique business model and related services, we have created a new consumer solution designed to support healthy behaviors for individuals in a commercial population. This agreement is a further example of how our extensive infrastructure allows for the rapid creation of innovative solutions that differentiate Healthways competitively in the commercial market, just as Silver Sneakers has done in the Medicare Advantage market.”

Financial Guidance

Based on the performance of the Company’s domestic operations for the first nine months of 2009, Healthways today increased its guidance for 2009 revenues to a range of $708 million to $717 million from the previous range of $685 million to $700 million. This revision includes a new range for revenues from domestic operations of $691 million to $697 million, up from $668 million to $680 million previously. Guidance for 2009 revenues from international operations remains unchanged in a range of $17 million to $20 million.

COMPARISON OF COMPONENTS OF REVENUES FOR THE YEAR ENDING

DECEMBER 31, 2009 (GUIDANCE) AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

(Dollars in millions)
Twelve Months
Ending Ended
Dec. 31, 2009 Dec. 31, 2008
(Guidance) (Actual)
Domestic $ 691.0 – 697.0 $ 731.3
International 17.0 – 20.0 15.4
Total Company $ 708.0 – 717.0 $ 746.7

Due to the anticipated increase in 2009 revenues, Healthways also revised its guidance for 2009 adjusted net income per diluted share, which excludes previously announced lawsuit settlement costs of $0.73 per diluted share, to a range of $1.01 to $1.05 compared with the previous range of $0.97 to $1.05. This new earnings guidance also reflects the expected $0.02 per diluted share net cost impact of the HealthHonors acquisition announced last week. Guidance for 2009 adjusted net income per diluted share includes a new range for domestic operations of $1.13 to $1.15 compared with $1.07 to $1.13 previously, while the net cost impact from international operations has increased to a range of $0.10 to $0.12 from the previous range of $0.08 to $0.10.

The Company’s guidance for net income per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2009 is in a range of $0.19 to $0.23. Domestic operations are expected to produce net income per diluted share of $0.20 to $0.22, including the effect of the HealthHonors acquisition. Fourth-quarter 2009 results from international operations are expected to be in a range of $0.01 net cost per diluted share to $0.01 net income per diluted share.

COMPARISON OF COMPONENTS OF NET INCOME PER DILUTED SHARE
See page 8 for a reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP results
Twelve Months Three Months
Ending Ended Ending
Dec. 31, 2009 Dec. 31, 2008 Dec. 31, 2009
(Guidance) (Actual) (Guidance)
Domestic, excluding lawsuit settlement costs $ 1.13 – 1.15 $ 1.20 $ 0.20 – 0.22
International (0.12)-(0.10 ) (0.10 ) (0.01)- 0.01
Adjusted net income per diluted share 1.01 – 1.05 1.10 0.19 – 0.23
Lawsuit settlement costs (0.73 )
Net income per diluted share $ 0.28 – 0.32 $ 1.10 $ 0.19 – 0.23

Summary

Mr. Leedle concluded, “We are pleased by the better than expected financial performance of our domestic operations for the third quarter and throughout 2009 and by our continued contracting momentum. We are also building our potential for future growth through the expansion of our value proposition as evidenced by our recently announced third-quarter WholeHealth contract with a Fortune 100 company and our new contract with HCSC.

“While encouraged by the Company’s progress, we remain cautious in our near-term outlook because of uncertainty about the economic environment and the possible impact of both the high domestic unemployment rate and potential healthcare reform on our customers. Given today’s economic environment, we believe the timeframe for sustained and significant improvement in the rate of unemployment is still unclear and that the possibility remains for further attrition. Despite our caution, we believe we are well positioned to continue managing through the current environment, with substantial cash flow from operations, a strengthening financial position and ample liquidity.

“Longer-term, we remain confident of the Company’s prospects for further substantial growth. In both the U.S and internationally, health plans, employers and governments are increasingly focused on the potential for reducing the future growth of healthcare costs by reducing health risks and preventing or delaying disease onset and progression. Healthways has been a leading pioneer in the development and application of these strategies with a proven record that healthier people cost less. With solutions demonstrated to be the most comprehensive, integrated and scalable in the market, we are well positioned to leverage this increased focus to expand the populations we serve and, through successful performance, to create further shareholder value.”

Conference Call

Healthways will hold a conference call to discuss this release today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Investors will have the opportunity to listen to the conference call live over the Internet by going to www.healthways.com and clicking Investor Relations, or by going to www.earnings.com, at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a telephonic replay will be available for one week at 719-457-0820, code 5006460, and the replay will also be available on the Company’s web site for the next 12 months.

Safe Harbor Provisions

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including our guidance and financial expectations for future periods, which are based upon current expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Those forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical statements of fact and those regarding the intent, belief or expectations of the Company, including, without limitation, all statements regarding the Company’s future earnings and results of operations. In order for the Company to utilize the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, investors are hereby cautioned that the following important factors, among others, may affect these forward-looking statements. Consequently, actual operations and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. The important factors include but are not limited to:

  • the Company’s ability to sign and implement new contracts;
  • the Company’s ability to accurately forecast performance in order to provide forward-looking guidance;
  • the Company’s ability to reach mutual agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) with respect to the Company’s results under Phase I of Medicare Health Support;
  • the Company’s ability to accurately forecast the costs necessary to establish a presence in international markets;
  • the risks associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
  • the Company’s ability to achieve estimated annualized revenue in backlog;
  • the ability of the Company’s customers to provide timely and accurate data that is essential to the operation and measurement of the Company’s performance;
  • the risks associated with changes in macroeconomic conditions;
  • the Company’s ability to integrate acquired businesses or technologies into the Company’s business;
  • the Company’s ability to renew and/or maintain contracts with its customers under existing terms or restructure these contracts on terms that would not have a material negative impact on the Company’s results of operations;
  • the Company’s ability to obtain adequate financing to provide the capital that may be necessary to support the Company’s operations and to support or guarantee the Company’s performance under new contracts;
  • the impact of litigation involving the Company and/or its subsidiaries;
  • the impact of future state, federal, and international health care and other applicable legislation and regulations, including health care reform, on the Company’s ability to deliver its services and on the financial health of the Company’s customers and their willingness to purchase the Company’s services; and
  • other risks detailed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2008, Item 1A of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements.

About Healthways

Healthways is the leading provider of specialized, comprehensive solutions to help millions of people maintain or improve their health and well-being and, as a result, reduce overall costs. Healthways’ solutions are designed to help healthy individuals stay healthy, mitigate and slow the progression of disease associated with family or lifestyle risk factors and promote the best possible health for those already affected by disease. Our proven, evidence-based programs provide highly specific and personalized interventions for each individual in a population, irrespective of age or health status, and are delivered to consumers by phone, mail, internet and face-to-face interactions, both domestically and internationally. Healthways also provides a national, fully accredited complementary and alternative Health Provider Network and a national Fitness Center Network, offering convenient access to individuals who seek health services outside of, and in conjunction with, the traditional healthcare system. For more information, please visit www.healthways.com.

HEALTHWAYS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008
Revenues $ 181,642 $ 187,448 $ 542,214 $ 561,432
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization of $8,517, $9,316, $25,843, and $27,116, respectively, included below) 132,498 125,628 393,097 381,884
Selling, general & administrative expenses 17,816 17,493 55,050 55,156
Depreciation and amortization 11,956 12,949 36,155 37,813
Operating income 19,372 31,378 57,912 86,579
Gain on sale of investment (2,581 )
Interest expense 3,888 5,366 12,091 15,529
Legal settlement and related costs 39,956
Income before income taxes 15,484 26,012 8,446 71,050
Income tax expense 6,682 10,389 5,582 28,900
Net income $ 8,802 $ 15,623 $ 2,864 $ 42,150
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.26 $ 0.46 $ 0.08 $ 1.22
Diluted $ 0.26 $ 0.45 $ 0.08 $ 1.17
Weighted average common shares and equivalents:
Basic 33,745 33,599 33,701 34,474
Diluted 34,481 34,567 34,232 35,891
Healthways, Inc.
Statistical Information
(Unaudited)
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008
Operating Statistics
Domestic commercial available lives 196,100,000 192,500,000
Domestic commercial billed lives 35,900,000 31,700,000
Healthways, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to GAAP Measures
(Unaudited)
Reconciliation of Domestic EPS Guidance Excluding Lawsuit Settlement Costs and

Reconciliation of Adjusted EPS Guidance to EPS Guidance, GAAP Basis

Twelve Months Ending
December 31, 2009
Domestic EPS guidance excluding lawsuit settlement costs (1) $ 1.13 – 1.15
International EPS (loss) guidance (0.12) – (0.10 )
Adjusted EPS guidance (2) $ 1.01– 1.05
EPS (loss) attributable to lawsuit settlement costs (3) (0.73 )
EPS guidance, GAAP basis $ 0.28 – 0.32

(1) Domestic EPS guidance excluding lawsuit settlement costs is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company excludes EPS (loss) attributable to lawsuit settlement costs from this measure because of its comparability to the Company’s historical operating results. The Company believes it is useful to investors to provide disclosures of its operating results and guidance on the same basis as that used by management. You should not consider Domestic EPS guidance excluding lawsuit settlement costs in isolation or as a substitute for EPS guidance determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

(2) Adjusted EPS guidance is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company excludes EPS (loss) attributable to lawsuit settlement costs from this measure because of its comparability to the Company’s historical operating results. The Company believes it is useful to investors to provide disclosures of its operating results and guidance on the same basis as that used by management. You should not consider Adjusted EPS guidance in isolation or as a substitute for EPS guidance determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

(3) EPS (loss) attributable to lawsuit settlement costs consists of pre-tax charges of $40.0 million related to the Company’s settlement of a qui tam lawsuit.

HEALTHWAYS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
ASSETS
September 30, December 31,
2009 2008
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,309 $ 5,157
Accounts receivable, net 121,924 115,108
Prepaid expenses 11,325 13,479
Other current assets 5,618 3,810
Income taxes receivable 8,415
Deferred tax asset 26,404 30,488
Total current assets 175,995 168,042
Property and equipment:
Leasehold improvements 41,270 34,635
Computer equipment and related software 148,212 138,369
Furniture and office equipment 29,006 29,610
Capital projects in process 32,577 17,462
251,065 220,076
Less accumulated depreciation (132,841 ) (108,635 )
118,224 111,441
Other assets 7,063 18,089
Customer contracts, net 28,652 32,715
Other intangible assets, net 66,563 68,207
Goodwill, net 484,584 484,596
Total assets $ 881,081 $ 883,090
HEALTHWAYS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
September 30, December 31,
2009 2008
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 22,399 $ 21,633
Accrued salaries and benefits 65,168 33,161
Accrued liabilities 26,873 26,294
Deferred revenue 5,060 6,904
Contract billings in excess of earned revenue 75,099 71,406
Income taxes payable 8,034
Current portion of long-term debt 2,657 2,035
Current portion of long-term liabilities 4,371 4,609
Total current liabilities 201,627 174,076
Long-term debt 263,852 304,372
Long-term deferred tax liability 10,898 8,073
Other long-term liabilities 38,181 39,533
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock
$.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
Common stock
$.001 par value, 120,000,000 shares authorized, 33,790,729 and 33,648,976 shares outstanding 34 34
Additional paid-in capital 220,060 213,461
Retained earnings 151,370 148,506
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (4,941 ) (4,965 )
Total stockholders’ equity 366,523 357,036
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 881,081 $ 883,090
HEALTHWAYS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
Nine Months EndedSeptember 30,
2009 2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 2,864 $ 42,150
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, net of business acquisitions:
Depreciation and amortization 36,155 37,813
Amortization of deferred loan costs 1,128 881
Gain on sale of investment (2,581 )
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 955 1,346
Share-based employee compensation expense 7,863 12,714
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements (162 ) (3,487 )
Increase in accounts receivable, net (6,776 ) (19,049 )
(Increase) decrease in other current assets (5,490 ) 1,926
Increase in accounts payable 4,462 2,968
Increase in accrued salaries and benefits 31,965 15,640
(Decrease) increase in other current liabilities (3,667 ) 2,341
Deferred income taxes 5,339 (7,727 )
Other 3,479 8,002
Increase in other assets (454 ) (1,581 )
Payments on other long-term liabilities (2,935 ) (2,156 )
Net cash flows provided by operating activities 72,145 91,781
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment (35,638 ) (62,026 )
Sale of investment 11,626
Change in restricted cash (538 )
Other (3,655 ) (4,543 )
Net cash flows used in investing activities (28,205 ) (66,569 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 283,900 87,287
Payments of long-term debt (325,826 ) (42,965 )
Deferred loan costs (784 )
Exercise of stock options 265 3,668
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements 162 3,487
Repurchases of common stock (94,208 )
Repurchase of stock options (736 )
Change in outstanding checks and other (3,982 )
Net cash flows used in financing activities (47,001 ) (42,731 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 213 (76 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (2,848 ) (17,595 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 5,157 40,515
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 2,309 $ 22,920
Friday, October 23rd, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Healthways (HWAY) Reports Third-Quarter Earnings of $0.26 Per Diluted Share

Align Technology (ALGN) Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2009 Results

Oct. 22, 2009 (GlobeNewswire) —

  • Q3 net revenues of $79.3 million increase 3.9% sequentially and 5.4% from the prior year
  • Q3 record case shipments of 56.5 thousand increase 6.6% sequentially and 7.0% from the prior year

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 22, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Align Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALGN) today reported financial results for the third quarter, ended September 30, 2009.

Total net revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 (Q3 09) were $79.3 million compared to $76.3 million reported in the second quarter of 2009 (Q2 09) and compared to $75.2 million reported in the third quarter of 2008 (Q3 08). Invisalign case shipments for Q3 09 were 56.5 thousand, compared to 53.0 thousand in Q2 09 and compared to 52.8 thousand in Q3 08.

Net loss for Q3 09 was $49.9 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, which includes litigation settlement costs of $69.7 million and royalties of $1.9 million, for a total of $0.85 per diluted share related to the settlement agreement with Ormco Corporation announced on August 17, 2009. This is compared to net profit of $4.5 million, or $0.07 per diluted share in Q2 09 and net profit of $5.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted share in Q3 08. Stock-based compensation expense included in Q3 09 was $4.0 million compared to $4.3 million in Q2 09 and $4.4 million in Q3 08.

To supplement our consolidated financial statements, we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP operating expense, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net profit and non-GAAP earnings per share. Detailed reconciliations between GAAP and non-GAAP information are contained in the tables following the financial tables of this release.

Non-GAAP net profit for Q3 09 was $8.9 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. This is compared to non-GAAP net profit of $4.8 million, or $0.07 per diluted share in Q2 09 and non-GAAP net profit of $7.3 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in Q3 08.

Commenting on Align’s third quarter financial results, Thomas M. Prescott, president and CEO said, “I’m pleased to report a very good quarter with better than expected results across the board. Third quarter revenues were driven by sequential growth in the Ortho and GP channels in North America, as well as continued adoption of Invisalign Teen worldwide. Our financial performance highlights the operating leverage possible in our business when we drive sufficient volume into our more productive cost structure, and it reaffirms the tough actions we took over the last twelve months.”

Key GAAP Operating Results Q3 09 Q2 09 Q3 08
Gross Margin 74.4% 76.0% 75.0%
Operating Expense $ 119.2M $ 51.7M $ 50.7M
Operating Margin (75.9%) 8.2% 7.6%
Net Profit (Loss) ($49.9) $ 4.5M $ 5.2M
Earnings Per Diluted Share (EPS) ($0.72) $ 0.07 $ 0.08
Non-GAAP Gross Margin 76.8% 76.0% 75.0%
Non-GAAP Operating Expense $ 49.5M $ 51.3M $ 48.5M
Non-GAAP Operating Margin 14.4% 8.7% 10.5%
Non-GAAP Net Profit $ 8.9M $ 4.8M $ 7.3M
Non-GAAP Earnings Per Diluted Share (EPS) $ 0.13 $ 0.07 $ 0.11

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2009, Align had $154.9 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities compared to $110.2 million as of December 31, 2008.

Q309 Business Highlights

During the quarter, Align made several major announcements. For further information, please visit the investor relations section of the Company’s website: http://investor.aligntech.com.

  • Align reached a settlement agreement with Ormco Corporation ending all litigation between the two companies and formed a new strategic relationship to jointly develop a combination orthodontic product. As part of the settlement, Align made a cash payment of approximately $13.1 million to Ormco and issued approximately 7.6 million shares of Align’s Common Stock to Danaher Corporation, Ormco’s ultimate parent.
  • Align introduced new and enhanced product features for all Invisalign products designed to provide improved results for everyday clinical demands. Features include optimized attachments, power ridges, velocity optimization selection, interproximal reduction (IPR) improvements, and a new attachment kit. Also, additional features have been added or enhanced in Invisalign Assist, expanding its capabilities and giving doctors the confidence and control necessary to treat a wider range of patients.
  • Align announced program updates to its Invisalign Proficiency Requirements including an additional qualification period of six months, as well as a new Invisalign Preferred Provider designation for doctors who achieve the proficiency requirements by the end 2009

Key Business Metrics

The following table highlights business metrics for Align’s third quarter of 2009. Additional historical information is available on the Company’s website at http://investor.aligntech.com.

Revenue % Change
North American Orthodontists $ 22.7 28.7% 5.3%
North American GP Dentists $ 33.9 42.8% 6.8%
International $ 18.5 23.3% 2.2%
Non-case Revenue* $ 4.2 5.2% (15.2%)
Total Revenue $ 79.3 100% 3.9%
 * includes training, ancillary products, and retainers
Cases % Change
North American Orthodontists 18,830 33.3% 7.8%
North American GP Dentists 25,565 45.2% 8.7%
International 12,120 21.5% 0.9%
Total Cases Shipped 56,515 100% 6.6%
Cases Shipped by Product: Q3 09 % of Total

Cases

Q3 09/Q2 09

% Change

Invisalign Full 38,705 68.5% 2.3%
Invisalign Express 8,425 14.9% 5.3%
Invisalign Teen 7,850 13.9% 32.2%
Invisalign Assist 1,535 2.7% 25.3%
Total Cases Shipped 56,515 100% 6.6%
Average Selling Price (ASP),

as billed:

Q3 09
Total Worldwide Blended ASP $ 1,390
International ASP $ 1,560
Number of Doctors Cases were

Shipped to:

Q3 09
North American Orthodontists 3,835
North American GP Dentists 11,060
International 3,470
Total Doctors Cases were Shipped to Worldwide 18,365
Worldwide: Q3 09 Cumulative
North American Orthodontists 75 8,885
North American GP Dentists 430 34,805
International 300 15,330
Total Doctors Trained Worldwide 805 59,020
Doctor Utilization Rates*: Q3 09 Q2 09 Q3 08
North American Orthodontists 4.9 4.7 4.8
North American GP Dentists 2.3 2.2 2.4
International 3.5 3.6 3.2
Total Utilization Rate 3.1 3.0 3.0
 * Utilization = # of cases shipped/# of doctors to whom cases
   were shipped
(cases shipped): Q3 09 Cumulative
Number of Patients Treated or in Treatment (cases) 56,515 1,103,635

Q4 Fiscal 2009 Business Outlook

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 (Q4 09), Align Technology expects net revenues to be in a range of $77.5 million to $81.0 million. GAAP earnings per diluted share for Q4 09 is expected to be in a range of $0.07 to $0.09. Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share for Q4 09 is expected to be in the range of $0.08 to $0.10. Stock-based compensation expense for Q4 09 is expected to be approximately $3.9 million.

A more comprehensive business outlook is available following the financial tables of this release.

Align Web Cast and Conference Call

Align Technology will host a conference call today, October 22, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. ET, 1:30 p.m. PT, to review its third quarter fiscal 2009 results, discuss future operating trends and business outlook. The conference call will also be web cast live via the Internet. To access the web cast, go to the “Events & Presentations” section under Company Information on Align Technology’s Investor Relations web site at http://investor.aligntech.com. To access the conference call, please dial 201-689-8341 approximately fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call. If you are unable to listen to the call, an archived web cast will be available beginning approximately one hour after the call’s conclusion and will remain available for approximately 12 months. Additionally, a telephonic replay of the call can be accessed by dialing 877-660-6853 with account number 292 followed by # and conference number 333971 followed by #. The replay must be accessed from international locations by dialing 201-612-7415 and using the same account and conference numbers referenced above. The telephonic replay will be available through 5:30 p.m. ET on November 5, 2009.

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs, manufactures and markets Invisalign, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Invisalign corrects malocclusion using a series of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances that gently move teeth to a desired final position. Because it does not rely on the use of metal or ceramic brackets and wires, Invisalign significantly reduces the aesthetic and other limitations associated with braces. Invisalign is appropriate for treating adults and teens. Align Technology was founded in March 1997 and received FDA clearance to market Invisalign in 1998. Today, the Invisalign product family includes Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Invisalign Assist, Invisalign Express, and Vivera Retainers.

To learn more about Invisalign or to find a certified Invisalign doctor in your area, please visit www.invisalign.com or call 1-800-INVISIBLE.

About non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements and our business outlook, we use the following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP profit from operations, non-GAAP net profit, and non-GAAP earnings per share, which exclude, as applicable, litigation settlement costs and royalties associated with the settlement with Ormco, the effect of charges associated with restructurings, and the related tax effect. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. For more information on these non-GAAP financial measures, please see the tables captioned “Business Outlook Summary” included at the end of this release.

We use these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Our management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding our “core operating performance”. Management believes that “core operating performance” represents Align’s performance in the ordinary, ongoing and customary course of its operations. Accordingly, management excludes from “core operating performance” certain expenditures and other items that may not be indicative of our operating performance including discrete cash charges that are infrequent or one-time in nature. We believe that both management and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing our performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. These non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate management’s internal evaluation of period-to-period comparisons. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors both because (1) they allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making and (2) they are provided to and used by our institutional investors and the analyst community to facilitate comparisons with prior and subsequent reporting periods.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release, including the tables below, contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding, certain business metrics for the fourth quarter of 2009, including anticipated revenue, gross margin, operating expense, operating income, earnings per share, case shipments and cash. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the tables below relating to expectations about future events or results are based upon information available to Align as of the date hereof. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. As a result, actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, difficulties predicting customer and consumer purchasing behavior as well as the willingness and ability of our customers to adopt the expected baseline requirements set forth in our recently announced proficiency program and the willingness and ability of our customers to maintain and/or increase utilization to meet the new proficiency standards in sufficient numbers, the possibility that the development and release of new products does not proceed in accordance with the anticipated timeline, the possibility that the market for the sale of these new products may not develop as expected, the risks relating to Align’s ability to sustain or increase profitability or revenue growth in future periods while controlling expenses, continued customer demand for Invisalign and new products, changes in consumer spending habits as a result of, among other things, prevailing economic conditions, levels of employment, salaries and wages and consumer confidence, the timing of case submissions from our doctors within a quarter, acceptance of Invisalign by consumers and dental professionals, Align’s third party manufacturing processes and personnel, foreign operational, political and other risks relating to Align’s international manufacturing operations, Align’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights, competition from manufacturers of traditional braces and new competitors, Align’s ability to develop and successfully introduce new products and product enhancements, and the loss of key personnel. These and other risks are detailed from time to time in Align’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009. Align undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30,

2009

Sept. 30,

2008

Sept. 30,

2009

Sept. 30,

2008

Net revenues $ 79,269 $ 75,173 $225,717 $229,851
Cost of revenues 20,268 18,766 56,031 58,617
Gross profit 59,001 56,407 169,686 171,234
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing 27,687 28,214 84,649 88,737
General and administrative 16,224 14,395 46,231 45,905
Research and development 5,611 5,918 16,471 20,214
Restructuring 2,189 1,319 2,189
Litigation settlement costs 69,673 69,673
Total operating expenses 119,195 50,716 218,343 157,045
Profit (loss) from operations (60,194) 5,691 (48,657) 14,189
Interest and other income (expense), net (271) 264 434 1,673
Profit (loss) before income taxes (60,465) 5,955 (48,223) 15,862
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (10,523) 798 (5,462) 1,371
Net profit (loss) $(49,942) $ 5,157 $(42,761) $ 14,491
Net profit (loss) per share
– basic $ (0.72) $ 0.08 $ (0.64) $ 0.21
– diluted $ (0.72) $ 0.08 $ (0.64) $ 0.21
Shares used in computing net profit/loss per share
– basic 69,528 67,367 67,278 68,330
– diluted 69,528 68,704 67,278 69,906
ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
Sept. 30,

2009

Dec. 31,

2008

ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $135,961 $ 87,100
Marketable securities, short-term 18,979 23,066
Accounts receivable, net 55,035 52,362
Inventories, net 1,892 1,965
Other current assets 25,671 13,414
Total current assets 237,538 177,907
Property and equipment, net 24,429 26,979
Goodwill and intangible assets, net 6,166 8,266
Deferred tax asset 61,048 61,696
Other long-term assets 1,603 4,493
Total assets $330,784 $279,341
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 7,498 $ 5,580
Accrued liabilities 37,484 38,282
Deferred revenue 27,920 16,710
Total current liabilities 72,902 60,572
Other long term liabilities 202 229
Total liabilities 73,104 60,801
Total stockholders’ equity 257,680 218,540
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $330,784 $279,341
ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP KEY FINANCIAL METRICS
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Gross Profit
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Sept. 30,

2009

June 30,

2009

Sept. 30,

2008

GAAP Gross profit $ 59,001 $ 57,978 $ 56,407
Ormco royalties 1,906
Non-GAAP Gross profit $ 60,907 $ 57,978 $ 56,407
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Expenses
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Sept. 30,

2009

June 30,

2009

Sept. 30,

2008

GAAP Operating expenses $ 119,195 $ 51,725 $ 50,716
Litigation settlement costs (69,673)
Restructuring (409) (2,189)
Non-GAAP Operating expenses $ 49,522 $ 51,316 $ 48,527
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Profit from Operations
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended
Sept. 30,

2009

June 30,

2009

Sept. 30,

2008

GAAP Profit (loss) from Operations $ (60,194) $ 6,253 $ 5,691
Ormco royalties 1,906
Litigation settlement costs 69,673
Restructuring 409 2,189
Non-GAAP Profit from Operations $ 11,385 $ 6,662 $ 7,880
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Net Profit
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
Sept. 30,

2009

June 30,

2009

Sept. 30,

2008

GAAP Net profit (loss) $ (49,942) $ 4,545 $ 5,157
Ormco royalties 1,906
Litigation settlement costs 69,673
Restructuring 409 2,189
Tax effect on non-GAAP adjustments (12,731) (127) (86)
Non-GAAP Net profit $ 8,906 $ 4,827 $ 7,260
Diluted Net profit (loss) per share:
GAAP $ (0.72) $ 0.07 $ 0.08
Non-GAAP $ 0.13 $ 0.07 $ 0.11
Shares used in computing diluted GAAP net profit/loss per share 69,528 67,373 68,704
Shares used in computing diluted non-GAAP net profit per share 70,926 67,373 68,704
 ALIGN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
 BUSINESS OUTLOOK SUMMARY
 (unaudited)

The outlook figures provided below and elsewhere in this press release are approximate in nature since Align’s business outlook is difficult to predict. Align’s future performance involves numerous risks and uncertainties and the company’s results could differ materially from the outlook provided. Some of the factors that could affect Align’s future financial performance and business outlook are set forth under “Forward Looking Information” above in this press release.

Financials
(in millions, except per share amounts and percentages)
Q4 2009
GAAP Adjustment

(a)

Non-GAAP
Net Revenue $77.5-$81.0 $77.5 – $81.0
Gross Profit $55.1-$58.1 $3.8 $58.9 – $61.9
Gross Margin 71.1%-71.8% 4.7%-4.9% 76.0% – 76.5%
Operating Expenses $49.0-$50.0 $49.0 – $50.0
Operating Margin 7.9%-10.1% 4.7%-4.9% 12.8% – 14.8%
Net Income per Diluted Share $0.07-$0.09 $0.01 $0.08 – $0.10
Stock Based Compensation Expense:
Cost of Revenues $0.3 $0.3
Operating Expenses $3.5 $3.5
Total Stock Based Compensation Expense $3.9 $3.9
(a) Ormco Royalties
Q4 2009
Case Shipments 57.0K – 59.0K
Cash $170M – $175M
DSO mid 60’s
Capex $2.0M – $4.0M
Depreciation & Amortization $2.0M – $3.0M
Diluted Shares Outstanding 76M
Full Year 2009: FY 2009
Stock Based compensation $15.9M
Diluted Shares Outstanding 70M
Friday, October 23rd, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Align Technology (ALGN) Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2009 Results

Rocky Brands, Inc. (RCKY) Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2009 Results

Oct. 22, 2009 (Business Wire) — Rocky Brands, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCKY) today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2009.

For the third quarter of 2009, net sales were $66.6 million versus net sales of $72.5 million in the third quarter of 2008. The Company’s earnings before income taxes increased 53.4% to $4.4 million in third quarter 2009 compared to $2.9 million in the same period last year. Net earnings increased 17.2% to $2.8 million, or $0.50 per diluted share versus net earnings of $2.4 million, or $0.43 per diluted share a year ago. In the third quarter of 2008, the Company received a one-time prior year tax benefit of approximately $0.6 million, or $0.10 per diluted share. Excluding this one-time benefit, third quarter 2009 diluted EPS increased 51.5% to $.50 compared to $.33 in the third quarter of 2008.

Mike Brooks, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are very pleased with our third quarter performance. Our recent results reflect the steps we have taken over the last 18 months to reduce expenses and improve efficiency in order to enhance our profitability and strengthen our balance sheet. For the fifth consecutive quarter we lowered our operating expenses double digits on a percentage basis as we continue to remove costs from our retail division by transitioning more customer transactions to the internet. At the same time, our ability to more effectively manage our inventory levels and receivables decreased borrowings under our credit facility and lowered our interest expense by 14%. Equally important, we began to see some stabilization of our sales base with several of our wholesale categories – Hunting, Western, and Duty – reporting positive gains. With inventories at retailers relatively clean, we are optimistic we will continue to benefit from a higher frequency of reorders and we are confident that we can deliver improved profitability year-over-year during the fourth quarter.”

Third Quarter Review

Net sales for the third quarter decreased to $66.6 million compared to $72.5 million a year ago. Wholesale sales for the third quarter decreased 2.1% to $54.5 million compared to $55.6 million for the same period in 2008. Retail sales for the third quarter were $11.5 million compared to $15.3 million for the same period last year. Retail sales were down year-over-year as a result of the ongoing transition to more internet driven transactions, and the decision to remove a portion of our Lehigh mobile stores from operation to help lower costs as discussed below. Military segment sales for the third quarter were $0.6 million versus $1.6 million for the same period in 2008. Third quarter 2009 military sales include the initial shipments of insulated boots under the $29 million blanket purchase agreement the company received from the General Services Administration (GSA) in July 2009.

Gross margin in the third quarter of 2009 was $24.7 million, or 37.1% of sales compared to $27.1 million, or 37.4% for the same period last year.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased $3.4 million or 15.4% to $18.6 million, or 27.9% of sales for the third quarter of 2009 compared to $22.0 million, or 30.3% of sales, a year ago. The decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily the result of a reduction in salaries & benefits, freight, Lehigh mobile store expenses and tradeshow expenses.

Income from operations increased $1.0 million, or 19.8% to $6.1 million, or 9.2% of sales for the period compared to income from operations of $5.1 million, or 7.1% sales in the prior year.

Interest expense decreased $0.3 million or 14.4% to $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2009 versus $2.3 million for the same period last year. The decrease is the result of a reduction in average borrowings combined with lower interest rates compared to the same period last year.

The Company’s funded debt decreased $24.1 million, or 22.4% to $83.4 million at September 30, 2009 versus $107.6 million at September 30, 2008.

Inventory decreased $15.3 million, or 18.3%, to $68.1 million at September 30, 2009 compared with $83.3 million on the same date a year ago.

The Company’s accounts receivable decreased 19.8% to $58.3 million at September 30, 2009 versus $72.7 million at September 30, 2008.

Conference Call Information

The Company’s conference call to review third quarter fiscal 2009 results will be broadcast live over the internet today, Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 4:30 pm Eastern Time. The broadcast will be hosted at www.rockybrands.com.

About Rocky Brands, Inc.

Rocky Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brand names including Rocky Outdoor Gear®, Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, and the licensed brands Dickies®, Michelin® and Mossy Oak®.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements regarding intent, beliefs, expectations, projections, forecasts, and plans of the Company and its management, and include statements in this press release regarding a higher frequency of reorders and improved profitability (paragraph 3). These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the various risks inherent in the Company’s business as set forth in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 (filed March 3, 2009) and the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 (filed May 4, 2009) and June 30, 2009 (filed July 31, 2009). One or more of these factors have affected historical results, and could in the future affect the Company’s businesses and financial results in future periods and could cause actual results to differ materially from plans and projections. Therefore there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the Company, or any other person should not regard the inclusion of such information as a representation that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, 2009 December 31, 2008 September 30, 2008
Unaudited Unaudited
ASSETS:
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,002,909 $ 4,311,313 $ 4,332,477
Trade receivables – net 58,296,661 60,133,493 72,654,591
Other receivables 1,598,829 1,394,235 1,289,396
Inventories 68,065,444 70,302,174 83,320,590
Deferred income taxes 2,173,391 2,167,966 1,978,946
Prepaid and refundable income taxes 247,011 75,481
Prepaid expenses 1,949,885 1,455,158 2,366,859
Total current assets 136,334,130 139,839,820 165,942,859
FIXED ASSETS – net 23,132,489 23,549,319 24,254,455
IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLES 30,627,527 31,020,478 36,044,132
OTHER ASSETS 2,677,353 2,452,501 2,154,179
TOTAL ASSETS $ 192,771,499 $ 196,862,118 $ 228,395,625
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 7,683,778 $ 9,869,948 $ 14,492,182
Current maturities – long term debt 503,841 480,723 464,846
Accrued expenses:
Taxes – other 387,817 641,670 612,445
Other 5,987,861 4,261,689 7,076,926
Total current liabilities 14,563,297 15,254,030 22,646,399
LONG TERM DEBT – less current maturities 82,940,392 87,258,939 107,115,967
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 9,558,761 9,438,921 12,569,600
DEFERRED LIABILITIES 4,116,613 3,960,472 1,170,026
TOTAL LIABILITIES 111,179,063 115,912,362 143,501,992
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, no par value;
25,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding

September 30, 2009 – 5,547,215; December 31, 2008

– 5,516,898; September 30, 2008 – 5,508,398

54,387,752 54,250,064 54,193,211
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,982,564 ) (3,222,215 ) (1,462,344 )
Retained earnings 30,187,248 29,921,907 32,162,766
Total shareholders’ equity 81,592,436 80,949,756 84,893,633
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 192,771,499 $ 196,862,118 $ 228,395,625
Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008 2009 2008
NET SALES $ 66,572,437 $ 72,500,603 $ 167,825,613 $ 193,492,740
COST OF GOODS SOLD 41,856,651 45,414,533 105,299,667 116,060,912
GROSS MARGIN 24,715,786 27,086,070 62,525,946 77,431,828
SELLING, GENERAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 18,576,780 21,961,032 56,642,081 65,897,978
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 6,139,006 5,125,038 5,883,865 11,533,850
OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSES):
Interest expense (1,955,485 ) (2,285,051 ) (5,665,905 ) (7,101,237 )
Other – net 224,442 34,254 257,899 31,385
Total other – net (1,731,043 ) (2,250,797 ) (5,408,006 ) (7,069,852 )
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 4,407,963 2,874,241 475,859 4,463,998
INCOME TAX EXPENSE 1,626,518 500,000 210,518 1,056,000
NET INCOME $ 2,781,445 $ 2,374,241 $ 265,341 $ 3,407,998
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Basic $ 0.50 $ 0.43 $ 0.05 $ 0.62
Diluted $ 0.50 $ 0.43 $ 0.05 $ 0.62
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic 5,547,215 5,508,398 5,546,993 5,508,252
Diluted 5,547,215 5,512,634 5,546,993 5,518,138
Friday, October 23rd, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Rocky Brands, Inc. (RCKY) Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2009 Results

Speedus Corp. (SPDE) Subsidiary Cleared as Apple iPhone Developer; Medical Applications for Smartphones Planned

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Zargis Medical Corp., a subsidiary of Speedus Corp. (Nasdaq: SPDE) and a spin-off from Siemens Corporate Research (NYSE: SI), today announced that is has been cleared as an Apple(®) iPhone(®) developer and has begun development of medical diagnostic support software and related peripherals for the iPhone and other leading smartphones.

Zargis has identified the handheld environment as a logical delivery platform for its telemedicine and diagnostic software initiatives, and with its team of experienced developer’s plans to leverage the smartphone platform as a mobile hub between medical device peripherals and computer-aided diagnostic support located either locally or remotely.

A recent report released by Manhattan Research stated that 64% of doctors, more than double the number eight years ago, own smartphones, and that this figure will increase to 81% penetration in 2012. However, despite the rapid adoption of the iPhone and other smartphones by physicians, currently available healthcare applications for these devices are generally limited to medical reference libraries, educational tools and applications designed to manage patient medical records.

“The future of healthcare delivery is about connectivity and mobility. Zargis’ expertise in computer-aided auscultation and our advanced medical software platform positions us perfectly to create diagnostic software and peripherals that are a natural fit for smartphones. We intend to improve healthcare efficiency by helping clinicians bring medical technology to the patient, rather than the other way around,” stated Zargis CEO John Kallassy.

About Zargis Medical Corp.

Zargis Medical Corp. develops advanced diagnostic decision support products and services for primary care physicians, pediatricians, cardiologists and other healthcare professionals. Zargis was formed in 2001 when Siemens Corporate Research, a division of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI), and Speedus Corp. co-invested to develop and market an advanced acoustic technology designed to detect heart abnormalities identified through analysis of heart sounds.

For additional information about Zargis or Speedus Corp., contact Peter Hodge at 888.773.3669 (ext. 23) or phodge@zargis.com or visit the following Web sites: www.zargis.com and www.speedus.com.

Statements contained herein that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about the Company’s product, corporate identity and focus, may be forward-looking statements that are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by the Company, including, but not limited to, the continuing development of the Company’s sales, marketing and support efforts.

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Speedus Corp. (SPDE) Subsidiary Cleared as Apple iPhone Developer; Medical Applications for Smartphones Planned

TigerLogic (TIGR) Announces the General Availability of Omnis Studio 5

IRVINE, California, Sep. 21, 2009 (PR Newswire Europe) — v>

– Extending Omnis to New Platforms and New Markets

Support for Microsoft(R) Windows Mobile(R) based devices and full Unicode compatibility extend the power and flexibility of the Omnis Studio application development environment and opens up entirely new markets for application developers.

TigerLogic Corporation (Nasdaq: TIGR) is pleased to announce the general availability of Omnis Studio 5, which introduces the groundbreaking new Omnis Mobile Client allowing developers to create applications for the growing range of Windows Mobile-based devices including Smartphones, PDAs, tablet PCs and other mobile devices. Enhanced Localization features and full Unicode compatibility provides support for thousands of languages and a wealth of scientific notation, and enables existing Omnis developers, and a whole generation of new developers, to reach new customers in SMEs, corporations, public and technical institutions, and emerging markets throughout the world. Other features in Omnis Studio 5 include brand new interactive UI components, extensions to the Omnis component interface to allow animation and transparency in third-party components, important updates in the Omnis VCS for developer teams, context menus for web and mobile forms, method performance monitoring, and much more.

TigerLogic is also pleased to introduce new product configurations and a new pricing structure for Omnis Studio 5 to encourage developers to adopt Omnis as their preferred tool for enterprise, web and mobile application development, while making Omnis Studio a more attractive proposition for all application developers, including independent developers, system houses, and vertical market application developers. One new configuration comprises a free Standard Edition SDK that allows direct access to the MySQL or PostgreSQL database, both of which are popular choices for web developers and business application developers alike. The new Professional Edition SDK provides a complete set of tools for all enterprise, web and mobile application developers, including data connecters for direct access to all leading databases, a versatile and robust Version Control System, easy to use reporting tools, a powerful 4GL and scripting language, and a world-class debugger.

“This latest release adds Mobile application development, full Unicode compatibility, and improved Localization support to the already powerful arsenal of tools available to application developers in Omnis Studio. Together with the new product and pricing configurations introduced today, we believe Omnis Studio 5 will become the essential tool for all independent developers, consultants, system houses and software vendors wishing to create the next-generation of enterprise, web and mobile applications,” commented Bob Whiting, Omnis Product Manager and General Manager of Raining Data UK Limited, a subsidiary of TigerLogic Corporation.

Availability

Omnis Studio 5 is available for download from the Omnis Website at: http://www.omnis.net. DVD media including SDKs for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, will be available soon. To learn more about Omnis Studio, go to http://www.omnis.net/products/studio.

A free trial version of Omnis Studio 5.0 Professional Edition is available. To download a copy, please register at http://www.omnis.net/download.

About Omnis Studio

Omnis Studio is a high-performance visual RAD tool that provides a component-based environment for building enterprise, web, and mobile applications – all from one code base. Omnis Studio’s Web and Mobile Client plug-in technology allows server-based applications to be accessed over the Internet using a web browser or many types of mobile devices, providing fast, secure, and scalable solutions with minimal development time. With complete scalability from individual to enterprise level solutions, Omnis applications can be developed on any one supported platform and deployed on any other platform without modification. Supported platforms include Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, all with full Unicode compatibility for your data and application interface. Omnis directly supports traditional SQL databases such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Sybase, and DB2, as well as TigerLogic’s advanced multidimensional database, D3 via the mvDesigner product. Most other databases may be accessed via JDBC or ODBC. Omnis Studio dramatically cuts application development time compared to 3GL environments (C++, Java), while allowing the developer to use objects developed in 3GL environments as components in Omnis applications.

About TigerLogic Corporation

TigerLogic Corporation (Nasdaq: TIGR), has been providing reliable data management and rapid application deployment solutions for ISVs and developers of database applications for more than three decades. TigerLogic’s product offerings include: 1) TigerLogic(R) yolink, an internet browser-based application that enhances the search experience of any popular search engine or Web page; 2) TigerLogic(R) XML Data Management Server (XDMS), provides flexible, scalable and extensible XML data storage as well as query and retrieval of critical business data across a variety of structured and unstructured information sources; 3) Pick(R) Universal Data Model (Pick UDM) based database management systems and components, including D3(R), mvEnterprise(R) and mvBase(R) that are the choice of more than a thousand application developers worldwide; and 4) Omnis Studio(R), a cross-platform, object-oriented RAD tool for developing sophisticated thick-client, Web-client or ultra thin-client database applications. TigerLogic’s installed customer base includes more than 500,000 active users representing more than 20,000 customer sites worldwide, with a significant base of diverse vertical applications. With employees and contractors worldwide, TigerLogic offers 24×7 customer support services and maintains an international presence. More information about TigerLogic and its products can be found at http://www.tigerlogic.com. Product details about yolink can be found at http://www.yolink.com.

Except for the historical statements contained herein, the foregoing release may contain forward-looking information. Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially due to several factors, including but not limited to the success of the Company’s research and development efforts to develop new products and to penetrate new markets, the market acceptance of the Company’s new products and updates, technical risks related to such products and updates, the Company’s ability to maintain market share for its existing products, the availability of adequate liquidity and other risks and uncertainties. Please consult the various reports and documents filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q for factors potentially affecting the Company’s future financial results. All forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any responsibility to update or revise any forward-looking statement provided in this news release. The Company’s results for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s operating results for any future periods.

TigerLogic, yolink, Raining Data, Pick, mvDesigner, D3, mvEnterprise, mvBase, Omnis, and Omnis Studio are trademarks of TigerLogic Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on TigerLogic (TIGR) Announces the General Availability of Omnis Studio 5

Banner Corporation (BANR) Announces Third Quarter Results

WALLA WALLA, Wash., Oct. 20, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Banner Corporation (Nasdaq:BANR), the parent company of Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, today reported that it had a net loss of $6.4 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, compared to a net loss of $991,000 for the third quarter of 2008. The current quarter’s results include a $25.0 million provision for loan losses and a $4.6 million net gain from the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, Banner reported a net loss of $32.2 million compared to a net loss of $49.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The nine month results for 2008 included a $50.0 million goodwill impairment charge.

In the fourth quarter a year ago, Banner issued $124 million of senior preferred stock to the U.S. Treasury as a participant in the Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program. In the quarter ended September 30, 2009, Banner paid a $1.6 million dividend on this preferred stock and accrued $373,000 for related discount accretion. Including the preferred stock dividend and related accretion, the net loss to common shareholders was $8.4 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, for the third quarter, compared to a net loss of $991,000, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the third quarter a year ago. Year-to-date, the net loss to common shareholders was $38.0 million, or $2.11 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $49.5 million, or $3.09 per diluted share for the first nine months of 2008.

“Similar to recent quarters, our provision for loan losses during the third quarter reflects continued material levels of non-performing loans and net charge-offs, particularly for loans for the construction of one-to-four family homes and for acquisition and development of land for residential properties,” said D. Michael Jones, President and CEO. “However, while there is still much work to be accomplished, we are encouraged by the further reduction in our exposure to residential construction loans during the quarter and the slowdown in the surfacing of new problem assets. By contrast to construction and development loans, the non-housing related segments of our loan portfolio have continued to perform as expected with only normal levels of credit problems given the serious economic slowdown.”

“Retail deposit growth was a highlight again in the third quarter as we continued to replace public and brokered funds with attractively priced core deposits which will continue to strengthen our commercial banking franchise,” Jones continued. “Also notable in the quarter was strong mortgage banking revenues as exceptionally low interest rates resulted in continued refinancing opportunities for many of our customers, and lower home prices and first-time buyer incentives led to solid purchase financing activities. Continuing its earlier success, our Great Northwest Home Rush promotion contributed to additional home sales. Through the date of this announcement our builders have accepted purchase offers on 361 of the 617 homes listed under this program, with 289 of those sales having closed through September 30, 2009.”

Credit Quality

“In addition to the weakness in the residential construction market, property values exhibited further declines, particularly for land and developed building lots, resulting in additional charge-offs and impairment reserves,” said Jones. “As a result, our provision for loan losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, while significantly less than in the immediately preceding quarter, was in excess of our normal expectations. Although property values have declined, sales of finished homes have improved, our reserve levels are substantial, and both our impairment analysis and charge-off actions reflect current appraisals and valuation estimates as well as recent regulatory examination results. Unfortunately, with respect to land and lot loans, those appraisals generally reflect a very limited number of sales which frequently involve distressed transactions and assume in many cases that market recoveries will be protracted, resulting in disappointingly low and uncertain valuation estimates which required further loss provisioning. We remain hopeful that the final resolution of many of these loans will reflect better than currently recognized values and we are confident that we have the capital and human resources necessary to manage the collection of problem assets in the current economic environment.”

Banner recorded a $25.0 million provision for loan losses in the third quarter, compared to $45.0 million in the preceding quarter and $8.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. For the first nine months of the year, the provision for loan losses was $92.0 million compared to $29.5 million for the first nine months of 2008. The allowance for loan losses at September 30, 2009 was $95.2 million, representing 2.44% of total loans outstanding. Non-performing loans totaled $243.3 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $225.1 million in the preceding quarter and $119.4 million at September 30, 2008. In addition, Banner’s real estate owned and repossessed assets totaled $53.8 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $57.2 million three months earlier and $10.2 million at September 30, 2008. Banner’s net charge-offs in the quarter ended September 30, 2009 totaled $20.5 million, or 0.53% of average loans outstanding and year-to-date net charge-offs were $72.0 million, or 1.83% of average loans outstanding.

At September 30, 2009, the geographic distribution of our construction and land development loans, including residential and commercial properties, is approximately 33% in the greater Puget Sound market, 37% in the greater Portland, Oregon market, and 8% in the greater Boise, Idaho market, with the remaining 22% distributed in various eastern Washington, eastern Oregon and northern Idaho markets served by Banner Bank. One-to-four family residential construction and related lot and land loans represent 16% of the total loan portfolio and 73% of non-performing assets. The geographic distribution of non-performing construction, land and land development loans and real estate owned included approximately $110 million, or 44%, in the Puget Sound region, $84 million, or 34%, in the greater Portland market area and $27 million, or 11%, in the greater Boise market area.

Income Statement Review

Banner’s net interest margin was 3.30% for the third quarter, compared to 3.24% in the preceding quarter and 3.45% for the third quarter a year ago. Funding costs decreased 18 basis points compared to the previous quarter and decreased 67 basis points from the same quarter a year earlier, while asset yields decreased eight basis points from the prior linked quarter and 82 basis points from the third quarter a year ago, all reflecting the much lower interest rate environment. For the first nine months of 2009, the net interest margin was 3.27% compared to 3.52% for the first nine months of 2008.

“Funding costs continued to decline, which allowed our net interest margin to expand modestly despite the drag on earnings from the still high level of non-performing assets,” said Jones. Non-accruing loans reduced the margin by approximately 42 basis points in this year’s third quarter compared to approximately 45 basis points in the immediately preceding quarter of 2009 and approximately 24 basis points in the third quarter of 2008.

For the third quarter of 2009, net interest income before the provision for loan losses was $36.4 million, compared to $34.9 million in the preceding quarter and $37.6 million in the third quarter a year ago. In the first nine months of 2009, net interest income before the provision for loan losses was $106.2 million compared to $112.0 million in the first nine months of 2008. Revenues from core operations* (net interest income before the provision for loan losses plus total other operating income excluding fair value adjustments) were $45.2 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $43.9 million in the second quarter of 2009 and $45.7 million for the third quarter a year ago. Revenues from core operations for the first nine months of 2009 were $131.9 million, compared to $135.4 million for the same period of 2008.

Banner’s results for the quarter included a net gain of $4.6 million ($3.0 million after tax), compared to a net loss of $6.1 million ($3.9 million after tax) in the third quarter a year ago, for fair value adjustments as a result of changes in the valuation of financial instruments carried at fair value in accordance with the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) Nos. 157 and 159. The fair value adjustments in the current quarter predominantly reflect changes in the valuation of trust preferred securities, including pooled trust preferred securities, and junior subordinated debentures, both owned and issued by the Company.

Total other operating income, which includes the changes in the valuation of financial instruments noted above, was $13.4 million in the third quarter, compared to $20.0 million in the preceding quarter and $2.0 million for the same quarter a year ago. For the first nine months of 2009, total other operating income was $38.1 million, compared to $18.9 million in the same period in 2008. Total other operating income from core operations* (excluding fair value adjustments) for the current quarter was $8.8 million, compared to $8.9 million in the preceding quarter and $8.1 million for the same quarter a year ago. For the first nine months of 2009, total other operating income from core operations increased 9% to $25.6 million, compared to $23.4 million in the first nine months of 2008. Income from deposit fees and other service charges increased to $5.7 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $5.4 million for the preceding quarter; however, reflecting the reduction in customer transaction volumes in the current economic environment, fees were slightly less than the $5.8 million recorded in the third quarter a year ago despite growth in the number of accounts. Income from mortgage banking operations decreased to $2.1 million in the third quarter compared to $2.9 million in the preceding quarter, but was up substantially from the $1.5 million recorded in the third quarter a year ago.

“The soft economy continued to adversely affect our payment processing business compared to a year ago as activity levels for deposit customers, cardholders and merchants remained subdued; however, we are pleased with the year-over-year growth in our customer base and encouraged by the continuing improvement in activity compared to the very low levels we experienced earlier this year,” said Jones. “We are also pleased that our mortgage banking revenues remained strong and substantially above the levels reported a year ago. Although not as significant as in the first two quarters of the year, the high level of refinancing activity again resulted in accelerated termination of mortgage servicing rights as reflected in the impairment of loan servicing revenues in the third quarter. Amortization and write-off of mortgage servicing rights totaled $415,000 for the third quarter of 2009, compared to $912,000 and $559,000, respectively, in the first and second quarters of this year and $176,000 in the third quarter a year ago.”

“We had another good quarter of managing controllable operating expenses; however, collection and legal costs, including charges related to acquired real estate, remained high,” said Jones. “Compensation, occupancy and other manageable operating expenses have shown steady reductions over the past twelve months as we have made significant progress in improving our core operating efficiency. Unfortunately, compared to a year ago FDIC insurance expense has increased substantially and offset much of this improvement. FDIC insurance charges were $2.2 million and $7.8 million, respectively, for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $701,000 and $1.7 million, respectively, for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008. In addition, expenses associated with acquired real estate increased to $2.8 million for the quarter and $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared to $758,000 and $1.6 million, respectively, for the same quarter and nine-month period a year earlier. We anticipate collection costs and FDIC insurance premiums will continue to be above historical levels for a number of future quarters.”

Total other operating expenses from core operations* (non-interest expenses excluding the goodwill write-off that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2008) were $36.6 million in the third quarter, compared to $36.9 million in the preceding quarter and $34.0 million in the third quarter a year ago. For the first nine months of the year, other operating expenses from core operations were $107.3 million compared to $102.9 million in the first nine months of 2008. Operating expenses from core operations as a percentage of average assets was 3.17% in the third quarter of 2009, compared to 3.27% in the preceding quarter and 2.91% in the third quarter a year ago.

*Earnings information excluding the goodwill impairment charge and fair value adjustments (alternately referred to as total other operating income from core operations, total other operating expenses from core operations, revenues from core operations, or operating expenses from core operations) represent non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) financial measures. Management has presented these non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release because it believes that they provide useful and comparative information to assess trends in the Company’s core operations reflected in the current quarter’s and year-to-date’s results. Where applicable, the Company has also presented comparable earnings information using GAAP financial measures.

Balance Sheet Review

Net loans were $3.80 billion at September 30, 2009, compared to $3.94 billion a year earlier. Total assets were $4.79 billion at September 30, 2009, compared to $4.65 billion a year earlier.

“In the third quarter of 2009, commercial and multifamily real estate loan balances increased by $19.6 million while commercial business loans were essentially unchanged compared to the prior quarter end. In addition, agricultural loans experienced an expected seasonal increase of $10.3 million and one-to-four family residential loans increased by $23.4 million,” said Jones. “However, the continued reductions in construction and land development loans resulted in a modest decrease in total loan balances compared to the prior quarter end. Although still slower than historical levels, home sales have improved, contributing to a $205 million reduction in our portfolio of one-to-four family construction loans over the past twelve months, including a $60.0 million decrease in the most recent quarter. As a result, at September 30, 2009 our one-to-four family construction loans totaled $277 million, a decline of $378 million from their peak quarter-end balance of $655 million at June 30, 2007.

Total deposits were $3.86 billion at September 30, 2009, compared to $3.75 billion at the end of the preceding quarter and $3.79 billion a year ago. Non-interest-bearing accounts increased by nearly $39 million during the quarter to $546 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $508 million at June 30, 2009 and $522 million a year ago. Interest-bearing accounts increased by $73 million in the third quarter of 2009 and at quarter end exceeded the year earlier balances by $45 million despite the substantial decrease in public funds and brokered deposits.

“Our retail deposit franchise had another strong quarter and we have now more than replaced all of the public funds and brokered deposits that we have chosen to run off,” said Jones. “Over the past twelve months, we have allowed $253 million in public funds to run off as the new higher collateralization requirements and the shared risk exposure under the Washington and Oregon State requirements have made retaining those deposits less desirable than in the past. In addition, although brokered deposits have never been an important component of our funding, we have reduced brokered deposits by $58 million over the same twelve-month period. We are pleased that we were able to produce this retail deposit growth while also significantly reducing our overall cost of deposits, including another 20 basis point decrease during the third quarter. This strong retail deposit growth, especially in the third quarter, has allowed us to steadily build our short-term liquidity, a key operating goal, and lower our loan-to-deposits ratio towards our long-term goal of 95%.”

“Despite the challenging operating environment, Banner Corporation and its subsidiary banks continue to maintain capital levels significantly in excess of the requirements to be categorized as ‘well-capitalized’ under applicable regulatory standards,” said Jones. Banner Corporation’s Tier 1 leverage capital to average assets ratio was 9.66% and its total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio was 12.54% at September 30, 2009.

Tangible stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2009 was $395.2 million, including $117.0 million attributable to preferred stock, compared to $301.4 million a year ago. Tangible common stockholders’ equity was $278.2 million at September 30, 2009, or 5.82% of tangible assets, compared to $301.4 million, or 6.60% of tangible assets a year earlier. Tangible book value per common share was $14.13 at quarter-end, compared to $18.01 a year earlier. At September 30, 2009, Banner had 19.7 million shares outstanding, while it had 16.7 million shares outstanding a year ago.

“A frequently asked question about us is the date of our bank regulatory examinations. A regularly scheduled regulatory examination of Banner Bank, our lead bank, was conducted in the late third quarter of 2009. We have not yet received a written report of that examination but have had the normal field examiner exit conference and have incorporated the financial-related results of that conference in our third quarter financial results,” concluded Jones.

Conference Call

Banner will host a conference call on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. PDT, to discuss third quarter 2009 results. The conference call can be accessed live by telephone at 480-629-9723 using access code 4171247 to participate in the call. To listen to the call online, go to the Company’s website at www.bannerbank.com. A replay will be available for a week at (303) 590-3030, using access code 4171247.

About the Company

Banner Corporation is a $4.8 billion bank holding company operating two commercial banks in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Banner serves the Pacific Northwest region with a full range of deposit services and business, commercial real estate, construction, residential, agricultural and consumer loans. Visit Banner Bank on the Web at www.bannerbank.com.

This press release contains statements that the Company believes are “forward-looking statements.” These statements relate to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance or business. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, as they are subject to risks and uncertainties. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind these risks and uncertainties, as well as any cautionary statements the Company may make. Moreover, you should treat these statements as speaking only as of the date they are made and based only on information then actually known to the Company. There are a number of important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from historical performance and these forward-looking statements. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the credit risks of lending activities, including changes in the level and trend of loan delinquencies and write-offs; changes in general economic conditions, either nationally or in our market areas; changes in the levels of general interest rates, deposit interest rates, our net interest margin and funding sources; fluctuations in the demand for loans, the number of unsold homes and other properties and fluctuations in real estate values in our market areas; results of examinations of us by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and our bank subsidiaries by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Banks or other regulatory authorities, including the possibility that any such regulatory authority may, among other things, require us to increase our reserve for loan losses or to write-down assets; fluctuations in agricultural commodity prices, crop yields and weather conditions; our ability to control operating costs and expenses; our ability to implement our branch expansion strategy; our ability to successfully integrate any assets, liabilities, customers, systems, and management personnel we have acquired or may in the future acquire into our operations and our ability to realize related revenue synergies and cost savings within expected time frames and any goodwill charges related thereto; our ability to manage loan delinquency rates; our ability to retain key members of our senior management team; costs and effects of litigation, including settlements and judgments; increased competitive pressures among financial services companies; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; legislative or regulatory changes that adversely affect our business; adverse changes in the securities markets; inability of key third-party providers to perform their obligations to us; our ability to pay dividends; changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the financial institution regulatory agencies or the Financial Accounting Standards Board; war or terrorist activities; other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting our operations, pricing, products and services and other risks detailed in Banner’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.

 BANR - Third Quarter 2009 Results
 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 (in thousands except shares and per share data)

                     Quarters Ended                Nine Months Ended
            ----------------------------------  ----------------------
              Sep 30,     Jun 30,     Sep 30,     Sep 30,    Sep 30,
               2009        2009        2008        2009       2008
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 INTEREST
  INCOME:
  Loans
   receiv-
   able     $   56,175  $   55,500  $   64,181  $  168,022  $  196,348
  Mortgage-
   backed
   securi-
   ties          1,422       1,569       1,040       4,792       3,280
  Securi-
   ties and
   cash
   equi-
   valents       1,976       2,089       2,786       6,248       8,374
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                59,573      59,158      68,007     179,062     208,002

 INTEREST
  EXPENSE:
  Deposits      20,818      21,638      26,818      65,548      84,446
  Federal
   Home
   Loan Bank
   advances        630         675       1,160       2,025       4,310
  Other
   borrow-
   ings            655         671         734       1,553       1,874
  Junior
   subord-
   inated
   deben-
   tures         1,118       1,249       1,669       3,700       5,399
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                23,221      24,233      30,381      72,826      96,029
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Net
   interest
   income
   before
   provision
   for loan
   losses       36,352      34,925      37,626     106,236     111,973

 PROVISION
  FOR LOAN
  LOSSES        25,000      45,000       8,000      92,000      29,500
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Net
   interest
   income
   (loss)       11,352     (10,075)     29,626      14,236      82,473

 OTHER
  OPERATING
  INCOME:
  Deposit
   fees and
   other
   service
   charges       5,705       5,408       5,770      16,049      16,277
  Mortgage
   banking
   opera-
   tions         2,065       2,860       1,500       7,640       4,694
  Loan
   servicing
   fees            282         248         536         260       1,485
  Miscell-
   aneous          768         412         286       1,700         980
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                 8,820       8,928       8,092      25,649      23,436
  Increase
   (Decrease)
   in
   valuation
   of fin-
   ancial
   instru-
   ments
   carried
   at fair
   value         4,633      11,049      (6,056)     12,429      (4,584)
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Total
   other
   operating
   income       13,453      19,977       2,036      38,078      18,852

 OTHER
  OPERATING
  EXPENSE:
  Salary
   and
   employee
   benefits     17,379      17,528      18,241      52,508      57,623
  Less
   capital-
   ized
   loan
   origi-
   nation
   costs        (2,060)     (2,834)     (2,040)     (7,010)     (7,009)
  Occupancy
   and
   equipment     5,715       5,928       5,956      17,697      17,813
  Informa-
   tion/
   computer
   data
   services      1,551       1,599       1,560       4,684       5,389
  Payment
   and card
   process-
   ing
   services      1,778       1,555       1,913       4,786       5,212
  Profess-
   ional
   services      1,456       1,183       1,117       3,833       3,203
  Adver-
   tising
   and
   market-
   ing           1,899       2,207       1,572       5,938       4,667
  Deposit
   insurance     2,219       4,102         701       7,818       1,661
  State/
   municipal
   business
   and use
   taxes           558         532         572       1,630       1,712
  Real
   estate
   opera-
   tions         2,799       1,805         758       5,227       1,592
  Miscell-
   aneous        3,335       3,286       3,650      10,202      11,067
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

                36,629      36,891      34,000     107,313     102,930
  Goodwill
   write-
   off              --          --          --          --      50,000
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

   Total
    other
    operat-
    ing
    expense     36,629      36,891      34,000     107,313     152,930
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

   Income
    (Loss)
    before
    pro-
    vision
    (benefit)
    for
    income
    taxes      (11,824)    (26,989)     (2,338)    (54,999)    (51,605)

  PROVISION
   FOR
   (BENEFIT
   FROM)
   INCOME
   TAXES        (5,376)    (10,478)     (1,347)    (22,777)     (2,143)
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  NET
   INCOME
   (LOSS)   $   (6,448) $  (16,511) $     (991) $  (32,222) $  (49,462)
            ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

  PREFERRED
   STOCK
   DIVIDEND
   AND
   DISCOUNT
   ACCRETION
   Preferred
    stock
    dividend     1,550       1,550          --       4,650          --
   Preferred
    stock
    discount
    accre-
    tion           373         373          --       1,119          --
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  NET INCOME
   (LOSS)
   AVAILABLE
   TO
   COMMON
   SHARE-
   HOLDERS  $   (8,371) $  (18,434) $     (991) $  (37,991) $  (49,462)
            ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

  Earnings
   (Loss)
   per
   share
   available
   to
   common
   share-
   holder
   Basic    $    (0.44) $    (1.04) $    (0.06) $    (2.11) $    (3.09)
   Diluted  $    (0.44) $    (1.04) $    (0.06) $    (2.11) $    (3.09)

  Cumulative
   dividends
   declared
   per
   common
   share    $     0.01  $     0.01  $     0.05  $     0.03  $     0.45

  Weighted
   average
   common
   shares
   out-
   standing
   Basic    19,022,522  17,746,051  16,402,607  17,982,945  16,025,403
   Diluted  19,022,522  17,746,051  16,402,607  17,982,945  16,025,403

  Common
   shares
   repur-
   chased
   during
   the
   period           --          --          --          --     613,903
  Common
   shares
   issued
   in conn-
   ection
   with
   exercise
   of stock
   options
   or DRIP   1,507,485     780,906     675,186   2,781,905     653,036

 BANR - Third Quarter 2009 Results
 FINANCIAL  CONDITION
 (in thousands except shares and per share data)

                      Sep 30,      Jun 30,       Sep 30,     Dec 31,
                       2009         2009          2008        2008
                    -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
 ASSETS
 Cash and due
  from banks        $    60,531  $    67,339  $    80,508  $    89,964
 Federal funds and
  interest-bearing
  deposits              270,623       16,919          403       12,786
 Securities -
  at fair value         167,944      167,476      239,009      203,902
 Securities -
  available for sale     74,527       50,980           --       53,272
 Securities - held
  to maturity            76,630       77,321       55,389       59,794
 Federal Home
  Loan Bank stock        37,371       37,371       37,371       37,371
 Loans receivable:
   Held for sale          4,781        8,377        6,085        7,413
   Held for
    portfolio         3,891,413    3,904,704    3,993,094    3,953,995
   Allowance for
    loan losses         (95,183)     (90,694)     (58,846)     (75,197)
                    -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                      3,801,011    3,822,387    3,940,333    3,886,211

 Accrued interest
  receivable             20,912       18,892       22,799       21,219
 Real estate owned
  held for sale, net     53,576       56,967       10,147       21,782
 Property and
  equipment, net        104,469      103,709       97,958       97,647
 Goodwill and other
  intangibles, net       11,718       12,365       85,513       13,716
 Bank-owned
  life insurance         54,037       53,341       52,500       52,680
 Other assets            54,659       47,475       28,329       34,024
                    -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                    $ 4,788,008  $ 4,532,542  $ 4,650,259  $ 4,584,368
                    ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========

 LIABILITIES
 Deposits:
   Non-interest-
    bearing         $   546,956  $   508,284  $   521,927  $   509,105
   Interest-bearing
    transaction and
    savings
    accounts          1,305,546    1,131,093    1,086,621    1,137,878
   Interest-bearing
    certificates      2,008,673    2,110,466    2,182,318    2,131,867
                    -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                      3,861,175    3,749,843    3,790,866    3,778,850

 Advances from
  Federal Home Loan
  Bank at fair value    255,806      115,946      209,243      111,415
 Customer
  repurchase
  agreements and
  other borrowings      174,770      158,249      104,496      145,230
 Junior
  subordinated
  debentures at
  fair value             47,859       49,563      101,358       61,776
 Accrued expenses
  and other
  liabilities            28,715       36,652       44,486       40,600
 Deferred
  compensation           12,960       12,815       12,880       13,149
                    -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                      4,381,285    4,123,068    4,263,329    4,151,020

 STOCKHOLDERS'
  EQUITY
 Preferred stock -
  Series A              117,034      116,661           --      115,915
 Common stock           327,385      322,582      306,741      316,740
 Retained earnings
  (accumulated
  deficit)              (36,402)     (27,826)      82,377        2,150
 Other components
  of stockholders'
  equity                 (1,294)      (1,943)      (2,188)      (1,457)
                    -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                        406,723      409,474      386,930      433,348
                    -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
                    $ 4,788,008  $ 4,532,542  $ 4,650,259  $ 4,584,368
                    ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
 Common Shares
  Issued:
 Shares outstanding
  at end of period   19,933,943   18,426,458   16,980,468   17,152,038
   Less unearned
    ESOP shares at
    end of period       240,381      240,381      240,381      240,381
                    -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
 Shares outstanding
  at end of period
  excluding
  unearned
  ESOP shares        19,693,562   18,186,077   16,740,087   16,911,657
                    ===========  ===========  ===========  ===========
 Common
  stockholders'
  equity per
  share(1)          $     14.72  $     16.10  $     23.11  $     18.77
 Common
  stockholders'
  tangible equity
  per share(1)(2)   $     14.13  $     15.42  $     18.01  $     17.96
 Tangible common
  stockholders'
  equity to
  tangible
  assets                   5.82%        6.20%        6.60%        6.64%
 Consolidated
  Tier 1
  leverage capital
  ratio                    9.66%        9.90%        8.86%       10.32%

 (1) Calculation is based on number of common shares outstanding at
     the end of the period rather than weighted average shares
     outstanding and excludes unallocated shares in the ESOP.

 (2) Tangible common equity excludes preferred stock, goodwill, core
     deposit and other intangibles.

 BANR - Third Quarter 2009 Results
 ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 (dollars in thousands)

                          Sep 30,     Jun 30,     Sep 30,     Dec 31,
                           2009        2009        2008        2008
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 LOANS (including
  loans held for sale):
 Commercial real
  estate
   Owner occupied       $  481,698  $  476,922  $  448,972  $  459,446
   Investment
    properties             585,206     572,999     564,947     554,263
 Multifamily real
  estate                   152,832     150,168     141,787     151,274
 Commercial
  construction              83,937      90,762     113,342     104,495
 Multifamily
  construction              62,614      56,968      22,236      33,661
 One- to
  four-family
  construction             277,419     337,368     482,443     420,673
 Land and land
  development
   Residential             346,308     359,994     417,041     424,002
   Commercial               47,182      43,703      64,480      62,128
 Commercial
  business                 678,187     678,273     694,688     679,867
 Agricultural
  business
  including secured
  by farmland              225,603     215,339     213,753     204,142
 One- to
  four-family real
  estate                   676,928     653,513     561,043     599,169
 Consumer                  278,280     277,072     274,447     268,288
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Total loans
   outstanding          $3,896,194  $3,913,081  $3,999,179  $3,961,408
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Restructured loans
  performing under
  their restructured
  terms                 $   55,161  $   55,031  $   15,514  $   23,635
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Loans 30 - 89 days
  past due and on
  accrual               $   21,243  $   34,038  $   18,587  $   61,124
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========
 Total delinquent
  loans (including
  loans on
  non-accrual)          $  264,531  $  259,107  $  137,953  $  248,469
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Total delinquent
  loans / Total
  loans outstanding          6.79%       6.62%       3.45%       6.27%

 GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION OF LOANS AT
  September 30, 2009

            Washington    Oregon      Idaho       Other        Total
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Commercial
  real
  estate
  Owner
   occupied $  380,170  $   59,793  $   41,735  $       --  $  481,698
  Invest-
   ment
   proper-
   ties        423,431     107,090      44,243      10,442     585,206
 Multi-
  family
  real
  estate       127,882      12,823       8,800       3,327     152,832
 Commercial
  construc-
  tion          62,827      13,390       7,720          --      83,937
 Multi-
  family
  construc-
  tion          33,837      28,777          --          --      62,614
 One- to
  four-
  family
  construc-
  tion         133,319     129,552      14,548          --     277,419
 Land and
  land
  develop-
  ment
  Resi-
   dential     170,345     132,624      43,339          --     346,308
  Commercial    30,400      12,127       4,655          --      47,182
 Commercial
  business     483,451      94,828      74,621      25,287     678,187
 Agri-
  cultural
  business
  including
  secured
  by
  farmland     105,119      55,488      64,963          33     225,603
 One- to
  four-
  family
  real
  estate       470,912     169,564      33,205       3,247     676,928
 Consumer      196,305      64,056      17,418         501     278,280
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Total
   loans
   outstand-
   ing      $2,617,998  $  880,112  $  355,247  $   42,837  $3,896,194
            ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

  Percent
   of
   total
   loans         67.2%       22.6%        9.1%        1.1%      100.0%

 DETAIL OF LAND AND LAND DEVELOPMENT LOANS AT
   September 30, 2009

            Washington    Oregon       Idaho       Other       Total
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Residential
  Acqui-
   sition &
   develop-
   ment     $   93,883  $   91,781  $   20,236  $       --  $  205,900
  Improved
   lots         53,187      33,431       2,754          --      89,372
  Unimproved
   land         23,275       7,412      20,349          --      51,036
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Total
   resi-
   dential
   land and
   develop-
   ment     $  170,345  $  132,624  $   43,339  $       --  $  346,308
            ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========
 Commercial
   & indus-
   trial

  Acqui-
   sition &
   develop-
   ment     $    8,975  $       --  $      200  $       --  $    9,175
  Improved
   land          9,906      10,643          --          --      20,549
  Unimproved
   land         11,519       1,484       4,455          --      17,458
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Total
   commer-
   cial
   land and
   develop-
   ment     $   30,400  $   12,127  $    4,655  $       --  $   47,182
            ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 BANR - Third Quarter 2009 Results
 ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 (dollars in thousands)

                             Quarters Ended        Nine Months Ended
                     ----------------------------  ------------------
                      Sep 30,   Jun 30,   Sep 30,  Sep 30,    Sep 30,
                       2009      2009      2008      2009      2008
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 CHANGE IN THE
  ALLOWANCE FOR
  LOAN LOSSES

 Balance, beginning
  of period          $ 90,694  $ 79,724  $ 58,570  $ 75,197  $ 45,827

 Provision             25,000    45,000     8,000    92,000    29,500

 Recoveries of loans
  previously
  charged off:
   Commercial real
    estate                 --        --     1,530        --     1,530
   Multifamily real
    estate                 --        --        --        --        --
   Construction
    and land              299       266        39       617        48
   One- to
    four-family
    real estate            21        89         4       112        44
   Commercial
    business              120       249       130       439       390
   Agricultural
    business,
    including
    secured by
    farmland                6        22       610        28       618
   Consumer               152        32        44       215       126
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                          598       658     2,357     1,411     2,756
 Loans charged-off:
   Commercial real
    estate                 --        --        --        --        (7)
   Multifamily real
    estate                 --        --        --        --        --
   Construction and
    land              (16,614)  (27,290)   (7,567)  (56,321)  (13,616)
   One- to
    four-family
    real estate          (856)   (1,181)     (220)   (3,128)     (411)
   Commercial
    business           (3,060)   (2,438)   (1,889)   (9,292)   (4,439)
   Agricultural
    business,
    including
    secured by
    farmland               --    (3,186)      (60)   (3,186)      (60)
   Consumer              (579)     (593)     (345)   (1,498)     (704)
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                      (21,109)  (34,688)  (10,081)  (73,425)  (19,237)
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
   Net charge-offs    (20,511)  (34,030)   (7,724)  (72,014)  (16,481)
                     --------  --------  --------  --------  --------

 Balance, end
  of period          $ 95,183  $ 90,694  $ 58,846  $ 95,183  $ 58,846
                     ========  ========  ========  ========  ========

 Net charge-offs /
  Average loans
  outstanding            0.53%     0.87%     0.19%     1.83%     0.42%

                              Sep 30,  Jun 30,  Sep 30,  Dec 31,
                               2009     2009      2008    2008
                              -------  -------  -------  -------
 ALLOCATION OF
 ALLOWANCE FOR
 LOAN LOSSES

 Specific or allocated
  loss allowance
   Commercial real estate     $ 7,580  $ 5,333  $ 2,789  $ 4,199
   Multifamily real estate         89       83      103       87
   Construction and land       49,829   55,585   21,932   38,253
   One- to four-family
    real estate                 2,304    1,333      511      752
   Commercial business         20,906   19,474   23,085   16,533
   Agricultural business,
    including secured
    by farmland                 1,540    1,323    1,097      530
   Consumer                     1,758    1,540    2,935    1,730
                              -------  -------  -------  -------

     Total allocated           84,006   84,671   52,452   62,084

   Estimated allowance for
    undisbursed commitments     2,202    1,976    1,060    1,108
   Unallocated                  8,975    4,047    5,334   12,005
                              -------  -------  -------  -------

     Total allowance for
      loan losses             $95,183  $90,694  $58,846  $75,197
                              =======  =======  =======  =======

 Allowance for loan losses /
  Total loans outstanding        2.44%    2.32%    1.47%    1.90%

 BANR - Third Quarter 2009 Results
 ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 (dollars in thousands)

                             Sep 30,    Jun 30,    Sep 30,    Dec 31,
                               2009      2009       2008       2008
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

 NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
 Loans on non-accrual status
  Secured by real estate:
   Commercial               $   8,073  $   7,244  $   6,368  $  12,879
   Multifamily                     --         --         --         --
   Construction and land      193,281    180,989     98,108    154,823
   One- to four-family         18,107     15,167      6,583      8,649
  Commercial business          15,070     12,339      6,905      8,617
  Agricultural business,
   including secured by
   farmland                     5,868      7,478        265      1,880
  Consumer                         --        227        427        130
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                              240,399    223,444    118,656    186,978

 Loans more than 90 days
  delinquent, still on
  accrual Secured by
  real estate:
   Commercial                      --         --         --         --
   Multifamily                     --         --         --         --
   Construction and land        2,090        603         --         --
   One- to four-family            690        624        635        124
   Commercial business             --        209         --         --
   Agricultural business,
    including secured by
    farmland                       --         --         --         --
   Consumer                       109        189         75        243
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

                                2,889      1,625        710        367
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 Total non-performing
  loans                       243,288    225,069    119,366    187,345
 Securities on
  non-accrual at fair
  value                         1,236         --         --         --
 Real estate owned (REO)
   / Repossessed assets        53,765     57,197     10,153     21,886
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

  Total non-performing
   assets                   $ 298,289  $ 282,266  $ 129,519  $ 209,231
                            =========  =========  =========  =========

 Total non-performing
  assets / Total assets         6.23%      6.23%      2.79%      4.56%

 DETAIL & GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION OF
  NON-PERFORMING ASSETS AT
   September 30, 2009

            Washington    Oregon       Idaho       Other       Total
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Secured
  by real
  estate:
  Commer-
   cial     $    7,136  $      787  $      150  $       --  $    8,073
  Multi-
   family           --          --          --          --          --
  Construc-
   tion and
   land
   One- to
    four-
    family
    con-
    struc-
    tion        29,562      29,816       9,186          --      68,564
   Resi-
    dential
    land
    acqui-
    sition
    & devel-
    opment      31,480      36,222      10,097          --      77,799
   Resi-
    dential
    land
    improved
    lots        12,068       6,549       1,423          --      20,040
   Resi-
    dential
    land
    unim-
    proved       9,188         421       2,221          --      11,830
   Commer-
    cial
    land
    acqui-
    sition
    & devel-
    opment          --          --          --          --          --
   Commer-
    cial
    land
    improved        --      10,656          --          --      10,656
   Commer-
    cial
    land
    unim-
    proved       4,382          --       2,100          --       6,482
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   Total
    con-
    struc-
    tion
    and
    land        86,680      83,664      25,027          --     195,371
  One- to
   four-
   family        9,750       3,055       4,816       1,176      18,797
 Commercial
  business      13,000         631       1,439          --      15,070
 Agri-
  cultural
  business,
  including
  secured
  by
  farmland          --         253       5,615          --       5,868
 Consumer          109          --          --          --         109
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total non-
  performing
  loans        116,675      88,390      37,047       1,176     243,288
 Securities
  on non-
  accrual           --          --          --       1,236       1,236
 Real
  estate
  owned
  (REO) and
  reposs-
  essed
  assets        40,312       9,025       4,428          --      53,765
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
   Total
    non-
    per-
    forming
    assets
    at end
    of the
    period  $  156,987  $   97,415  $   41,475  $    2,412  $  298,289
            ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 BANR - Third Quarter 2009 Results
 ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 (dollars in thousands)

 DEPOSITS & OTHER
  BORROWINGS
                       Sep 30,      Jun 30,      Sep 30,      Dec 31,
                        2009         2009         2008         2008
                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
 BREAKDOWN OF
  DEPOSITS

 Non-interest-
  bearing            $  546,956   $  508,284   $  521,927   $  509,105
                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------

 Interest-bearing
  checking              329,820      312,024      373,496      378,952
 Regular savings
  accounts              521,663      499,447      519,285      474,885
 Money market
  accounts              454,063      319,622      193,840      284,041
                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------

   Interest-bearing
    transaction &
    savings
    accounts          1,305,546    1,131,093    1,086,621    1,137,878
                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------

 Interest-bearing
  certificates        2,008,673    2,110,466    2,182,318    2,131,867
                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------

   Total deposits    $3,861,175   $3,749,843   $3,790,866   $3,778,850
                     ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========

 INCLUDED IN
  TOTAL DEPOSITS

 Public
  transaction
  accounts           $   44,645   $   48,644   $  100,776   $  117,402
 Public interest-
  bearing
  certificates           98,906      134,213      295,432      221,915
                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------

   Total public
    deposits         $  143,551   $  182,857   $  396,208   $  339,317
                     ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========

 Total brokered
  deposits           $  186,087   $  247,514   $  243,723   $  268,458
                     ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========

 INCLUDED IN OTHER
  BORROWINGS
 Customer
  repurchase
  agreements /
  "Sweep accounts"   $  124,795   $  108,277   $  103,496   $  145,230
                     ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========

 GEOGRAPHIC CONCENTRATION OF DEPOSITS AT
  September 30, 2009

                     Washington     Oregon       Idaho        Total
                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------

                     $2,998,259   $  599,166   $  263,750   $3,861,175
                     ==========   ==========   ==========   ==========

  REGULATORY CAPITAL RATIO AT                        Minimum for
  September 30, 2009                               Capital Adequacy
                            Actual               or "Well Capitalized"
                     -----------------------   -----------------------
                       Amount       Ratio        Amount       Ratio
                     ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------

 Banner Corporation-
  consolidated
   Total capital to
    risk-weighted
    assets           $  491,587        12.54%  $  313,651         8.00%
   Tier 1 capital to
    risk-weighted
    assets              442,009        11.27%     156,826         4.00%
   Tier 1 leverage
    capital to
    average assets      442,009         9.66%     183,122         4.00%

 Banner Bank
   Total capital to
    risk-weighted
    assets              449,907        12.02%     374,243        10.00%
   Tier 1 capital to
    risk-weighted
    assets              402,549        10.76%     224,546         6.00%
   Tier 1 leverage
    capital to
    average assets      402,549         9.18%     219,310         5.00%

 Islanders Bank
   Total capital to
    risk-weighted
    assets               25,899        12.93%      20,028        10.00%
   Tier 1 capital to
    risk-weighted
    assets               24,259        12.11%      12,017         6.00%
   Tier 1 leverage
    capital to
    average assets       24,259        11.31%      10,727         5.00%
 BANR - Third Quarter 2009 Results
 ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 (dollars in thousands)
 (rates / ratios annualized)

                                                         Nine
                      Quarters Ended                 Months  Ended
             ---------------------------------  ----------------------
 OPERATING
 PERFORMANCE
               Sep 30,     Jun 30,    Sep 30,     Sep 30,     Sep 30,
                2009        2009       2008        2009        2008
             ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Average
  loans      $3,905,763  3,925,196  $4,001,999  $3,924,487  $3,917,155
 Average
  securities
  and
  deposits      461,360    394,244     342,153     419,924     330,474
 Average
  non-
  interest-
  earning
  assets        219,780    199,981     296,572     204,414     334,733
             ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Total
   average
   assets    $4,586,903  4,519,421  $4,640,724  $4,548,825  $4,582,362
             ==========  =========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Average
  deposits   $3,821,065  3,679,653  $3,810,718  $3,731,782  $3,712,530
 Average
  borrow-
  ings          377,976    429,708     415,517     408,111     415,453
 Average
  non-
  interest-
  bearing
  lia-
  bilities     (25,527)   (18,421)     25,506     (17,357)     31,967
             ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Total
   average
   lia-
   bilities   4,173,514  4,090,940   4,251,741   4,122,536   4,159,950

 Total
  average
  stock-
  holders'
  equity        413,389    428,481     388,983     426,289     422,412
             ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Total
   average
   lia-
   bilities
   and
   equity
             $4,586,903  4,519,421  $4,640,724  $4,548,825  $4,582,362
             ==========  =========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Interest
  rate
  yield on
  loans            5.71%      5.67%       6.38%       5.72%       6.70%
 Interest
  rate
  yield on
  securities
  and
  deposits         2.92%      3.72%       4.45%       3.52%       4.71%
             ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Interest
   rate
   yield
   on
   interest-
   earning
   assets         5.41%      5.49%       6.23%       5.51%       6.54%
             ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Interest
  rate
  expense
  on
  deposits         2.16%      2.36%       2.80%       2.35%       3.04%
 Interest
  rate
  expense
  on
  borrowings       2.52%      2.42%       3.41%       2.38%       3.72%
             ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------

  Interest
   rate
   expense
   on
   interest-
   bearing
   lia-
   bilities        2.19%      2.37%       2.86%       2.35%       3.11%
             ----------  ---------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 Interest
  rate
  spread           3.22%      3.12%       3.37%       3.16%       3.43%
             ==========  =========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Net
  interest
  margin           3.30%      3.24%       3.45%       3.27%       3.52%
             ==========  =========  ==========  ==========  ==========

 Other
  operating
  income /
  Average
  assets           1.16%      1.77%       0.17%       1.12%       0.55%

 Other
  operating
  income
  (loss)
  EXCLUDING
  change
  in
  valuation
  of
  financial
  instruments
  carried
  at fair
  value /
  Average
  assets(1)        0.76%      0.79%       0.69%       0.75%       0.68%

 Other
  operating
  expense /
  Average
  assets           3.17%      3.27%       2.91%       3.15%       4.46%

 Other
  operating
  expense
  EXCLUDING
  goodwill
  write-
  off /
  Average
  assets(1)        3.17%      3.27%       2.91%       3.15%       3.00%

 Efficiency
  ratio
  (other
   operating
  expense /
  revenue)        73.54%     67.19%      85.72%      74.36%     116.90%

 Return
  (Loss)
  on
  average
  assets          (0.56%)    (1.47%)     (0.08%)     (0.95%)     (1.44%)

 Return
  (Loss)
  on
  average
  equity          (6.19%)   (15.46%)     (1.01%)    (10.11%)    (15.64%)

 Return
  (Loss)
   on
  average
  tangible
  equity(2)       (6.37%)   (15.93%)     (1.30%)    (10.42%)    (21.82%)

 Average
  equity /
  Average
  assets           9.01%      9.48%       8.38%       9.37%       9.22%

 (1) Earnings information excluding the fair value adjustments and
     goodwill impairment charge (alternately referred to as operating
     income (loss) from core operations and expenses from core
     operations) represent non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting
     Principles) financial measures.

 (2) Average tangible equity excludes goodwill, core deposit and other
     intangibles.
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Banner Corporation (BANR) Announces Third Quarter Results

HMN Financial, Inc. (HMNF) Announces Third Quarter Results

Oct. 20, 2009 (Business Wire) — HMN Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:HMNF):

Third Quarter Highlights

  • Net income of $881,000 compared to net loss of $7.1 million in third quarter of 2008
  • Diluted earnings per share of $0.12 compared to diluted loss per share of $1.93 in third quarter of 2008
  • Provision for loan losses down $12.4 million from third quarter of 2008
  • Net interest margin of 3.46%, up 25 basis points from third quarter of 2008
  • Nonperforming assets of $77.2 million, down $2.3 million from second quarter of 2009

Year to Date Highlights

  • Net loss of $10.9 million compared to net loss of $7.6 million in the first nine months of 2008
  • Diluted loss per share of $3.32 compared to diluted loss per share of $2.08 in the first nine months of 2008
  • Provision for loan losses up $4.8 million over first nine months of 2008
  • Net interest margin of 3.35%, up 14 basis points from first nine months of 2008
  • Nonperforming assets of $77.2 million, up $2.4 million in the first nine months of 2009
  • Total assets decreased $113 million in first nine months of 2009
Earnings (Loss) Summary Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Net income (loss) $ 881 (7,051 ) $ (10,945 ) (7,589 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 0.12 (1.93 ) (3.32 ) (2.08 )
Return on average assets 0.34 (2.54 ) % (1.34 ) (0.92 ) %
Return on average equity 3.52 (29.14 ) % (13.79 ) (10.36 ) %
Book value per share $ 18.09 20.77 $ 18.09 20.77

HMN Financial, Inc. (HMN or the Company) (NASDAQ:HMNF), the $1.0 billion holding company for Home Federal Savings Bank (the Bank), today reported net income of $881,000 for the third quarter of 2009, a $7.9 million change from a net loss of $7.1 million for the third quarter of 2008. Net income available to common shareholders for the third quarter of 2009 was $443,000, a change of $7.5 million, from a net loss available to common shareholders of $7.1 million for the third quarter of 2008. Diluted earnings per common share for the third quarter of 2009 were $0.12, up $2.05 from the diluted loss per share of $1.93 for the third quarter of 2008. The increase in net income for the third quarter of 2009 is due primarily to a $12.4 million decrease in the loan loss provision between the periods. The provision decreased primarily because of the $12.0 million provision and related charge-off recorded in the third quarter of 2008 due to apparently fraudulent activity on a commercial loan.

President’s Statement

“We are pleased to report positive earnings for the third quarter of 2009” said Bradley Krehbiel, Principal Executive Officer of HMN. “While the economic environment for commercial real estate continues to be challenging, we are encouraged by some recent sales and renewed interest in some of our non-performing real estate. We continue to focus our efforts on reducing non-performing assets, reducing industry loan concentrations, increasing our core retail and commercial deposit relationships and reducing expenses. We believe that, over time, our focus on these areas will be effective in generating improved financial results. In the meantime, Home Federal Savings Bank continues to have adequate available liquidity and its capital position remains above the levels required for it to be considered a well capitalized financial institution by regulatory standards.”

Third Quarter Results

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $8.6 million for the third quarter of 2009, the same as for the third quarter of 2008. Interest income was $14.3 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of $2.1 million, or 12.5%, from $16.4 million for the same period in 2008. Interest income decreased primarily because of a decrease in the average yields earned on loans and investments. The decreased average yields were the result of the 175 basis point decrease in the prime interest rate between the periods. Decreases in the prime rate, which is the rate that banks charge their prime business customers, generally decrease the rates on adjustable rate consumer and commercial loans in the portfolio and on new loans originated. Interest income was also adversely affected by the increase in non-performing loans between the periods. The average yield earned on interest-earning assets was 5.77% for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 37 basis points from the 6.14% average yield for the third quarter of 2008.

Interest expense was $5.7 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of $2.1 million, or 26.5%, compared to $7.8 million for the third quarter of 2008. Interest expense decreased primarily because of the lower interest rates paid on money market accounts and certificates of deposits. The decreased rates were the result of the 175 basis point decrease in the federal funds rate that occurred between the periods and the 225 basis point decrease that occurred in the first nine months of 2008. Decreases in the federal funds rate, which is the rate that banks charge other banks for short term loans, generally have a lagging effect and decrease the rates banks pay for deposits. The lagging effect of deposit rate changes is primarily due to the Bank’s deposits that are in the form of certificates of deposit which do not reprice immediately when the federal funds rate changes. The average interest rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was 2.43% for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of 69 basis points from the 3.12% average rate paid in the third quarter of 2008. Net interest margin (net interest income divided by average interest earning assets) for the third quarter of 2009 was 3.46%, an increase of 25 basis points, compared to 3.21% for the third quarter of 2008.

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $3.4 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of $12.4 million, compared to $15.8 million for the third quarter of 2008. The provision decreased primarily because of the $12.0 million provision and related charge-off recorded in the third quarter of 2008 due to apparently fraudulent activity on a commercial loan. The loan loss provision for the third quarter of 2009 includes $3.2 million related to a commercial loan that was charged off during the quarter because the collateral supporting the loan was determined to be inadequate due to the apparently fraudulent activity of the borrower. Total non-performing assets were $77.2 million at September 30, 2009, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 2.8%, from $79.5 million at June 30, 2009. Non-performing loans decreased $1.0 million and foreclosed and repossessed assets decreased $1.3 million during the third quarter. The non-performing loan and foreclosed and repossessed asset activity for the quarter was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
Non-performing loans Foreclosed and repossessed assets
June 30, 2009 $ 62,667 June 30, 2009 $ 16,796
Classified as non-performing 7,273 Transferred from non-performing loans 4,512
Charge offs (1,839 ) Other foreclosures/repossessions 987
Principal payments received (1,762 ) Real estate sold (7,048 )
Classified as accruing (116 ) Net gain on sale of assets 1,406
Transferred to real estate owned (4,512 ) Write downs (1,159 )
September 30, 2009 $ 61,711 September 30, 2009 $ 15,494

The following table summarizes the amounts and categories of non-performing assets in the Bank’s portfolio and loan delinquency information as of the end of the two most recently completed quarters and December 31, 2008.

September 30, June 30, December 31,
(Dollars in thousands) 2009 2009 2008
Non-Accruing Loans:
One-to-four family real estate $ 1,857 $ 700 $ 7,251
Commercial real estate 38,731 42,393 46,953
Consumer 4,302 5,942 5,298
Commercial business 16,821 13,632 4,671
Total 61,711 62,667 64,173
Other assets 0 25 25
Foreclosed and Repossessed Assets:
One-to-four family real estate 793 536 258
Commercial real estate 14,701 16,235 10,300
Total non-performing assets $ 77,205 $ 79,463 $ 74,756
Total as a percentage of total assets 7.48 % 7.54 % 6.53 %
Total non-performing loans $ 61,711 $ 62,667 $ 64,173
Total as a percentage of total loans receivable, net 7.54 % 7.49 % 7.12 %
Allowance for loan loss to non-performing loans 43.82 % 40.54 % 33.12 %
Delinquency Data:
Delinquencies (1)
30+ days $ 3,769 $ 10,080 $ 11,488
90+ days 0 0 0
Delinquencies as a percentage of
loan and lease portfolio (1)
30+ days 0.45 % 1.18 % 1.26 %
90+ days 0.00 % 0.00 % 0.00 %

(1) Excludes non-accrual loans.

The following table summarizes the number and types of commercial real estate loans (the largest category of non-performing loans) that were non-performing as of the end of the two most recently completed quarters and December 31, 2008.

Principal Principal Principal
(Dollars in thousands) Amount of Loan Amount of Loan Amount of Loan
at September 30, at June 30, at December 31,
Property Type # 2009 # 2009 # 2008
Residential developments 7 $ 13,995 8 $ 18,891 6 $ 17,680
Single family homes 3 1,615 3 1,674 4 898
Condominiums 0 0 0 0 1 5,440
Hotels 1 4,999 1 4,999 1 4,999
Alternative fuel plants 2 12,789 2 12,676 2 12,493
Shopping center/retail 3 2,349 2 1,182 2 1,237
Elderly care facilities 0 0 0 0 3 4,037
Restaurant/bars 4 2,984 3 2,971 1 169
20 $ 38,731 19 $ 42,393 20 $ 46,953

Non-Interest Income and Expense

Non-interest income was $1.9 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of $156,000, or 7.7%, from $2.0 million for the same period in 2008. Securities gains decreased $479,000 as a result of decreased investment sales. Fees and service charges decreased $129,000 between the periods primarily because of decreased service charges and overdraft fees. Gains on sales of loans increased $435,000 due to an increase in the single-family mortgage loans that were sold. Mortgage servicing fees increased $22,000 because of an increase in the single-family mortgage loans being serviced between the periods as more loans were sold with the servicing rights retained.

Non-interest expense was $6.0 million for the third quarter of 2009, a decrease of $611,000, or 9.2%, from $6.6 million for the same period of 2008. Losses (gains) on real estate owned changed from $0 in the third quarter of 2008 to a gain of $357,000 in the third quarter of 2009 primarily because the gains recognized on the sale of two commercial real estate properties exceeded the loss recognized on a residential development that was written down due to a decrease in the estimated value. Data processing costs decreased $187,000 primarily because of decreases in third party vendor charges for internet and other banking services as a result of the system conversion that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2008. Occupancy expense decreased $161,000 primarily because of a decrease in depreciation expense and non-capitalized software and equipment purchases. Other non-interest expenses decreased $61,000 primarily because the increased FDIC deposit insurance assessments and other real estate expenses in the third quarter of 2009 were less than the litigation settlement expense recorded in the third quarter of 2008. Amortization of mortgage servicing rights decreased $21,000 due to a decrease in the prepayments between the periods of single-family mortgage loans being serviced. Compensation expense increased $170,000 between the periods primarily because of an increase in the number of employees in the mortgage, commercial and computer operations areas of the Bank.

The effect of income taxes changed $5.0 million between the periods from a benefit of $4.8 million in the third quarter of 2008 to an expense of $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2009. The change was due to an increase in taxable income and an effective tax rate that decreased from 40.4% in the third quarter of 2008 to 16.6% in the third quarter of 2009. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a tax adjustment that reduced income tax expense $264,000. This adjustment was related to an immaterial correction of the previously recorded second quarter income tax expense. Excluding this adjustment, the effective tax rate would have been 41.6% for the third quarter of 2009.

Return on Assets and Equity

Return on average assets for the third quarter of 2009 was 0.34%, compared to (2.54%) for the third quarter of 2008. Return on average equity was 3.52% for the third quarter of 2009, compared to (29.14%) for the same period of 2008. Book value per common share at September 30, 2009 was $18.09, compared to $20.77 at September 30, 2008.

Nine Month Period Results

Net Income (Loss)

The net loss was $10.9 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, an increased loss of $3.3 million, from the $7.6 million loss for the nine month period ended September 30, 2008. The net loss available to common shareholders was $12.3 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, an increased loss of $4.7 million, from the net loss available to common shareholders of $7.6 million for the same period of 2008. Diluted loss per common share for the nine month period in 2009 was $3.32, an increased loss of $1.24, from the diluted loss per share of $2.08 for the same period in 2008. The increase in net loss for the first nine months of 2009 is primarily due to a $4.8 million increase in the loan loss provision between the periods as a result of increased commercial loan charge offs.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $25.9 million for the first nine months of 2009, an increase of $0.5 million, or 1.7%, from $25.4 million for the same period in 2008. Interest income was $44.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $5.9 million, or 11.8%, from $50.4 million for the same period in 2008. Interest income decreased primarily because of a decrease in the average yields earned on loans and investments. The decreased average yields were the result of the 175 basis point decrease in the prime interest rate between the periods. Decreases in the prime rate generally decrease the rates on adjustable rate consumer and commercial loans in the portfolio and on new loans originated. Interest income was also adversely affected by the increase in non-performing loans between the periods. The average yield earned on interest-earning assets was 5.75% for the first nine months of 2009, a decrease of 62 basis points from the 6.37% average yield for the same period of 2008.

Interest expense was $18.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $6.4 million, or 25.5%, from $25.0 million for the same period in 2008. Interest expense decreased primarily because of the lower interest rates paid on money market accounts and certificates of deposits. The decreased rates were the result of the 175 basis point decrease in the federal funds rate that occurred between the periods and the 225 basis point decrease that occurred in the first nine months of 2008. Decreases in the federal funds rate generally have a lagging effect and decrease the rates banks pay for deposits. The lagging effect of deposit rate changes is because many of the Bank’s deposits are in the form of certificates of deposit which do not reprice immediately when the federal funds rate changes. The average interest rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was 2.55% for the first nine months of 2009, a decrease of 83 basis points from the 3.38% average rate paid in the same period of 2008. Net interest margin (net interest income divided by average interest earning assets) for the first nine months of 2009 was 3.35%, an increase of 14 basis points, compared to 3.21% for the first nine months of 2008.

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $23.3 million for the first nine-months of 2009, an increase of $4.8 million, from $18.5 million for the same nine-month period in 2008. The provision for loan losses increased primarily as the result of an increase in the loan loss allowance recorded for specific commercial real estate loans due to decreases in the estimated value of the underlying collateral supporting the loans. An additional provision for loan losses of $2.9 million was recorded on two non-performing residential development loans and a $3.0 million provision for loan losses was established on two alternative fuel plants based on updated appraised values during the first nine months of 2009. An analysis of the loan portfolio during the first nine months of the year resulted in a $2.7 million increase in the loan loss provision for other risk rated loans. The loan loss provision for the first nine months of 2009 also includes a $6.9 million increase related to two unrelated commercial loans that were charged off after it was determined that the collateral supporting the loans was inadequate due to the apparently fraudulent actions of the respective borrowers. The loan loss provision for the first nine months of 2008 included a $12.0 million provision and related charge off due to apparently fraudulent activity on a commercial loan. Total non-performing assets were $77.2 million at September 30, 2009, an increase of $2.4 million, or 3.3%, from $74.8 million at December 31, 2008. Non-performing loans decreased $2.5 million and foreclosed and repossessed assets increased $4.9 million during the nine month period. The non-performing loan and foreclosed and repossessed asset activity for the first nine months of 2009 was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands)
Non-performing loans Foreclosed and repossessed asset activity
December 31, 2008 $ 64,173 December 31, 2008 $ 10,583
Classified as non-performing 35,557 Transferred from non-performing loans 15,103
Charge offs (18,144 ) Other foreclosures/repossessions 1,073
Principal payments received (3,939 ) Real estate sold (8,368 )
Classified as accruing (833 ) Net gain on sale of assets 1,379
Transferred to real estate owned (15,103 ) Write downs (4,276 )
September 30, 2009 $ 61,711 September 30, 2009 $ 15,494

A rollforward of the Company’s allowance for loan losses for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 follows:

(in thousands) 2009 2008
Balance at January 1, $ 21,257 $ 12,438
Provision 23,254 18,480
Charge offs:
Commercial loans (5,352 ) (12,034 )
Commercial real estate loans (11,017 ) (2,727 )
Consumer loans (1,774 ) (633 )
Recoveries 676 47
Balance at September 30, $ 27,044 $ 15,571

Non-Interest Income and Expense

Non-interest income was $6.0 million for the first nine months of 2009, an increase of $529,000, or 9.7%, from $5.5 million for the same period in 2008. Gains on sales of loans increased $1.4 million between the periods primarily because of an increase in sales of single family mortgages between the periods. Mortgage servicing fees increased $48,000 between the periods due to an increase in the single-family mortgage loans being serviced. Security gains decreased $474,000 due to decreased investment sales. Other income decreased $418,000 primarily as a result of decreased commissions on the sale of uninsured investment products. Fees and service charges decreased $43,000 between the periods primarily because of decreased service charges and overdraft fees.

Non-interest expense was $25.1 million for the first nine months of 2009, an increase of $2.2 million, or 9.7%, from $22.9 million for the same period in 2008. Losses on real estate owned increased $3.8 million between the periods primarily because the losses recognized on three residential developments caused by a decrease in their estimated value exceeded the gains recognized on the sale of two commercial real estate properties. Other non-interest expenses increased $2.1 million primarily because of a $1.0 million increase in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance premiums, $557,000 increase in costs related to other real estate, $461,000 increase for interest expense on a pending state tax assessment as a result of an unfavorable tax court ruling and $155,000 increase in legal fees primarily related to the ongoing state tax assessment challenge. Compensation expense increased $907,000 between the periods primarily because of additional staffing in the mortgage, commercial and computer operations areas and costs associated with the employment agreement of a former executive officer. These increases were offset by a $3.8 million decrease in goodwill impairment charges between the periods. Data processing costs decreased $435,000 primarily because of decreases in third party vendor charges for internet and other banking services as a result of the system conversion that occurred in the fourth quarter of 2008. Occupancy expense decreased $353,000 primarily because of a decrease in depreciation expense and non-capitalized software and equipment purchases. Amortization of mortgage servicing rights decreased $25,000 due to a decrease in the prepayments between the periods of single-family mortgage loans being serviced.

The effect of income taxes changed $2.6 million between the periods from a benefit of $2.9 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2008 to a benefit of $5.5 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009. The change was due to an increase in taxable loss and an effective tax rate that decreased from 42.9% in the first nine months of 2008, excluding the goodwill impairment charge, to 33.5% for the first nine months of 2009. The goodwill impairment charge recorded in the first nine months of 2008 was not tax deductible and therefore no tax benefit was realized related to the impairment charge. In the first nine months of 2009, the Company recorded additional income tax expense of $1.0 million, which was a reduction of the overall tax benefit, as a result of an unfavorable tax court ruling related to the tax treatment of the inter-company dividends paid to the Bank by a former subsidiary in prior tax years. Excluding this adjustment, the effective tax rate would have been 39.6% for the first nine months of 2009.

Return on Assets and Equity

Return on average assets for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 was (1.34%), compared to (0.92%) for the same period in 2008. Return on average equity was (13.79%) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, compared to (10.36%) for the same period in 2008.

General Information

HMN Financial, Inc. and Home Federal Savings Bank are headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota. The Bank operates ten full service offices in southern Minnesota located in Albert Lea, Austin, Eagan, LaCrescent, Rochester, Spring Valley and Winona and two full service offices in Iowa located in Marshalltown and Toledo. Home Federal Private Banking operates branches in Edina and Rochester, Minnesota. Home Federal Savings Bank also operates loan origination offices located in Rochester, Minnesota and Sartell, Minnesota.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding adequate available liquidity, reducing non-performing assets, reducing industry loan concentrations, increasing core retail and commercial deposit relationships, reducing expenses and generating improved financial results. These statements are often identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “intent,” “look,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “seek,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “trend,” “target,” and “goal” or similar statements or variations of such terms. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s assumptions and expectations. These include but are not limited to the adequacy and marketability of real estate securing loans to borrowers, possible legislative and regulatory changes and adverse economic, business and competitive developments such as shrinking interest margins; reduced collateral values; deposit outflows; reduced demand for financial services and loan products; changes in accounting policies and guidelines, or monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government or tax laws; international economic developments, changes in credit or other risks posed by the Company’s loan and investment portfolios; technological, computer-related or operational difficulties; adverse changes in securities markets; results of litigation; the Company’s use of the proceeds from the sale of securities to the U.S. Treasury Department or other significant uncertainties. Additional factors that may cause actual results to differ from the Company’s assumptions and expectations include those set forth in the Company’s most recent filings on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are qualified by, and should be considered in conjunction with, such cautionary statements.

HMN FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
September 30, December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2009 2008
(unaudited)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 20,469 15,729
Securities available for sale:
Mortgage-backed and related securities
(amortized cost $56,776 and $76,166) 58,737 77,327
Other marketable securities
(amortized cost $75,976 and $95,445) 76,847 97,818
135,584 175,145
Loans held for sale 3,279 2,548
Loans receivable, net 818,897 900,889
Accrued interest receivable 3,952 5,568
Real estate, net 15,494 10,558
Federal Home Loan Bank stock, at cost 7,286 7,286
Mortgage servicing rights, net 1,266 728
Premises and equipment, net 13,097 13,972
Prepaid expenses and other assets 4,634 4,408
Deferred tax asset, net 8,759 8,649
Total assets $ 1,032,717 1,145,480
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Deposits $ 781,574 880,505
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and Federal Reserve borrowings 142,500 142,500
Accrued interest payable 1,700 6,307
Customer escrows 1,605 639
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 4,892 3,316
Total liabilities 932,271 1,033,267
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Serial preferred stock: ($.01 par value)
authorized 500,000 shares; issued shares 26,000 23,670 23,384
Common stock ($.01 par value):
authorized 11,000,000; issued shares 9,128,662 91 91
Additional paid-in capital 58,593 60,687
Retained earnings, subject to certain restrictions 86,291 98,067
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,709 2,091
Unearned employee stock ownership plan shares (3,626 ) (3,771 )
Treasury stock, at cost 4,883,378 and 4,961,032 shares (66,282 ) (68,336 )
Total stockholders’ equity 100,446 112,213
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,032,717 1,145,480
HMN FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2009 2008 2009 2008
Interest income:
Loans receivable $ 12,928 14,634 39,764 44,573
Securities available for sale:
Mortgage-backed and related 649 360 2,177 797
Other marketable 693 1,224 2,475 4,641
Cash equivalents 0 78 1 196
Other 55 78 50 211
Total interest income 14,325 16,374 44,467 50,418
Interest expense:
Deposits 4,172 6,235 13,876 20,944
Federal Home Loan Bank advances and
Federal Reserve borrowings 1,563 1,571 4,732 4,047
Total interest expense 5,735 7,806 18,608 24,991
Net interest income 8,590 8,568 25,859 25,427
Provision for loan losses 3,381 15,790 23,254 18,480
Net interest income (loss) after provision
for loan losses 5,209 (7,222 ) 2,605 6,947
Non-interest income:
Fees and service charges 1,034 1,163 3,071 3,114
Mortgage servicing fees 262 240 770 722
Securities gains, net 0 479 5 479
Gain on sales of loans 493 58 1,858 442
Other 94 99 298 716
Total non-interest income 1,883 2,039 6,002 5,473
Non-interest expense:
Compensation and benefits 3,180 3,010 10,313 9,406
Occupancy 970 1,131 3,071 3,424
Advertising 101 95 311 311
Data processing 298 485 888 1,323
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights, net 121 142 431 456
Goodwill impairment charge 0 0 0 3,801
Loss (gain) on real estate owned (357 ) 0 3,812 0
Other 1,723 1,784 6,241 4,139
Total non-interest expense 6,036 6,647 25,067 22,860
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) 1,056 (11,830 ) (16,460 ) (10,440 )
Income tax expense (benefit) 175 (4,779 ) (5,515 ) (2,851 )
Net income (loss) $ 881 (7,051 ) (10,945 ) (7,589 )
Preferred stock dividends and discount 438 0 1,306 0
Net income (loss) available to common
shareholders 443 (7,051 ) (12,251 ) (7,589 )
Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ 0.12 (1.93 ) (3.32 ) (2.08 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ 0.12 (1.93 ) (3.32 ) (2.08 )
HMN FINANCIAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Selected Consolidated Financial Information
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA: September 30, September 30,
(dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2009 2008 2009 2008
I. OPERATING DATA:
Interest income $ 14,325 16,374 44,467 50,418
Interest expense 5,735 7,806 18,608 24,991
Net interest income 8,590 8,568 25,859 25,427
II. AVERAGE BALANCES:
Assets (1) 1,042,921 1,103,824 1,090,096 1,099,419
Loans receivable, net 827,609 897,311 861,295 884,239
Securities available for sale (1) 134,463 131,053 149,977 145,713
Interest-earning assets (1) 984,439 1,061,578 1,033,336 1,057,124
Interest-bearing liabilities 935,480 996,011 974,410 987,458
Equity (1) 99,387 96,255 106,082 97,851
III. PERFORMANCE RATIOS: (1)
Return on average assets (annualized) 0.34 % (2.54 ) % (1.34 ) % (0.92 ) %
Interest rate spread information:
Average during period 3.34 3.02 3.20 2.99
End of period 3.46 2.83 3.46 2.83
Net interest margin 3.46 3.21 3.35 3.21
Ratio of operating expense to average
total assets (annualized) 2.30 2.40 3.07 2.78
Return on average equity (annualized) 3.52 (29.14 ) (13.79 ) (10.36 )
Efficiency 57.63 62.66 78.68 73.98
September 30, December 31, September 30,
2009 2008 2008
IV. ASSET QUALITY:
Total non-performing assets $ 77,205 74,756 45,248
Non-performing assets to total assets 7.48 % 6.53 % 4.01 %
Non-performing loans to total loans receivable, net 7.54 7.12 4.17
Allowance for loan losses $ 27,044 21,257 15,571
Allowance for loan losses to total assets 2.62 % 1.86 % 1.38 %
Allowance for loan losses to total loans receivable, net 3.30 2.36 1.78
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans 43.82 33.12 42.75
V. BOOK VALUE PER SHARE:
Book value per share $ 18.09 21.31 20.77
Nine Months Year Nine Months
Ended Ended Ended
Sept 30, 2009 Dec 31, 2008 Sept 30, 2008
VI. CAPITAL RATIOS:
Stockholders’ equity to total assets, at end of period 9.73 % 9.80 % 7.67 %
Average stockholders’ equity to average assets (1) 9.73 8.58 8.90
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to
average interest-bearing liabilities (1) 106.05 106.50 107.06
September 30, December 31, September 30,
2009 2008 2008
VII. EMPLOYEE DATA:
Number of full time equivalent employees 212 204 202
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on HMN Financial, Inc. (HMNF) Announces Third Quarter Results

Cascade Financial (CASB) Earns $1.6 Million in Third Quarter; Reports Strong Checking Deposit Growth

Cascade Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:CASB), parent company of Cascade Bank, today reported net income of $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2009. After adjustments for the preferred stock dividend and accretion of the issuance discount on the U.S. Treasury preferred stock, the Bank earned $1.0 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss of $6.6 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, in the third quarter a year ago. Dividends on preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury under the Capital Purchase Program for the quarter totaled $487,125, and the accretion of the issuance discount on preferred stock for the quarter was $105,000. In the third quarter last year, Cascade recorded an Other Than Temporary Impairment (OTTI) charge of $17.3 million on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac preferred shares after the U.S. Government placed these companies into conservatorship. Excluding the OTTI charge, third quarter 2008 net income would have been $4.7 million.

“Cascade posted a solid quarter, returning to profitability with record checking deposit growth, controlled operating costs and a stable net interest margin, in spite of the drag of nonperforming loans,” stated Carol K. Nelson, President and CEO. “Checking deposits were up 89% year-over-year and 14% from the prior quarter, and the net interest margin expanded slightly from the previous quarter as core deposit growth helped lower our cost of funds. We continue to operate in a challenging lending environment and are taking every opportunity to strengthen our capital levels and have increased our total risk based capital to 13.01% from 12.62% in the second quarter.”

 3Q09 Highlights:  (compared to 3Q08)

 * Net income of $1.6 million, with income available to common
   shareholders of $1.0 million, or $0.09 per diluted common share
 * Compensation expense down 11% in spite of adding one new branch
 * Deposit mix improved with total checking account balances
   representing 32% of total deposits versus 17%
 * Total checking account balances increased 89%
   * Personal checking account balances grew 119%
   * Business checking account balances grew 56%
 * Loan portfolio mix improved with a 29% reduction in real estate
   construction loans
 * Total allowance for loan losses to total loans increased to
   2.02%, up from 1.21%
 * Tier 1 capital ratio improved to 9.05% from 7.87%
 * Risk weighted capital ratio increased to 13.01% from 10.40%

Year to date, Cascade reported a net loss of $24.6 million, and a loss attributable to common stockholders of $26.4 million, or $2.18 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $372,000 for the first nine months of 2008. During the second quarter of 2009, Cascade recorded an impairment charge of $11.7 million against its goodwill based upon an impairment analysis. The non-cash goodwill impairment charge represented the write-off of a portion of the goodwill recorded from a prior bank acquisition. The goodwill charge does not impact liquidity, operations, tangible capital or the Corporation’s regulatory capital ratios. The loan loss provision for the first nine months of 2009 was $36.2 million versus $4.8 million in the first nine months of 2008.

Credit Quality

“Asset quality trends are beginning to show signs of stabilization,” said Rob Disotell, Chief Credit Officer. “During the third quarter, Cascade had lower charge-offs, which have moderated after we aggressively wrote down the value of loans during the first half of 2009. Additionally, the pace of nonperforming loan growth has slowed. While Nonperforming Loans (NPLs) were up $11.2 million, Real Estate Owned (REO) and other repossessed assets were down $905,000 compared to the previous quarter.”

Nonperforming loans increased during the quarter to $125.7 million, or 10.21% of total loans, at September 30, 2009, compared to $114.4 million or 9.33% of total loans three months earlier.

The following table shows nonperforming loans versus total loans in each category:

                                                 Nonper
                                    Balance at   -forming   NPL as a %
 LOAN PORTFOLIO ($ in 000's)         9/30/2009  Loans (NPL)  of Loans
 ---------------------------        ----------  ----------  ----------
 Business                           $  473,546  $    8,624          2%
 R/E construction
  Spec construction                     70,325      17,760         25%
  Land acquisition and development     129,345      56,835         44%
  Land                                  35,416      19,679         56%
  Multifamily and
   custom construction                  17,594          --          0%
  Commercial construction               32,208       6,364         20%
                                    ----------  ----------
 Total R/E construction                284,888     100,638         35%
 Commercial R/E                        193,652      13,459          7%
 Multifamily                            84,029       2,100          2%
 Home equity/consumer                   31,455         458          1%
 Residential                           163,151         408          0%
                                    ----------  ----------
 Total                              $1,230,721  $  125,687         10%
                                    ==========  ==========

“During the quarter we saw good migration of nonperforming loans through the loan portfolio,” added Disotell. While $20.9 million in loans were placed on nonaccrual status, $6.0 million were paid off during the quarter, and $3.4 million were charged off. Additions to nonperforming loans were centered in:

 * $8.1 million in loans to one business banking client secured by
   real estate
 * $6.4 million in commercial real estate construction loans on a
   retail building
 * $2.6 million in advances on existing spec construction loans to
   fund the completion of single family homes, with over
   $4.1 million in paydowns during the quarter
 * $1.9 million in net additions to multifamily loans

 Paydowns on loans on nonaccrual status during the quarter were
 centered in:
 * $4.1 million in spec construction loans through the sale of
   completed homes
 * $1.9 million in land acquisition and development through the
   sale of completed homes

Net additions to nonaccrual loans were $11.2 million for the quarter.

The following table shows the migration of nonperforming loans through the portfolio in each category: (9/30/09 compared to 6/30/09)

 NONPER
  -FORMING
  LOANS     Balance   Additions Paydowns Charge-offs           Balance
 ($ in         at      during    during    during  Transfers     at
  000's)   9/30/2009   quarter   quarter   quarter   to REO  6/30/2009
 -------------------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Business   $  8,624  $  8,098  $    (24) $     --  $     --  $    550
 R/E
  construc
  -tion
  Spec
   construc
   -tion      17,760     2,640    (4,138)     (986)       --    20,244
  Land
   acqui
   -sition
   and
   develop
   -ment      56,835        --    (1,870)   (1,140)     (239)   60,084
  Land        19,679       788        --    (1,204)       --    20,095
  Commercial
   R/E         6,364     6,364        --        --        --        --
            --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total R/E
  construc
  -tion      100,638     9,792    (6,008)   (3,330)     (239)  100,423
 Commercial
  R/E         13,459       724        --        --        --    12,735
 Multifamily   2,100     1,850        --        --        --       250
 Home equity
  /consumer      458       307        --       (55)      (10)      216
 Residential     408       140        (7)       --        --       275
            --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total      $125,687  $ 20,911  $ (6,039) $ (3,385) $   (249) $114,449
            ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========

“Despite increased levels of home sales in the Puget Sound Region in recent months, the housing market remains fragile and continues to present challenges,” said Disotell. “We continue to build our allowance for loan losses with a year-to-date provision expense of $36.2 million compared to net charge-offs of $27.2 million and a third quarter provision expense of $4.0 million compared to net charge-offs of $3.4 million.” Net charge-offs were $18.5 million in the preceding quarter and $43,000 in the third quarter a year ago. At September 30, 2009, REO and other repossessed assets decreased to $7.0 million from $7.9 million at June 30, 2009.

The following table shows the change in REO and other repossessed assets during the quarter:

 REO and other repossessed assets ($ in 000's)
 ---------------------------------------------
 Balance at 6/30/09                                 $  7,872
 Additions                                               457
 Sales                                                (1,293)
 Write-downs                                              --
 Loss on sales                                           (69)
                                                    --------
 Balance at 9/30/09                                 $  6,967
                                                    ========

Nonperforming assets were 8.05% of total assets at September 30, 2009, compared to 7.59% at the end of the preceding quarter, and 1.10% a year ago. The total allowance for loan losses, which includes the $75,000 allowance for off-balance sheet loan commitments, was $24.8 million at quarter-end, equal to 2.02% of total loans compared to 2.00% at June 30, 2009, and 1.21% as of September 30, 2008.

Loans delinquent 31-90 days totaled $1.1 million, or 0.09% of total loans at September 30, 2009, compared to $23.7 million, or 1.93% of total loans at June 30, 2009 and $171,000, or 0.01% of total loans at September 30, 2008. The bank had seven loans totaling $2.5 million that were 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest at September 30, 2009.

Loan Portfolio

“The modest increase in total loans was attributed to our builder loan program,” said Lars Johnson, Chief Financial Officer. “We continue to be reticent to lend on construction projects and commercial real estate in this economic environment.” Total loans increased 1%, or $17.7 million, on a year-over-year basis to $1.23 billion as of September 30, 2009. Total loans, however, remained relatively unchanged from the end of the previous quarter as Cascade further reduced its real estate construction concentrations.

The following table shows the changes in the loan portfolio in each category: (9/30/09 compared to 6/30/09 and 9/30/08)

                         Sept. 30,   June 30,    Sept. 30,   One Year
 LOANS ($ in 000's)        2009        2009        2008       Change
 Business               $  473,546  $  467,923   $ 473,213          0%
 R/E construction          284,888     296,931     403,569        -29%
 Commercial R/E            193,652     192,886     119,787         62%
 Multifamily                84,029      91,554      74,535         13%
 Home equity/consumer       31,455      30,919      29,659          6%
 Residential               163,151     146,231     112,283         45%
                        ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total loans            $1,230,721  $1,226,444  $1,213,046          1%
                        ==========  ==========  ==========

Construction loans outstanding decreased 29% to $285 million at September 30, 2009, compared to $404 million a year ago. Commercial real estate loans increased 62% from year ago levels to $194 million, which includes $66.0 million in loans reclassified into that category as construction projects were completed and hit their lease up targets. Multifamily loans increased 13% from year ago levels to $84.0 million and business loans were unchanged compared to a year ago at $474 million. Home equity and consumer loans increased 6% to $31.5 million, while residential loans grew 45% to $163 million, compared to a year ago.

Further details on changes during the third quarter are as follows:

                                     Net new
                        Balance at    loans-   Reclassifi-   Transfers
 LOANS ($ in 000's)      9/30/2009   payments    cations      to REO
 ------------------     ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Business               $  473,546  $    5,623  $       --  $       --
 R/E construction          284,888      (6,128)     (2,346)       (239)
 Commercial R/E            193,652       1,326        (560)         --
 Multifamily                84,029      (7,525)         --          --
 Home equity/consumer       31,455         601          --         (10)
 Residential               163,151      14,014       2,906          --
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total loans             1,230,721       7,911          --        (249)
 Deferred loan fees         (3,204)         94        (370)         --
 Allowance for
  loan losses              (24,749)     (4,000)        373          --
                        ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Loans, net             $1,202,768  $    4,005  $        3  $     (249)
                        ==========  ==========  ==========  ==========

                                    Charge-offs Balance at
 LOANS ($ in 000's)                     (1)      6/30/2009     Change
 ------------------                 ----------  ----------  ----------
 Business                           $       --  $  467,923          1%
 R/E construction                       (3,330)    296,931         -4%
 Commercial R/E                             --     192,886          0%
 Multifamily                                --      91,554         -8%
 Home equity/consumer                      (55)     30,919          2%
 Residential                                --     146,231         12%
                                    ----------  ----------
 Total loans                            (3,385)  1,226,444          0%
 Deferred loan fees                         --      (2,928)         9%
 Allowance for loan losses               3,368     (24,490)         1%
                                    ----------  ----------
 Loans, net                         $      (17) $1,199,026          0%
                                    ==========  ==========

 (1) Excludes negative now accounts totaling $61,000 and recoveries
     of $78,000

Investment Portfolio and Liquidity

Total assets increased by $36.3 million, or 2%, in the third quarter from the end of the second quarter and grew by $95.2 million, or 6%, year-over-year to $1.65 billion at September 30, 2009. The increase in interest-bearing deposits was $43.4 million on a sequential basis and $69.2 million on a year-over-year comparison. The investment portfolio increased $2.9 million over the preceding quarter and $26.1 million over the past twelve months to $281 million at September 30, 2009. “The mix of Available For Sale (AFS) securities compared to Held To Maturity (HTM) securities continued to shift as HTM securities have been called and replaced with securities designated as AFS,” added Johnson. “The primary motivation for this shift is to provide more flexibility in managing the securities portfolio.” All debt securities held in the investment portfolio are rated AAA.

Deposit Growth

Total deposits were up $31.4 million, or 3% from the prior quarter-end and up $40.2 million, or 4% compared to a year ago. Total checking account balances were up $41.0 million, or 14% from the prior quarter and up $154 million, or 89% compared to a year ago. Personal checking account balances grew by 119% or $108 million over the last twelve months and business checking balances grew 56% or $46.4 million during the same time period. “The robust growth in core deposits over the past twelve months has lowered our funding costs and demonstrates the effectiveness of our strong sales culture as well as continued success of the High Performance Checking Program,” said Nelson. The growth in business checking balances resulted from a combination of new accounts, higher business escrow account balances and the movement of public funds previously in money market accounts and CDs into insured checking accounts. CDs were down $5.8 million during the third quarter but were up $23.4 million on a year-over-year basis and brokered CDs were down $10.0 million at the quarter-end to $180 million.

The following table shows deposits in each category: (9/30/09 compared to 6/30/09 and 9/30/08)

                         Sept. 30,   June 30,    Sept. 30,   One Year
 DEPOSITS ($ in 000's)     2009        2009        2008       Change
 Personal checking
  accounts              $  198,766   $ 146,310  $   90,772        119%
 Business checking
  accounts                 128,846     140,345      82,485         56%
                        ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total checking accounts   327,612     286,655     173,257         89%
 Savings and MMDA          128,918     132,704     266,560        -52%
 CDs                       576,133     581,937     552,688          4%
                        ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total deposits         $1,032,663  $1,001,296  $  992,505          4%
                        ==========  ==========  ==========

Capital Management

Cascade remains well capitalized for regulatory purposes with a Risk Based Capital Ratio of 13.01% and Tier 1 Capital Ratio of 9.05% as of September 30, 2009. Tangible book value was $7.11 per common share at quarter-end, compared to $7.79 a year ago. Cascade’s tangible capital to assets ratio was 5.29% at quarter-end compared to 6.16% twelve months earlier.

In June 2009, Cascade announced that it would temporarily suspend its regular quarterly cash dividend on common stock to preserve capital.

Operating Results

Third quarter net interest income was down 15% to $10.9 million compared to $12.8 million for the third quarter of 2008, due primarily to the reversal of previously accrued interest on nonperforming loans as well as the increase in nonperforming loans compared to the third quarter a year ago.

Total other income increased 36% to $3.2 million for the quarter, compared to $2.3 million for the third quarter a year ago. Gain on securities sales was up $939,000.

Total other expenses were $7.9 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $7.2 million, excluding the $17.3 million OTTI charge, in the third quarter of 2008. There was an 11% reduction in compensation expense, even with one new branch, but this reduction was more than offset by a $319,000 increase in FDIC insurance, higher legal expenses associated with loan workouts, and an increase in REO expense.

For the first nine months of 2009, net interest income was $32.9 million, compared to $34.8 million for the first nine months of 2008. The impact of the increase in nonperforming assets is the primary cause for the lower year-to-date net interest income. Other income increased 29% to $9.1 million for the first nine months of 2009 compared to $7.0 million in the first nine months of 2008. The increase is primarily due to the $800,000 increase in gain on sale of securities and the $1.3 million increase in fair value gain on junior subordinated debentures. For the first nine months of the year, total other expenses excluding the 2Q09 goodwill impairment increased to $26.6 million compared to $21.4 million, excluding the 3Q08 OTTI, in the first nine months of 2008. The increase was largely due to the increase in FDIC insurance premiums, the FDIC special assessment, the loss on REO and REO expense.

The efficiency ratio, excluding the 2Q09 goodwill charge and 3Q08 OTTI charge, was 56.4% in the third quarter of 2009 compared to 76.6% in the preceding quarter and 47.3% in the third quarter a year ago. For the first nine months of 2009, the efficiency ratio, excluding the 2Q09 goodwill charge and 3Q08 OTTI charge, was 61.3% compared to 51.1% in the first nine months of 2008. This ratio was impacted by costs associated with REO, legal expenses and the FDIC special assessment.

Net Interest Margin

Cascade’s net interest margin was 3.03% for the third quarter of 2009, compared to 3.01% in the immediate prior quarter and 3.52% for the third quarter a year ago. “The drag from nonperforming loans, including the reversal of previously accrued interest, continues to weigh on net interest income. Our net interest margin improved slightly during the third quarter compared to the preceding quarter as the reduction in our deposit costs more than offset the drag from nonperforming loans,” said Johnson. “Our yield on earning assets declined by three basis points compared to the preceding quarter, while the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased by eleven basis points driven by a decline in the cost of deposits by the same amount. This eight basis point improvement in the interest spread only translated into a two basis point improved margin because earning assets were a smaller percentage of total assets due to the increase in nonperforming assets.” For the first nine months of 2009, the net interest margin was 3.02%, compared to 3.24% for the first nine months of 2008.

The following table depicts Cascade’s yield on assets, its cost of funds and the resulting spread and margin:

                  3Q09  2Q09  1Q09  4Q08  3Q08  2Q08  1Q08  4Q07  3Q07
                 -----------------------------------------------------
 Asset yield     5.60% 5.63% 5.83% 6.07% 6.67% 6.31% 6.62% 7.20% 7.29%
 Liability cost  2.63% 2.74% 3.02% 3.33% 3.44% 3.51% 4.03% 4.32% 4.42%

 Spread          2.97% 2.89% 2.81% 2.74% 3.23% 2.80% 2.59% 2.88% 2.87%
 Margin          3.03% 3.01% 3.03% 3.01% 3.52% 3.17% 3.02% 3.38% 3.37%

Regulatory Matters

Cascade Bank recently received notice from the FDIC that based on an off-site review of its financial information, the Bank will be subject to a corrective action program based upon the finalization of a full scope examination completed in June 2009. The concern was primarily focused on the deterioration of asset quality, concentration of credit in the real estate area, and liquidity. In light of the concern, the Bank was instructed to take steps to preserve capital; provide prior notice to the FDIC of certain management changes; seek prior regulatory approval of any severance or any golden parachute payments; and obtain a non-objection from the regulators before paying any cash dividend.

Conference Call

Cascade’s management team will host an analyst call on Wednesday, October 21, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. PDT (2:00 p.m. EDT) to discuss third quarter results. Interested investors may listen to the call live or via replay at www.cascadebank.com under shareholder information. Investment professionals are invited to dial (480) 629-9818, using access code 4164643 to participate in the live call. A replay will be available for a week at (303) 590-3030, using access code 4164643.

About Cascade Financial

Established in 1916, Cascade Bank, the only operating subsidiary of Cascade Financial Corporation, is a state chartered commercial bank headquartered in Everett, Washington. Cascade Bank has proudly served the Puget Sound region for over 90 years and operates 22 full service branches in Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mukilteo, Shoreline, Smokey Point, Issaquah, Clearview, Woodinville, Lake Stevens, Bellevue, Snohomish, North Bend, Burlington and Edmonds.

In June 2009, Cascade was ranked #55 on the Seattle Times’ Northwest 100 list of public companies. In April 2009, Cascade was ranked #5 on the Puget Sound Business Journal’s list of largest bank companies headquartered in the Puget Sound area.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This news release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). These measures include tangible book value per share, efficiency ratio and tangible capital/assets ratio. These measures should not be construed as a substitute for GAAP measures; they should be read and used in conjunction with Cascade’s GAAP financial information. A reconciliation of the included non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures is included elsewhere in this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act. CASB’s actual results may differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may increase,” “may fluctuate,” and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” and “could.” These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, economic conditions, portfolio growth, the credit performance of the portfolios, including bankruptcies, and seasonal factors; changes in general economic conditions including the performance of financial markets, prevailing inflation and interest rates, realized gains from sales of investments, gains from asset sales, and losses on commercial lending activities; results of various investment activities; the effects of competitors’ pricing policies, of changes in laws and regulations on competition and of demographic changes on target market populations’ savings and financial planning needs; industry changes in information technology systems on which we are highly dependent; failure of acquisitions to produce revenue enhancements or cost savings at levels or within the time frames originally anticipated or unforeseen integration difficulties; the adoption by CASB of an FFIEC policy that provides guidance on the reporting of delinquent consumer loans and the timing of associated credit charge-offs for financial institution subsidiaries; and the resolution of legal proceedings and related matters. In addition, the banking industry in general is subject to various monetary and fiscal policies and regulations, which include those determined by the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and state regulators, whose policies and regulations could affect CASB’s results. These statements are representative only on the date hereof, and CASB undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made.

 BALANCE SHEET
 (Dollars in
  thousands                              Three
  except per     Sept. 30,   June 30,    Month     Sept. 30,  One Year
  share amounts)   2008        2009      Change      2008      Change
                ----------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------
 (Unaudited)

 ASSETS

 Cash and due
  from banks    $    4,401  $   13,976      -69%  $   12,822      -66%
 Interest
  -bearing
  deposits          69,838      26,403      165%         611        NM

 Securities
  available-for
  -sale            242,136     227,924        6%     102,313      137%
 Federal Home
  Loan Bank
  (FHLB) stock      11,920      11,920        0%      11,920        0%
 Securities held
  -to-maturity      26,912      38,243      -30%     140,615      -81%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
 Total
  securities       280,968     278,087        1%     254,848       10%
 Loans
  Business         473,546     467,923        1%     473,213        0%
  R/E
   construction    284,888     296,931       -4%     403,569      -29%
  Commercial R/E   193,652     192,886        0%     119,787       62%
  Multifamily       84,029      91,554       -8%      74,535       13%
  Home equity
   /consumer        31,455      30,919        2%      29,659        6%
  Residential      163,151     146,231       12%     112,283       45%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
  Total loans    1,230,721   1,226,444        0%   1,213,046        1%
  Deferred
   loan fees        (3,204)     (2,928)       9%      (3,248)      -1%
  Allowance for
   loan losses     (24,749)    (24,490)       1%     (14,531)      70%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
 Loans, net      1,202,768   1,199,026        0%   1,195,267        1%
 Real estate
  owned (REO)
  and other
  repossessed
  assets             6,967       7,872      -11%       1,446      382%
 Premises and
  equipment         15,009      15,319       -2%      15,676       -4%
 Bank owned life
  insurance         24,275      24,052        1%      23,388        4%
 Deferred tax
  asset              6,426       7,167      -10%       8,437      -24%
 Other assets       23,062      25,486      -10%      14,173       63%
 Goodwill           12,885      12,885        0%      24,585      -48%
 Core deposit
  intangible,
  net                  388         423       -8%         529      -27%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
  Total assets  $1,646,987  $1,610,696        2%  $1,551,782        6%
                ==========  ==========            ==========

 LIABILITIES
  AND EQUITY
 Liabilities:
 Deposits
  Personal
   checking
   accounts     $  198,766  $  146,310       36%  $   90,772      119%
  Business
   checking
   accounts        128,846     140,345       -8%      82,485       56%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
  Total checking
   accounts        327,612     286,655       14%     173,257       89%
  Savings and
   money market
   accounts        128,918     132,704       -3%     266,560      -52%
  Certificates
   of deposit      576,133     581,937       -1%     552,688        4%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
 Total deposits  1,032,663   1,001,296        3%     992,505        4%
 FHLB advances     239,000     239,000        0%     255,000       -6%
 Securities sold
  under
  agreement to
  repurchase       147,455     146,600        1%     120,983       22%
 Federal Reserve
  borrowings        60,000      60,000        0%      30,000      100%
 Other
  liabilities        7,489       7,307        2%       8,194       -9%
 Jr. Sub. Deb.
  (Trust
  Preferred
  Securities)       15,465      15,465        0%      15,465        0%
 Jr. Sub. Deb.
  (Trust
  Preferred
  Securities),
  at fair value      8,357       8,708       -4%      10,535      -21%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
  Total
   liabilities   1,510,429   1,478,376        2%   1,432,682        5%
                ----------  ----------            ----------

 Stockholders'
  equity:
 Preferred stock    36,931      36,826        0%          --        NM
 Common stock
  and paid in
  capital           41,129      41,054        0%      40,857        1%
 Retained
  earnings          54,503      53,430        2%      79,753      -32%
 Warrants issued
  to U.S.
  Treasury           2,389       2,389        0%          --        NM
 Accumulated
  other
  comprehensive
  gain (loss),
  net                1,606      (1,379)       NM      (1,510)       NM
                ----------  ----------            ----------
  Total
   stockholders'
   equity          136,558     132,320        3%     119,100       15%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
 Total
  liabilities
  and
  stockholders'
  equity        $1,646,987  $1,610,696        2%  $1,551,782        6%
                ==========  ==========            ==========

 STATEMENT OF
  OPERATIONS
 (Dollars in     Quarter     Quarter               Quarter
  thousands       Ended       Ended      Three      Ended
  except per     Sept. 30,   June 30,    Month     Sept. 30,  One Year
  share amounts)   2009        2009      Change      2008      Change
 (Unaudited)    ----------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------

 Interest
  income        $   20,189  $   20,215        0%  $   24,345      -17%
 Interest
  expense            9,271       9,392       -1%      11,508      -19%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
 Net interest
  income            10,918      10,823        1%      12,837      -15%
 Provision for
  loan losses        4,000      18,300      -78%       1,250      220%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
 Net interest
  income (loss)
  after
  provision for
  loan losses        6,918      (7,477)       NM      11,587      -40%
 Other income:
  Checking fees      1,342       1,270        6%       1,328        1%
  Service fees         237         286      -17%         280      -15%
  Bank owned
   life
   insurance           239         208       15%         271      -12%
  Gain on sales
   /calls of
   securities          852         226      277%         (87)       NM
  Gain on sale
   of loans             23          98      -77%          36      -36%
  Fair value
   gains               351          12        NM         389      -10%
  Other                123         120        2%         109       13%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
 Total other
  income             3,167       2,220       43%       2,326       36%

 Total income
  (loss)            10,085      (5,257)       NM      13,913      -28%
                ----------  ----------            ----------
 Other expenses:
  Compensation
   expense           3,382       3,587       -6%       3,789      -11%
  Other
   operating
   expenses          3,989       3,942        1%       3,187       25%
  FDIC insurance
   and WPDPC
   assessment          505       1,241      -59%         186      172%
  Loss on sale
   of REO               69       1,225      -94%           3        NM
  OTTI charge           --          --        NM      17,338        NM
                ----------  ----------            ----------
  Other expenses
   excluding
   goodwill
   impairment        7,945       9,995      -21%      24,503      -68%
  Goodwill
   impairment           --      11,700        NM          --        NM
                ----------  ----------            ----------
 Total other
  expenses           7,945      21,695      -63%      24,503      -68%
                ----------  ----------            ----------

 Net income
  (loss) before
  provision
  (benefit) for
  income tax         2,140     (26,952)       NM     (10,590)       NM

 Provision
  (benefit) for
  income tax           507      (5,552)       NM      (3,971)       NM
                ----------  ----------            ----------

 Net income
  (loss)             1,633     (21,400)       NM      (6,619)       NM

 Dividends on
  preferred
  stock                487         487        0%          --        NM
 Accretion of
  issuance
  discount on
  preferred
  stock                105         105        0%          --        NM
                ----------  ----------            ----------

 Income (loss)
  available for
  common
  stockholders  $    1,041  $  (21,992)       NM  $   (6,619)       NM
                ==========  ==========            ==========
 EARNINGS PER
  SHARE
  INFORMATION

 Earnings per
  share, basic  $     0.09  $    (1.82)       NM  $    (0.55)       NM
 Earnings per
  share,
  diluted       $     0.09  $    (1.82)       NM  $    (0.55)       NM

 Weighted
  average number
  of shares
  outstanding
 Basic          12,128,257  12,110,434            12,059,480
 Diluted        12,128,257  12,110,434            12,140,168

                                         Nine        Nine
                                        Months      Months
 STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS                 Ended       Ended      Nine
 (Dollars in thousands except per      Sept. 30,   Sept. 30,   Month
  share amounts)                         2009        2008      Change
                                      ----------  ----------  --------
 (Unaudited)
 Interest income                      $   61,814  $   70,152      -12%
 Interest expense                         28,954      35,395      -18%
                                      ----------  ----------
 Net interest income                      32,860      34,757       -5%
 Provision for loan losses                36,175       4,840      647%
                                      ----------  ----------
 Net interest (loss) income after
  provision for loan losses               (3,315)     29,917     -111%
 Other income:
  Checking fees                            3,724       3,640        2%
  Service fees                               772         825       -6%
  Bank owned life insurance                  687         790      -13%
  Gain on sales/calls of securities        1,196         396      202%
  Gain on sale of loans                      160         119       34%
  Fair value gains                         2,153         887      143%
  Other                                      359         340        6%
                                      ----------  ----------
 Total other income                        9,051       6,997       29%

 Total income                              5,736      36,914      -84%
                                      ----------  ----------
 Other expenses:
  Compensation expense                    10,575      11,039       -4%
  Other operating expenses                11,281       9,923       14%
  FDIC insurance and WPDPC assessment      2,505         385      551%
  Loss on sale of REO                      1,348           3        NM
  OTTI charge                                858      17,338      -95%
                                      ----------  ----------
  Other expenses excluding
   goodwill impairment                    26,567      38,688      -31%
  Goodwill impairment                     11,700          --        NM
                                      ----------  ----------
 Total other expenses                     38,267      38,688       -1%
                                      ----------  ----------

 Net loss before benefit
  for income tax                         (32,531)     (1,774)       NM

 Benefit for income tax                   (7,947)     (1,402)     467%
                                      ----------  ----------

 Net loss                                (24,584)       (372)       NM

 Dividends on preferred stock              1,456          --        NM
 Accretion of issuance discount
  on preferred stock                         315          --        NM
                                      ----------  ----------     

 Loss attributable to common
  stockholders                        $  (26,355) $     (372)       NM
                                      ==========  ==========

 EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION

 Earnings per share, basic            $    (2.18) $    (0.03)       NM
 Earnings per share, diluted          $    (2.18) $    (0.03)       NM

 Weighted average number of
  shares outstanding
 Basic                                12,113,623  12,047,700
 Diluted                              12,113,623  12,168,009

 (Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)(Unaudited)

                                                   Nine        Nine
              Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Months      Months
 PERFORMANCE   Ended       Ended       Ended       Ended       Ended
  MEASURES   Sept. 30,   June 30,    Sept. 30,   Sept. 30,   Sept. 30,
  AND RATIOS   2009        2009        2008        2009        2008
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Return on
  average
  common
  equity         6.77%     -80.68%     -20.69%     -30.08%      -0.39%
 Return on
  average
  assets         0.40%      -5.33%      -1.69%      -2.02%      -0.03%
 Efficiency
  ratio*        56.41%      76.63%      47.25%      61.34%      51.13%
 Net
  interest
  margin         3.03%       3.01%       3.52%       3.02%       3.24%

 *Excludes goodwill and OTTI charges for 6/30/09
  and 9/30/08 respectively

                                                   Nine        Nine
              Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Months      Months
               Ended       Ended       Ended       Ended       Ended
 AVERAGE     Sept. 30,   June 30,    Sept. 30,   Sept. 30,   Sept. 30,
  BALANCES     2009        2009        2008        2009        2008
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Average
  assets    $1,634,855  $1,611,721  $1,556,771   1,626,966   1,519,073
 Average
  earning
  assets     1,430,829   1,440,316   1,452,526   1,453,728   1,430,815
 Average
  total
  loans      1,231,888   1,247,475   1,201,676   1,246,130   1,168,611
 Average
  deposits   1,024,489     986,945     988,905     995,071     961,859
 Average
  equity
  (including
  preferred
  stock)       133,375     142,861     127,936     145,728     126,369
 Average
  common
  equity
  (excluding
  preferred
  stock)        96,513     106,102     127,936     108,961     126,369
 Average
  tangible
  common
  equity
  (excluding
  pref stock
  and good
  will)         83,223      92,776     102,804      91,778     101,202

                                     Sept. 30,    June 30,   Sept. 30,
 EQUITY ANALYSIS                       2009        2009        2008
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total equity                       $  136,558  $  132,320  $  119,100
 Less: senior preferred stock           36,931      36,826          --
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total common equity                    99,627      95,494     119,100
 Less: goodwill and intangibles         13,273      13,308      25,114
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
 Tangible common equity             $   86,354  $   82,186  $   93,986

 Common stock outstanding           12,146,080  12,110,434  12,071,032
 Book value per common share        $     8.20  $     7.89  $     9.87
 Tangible book value
  per common share                  $     7.11  $     6.79  $     7.79

                                     Sept. 30,   June 30,    Sept. 30,
 ASSET QUALITY                         2009        2009        2008
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
 Nonperforming loans (NPLs)         $  125,687  $  114,449  $   15,697
 Nonperforming loans/total loans        10.21%       9.33%       1.29%
 REO and other repossessed assets   $    6,967  $    7,872  $    1,446
 Nonperforming assets               $  132,654  $  122,321  $   17,143
 Nonperforming assets/total assets       8.05%       7.59%       1.10%
 Net loan charge-offs in
  the quarter                       $    3,368  $   18,512  $       43
 Net charge-offs in the quarter
  /total loans                           0.27%       1.51%       0.00%

 Allowance for loan losses          $   24,749  $   24,490  $   14,531
 Plus: Allowance for off-balance
  sheet commitments                         75          72         107
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total allowance for loan losses    $   24,824  $   24,562  $   14,638
 Total allowance for loan losses
  /total loans                           2.02%       2.00%       1.21%
 Total allowance for loan losses
  /nonperforming loans                     20%         21%         93%

 Capital/asset ratio (inc.
  Jr. Sub. Deb.)                         9.81%       9.77%       9.29%
 Capital/asset ratio (Tier 1, inc.
  Jr. Sub. Deb.)                         9.05%       9.10%       7.87%
 Tangible cap/asset ratio
  (ex. Jr. Sub. Deb. and preferred
  stock)                                 5.29%       5.15%       6.16%
 Risk based capital/risk
  weighted asset ratio                  13.01%      12.62%      10.40%

                                      Quarter    Quarter     Quarter
                                       Ended       Ended       Ended
                                     Sept. 30,   June 30,    Sept. 30,
 INTEREST SPREAD ANALYSIS              2009        2009        2008
                                    ----------  ----------  ----------
 Yield on total loans                    5.51%       5.57%       6.82%
 Yield on investments                    4.38%       4.49%       5.38%
 Yield on earning assets                 5.60%       5.63%       6.67%

 Cost of deposits                        1.51%       1.62%       2.59%
 Cost of FHLB advances                   4.35%       4.33%       4.30%
 Cost of Federal Reserve borrowings      0.25%       0.30%       2.37%
 Cost of securities sold under
  agreement to repurchase                5.89%       5.74%       5.32%
 Cost of Jr. Sub. Debentures             8.70%       8.79%       8.00%
 Cost of interest-bearing
  liabilities                            2.63%       2.74%       3.44%

 Net interest spread                     2.97%       2.89%       3.23%
 Net interest margin                     3.03%       3.01%       3.52%

 RECONCILIATION TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES*
 (Dollars in thousands)
 (Unaudited)

                       Quarter Ended              Nine Months Ended
             Sept. 30,   June 30,    Sept. 30,   Sept. 30,   Sept. 30,
               2009        2009        2008        2009        2008
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 AVERAGE
  TANGIBLE
  COMMON
  EQUITY

 Income
  (loss)
  available
  for common
  stock
  -holders  $    1,041  $  (21,992) $   (6,619) $  (26,355) $     (372)
 Less
  goodwill
  impairment        --      11,700          --      11,700          --
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Income
  (loss)
  available
  for common
  stock
  -holders
  excluding
  goodwill
  impair
  -ment     $    1,041  $  (10,292) $   (6,619) $  (14,655) $     (372)

 Average
  tangible
  common
  equity
  (excluding
  preferred
  stock)    $   83,223  $   92,776  $  102,804  $   91,778  $  101,202

 EFFICIENCY
  RATIO

 Net
  interest
  income    $   10,918  $   10,823  $   12,837  $   32,860  $   34,757
 Other
  income         3,167       2,220       2,326       9,051       6,997
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total
  income    $   14,085  $   13,043  $   15,163  $   41,911  $   41,754

 Total other
  expenses  $    7,945  $   21,695  $   24,503  $   38,267  $   38,688
 OTTI       $       --  $       --  $   17,338  $      858  $   17,338
 Goodwill
  impair
  -ment     $       --  $   11,700  $       --  $   11,700  $       --
            ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total other
  expenses
  (excluding
  OTTI and
  goodwill
  impair
  -ment)    $    7,945  $    9,995  $    7,165  $   25,709  $   21,350

 Efficiency
  ratio         56.41%      76.63%      47.25%      61.34%      51.13%

 TANGIBLE
  COMMON
  EQUITY
  RATIO

 Total
  assets    $1,646,987  $1,610,696  $1,551,782
 Less
  goodwill
  and
  intang
  -ibles        13,273      13,308      25,114
            ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total
  tangible
  assets    $1,633,714  $1,597,388  $1,526,668

 Tangible
  common
  equity    $   86,354  $   82,186  $   93,986
 Tangible
  cap/asset
  ratio (ex.
  Jr. Sub
  Deb and
  preferred
  stock)         5.29%       5.15%       6.16%

 *Management believes that the presentation of non-GAAP results
  provides useful information to investors regarding the effects on
  the Company's reported results of operations.
Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Cascade Financial (CASB) Earns $1.6 Million in Third Quarter; Reports Strong Checking Deposit Growth

EMG Signs Gas Sale Agreements with Three Israeli Combined Cycle Cogeneration Plants

Oct. 19, 2009 (Business Wire) — Ampal-American Israel Corporation (Nasdaq:AMPL), a holding company in the business of acquiring and managing interests in various businesses, with emphasis in recent years on energy and related fields, announced today that it has been advised by East Mediterranean Gas Co.(“EMG”), in which Ampal has a 12.5% interest, that EMG signed three Gas Sale Agreements with respect to three combined cycle cogeneration plants with a total production capacity of 270 Megawatts. The contracts provide for gas deliveries over an 18 year contract period and have a total contract value of $1.3 Billion. Descriptions of the three contracts follow:

  1. Ashdod Energy Ltd. – gas supply agreement for the cogeneration plant in the Agan Chemicals factory in Ashdod, Israel, with production capacity of 55 Megawatts and 40 tons of steam per hour.
  2. Ramat Negev Energy Ltd. – gas supply agreement for the cogeneration plant in the Makhteshim Chemicals Works factory in Ramat Hovav, Israel, with production capacity of 115 Megawatts and 110 tons of steam per hour.
  3. Solad Energy Ltd. – gas supply agreement for the cogeneration plant in the Solbar factory in Ashdod, Israel, with production capacity of 100 Megawatts and 90 tons of steam per hour.

These three agreements signed by EMG are joining the three previous gas sale agreements signed between EMG and the Israeli Electric Company, Dorad Energy Ltd., and Nesher.

Mr. Yosef A. Maiman, the Chairman, President and CEO of Ampal commented: “The signing of the three agreements by EMG, as well as EMG’s active and ongoing negotiations with other potential customers, including electricity producers and industrial companies, buttresses our view that EMG’s gas supply is stable and reliable and, we believe, demonstrates that the energy market in Israel, as well as the financing sources for these projects, believe in the reliability and competitiveness of EMG’s gas. EMG is working with more potential customers who desire to replace costly, polluting fuels with cleaner and cheaper natural gas, and they are turning to EMG as a solution.”

About Ampal:

Ampal and its subsidiaries acquire interests primarily in businesses located in the State of Israel or that are Israel-related. The Company is seeking opportunistic situations in a variety of industries, with a focus on energy and related sectors. The Company’s goal is to develop or acquire majority interests in businesses that are profitable and generate significant free cash flow that Ampal can control. For more information about Ampal please visit our web site at www.ampal.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain information in this press release includes forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and information relating to Ampal that are based on the beliefs of management of Ampal as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of Ampal. When used in this press release, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” and similar expressions as they relate to Ampal or Ampal’s management, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of Ampal with respect to future events or future financial performance of Ampal, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements, including among others, the economic and political conditions in Israel, the Middle East, including the situation in Iraq, and the global business and economic conditions in the different sectors and markets where Ampal’s portfolio companies operate. Should any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcome may vary from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Ampal or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph. Please refer to the Ampal’s annual, quarterly and periodic reports on file with the SEC for a more detailed discussion of these and other risks that could cause results to differ materially. Ampal assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Monday, October 19th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on EMG Signs Gas Sale Agreements with Three Israeli Combined Cycle Cogeneration Plants

Sprint Nextel to Acquire Wireless Affiliate iPCS, Inc. (IPCS)

Oct. 19, 2009 (Business Wire) — Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) and iPCS, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPCS) today announced an agreement for Sprint Nextel to acquire iPCS for approximately $831 million, including the assumption of $405 million of net debt. This transaction value represents 6.4x projected 2010 Adjusted Earnings Before Income, Taxes, and Depreciation (“Adjusted EBITDA”*). Sprint expects to achieve approximately $30 million of synergies annually in the transaction and expects the transaction to be free cash flow accretive to Sprint in 2010.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sprint Nextel will commence a cash tender offer to acquire all of iPCS’ outstanding common shares for $24.00 per share. This price per share represents a 34 percent premium to iPCS’ closing stock price as of October 16, 2009. The agreement also requires a minimum of a majority of the shares outstanding (on a fully-diluted basis) to be tendered in the offer. Following completion of the tender offer, any remaining shares of iPCS will be acquired in a cash merger at the same price per share. Shareholders with approximately 9.5 percent of the outstanding common shares of iPCS have already agreed to tender their shares pursuant to the tender offer and to vote their shares in favor of the merger.

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to be completed either late in the fourth quarter of 2009 or early 2010. As part of the agreement, Sprint Nextel and iPCS will seek an immediate stay of all pending litigation between the parties with a final resolution to become effective upon closing of the acquisition.

As a result, Sprint will no longer be required to divest its iDEN network in certain iPCS territories and will terminate its previously announced divestiture process pending closing of the transaction.

iPCS’s services are sold under the Sprint brand name and in Sprint-branded stores. Because of the nearly seamless marketing and sales relationship between Sprint and iPCS, customers should not experience any change in their service as a result of this transaction.

“Acquiring iPCS brings added value to Sprint by expanding our direct customer base, growing our direct coverage area and simplifying our business operations,” said Dan Hesse, CEO of Sprint Nextel. “Customers in iPCS territory will see a seamless transition and continue to enjoy a superb customer experience.”

“We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with Sprint Nextel. Given the increasingly competitive landscape, we believe this is an opportune time to provide our shareholders with a liquidity event at a very attractive price. iPCS shareholders will receive a significant and immediate premium for their shares and our customers will continue to receive the same excellent service from the same dedicated people who provide that service today,” said Timothy M. Yager, president and CEO of iPCS. “We look forward to working with the Sprint Nextel team to ensure a smooth completion of the transaction and transition in the coming months.”

*Financial Measures

Certain financial measures included in this release have been generated using adjustments to amounts determined under generally accepted accounting principles (non-GAAP). The non-GAAP financial measures reflect industry conventions, or standard measures of liquidity, profitability or performance commonly used by the investment community for comparability purposes. The financial measures used in this release include the following:

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income plus depreciation, amortization and special items. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors because it is an indicator of the strength and performance of ongoing business operations. While depreciation and amortization are considered operating costs under generally accepted accounting principles, these expenses primarily represent non-cash current period allocation of costs associated with long-lived assets acquired or constructed in prior periods.

Net Debt is debt, including current maturities, less cash and equivalents and current marketable securities.

ADVISORS

Sprint’s financial advisor for the transaction was Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and its principal legal advisor was King & Spalding LLP. iPCS’s financial advisors were UBS Investment Bank and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and its principal legal advisor was Mayer Brown LLP.

NOTICE TO INVESTORS

The planned tender offer described in this release has not yet commenced. The description contained in this release is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell securities. At the time the planned tender offer is commenced, Sprint Nextel will file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and iPCS will file a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the planned tender offer. The tender offer statement (including an offer to purchase, a related letter of transmittal and other tender offer documents) and the solicitation/recommendation statement will contain important information that should be read carefully before making any decision to tender securities in the planned tender offer. Those materials will be made available to iPCS’s stockholders at no expense to them. In addition, all of those materials (and all other tender offer documents filed with the SEC) will be made available at no charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

SAFE HARBOR

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding the proposed acquisition and related transactions that are not historical or current facts and deal with potential future circumstances and developments, in particular, information regarding the acquisition of iPCS. Forward-looking statements are qualified by the inherent risk and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally and may materially differ from actual future experience. Risks and uncertainties that could affect forward-looking statements include: the failure to realize synergies as a result of operational efficiencies, unexpected costs or liabilities, the result of the review of the proposed transaction by various regulatory agencies and any conditions imposed in connection with the consummation of the transaction, satisfaction of various other conditions to the closing of the transaction contemplated by the transaction agreement and the risks that are described from time to time in Sprint’s and iPCS’s respective reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009 of each of Sprint and iPCS. This press release speaks only as of its date, and Sprint and iPCS disclaim any duty to update the information herein.

ABOUT iPCS, Inc.

iPCS, through its operating subsidiaries, is a Sprint PCS Affiliate of Sprint Nextel Corporation with the exclusive right to sell wireless mobility communications network products and services under the Sprint brand in 81 markets including markets in Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio and Tennessee. The territory includes key markets such as Grand Rapids (MI), Fort Wayne (IN), the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee (Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol), Scranton (PA), Saginaw-Bay City (MI), Central Illinois (Peoria, Springfield, Decatur, and Champaign) and the Quad Cities region of Illinois and Iowa (Bettendorf and Davenport, IA, and Moline and Rock Island, IL). As of June 30, 2009, iPCS’s licensed territory had a total population of approximately 15.1 million residents, of which its wireless network covered approximately 12.6 million residents, and iPCS had approximately 710,200 subscribers. iPCS is headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois. For more information, please visit iPCS’s website at www.ipcswirelessinc.com.

ABOUT SPRINT NEXTEL

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving almost 49 million customers at the end of the second quarter of 2009; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The company’s customer-focused strategy has led to improved first call resolution and customer care satisfaction scores. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

Monday, October 19th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Sprint Nextel to Acquire Wireless Affiliate iPCS, Inc. (IPCS)

2020 ChinaCap Acquirco, Inc. (EDS) Stockholders Approve Acquisition

MARLBOROUGH, MA — (Marketwire) — 10/19/09 — 2020 ChinaCap Acquirco, Inc. (“2020”) or (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: EDS), (NASDAQ: EDSWW) and (NASDAQ: EDSUU) announced that its stockholders have approved all proposals related to the acquisition by 2020 of Windrace International Company Limited (“WHL”). WHL is one of the largest branded sportswear companies in China that is engaged in the design, manufacturing, trading and distribution of sporting goods, including footwear, apparel and accessories, in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”). The vote to approve the acquisition took place today at the Company’s special meeting of stockholders. The transaction is expected to close on October 21, 2009. Prior to the completion of the transaction, the Company will be merged into its wholly-owned subsidiary incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, Exceed Company Limited (“Exceed”), with Exceed as the surviving entity. This will result in the redomestication of the Company to the British Virgin Islands. 2020 changed its ticker symbols from TTY, TTYWW and TTYUU for its common stock, warrants and units respectively to EDS, EDSWW and EDSUU, respectively on October 19, 2009. Upon completion of the transaction, the common stock, warrants and units of Exceed will continue to trade on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the new ticker symbols.

“We are very pleased that our stockholders approved the acquisition of WHL,” stated George Lu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 2020. “This transaction provides the business of WHL with a public listing on NASDAQ and the capital to execute its growth strategy of scaling up its distribution network through continued supply chain management enhancements and expansion as well as continued product innovation. WHL has a strong track record of growth, having emerged as one of the leading sporting goods companies in China over the last six years, and we look forward to working with the WHL management team to take the business to the next level and build shareholder value over the long-term.”

ABOUT 2020 CHINACAP ACQUIRCO, INC.

2020 is a public acquisition company organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 21, 2006. It was formed to effect a business combination with an unidentified operating business having its operations in China. In November 2007, it consummated its IPO from which it derived gross proceeds of $69 million, including proceeds from the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. $68 million of the net proceeds of the IPO and a private placement completed prior to the IPO were deposited in a trust account and such funds and a portion of the interest earned thereon will be released only upon the consummation of the business combination or to holders of 2020’s common stock in connection with its liquidation and dissolution. Other than its IPO and the pursuit of a business combination, 2020 has not engaged in any business to date.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

The transaction described herein is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the satisfaction of certain conditions to the closing of the proposed merger and the ability of WHL to successfully utilize the additional capital made available to it by the acquisition.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding future events and future performance of 2020. These statements are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein. This information is qualified in its entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in certain of 2020’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. For a description of certain factors that could cause actual results to vary from current expectations and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, refer to documents that 2020 files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 2020 is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Monday, October 19th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on 2020 ChinaCap Acquirco, Inc. (EDS) Stockholders Approve Acquisition

Linktone Ltd. (LTON) Enters into Mobile Video Agreement with China National Radio Mobile Media

BEIJING, Oct. 15, 2009 (PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall) — Linktone Ltd. (Nasdaq: LTON), one of the leading providers of wireless interactive entertainment products and services to consumers in China, today announced that the Company has entered into a mobile video agreement to make video highlights of Major League Baseball (MLB) games available to customers in China with China National Radio Mobile Media (Beijing) Co. Ltd. (“CNRMM”). CNRMM is one of four companies licensed to provide video content to mobile phone users in China and a subsidiary of China National Radio, the national radio station of the People’s Republic of China.

Under the terms of the agreement with CNRMM, beginning with the 2009 MLB World Series on October 28th, Linktone will provide daily video highlights from the Fall Classic to CNRMM’s subscribers, who will be able to access the content via China Mobile’s Monternet mobile video platform. Beginning in April 2010, the MLB video highlights provided by Linktone to CNRMM customers are expected to be expanded to include regular season games for all 30 MLB Clubs.

“This partnership is an early example of the many possible product applications arising from Linktone’s recently announced exclusive license for Major League Baseball related interactive media rights. Baseball will be coming to the portable screen in China via 3G technology, enabling baseball fans to follow their favorite teams and players anywhere and anytime,” said Hary Tanoesoedibjo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Linktone.

About Linktone Ltd.

Linktone Ltd. is one of the leading providers of wireless interactive entertainment services to consumers in China. Linktone provides a diverse portfolio of services to wireless consumers and corporate customers, with a particular focus on media, entertainment and communications. These services are promoted through the Company’s strong distribution network, integrated service platform and multiple marketing sales channels, as well as through the networks of the mobile operators in China. Through in-house development and alliances with international and local branded content partners, the Company develops, aggregates, and distributes innovative and engaging products to maximize the breadth, quality and diversity of its offerings.

About CNR Mobile Media (Beijing) Co. Ltd.

China National Radio Mobile Media (Beijing) Co. Ltd. (“CNRMM”), a subsidiary of China National Radio, the national radio station of the People’s Republic of China. CNRMM is one of four companies licensed to provide video content to mobile phone users in China. China National Radio (CNR) is one of the most important and influential mass media in China. Founded on 30 Dec. 1940, CNR is now operating 11 channels (named respectively as: News Radio, Business Radio, Music Radio, Metro Radio, Zhonghua News Radio, Shenzhou Easy Radio, Huaxia Radio, Ethnic Minority Radio and Story Radio) and 197-hour daily broadcast through satellites covering the whole country as well as the new business: 4 DMB channels and 3 Handset broadcasting channels. Based on the traditional radio broadcasting, CNR is endeavoring to improve its business on internet-broadcasting, net-radio, digital TV broadcasting, handset TV broadcasting and broadcasting publications. CNR now possesses CNR.CN which is the largest audio network in China, net-radio: RADIO.CN, cable pay-TV channel specialized on Family Health, CHINA BROADCASTS (journal), CHINA BROADCASTING POST, China Broadcasting Audio-visual Press and CNR Media Corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these forward- looking statements by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar statements. The accuracy of these statements may be impacted by a number of business risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated, including risks related to uncertainty as to the popularity of the MLB content being licensed by MLBAM or the profitability of the license and partnership arrangements between Linktone and MLBAM or the partnership arrangements with CNRMM; the ability of Linktone to successfully launch and maintain the licensed MLB Web sites and other services such as mobile video content in a cost-effective manner or at all; and the risks outlined in Linktone’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its registration statement on Form F-1 and annual report on Form 20- F. Linktone does not undertake any obligation to update this forward-looking information, except as required under applicable law.

Thursday, October 15th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Linktone Ltd. (LTON) Enters into Mobile Video Agreement with China National Radio Mobile Media

World Energy Solutions, Inc. (XWES) Helps Pennsylvania Electricity Customers Achieve Cost Savings

WEST CHESTER, PA and WORCESTER, MA, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ – World Energy Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: XWES; TSX: XWE), an operator of online exchanges for energy and green commodities, today announced it has run numerous online electricity procurement events on behalf of Pennsylvania businesses in advance of the State’s newly opening markets, including Pennsylvania Power & Light (PPL). By doing so, World Energy has helped its customers, in industries such as health care and manufacturing, secure energy contracts over the World Energy Exchange(R) for up to 36 months at attractive rates, providing valued budget certainty and cost savings.

With utility rate caps set to expire across the State in 2010 and 2011, beginning with PPL on January 1, 2010, Pennsylvania businesses are weighing their options. Some are choosing to wait to see where utility prices set, so they can benchmark against them. Others are choosing not to wait, looking for ways to mitigate risk and achieve budget certainty. Either way, World Energy can help, bringing together the people, process and technology customers need to make the most of their next strategic energy procurement.

“Energy is a large cost for our company and something we did not want to leave to chance,” said Jeff Davis, Senior VP/CFO at Presbyterian Senior Living, which runs retirement communities in 22 locations across Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Ohio. “World Energy impressed us with its systematic, proactive approach to our energy needs, delivering a competitive event that produced an electricity price within our budget and that we could lock in early for 24 months.”

Added Dale Good, Director of Corporate Operations at Martin Limestone, Inc., a provider of aggregates and minerals for the construction industry, “A combination of budget needs and current low energy commodity prices made us eager to secure a favorable electricity rate in advance of the PPL rate re-set. With World Energy, we were able to lock in an excellent rate – no higher than our current 2009 tariffed rate – for 30 months.”

PPL: The Wait Is Over

On October 8, 2009, PPL announced the results of its final rate-setting auction, which established the utility’s 2010 electricity rates for all its customers, including medium and large commercial and industrial accounts. World Energy sees these new rates as a positive development, one that will enhance competition and ultimately benefit area businesses. This sentiment was echoed by PPL’s president, David G. DeCampli, who stated in the Company’s press release on the new rates: “customers who shop for better deals may be able to further lessen the impact of higher prices in 2010.”

Added Dave Laipple, VP at World Energy, “As we saw in the Duke and First Energy Ohio service territories earlier this year – where World Energy has delivered over $15 million in savings to its customers – when competitive markets open, we know how to move fast and deliver customers a strategic edge. We see a similar opportunity in Pennsylvania behind PPL and believe the new rates will drive even more competition and savings opportunities for customers.”

With offices in West Chester, PA, and a growing network of channel partners throughout the State, including EnergyWise Consulting and Commercial Utility Consultants, World Energy is actively serving the electricity, natural gas and renewable energy needs of Pennsylvania businesses. World Energy also boasts a large nationwide network of registered suppliers and a sales and operations team steeped in Pennsylvania and national deregulated energy markets.

“Energy is a business where customers ultimately determine value,” concluded Laipple. “Our whole approach helps customers go to market when they need to in order to secure terms that best meet their strategic objectives. For some in the PPL market, this has meant going in before the re-set. For others, the newly established rate provides the impetus to test the market now with other suppliers, a process World Energy is in business to optimize.”

About World Energy Solutions, Inc.

World Energy (NASDAQ: XWES; TSX: XWE) operates online exchanges for energy and green commodities. For buyers and sellers of electricity, natural gas, capacity, and green-energy assets who are impacted by today’s volatile markets, World Energy’s proven approach has transformed the normally complex procurement process into a powerful, streamlined vehicle for cost savings. In addition to enabling customers to seek competitive pricing on traditional energy commodities, World Energy is taking a leadership position in the emerging environmental-commodities markets. Its award-winning World Green Exchange(R) supports the ground-breaking Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’s (RGGI) cap and trade program for CO2 emissions. For more information, please visit www.worldenergy.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: our revenue is dependent on actual future energy purchases pursuant to completed procurements; the demand for our services is affected by changes in regulated prices or cyclicality or volatility in competitive market prices for energy; we depend on a small number of key energy consumers, suppliers and channel partners; there are factors outside our control that affect transaction volume in the electricity market; and there are other factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Thursday, October 15th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on World Energy Solutions, Inc. (XWES) Helps Pennsylvania Electricity Customers Achieve Cost Savings

Royale Energy, Inc. (ROYL) Discovers New Natural Gas Field

Oct. 15, 2009 (Business Wire) — Royale Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROYL) announces that after reaching a total depth of 6200 feet, it has set pipe on what the company believes to be a significant new discovery.

The Goddard 7-1 which commenced drilling on September 23rd was located one mile north of the boundary of the company’s successful Lonestar field. The well was drilled to test a significant 3D seismic amplitude at a previously unexplored depth. At this depth the well encountered higher pressure than those produced in the Lonestar field increasing the expected rate of gas recovery.

This new field discovery provides Royale Energy with significant new development opportunities to increase its production and natural gas reserves. Current prices for its PG&E citygate is $5.04 MCF. The Company has 2,000 MCF per day sold through December 2009 at $4.85 MCF.

About the Company

Headquartered in San Diego, Royale Energy, Inc. is an independent energy company. The company is focused on development, acquisition, exploration, and production of natural gas and oil in California, Texas and the Rocky Mountains. It has been a leading independent producer of oil and natural gas for over 20 years. The company’s strength is continually reaffirmed by investors who participate in funding over 50% of the company’s new projects. Additional information about Royale Energy, Inc. is available on its web site at www.royl.com.

Forward Looking Statements

In addition to historical information contained herein, this news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from those in the “forward-looking” statements. While the company believes its forward looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, there are factors that are difficult to predict and that are influenced by economic and other conditions beyond the company’s control. Investors are directed to consider such risks and other uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Thursday, October 15th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Royale Energy, Inc. (ROYL) Discovers New Natural Gas Field

BioMimetic Therapeutics (BMTI) Announces Positive Top-Line Data from its Augment(TM) Bone Graft North American Pivotal Trial

Oct. 13, 2009 (Business Wire) — BioMimetic Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: BMTI) today announced positive top-line results from its North American pivotal (Phase III) randomized controlled trial comparing its fully synthetic, off-the-shelf bone growth factor product, Augment Bone Graft (“Augment”), to autograft for use in hindfoot and ankle fusion surgery. The primary study goal was to establish non-inferiority of Augment compared to autograft. Autograft is the historical standard of care but has the limitation that it must be obtained and transplanted from another bone in the patient’s body, often requiring a second surgical procedure. These positive top-line results indicate that, with the use of Augment, patients can expect a comparable treatment outcome while being spared the pain and potential morbidity associated with traditional autograft bone harvesting and transplantation.

Study Results

For the primary endpoint, the percent of subjects achieving fusion as defined by 50% or greater bone bridging on CT scans at 24 weeks, patients treated with Augment experienced a similar fusion rate (61.2%) compared with those receiving autograft (62.0%), which met non-inferiority (p=0.037; n=397 patients). Since many patients had multiple joints treated, analysis was also performed on a per joint basis. Non-inferiority was also established on a per joint basis, with 66.5% of joints treated with Augment fused on CT scans compared to 62.6% of joints treated with autograft (p=<0.001; n=597 joints).

In the key clinical, secondary endpoints, the healing (union) rate was 83.1% for Augment compared to 83.9% for autograft at 24 weeks (p=0.008; n=397). The delayed/nonunion rates (lower rates are better) were 8.8% for Augment and 10.2% for autograft (p=0.008). The remaining patients were judged by the investigators to be progressing to healing but were not able to be definitively diagnosed. Infection rates also tended to be lower for Augment (7.3%) compared to autograft (9.5%; p=0.011). Pain at the autograft donor site was present in 95.6% of autograft patients, while Augment patients do not require a donor site. Substantial pain at the autograft donor site (at least 20mm on VAS pain scale) was present at six months in 12.4% of the patients treated with autograft and none of the Augment patients. These findings demonstrate that patients treated with Augment can expect clinical results as good as if they had been treated with autograft, while being spared the pain and potential for additional surgical and post-operative complications resulting from the extra surgical procedure often required to harvest the autograft.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of patients in both groups had one or more risk factors for poor healing. There were no significant differences in the frequency of serious adverse events between the Augment and autograft treated patients. Finally, analysis of human anti-PDGF antibodies indicated only 13% of Augment patients experienced antibody formation at any time point, which dropped to 3.9% at six months. Additionally, 3.5% of autograft patients also had anti-PDGF antibodies. Most importantly, none of the antibodies in either group was neutralizing.

The data above reflect the results of the 397 patient “modified intent-to-treat” (mITT) study population. Thirty-seven (37) patients were excluded from this analysis, 21 of which were randomized but never treated and 16 which had major protocol deviations which were prospectively identified (e.g. midfoot fusions even though these were a specific exclusion criteria). Thus, the mITT population represents over 90% of all randomized patients and over 95% of all treated patients.

On a strict intent-to-treat (ITT) population in which those patients who were randomized but never treated are counted as automatic failures, 24 week fusion rates on CT scans were 57.9% for patients randomized to Augment and 60.4% for patients randomized to autograft (p=0.065; n=434). On a per joint basis the CT fusion rate was 65.2% for Augment compared to 64.6% for autograft (p=0.004; n=631). Clinical union rate for the ITT population was 79.6% for the Augment group and 79.2% for the autograft group (p=0.004; n=434). The delayed/nonunion rate on the ITT population was 8.1% in the Augment group and 10.7% for the autograft group (p=0.015; n=434).

Medical Need

“We are excited that our pioneering work at BioMimetic on ways to improve orthopedic and dental tissue regeneration has again translated into a potential new treatment option for patients with significant debilitating injuries or diseases,” said Dr. Samuel Lynch, president and CEO of BioMimetic Therapeutics. “These top-line data demonstrate a consistent picture that Augment is at least as efficacious as autograft, while also having the benefit of sparing patients the pain and potential morbidity resulting from autograft bone harvesting and transplantation to the fusion site. We look forward to sharing these positive pivotal trial data with the FDA. Finally, I’d like to once again acknowledge the work of our investigators and thank them for their excellent execution of this complex and rigorous trial.”

“These top-line results are very exciting,” said Dr. Christopher DiGiovanni, principal investigator for the Augment trial and professor of orthopaedic surgery and chief of the division of foot and ankle surgery in the department of orthopaedic surgery at the Warren Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital. “The data available thus far support the primary objective of the study which is to find a safe and effective alternative to autograft in foot and ankle fusion surgeries. Should Augment receive FDA approval based on the full data set, I believe it will be widely used by practicing foot and ankle surgeons anxious to spare patients all the pain, potential morbidity, and extra surgical and anesthesia time associated with traditional autograft bone harvest. I look forward to having Augment available for use in patients.”

Joint fusion is the standard surgical treatment for chronic pain in the foot and ankle. This pain is often caused by arthritis, joint instability and congenital defects. The current gold standard for fusion involves the use of autograft, which is bone taken from another location in the patient’s body. While effective, the use of autograft creates significant morbidities at a previously asymptomatic harvest site. Some of these morbidities include severe pain, serious infection, numbness and increased anesthesia time. Autograft also incurs a financial burden when operating room time, instrument cost, anesthesia cost and surgeon charges are considered. Therefore it is of great value to the surgical community to find a safe and effective off-the-shelf alternative to autograft.

Study Design

The Augment North American pivotal trial is a prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled study providing a head-to-head comparison of Augment to autograft for use in hindfoot and ankle fusion surgery. Treatment was randomized 2:1, Augment to autograft, and the randomization was stratified for two variables, hindfoot vs. ankle procedures and risk factor vs. no risk factor. Risk factors included diabetes, smoking or recent history of smoking and obesity (BMI> 30kg/m2).

Thirty-seven sites in the United States and Canada participated in the study, enrolling a total of 434 patients. Patient enrollment was completed at the end of December 2008. The results announced today are through 24 weeks after treatment surgery which is the time of assessment of the primary endpoint, but all study patients will be followed through a final 52 week visit. The study is designed to demonstrate non-inferiority between Augment Bone Graft and autograft.

All p values reported in this release are derived from non-inferiority analyses. Analysis of the complete data set will continue for some time. A substantial amount of data in addition to the top-line data announced today will be included in the Company’s PMA submission, which is expected to be filed with the FDA within the next three months.

Conference Call and Webcast

BioMimetic will be hosting a conference call and webcast on October 13, 2009 at 6:30 EDT to discuss the study results. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of BioMimetic’s website at www.biomimetics.com. The webcast will be archived on the website for at least 30 days.

The conference call may be accessed on October 13, 2009 by dialing 888-679-8018 (passcode 32982191). The international dial in number is 617-213-4845, and the same passcode applies. Participants should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call if they have not pre-registered.

About Augment Bone Graft

Augment consists of a combination of a sterile solution of 0.3mg/ml purified recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB (rhPDGF-BB) and a synthetic tricalcium phosphate (TCP) bone matrix. The rhPDGF-BB functions to recruit the bone healing cells and new blood vessels to the site of injury through processes termed chemotaxis, mitogenesis and angiogensis, while the TCP acts as a scaffold or lattice for the deposition of new bone. A similar product successfully developed by BioMimetic (GEM 21S) has already been FDA approved for bone and periodontal regeneration in the jawbone.

About BioMimetic Therapeutics

BioMimetic Therapeutics is a biotechnology company utilizing purified recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF-BB) in combination with tissue specific matrices as its primary technology platform for promotion of tissue healing and regeneration. rhPDGF-BB is a synthetic copy of one of the body’s principal agents to stimulate and direct healing and regeneration. The mechanism of action of this platform technology suggests it may be effective in a broad array of musculoskeletal applications, including the repair of bone, ligament, tendon and cartilage. Through the commercialization of this technology, BioMimetic seeks to become the leading company in the field of orthopedic regenerative medicine. BioMimetic received marketing approval from the FDA for its first product, GEM 21S®, as a grafting material for bone and periodontal regeneration following completion of human clinical trials, which demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the rhPDGF-BB platform technology. Additionally, BioMimetic Therapeutics has completed and ongoing clinical trials with its product candidates Augment and Augment Injectable in multiple orthopedic bone healing indications including the treatment of foot and ankle fusions and the stimulation of healing of fractures of the wrist.

GEM 21S is a trademark of Luitpold Pharmaceuticals, Inc., who now owns this dentally related product and markets it through its Osteohealth Company in the United States and Canada.

For further information, visit www.biomimetics.com or contact Kearstin Patterson, corporate communications, at 615-236-4419.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on the current intent and expectations of the management of BioMimetic Therapeutics. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. There are many important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. BioMimetic Therapeutics’ actual results and the timing and outcome of events may differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements because of risks associated with the marketing of BioMimetic Therapeutics’ product and product candidates, unproven preclinical and clinical development activities, regulatory oversight and approval, and other risks detailed in BioMimetic Therapeutics’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Companies in the biotechnology industry have suffered significant setbacks in advanced or late-stage clinical trials, even after obtaining promising earlier trial results or in preliminary findings for such clinical trials. Even if favorable data is generated by clinical trials of medical devices, the FDA may not accept or approve a PMA filed by a biotechnology company for such medical devices. Any failure by BioMimetic Therapeutics to obtain FDA approval of Augment, or any of its other product candidates, in a timely manner, or at all, will severely undermine its business and results of operation. Except as required by law, BioMimetic Therapeutics undertakes no responsibility for updating the information contained in this press release beyond the published date, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet services.

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on BioMimetic Therapeutics (BMTI) Announces Positive Top-Line Data from its Augment(TM) Bone Graft North American Pivotal Trial

LJ International (JADE) Provides Third-Quarter Financial Guidance, Previews ENZO Expansion Strategy

Oct. 13, 2009 (Business Wire) — LJ International Inc. (LJI) (NASDAQ: JADE), a leading jewelry manufacturer and retailer, today announced revenue and earnings guidance for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, as well as previewing its retail expansion plans over the next two years.

LJI Provides Positive Revenue and Earnings Guidance for Third Quarter 2009

The Company today announced that it expects revenues for the third quarter ended September 30, 2009 to total over $25.0 million, approximately 22% below revenues of $32.9 million reported in the third quarter of 2008. As expected, the 40% decrease in wholesale revenues was due to the ongoing recession in the U.S. The decline is expected to be offset by an approximate 25% increase in revenues from the Company’s ENZO division to over $11 million.

Accordingly, the Company expects to achieve earnings in the 2009 third quarter of over $1.0 million, or between $0.03-$0.05 per fully diluted share, compared to earnings of approximately $0.4 million, or $0.02 per share in the third quarter of 2008.

The Company noted that its third-quarter 2009 results will reflect two major trends in the jewelry market and in LJI’s execution of its growth strategy. One of these trends, the sharp decline in consumer spending on luxury items, particularly in the U.S., produced commensurate year-over-year declines in LJI’s wholesale revenues, which have historically been generated from North America. The other trend is the accelerating growth of ENZO’s retail business in China, which is expected to be reflected by year-over-year revenue gains of approximately 25%. In the coming quarters, the Company expects its retail growth to increase as wholesale revenues stabilize while maintaining profitability.

Company Expects to Open 100 New ENZO Retail Stores as Part of Expansion Strategy

The Company also provided a preview of its updated ENZO expansion plans, which will be discussed in more detail in upcoming investor communications and in a special letter to shareholders also being released today. It reaffirmed its commitment to a global growth strategy based on the same “two-pronged” approach that has guided the Company in recent years: ENZO’s retail expansion across China while maintaining its global wholesale market position.

As part of this expansion plan, the Company today announced that it expects to open approximately 100 new ENZO stores across China by the end of 2011. ENZO, as a result, would likely represent the largest contributor of both revenues and earnings to the Company. LJI’s historically strong cash position, minimal long-term debt and growing fundamentals should provide the Company with the ability to access the additional necessary financing to meet this goal.

Yu Chuan Yih, LJ International’s Chairman and CEO, noted that, “Although the company’s wholesale business has slimmed-down but remains healthy as a result of the global downturn in jewelry sales, it is uniquely positioned to continue to maintain and capture additional market share from its wholesale competitors, some of which have not been so fortunate to survive the recent economic turmoil. While our wholesale operations are profitable and positioned to gain market share following a recovery in the U.S. economy, there is no question that our diversification strategy away from the U.S. markets and into China’s growing retail business is already beginning to contribute to our revenue and earnings growth.”

ENZO’s Same-Store-Sales Growth Being Driven by Three Key Performance Indictors

The Company noted that its ENZO retail division is continuing to expand at a healthy pace despite the global recession due to its focus on the growing Chinese market. China’s strong economic growth has resumed after a lull — though not a recession — in early 2009. LJI’s ENZO division, with 92 stores now in operation, achieved a year-over-year revenue gain of nearly 25% primarily due to improvements and relocations of a number of underperforming stores. For the first nine months of 2009, average sales per square foot at ENZO increased year-over-year by over 50%, to over $850 per square foot.

However, the growth rate across its 39 stores that have been open for at least 20 consecutive months, which constitute the Company’s comps base — is achieving same-store sales growth rates of over 30% and sales of nearly $1,300 per square foot. The Company noted these growth rates were primarily due to three key performance measures: increased store traffic, higher average unit prices and ongoing improvements in its inventory mix.

Mr. Yih continued, “Productivity improvements at our ENZO stores have reached the point where an average new store will likely achieve profitability within two to three months following its opening date. Based on current trends, we expect our new ENZO stores to contribute positively to our overall financial results.”

Company to Present Corporate Expansion Strategy at Roth China Conference on October 13

LJI will be presenting further details on its expansion plans and other aspects of its business outlook at the 2009 Roth Capital Partners China Conference, October 12 through 14 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, Miami Beach, Florida. For more information on this event, please visit www.roth.com/main/Page.aspx?PageID=7220.

To be added to LJI’s investor lists, please contact Haris Tajyar at htajyar@irintl.com or at 818-382-9702.

About LJ International

LJ International Inc. (LJI) (NASDAQ: JADE) is engaged in the designing, branding, marketing and distribution of a full range of jewelry. It has built its global business on a vertical integration strategy and an unwavering commitment to quality and service. Through its ENZO stores, LJI is now a major presence in China’s fast-growing retail jewelry market. As a wholesaler, it distributes to fine jewelers, department stores, national jewelry chains and electronic and specialty retailers throughout North America and Western Europe. Its product lines incorporate all major categories, including earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings and bracelets.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. LJ International (“Company”) cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this Press Release or made by the Company’s management involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors, many of which may be beyond the Company’s control. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, in addition to those included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in some cases have affected and in the future could cause the Company’s actual results, such as its ability to open approximately 100 new ENZO retail stores by the end of 2011 as well as its financial guidance for both the third quarter of 2009 and beyond, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of the forward-looking statements included in this Press Release or otherwise made by management: the current global financial crisis and general economic conditions; changes in consumer spending patterns and consumer preferences; the effects of political and economic events and conditions in the U.S., China as well as other foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including, but not limited to; the impact of competition and pricing; market price of key raw materials; ability to source or purchase raw materials, gemstones and other precious or semi-precious metals from its global supplier base; political instability; currency and exchange risks and changes in existing or potential duties, tariffs or quotas; availability of suitable store locations at appropriate terms; ability to develop new merchandise; ability to hire, train and retain associates; estimates of expenses which the Company may incur in connection with the closure of any underperforming ENZO stores and related direct-to-consumer operations; and the outcome of any pending or future litigation. Future economic and industry trends, both in the jewelry industry as well as geographically in the U.S. and China, which could potentially impact revenue and profitability, are difficult to predict. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Press Release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company, or any other person, that the Company’s expansion plans, particularly its goal to open approximately 100 new ENZO stores by the end of 2011, will be achieved. The forward-looking statements herein are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements.

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on LJ International (JADE) Provides Third-Quarter Financial Guidance, Previews ENZO Expansion Strategy

Sinovac (SVA) Receives Certificate of Approval to Distribute Panflu (H5N1) Vaccine in Hong Kong

BEIJING, Oct. 13, 2009 (PRNewswire-Asia) — Sinovac Biotech Ltd. (NYSE Amex: SVA), a leading developer and provider of vaccines in China, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sinovac Biotech (Hong Kong) Ltd, has received the Certificate of Approval to distribute Panflu(TM) (H5N1), its H5N1 (bird flu) pandemic influenza vaccine, in Hong Kong. The certificate is valid through September 13, 2014 and thereafter will be renewable for periods of five years at a time, subject to payment of the registration fee.

Sinovac Biotech (Hong Kong) Ltd, was established in October 2008 to focus on registering and distributing Sinovac’s vaccines in Hong Kong and seeking vaccine R&D opportunities in Hong Kong. In the coming months, the Company plans to submit applications in Hong Kong for approval for its Panflu.1 (H1N1) and Anflu vaccines.

Mr. Weidong Yin, Chairman, President and CEO of Sinovac, commented, “We are pleased to receive approval to market Panflu in Hong Kong, as it represents an opportunity to significantly expand our market reach. In working closely with Hong Kong officials on regulatory approval for Panflu, we have gained knowledge about the regulatory process there and plan to submit applications in the near future for additional vaccines, specifically Panflu.1 for swine flu and Anflu. And at the same time, Hong Kong officials have gained an overall understanding of the quality of Sinovac’s product. The approval in Hong Kong for Panflu is a significant step in our mission to distribute our affordable, high-quality and safe vaccines on a global basis.”

About Sinovac

Sinovac Biotech Ltd. is a China-based biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the research, development, manufacture and commercialization of vaccines that protect against human infectious diseases. Sinovac’s vaccine products include Healive(R) (hepatitis A), Bilive(R) (combined hepatitis A and B), and Anflu(R) (influenza). Panflu(TM), Sinovac’s pandemic influenza vaccine (H5N1), has already been approved for government stockpiling. Sinovac is developing vaccines for enterovirus 71, universal pandemic influenza, Japanese encephalitis, and human rabies. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Tangshan Yian, is conducting field trials for independently developed inactivated animal rabies vaccines.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this press release contain forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Sinovac’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Sinovac does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Sinovac (SVA) Receives Certificate of Approval to Distribute Panflu (H5N1) Vaccine in Hong Kong

Timberline (TLR) Increases Gold Mineralization Estimate at Its Butte Highlands Gold Project

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho, Oct. 13, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Timberline Resources Corporation (NYSE Amex:TLR) (“Timberline”) announced today that it has completed an updated calculation of the estimated gold mineralization at its Butte Highlands Gold Project joint venture.

Timberline has analyzed recent and historical drilling results in conjunction with an updated interpretation of the geologic model to arrive at these new mineral estimates. The mineralized envelopes generating these estimates are based on drill intercepts with greater than 0.10 ounces per ton of gold over a 10-foot interval. The estimated mineralized material has been classified as shown below:

                                         Estimated
                                         Gold Grade      Estimated
                           Estimated      (Ounces          Gold
     Description              Tons        per ton)     Mineralization
 Mineralized Material
  (Measured & Indicated)   1,152,111      0.28 opt     322,972 ozs.

 Mineralized Material
  (Inferred)               1,715,711      0.25 opt     435,974 ozs.

Paul Dircksen, Timberline’s Executive Chairman and Vice-President of Exploration, commented, “These new resource estimates increase our total anticipated mineralization at Butte Highlands to over 750,000 ounces of gold at an overall grade of 0.26 ounces per ton. This indicates an increase of more than 40% over the historical resource calculations done by Orvana Minerals, including a 65% increase in the measured and indicated ounces. This additional mineralization is expected to significantly increase our mine life, and there is still the possibility of increasing the mineralization and the mine life as we get into production.”

Mr. Dircksen added, “We are very confident in this analysis which was done by our Timberline team in conjunction with mine engineers at our joint venture partner, Small Mine Development. In addition to the data used to generate these new estimates, we have just completed five additional exploration core holes on the property, and the final samples from this drilling are expected to be shipped to the assay lab this week. We plan to provide a summary of our drill results from our 2009 drill program once we have received the assay results.”

More information and photos are available on the company’s web site at www.timberline-resources.com.

Timberline Resources Corporation is a diversified gold company comprised of three complementary business units: a mine in production with upcoming gold production, exploration, and drilling services. Its unique, vertically-integrated business model provides investors exposure to gold production, the “blue sky” potential of exploration, and the “picks and shovels” aspect of the mining industry. Timberline has contract core drilling subsidiaries in the western United States and Mexico and an exploration division focused on district-scale gold projects with the potential for near-term, low-cost development. The Company has formed a 50/50 joint venture with Highland Mining, LLC, an affiliate of Small Mine Development, LLC, at its Butte Highlands Gold Project and has begun development in 2009. Timberline is listed on the NYSE Amex and trades under the symbol “TLR”.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors – All mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with the definition standards on mineral resources and mineral reserves of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum referred to in National Instrument 43-101, commonly referred to as NI 43-101 as required by Canadian Securities Administrators. U.S. reporting requirements for disclosure of mineral properties are governed by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Industry Guide 7. Canadian and Guide 7 standards are substantially different. The SEC permits mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. SEC guidelines strictly prohibit terms that are not defined in Industry Guide 7, such as “resources,” “geologic resources,” “proven,” “probable,” “measured,” “indicated,” and “inferred,” from being included in Issuer’s reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. U.S. investors should be aware that the Company has no “reserves” as defined by Guide 7 and are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be confirmed or converted into Guide 7 compliant “reserves.” Disclosure of “contained ounces” in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute Guide 7 compliant “reserves” by SEC standards as in-place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

Statements contained herein that are not based upon current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations about its future operating results, performance and opportunities that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the Company’s 50/50 joint venture with Highland Mining LLC, the development and production of the Company’s Butte Highlands project, and the Company’s expected operations in 2009. When used herein, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “upcoming,” “plan,” “intend” and “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to Timberline Resources Corporation, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, such factors, including risk factors, discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended September 30, 2008. Except as required by the Federal Securities law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements.

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Timberline (TLR) Increases Gold Mineralization Estimate at Its Butte Highlands Gold Project

Corcept Therapeutics (CORT) Announces Pricing of Private Placement Cash Sufficient to Fund Company Through Corlux NDA Submission

MENLO PARK, CA — (Marketwire) — 10/13/09 — Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated (NASDAQ: CORT), a pharmaceutical company engaged in the development of drugs for the treatment of severe metabolic and psychiatric disorders, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with certain existing investors, including Longitude Capital Management, Sutter Hill Ventures and Alta Partners, and new investors including Federated Kaufmann Funds to raise approximately $18 million in gross proceeds in a private placement through the sale of shares of its common stock and warrants.

Corcept intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund the completion of enrollment in its Phase 3 trial of CORLUX© for Cushing’s Syndrome and the submission of its Cushing’s Syndrome NDA, as well as for general corporate purposes, including working capital.

Corcept has entered into a securities purchase agreement pursuant to which it has agreed to sell an aggregate of up to approximately 12.6 million units for $1.43 per unit. The units purchased will consist of one share of the Company’s common stock and one warrant to purchase 0.35 shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share exercise price of $1.66. Units will not be issued or certificated. The shares of common stock and the warrants are immediately separable and will be issued separately, but will be purchased together in this offering. The warrants will have a three year term. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur on or about October 16, 2009, subject to the satisfaction of specified closing conditions. Thomas Weisel Partners LLC acted as exclusive placement agent for the offering.

The shares and warrants sold in the private placement and the shares issuable upon the exercise of the related warrants have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without being registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or through an applicable exemption from SEC registration requirements. The shares and warrants were offered and sold only to accredited investors. Corcept has agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of the shares issued in the private placement and the shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state. Any offering of Corcept Therapeutics Incorporated common stock under the resale registration statement will be made only by means of a prospectus.

Statements made in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements relating to Corcept’s clinical development programs, its spending plans, including the intended use of the proceeds from the financing and for the timing of the closing of the financing. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that might cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. For example, there can be no assurances with respect to the commencement, pace of enrollment, cost, rate of spending, completion or success of clinical trials; there can be no assurance with respect to the consummation of financing activities; financial projections may not be accurate; there can be no assurances that Corcept will pursue further activities with respect to the clinical development of CORLUX. These and other risk factors are set forth in the Company’s SEC filings, all of which are available from our website (www.corcept.com) or from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). We disclaim any intention or duty to update any forward-looking statement made in this news release.

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on Corcept Therapeutics (CORT) Announces Pricing of Private Placement Cash Sufficient to Fund Company Through Corlux NDA Submission

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals (AVNR) Presents Detailed Zenvia Confirmatory Phase III Results

Oct. 13, 2009 (Business Wire) — AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVNR) today announced detailed results from the confirmatory double-blind Phase III STAR trial evaluating two doses of the investigational drug Zenvia™ (dextromethorphan/quinidine) compared to placebo in the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in patients with underlying multiple sclerosis (MS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Over the course of the 12-week study, Zenvia 30/10 mg and 20/10 mg met the primary efficacy endpoint by reducing PBA episode rates by an incremental 47.2% and 47.8% respectively, beyond placebo (p<0.0001). These results were presented today during a late-breaker poster session at the 134th Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association in Baltimore, MD (Poster Number: WIP-24).

EFFICACY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Both the Zenvia 30/10 mg and 20/10 mg groups met the primary efficacy endpoint by demonstrating a significant reduction in daily PBA episode rates relative to the placebo group
  • The proportion of patients with complete remission of PBA episodes was significantly greater in both Zenvia treatment groups versus placebo
  • The percent of days that were episode-free was significantly higher in the Zenvia groups versus placebo
  • Zenvia 30/10 mg demonstrated statistical superiority in time to onset of clinically meaningful effect
  • Both Zenvia groups demonstrated a greater proportion of patients versus placebo that achieved response thresholds of 50%, 75% and 90% improvement
  • Mean reduction from baseline in CNS-LS score was significantly greater for both Zenvia treatment groups than in the placebo group
  • Zenvia 30/10 mg demonstrated significantly greater mean improvement in SF-36 Mental Health Summary scores compared to placebo
  • Zenvia 30/10 mg demonstrated significantly greater mean improvement in Beck Depression Inventory scores compared to placebo

In an additional analysis of the primary endpoint pre-specified in the protocol, the percentage of patients that achieved and maintained complete episode remission during the last 14 days of the study was 76% in the Zenvia 30/10 mg group, 80% in the 20/10 mg group and 61% in the placebo group (p=0.0024 and p=0.0001).

Proportion of Patients with No PBA Episodes in Previous 14 Days at Each Study Visit
Study Visit Zenvia 30/10 mgN = 110 Zenvia 20/10 mgN = 107 PlaceboN = 109 p-values

30/10mg vs. placebo

20/10mg vs. placebo

Day 15 59% 54% 47% p=0.0123

p=0.1528

Day 29 68% 70% 55% p=0.0094p=0.0015
Day 57 74% 77% 60% p=0.0071

p=0.0021

Day 84 76% 80% 61% p=0.0024

p=0.0001

Responder Analysis of Reduction in Daily PBA Episode Rates (ITT Population)a
Responder Analysis – Proportion of Patients Zenvia 30/10 mgN = 110 Zenvia 20/10 mgN = 107 PlaceboN = 109
Decrease in PBA Episodes ≥ 50% 78.84% 76.29% 61.38%
Decrease in PBA Episodes ≥ 75% 67.30% 62.88% 41.58%
Decrease in PBA Episodes ≥ 90% 50.96% 51.54% 32.67%

p<0.0001 for overall treatment effect throughout the entire study. aITT = intent-to-treat population, refers to all patients randomized.

A 30% decrease from baseline in number of PBA episodes was considered to indicate the onset of a clinically meaningful effect. At day 15, the earliest time point assessed, 72% of patients in the Zenvia 30/10 mg group had experienced an onset of meaningful effect compared to 59% in the placebo group (p<0.0358). The difference between the Zenvia 20/10 mg and placebo groups showed a trend for a higher proportion in the 20/10 mg group.

“Frequent, unrelenting and unpredictable emotional outbursts may occur in progressive neurological conditions, such as ALS, MS, and dementia, or strokes and traumatic brain injuries. The results of the STAR trial indicate that the new low dose formulations of Zenvia can dramatically reduce the debilitating episodes of PBA and may one day help improve the lives of these patients,” said Benjamin Rix Brooks, MD, Director of Carolinas Neuromuscular/ALS-MDA Center and Steering Committee Member for the STAR trial.

“We were thrilled with the Zenvia clinical profile that emerged in the STAR trial,” said Randall Kaye, MD, AVANIR’s Chief Medical Officer. “The data demonstrated a profound treatment effect across multiple efficacy measures in PBA combined with an improved safety and tolerability profile relative to the previous formulation. With the STAR trial data in hand, our team is now working to expeditiously assemble and submit our full response to the FDA approvable letter with the objective of securing approval in the second half of 2010.”

ADDITIONAL EFFICACY RESULTS

An important efficacy secondary endpoint analysis was based on the change from baseline to end of study using the Center for Neurologic Studies Lability Scale (CNS-LS). The CNS-LS is a validated instrument measuring the frequency and severity of PBA, where a higher score indicates more severe PBA. Additional secondary endpoints included the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). No worsening of NPI-Q scores was demonstrated relative to placebo. Data from these secondary efficacy endpoints are summarized in the following table:

Change in Mean Scores on Secondary Outcomes From Baseline to End of Study (ITT Population)a
Secondary Endpoint Zenvia 30/10 mgN = 110 Zenvia 20/10 mgN = 107 PlaceboN = 109 p-values

30/10mg vs. placebo

20/10mg vs. placebo

CNS – Lability Scale Score -8.17 -8.24 -5.7 p=0.0002

p=0.0113

Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire – Frequency Score -1.62 -2.56 -1.33 p=n/sb

p=n/s

Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire – Severity Score -0.74 -1.59 -0.98 p=n/s

p=n/s

Beck Depression Inventory -1.59 -1.03 +0.03 p=0.0336

p=n/s

aITT = intent-to-treat population, refers to all patients randomized. bn/s = non-statistically significant.

An additional secondary endpoint was the SF-36 Health Status Survey, a validated scale used to assess mental and physical health where a 3-point increase is considered a clinically meaningful improvement. Quality of life was improved for Zenvia 30/10 mg treated patients as indicated by improvements over placebo in the SF-36 Mental Summary Score, Social Functioning, Mental Health and Bodily Pain sub-domain scores. SF-36 data are summarized below:

Change From Baseline to End of Study in SF-36 Health Status Scores (ITT Population)a
SF-36 Domain Zenvia 30/10 mgN = 110 Zenvia 20/10 mgN = 107 PlaceboN = 109 P-Values

30/10mg vs. placebo

20/10mg vs. placebo

SF-36 Mental Summary +4.51 +1.77 +0.28 p = 0.0193

p = n/sb

Vitality Scale -0.90 -5.30 -4.05 p = n/s

p = n/s

Social Functioning +9.34 +1.42 -3.09 p = 0.0033

p = n/s

Role Emotional +11.55 -1.81 +2.36 p = n/s

p = n/s

Mental Health Scale +5.53 +3.09 -0.28 p = 0.0028

p = n/s

SF-36 Physical Summary -0.76 -1.03 -1.35 p = n/s

p = n/s

Physical Functioning -0.90 -5.30 -4.05 p = n/s

p = n/s

Role Physical +3.47 -4.26 -1.75 p = n/s

p = n/s

Bodily Pain +4.09 +5.84 -1.13 p = 0.0740

p = 0.0678

General Health -1.47 -2.95 -1.40 p = n/s

p = n/s

aITT = intent-to-treat population, refers to all patients randomized. bn/s = non-statistically significant.

SAFETY AND TOLERABILITY RESULTS

Overall, Zenvia was generally safe and well tolerated in this study. In the STAR trial, 91.8%, 82.2% and 86.2% of patients completed the 12-week double blind phase of the study in the Zenvia 30/10 mg, Zenvia 20/10 mg and placebo groups, respectively. The most common reason for early withdrawals was due to adverse events (AEs) with 3.6%, 7.5% and 1.8% for the Zenvia 30/10 mg, Zenvia 20/10 mg and placebo groups discontinuing due to AEs, respectively. Reported AEs were generally mild to moderate in nature and the most commonly reported adverse events reported more frequently for Zenvia than placebo were dizziness (18.7%, 10.8%, 5.7%), nausea (13.1%, 7.8%, 9.4%) and diarrhea (10.3%, 13.7%, 6.6%) for Zenvia 30/10 mg, Zenvia 20/10 mg and placebo, respectively. While commonly reported, falls, headache, somnolence and fatigue were no different than placebo. The proportion of patients reporting at least one serious adverse event (SAE) was 7.3% in the Zenvia 30/10 mg group, 8.4% in the Zenvia 20/10 mg group and 9.2% in the placebo group. During the course of the study there were no clinically meaningful changes in QT interval, no reported pro-arrhythmic events, no reports of any cardiovascular SAEs and no new cardiovascular safety signals were observed. Seven deaths were reported and all occurred in patients with ALS (3 in each of the Zenvia groups and 1 in the placebo group). All deaths were associated with respiratory depression, respiratory failure, and/or progression of ALS.

STAR TRIAL DESIGN

The STAR (Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy Results of AVP-923 in PBA) trial is a confirmatory Phase III trial of Zenvia in patients with pseudobulbar affect (PBA). The randomized, multi-center, international STAR trial compares active treatment with Zenvia 30/10 mg BID and Zenvia 20/10 mg BID to placebo during a 12-week, double-blinded phase, followed by a 12-week, open-label safety extension study. At the conclusion of enrollment, AVANIR had enrolled a total of 326 patients (197 with underlying ALS and 129 with underlying MS) who exhibited signs and symptoms of PBA across 62 sites in the U.S. and Latin America. A total of 110, 107 and 109 patients were randomized to the Zenvia 30/10 mg group, the Zenvia 20/10 mg group and the placebo group, respectively. The primary efficacy analysis is based on the changes in crying/laughing episode rates recorded in patient diaries. Secondary endpoints for this clinical trial include: 1) Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS) score; 2) Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q); 3) SF-36 Health Survey; 4) Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II); and 5) Pain Rating Scale score (MS patients only). Safety and tolerability of Zenvia are determined by reporting adverse events, physical exam, vital signs, electrocardiogram, respiratory function tests and clinical assessment of clinical laboratory variables. The STAR trial is being conducted under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information visit www.pbatrial.com.

ABOUT PBA

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA), also known as emotional lability, is a neurologic disorder that occurs secondary to neurologic disease or brain injury causing sudden and unpredictable episodes of crying, laughing, or other emotional displays. PBA is estimated to impact approximately 2 million people in the United States with underlying neurologic conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, dementias including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. PBA episodes may occur when disease or injury damages the area of the brain that controls normal expression of emotion. This damage can disrupt brain signaling causing a “short circuit” and triggering involuntary PBA episodes. PBA has been shown to impair the lives of patients in both social and occupational settings. There are currently no FDA approved treatments for PBA.

ABOUT ZENVIA

Zenvia™ (dextromethorphan/quinidine) is a combination of two well-characterized compounds: the therapeutically active ingredient dextromethorphan and the enzyme inhibitor quinidine, which serves to increase the bioavailability of dextromethorphan. This first-in-class drug candidate is believed to help regulate excitatory neurotransmission in two ways: through pre-synaptic inhibition of glutamate release via sigma-1 receptor agonist activity and through postsynaptic glutamate response modulation via uncompetitive, low-affinity NMDA antagonist activity. Zenvia is being developed for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) and has successfully completed a Phase III trial for diabetic peripheral neuropathic (DPN) pain. In October 2006, the Company received an approvable letter for Zenvia in the treatment of PBA. The Company conducted the STAR trial under a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) agreement with the FDA with the goal of addressing safety concerns raised in the Agency’s approvable letter for Zenvia in the treatment of PBA. For more information about this trial visit http://www.pbatrial.com, and for more information about the Agency’s SPA process, see http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/3764fnl.htm. In addition, AVANIR has conducted a Phase III study of Zenvia in DPN pain where the primary endpoints were successfully met. Subsequently the Company released top-line results of a formal PK study that identified alternative lower-dose quinidine formulations of Zenvia for DPN pain intended to deliver similar efficacy and improved safety/tolerability versus the formulations previously tested for this indication. AVANIR is now engaged in discussions with the FDA under the SPA process regarding the design of the next Phase III study in DPN pain and overall program requirements.

ABOUT AVANIR

AVANIR Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing, and commercializing novel therapeutic products for the treatment of central nervous system disorders. AVANIR’s lead product candidate, Zenvia, is being developed for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) and has successfully completed a Phase III trial for diabetic peripheral neuropathic (DPN) pain. AVANIR has licensed its MIF inhibitor program to Novartis International Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and has sold its anthrax monoclonal antibody program to Emergent BioSolutions. The Company’s first commercialized product, Abreva® (docosanol), is marketed in North America by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare and is the leading over-the-counter product for the treatment of cold sores. Further information about AVANIR can be found at www.avanir.com and further information about pseudobulbar affect can be found at www.PBAinfo.org.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements that are preceded by, followed by, or that include such words as “estimate,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “goal,” “expect,” “project,” or similar statements, are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by such statements. For example, there can be no assurance that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will approve Zenvia for any indication, or that the Company will meet projected timelines. Risks and uncertainties affecting the Company’s financial condition and operations also include the risks set forth in AVANIR’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and from time-to-time in other publicly available information regarding the Company. Copies of this information are available from AVANIR upon request. AVANIR disclaims any intent to update these forward-looking statements.

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Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 Uncategorized Comments Off on AVANIR Pharmaceuticals (AVNR) Presents Detailed Zenvia Confirmatory Phase III Results