Cyanotech Corporation (Nasdaq Capital Market: CYAN), a world leader in microalgae-based, high-value nutrition and health products, today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, ended June 30, 2015.

First Quarter 2016
For the first quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2015, net sales were $7,594,000 compared to $7,624,000. Gross profit was $2,924,000, with gross profit margin of 39%, compared to gross profit of $3,059,000 and gross profit margin of 40%. Operating loss was ($195,000) compared to an operating loss of ($1,048,000). Net loss was ($105,000) or ($0.02) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($381,000) or ($0.07) per diluted share.

Commenting on the first quarter 2016 results (changes shown vs. first quarter 2015), Brent Bailey, Cyanotech President and CEO, noted:

“Net sales of our Nutrex packaged consumer products grew +4% versus prior year. First quarter net sales growth of the Nutrex business, by channel, was:

     

~ Nutrex Mainland:

     

+6%

~ Nutrex Hawaii:

+1%

~ Nutrex International:

+14%

 

“Due to the fact that we grow versus manufacture our raw material, production is often impacted by seasonal weather patterns. This was the case in the first quarter, as Nutrex net sales growth was impacted by a 20% reduction in Astaxanthin production due to less sunlight and an unusual level of mid-day cloud cover in Kona, HI. Further, an unfavorable customer mix, which is not expected to continue, increased promotional spending above normal levels resulting in a 4% reduction in Nutrex net sales.

“Several planned business-building investments also impacted our first quarter fiscal 2016 financial performance versus first quarter fiscal 2015:

  • An increase of $498,000 in sales and marketing expense primarily to support the expanded Costco distribution
  • Start-up costs of $170,000 related to the new extraction facility
  • Increased R&D expenses of $61,000 for clinical trials and Research staff additions

“Major progress was made on key strategic initiatives in the first quarter:

  • Our market shares continue to grow. BioAstin brand retail market share of Astaxanthin in the US natural products channel was 58% (+1 pt.). Our Nutrex brand market share of Spirulina was 49% (+4 pts.) in fiscal 2015.
  • Based on the strong results to date, we will be expanding into the remaining 43 Costco Los Angeles region warehouses soon. At that time, BioAstin Astaxanthin will be available in approximately 23% of Costco’s domestic warehouses.
  • We are making Astaxanthin production process changes that are expected to facilitate algae growth regardless of the level of sunlight and reduce the impact of other environmental factors on our output as well as increase capacity. Pond fill rates and harvests/month are already improving but the full benefits of these changes are not expected to be realized for 12-18 months.
  • As a result of a multi-year effort by our exclusive Chinese distributor, A-Life/Samuels, we recently received the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) seal, which will allow our BioAstin brand Astaxanthin to be imported into China. We believe that BioAstin is the first Astaxanthin brand to receive the CFDA seal.
  • The extraction plant commissioning is now complete.

“Each of these initiatives is an important element in realizing our potential.”

Trailing 12 Months
For the trailing 12 months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the trailing 12 months ended June 30, 2014, net sales were $33,779,000 compared to $29,397,000 an increase of 15%. Gross profit was $14,331,000, with gross profit margin of 42.4%, compared to gross profit of $11,670,000 and gross profit margin of 39.7%. Pretax income was $1,083,000 compared to a pretax loss of ($1,263,000), and net income was $252,000 or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($696,000) or ($0.13) per diluted share.

About Cyanotech — Cyanotech Corporation, a world leader in microalgae technology, produces BioAstin® Natural Astaxanthin and Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica®—all natural, functional nutrients that leverage our experience and reputation for quality, building nutritional brands which promote health and well-being. Cyanotech's Spirulina products offer complete nutrition, and augment energy and immune response. They are FDA-reviewed and accepted as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use in food products. BioAstin's superior antioxidant activity and ability to support and maintain a natural anti-inflammatory response enhance skin, muscle and joint health. All Cyanotech products are produced from microalgae grown at our 90-acre facility in Kona, Hawaii using patented and proprietary technology. Cyanotech sells its products direct to consumers at retail locations in the United States and online at www.nutrex-hawaii.com and also distributes to nutritional supplement, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical manufacturers and marketers worldwide and is GMP-certified by the Natural Products AssociationTM. Visit www.cyanotech.com for more information.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Besides statements of present fact and historical fact, this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the future and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by forward-looking statements. We caution against relying on forward-looking statements. Important factors that could change actual, future results include: changes in sales levels to our largest customers, weather patterns in Hawaii, production problems, risks associated with new products, foreign exchange fluctuations, and availability of financing, as well as national and global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions. Other factors are more fully detailed in the Company’s annual Form 10-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(Financial Tables Follow: The following tables do not contain footnotes or other information contained in the Company’s Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2015, which can be found on the Cyanotech website (www.cyanotech.com) under Investors>Investor Filings upon filing. As such the following Financial Tables are provided only as a guide and other factors are more fully detailed in the Company’s annual Form 10-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.)

       
CYANOTECH CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except par value and number of shares)

(Unaudited)

 
June 30,
2015		 March 31,
2015
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,502 $ 2,226
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6 at June 30, 2015 and $6 at March 31, 2015 3,548 3,258
Inventories, net 5,839 5,678
Deferred tax assets 315 315
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   401   317
Total current assets 11,605 11,794
 
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net 15,533 14,754
Restricted cash 328 486
Deferred tax assets 3,169 3,035
Other assets   929   846
Total assets $ 31,564 $ 30,915
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Note Payable $ 500 $ —
Current maturities of long-term debt 233 234
Customer deposits 83 31
Accounts payable 3,090 2,926
Accrued expenses   1,055   1,124
Total current liabilities 4,961 4,315
 
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities 5,053 5,109
Deferred rent   8   8
Total liabilities   10,022   9,432
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock of $0.02 par value, shares authorized 50,000,000; 5,564,799 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2015 and 5,564,799 at March 31, 2015 111 111
Additional paid-in capital 31,010 30,846
Accumulated deficit   (9,579 )   (9,474 )
Total stockholders’ equity   21,542   21,483
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 31,564 $ 30,915
 
     
CYANOTECH CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
2015     2014
 
NET SALES $ 7,594 $ 7,624
COST OF SALES   4,670   4,565
Gross Profit   2,924   3,059
 
OPERATING EXPENSES:
General and administrative 1,210 2,747
Sales and marketing 1,732 1,234
Research and development 177 116
Loss on disposal of equipment and leasehold improvements   —   10
Total operating expenses   3,119   4,107
 
Loss from operations (195 ) (1,048 )
 
Interest expense, net   24   25
 
Loss before income tax (219 ) (1,073 )
 
INCOME TAX BENEFIT   (114 )   (692 )
 
NET LOSS $ (105 ) $ (381 )
 
NET LOSS PER SHARE:
Basic $ (0.02 ) $ (0.07 )
Diluted $ (0.02 ) $ (0.07 )
 
SHARES USED IN CALCULATION OF NET LOSS PER SHARE:
Basic   5,565   5,488
Diluted   5,565   5,488