Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
May 9, 2006
Philom Bios Inc. is
pleased to report its results for the six months ended March 31,
2006.
Highlights:
Financial |
 |
Net 2nd
quarter earnings of $0.49 per share were below
last year results but are in the range of normal
outcomes for this time of year. |
Second quarter
cash balances increased by $4.6 million,
reflecting the benefit of positive cash inflows
due to early customer payment incentives. |
On the strength of second quarter
sales of $6.9 million (2005 - $6.8 million) year to date
earnings are now positive at $0.5 million (2005 - $1.2 million).
While year to date sales are ahead of the prior year, the
decline in year to date gross margins and earnings over the
prior year is due to higher provision for inventory write downs
of ‘single season’ products due to higher uncertainty over
farmer seeding intentions. In addition, net operating costs for
the year to date now total $3.6 million (2005 - $3.4 million),
an increase of 6% due to our growing investment in research
initiatives primarily related to North American corn and soybean
markets, but offset by lower general and administrative costs
from the prior year due to reduced legal costs. We caution the
reader that interim results are not necessarily indicative of
final earnings outcomes.
On a separate matter, subsequent to the quarter, the Company
formally announced the creation of the joint venture company
Philom Bios (Australia) Pty. Ltd., an Australia based sales and
marketing company formed with Grains Research Development
Corporation (GRDC) to provide Australian farmers with high value
inoculants and to act as a commercialization vehicle for
emerging technologies developed by GRDC.
President/CEO Calvin Sonntag comments, “Sales at the time of
this writing are similar to last year’s record sales. However,
we clearly recognize the remaining and significant level of
uncertainty surrounding farmer planting intentions driven by
unprecedented challenges farmers face in the current
environment. This creates a wide range of possible earnings
outcomes in our business. This said, we remain ever diligent in
serving the needs of our customers in these difficult times with
fertility efficiency tools today and in continuing to invest in
innovative solutions that will meet their needs in the future.”
Philom Bios is a world leading
Inoculant Company with over 70 employees across North America in
a wide range of research, manufacturing, marketing, and
management positions. Headquartered in Saskatoon, SK, Philom
Bios is a Canadian public company serving the needs of farmers
with high-value inoculants. Philom Bios has a 20+ year
commitment to farmers through a dynamic partnership with
distributors and leading retailers. |