Lannett Company, Inc. (NYSE MKT: LCI) today reported continued strong momentum, with sharply improved financial results for its fiscal 2013 second quarter ended December 31, 2012, compared with the prior year period.
Net sales for the fiscal 2013 second quarter rose significantly to $36.6 million, up 32% from $27.7 million last year. Gross profit nearly doubled to $13.4 million from $7.4 million for the fiscal 2012 second quarter. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin increased to 37% from 27% last year. Research and development (R&D) expenses were $3.6 million, compared with $2.5 million for the fiscal 2012 second quarter. Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $5.2 million, compared with $4.4 million in the same quarter of the prior year. Operating income increased to $4.7 million from $495,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. Net income attributable to Lannett Company rose to $2.9 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, from $609,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, for the same period last year.
"The positive performance for our second quarter and the favorable outlook for the second half of our fiscal year reflect continued strong sales from our base products and market penetration from our recently approved products," said Arthur Bedrosian, president and chief executive officer of Lannett. "Gross margin was positively impacted by favorable sales mix and price increases, along with enhanced manufacturing efficiencies that are partially attributable to recent product launches. We believe Lannett's R&D investments, which are ratcheting up as the year proceeds, combined with the operating momentum we are now achieving, will pave the way for continued growth and progress in the future," Bedrosian added.
For the first half of fiscal 2013, net sales increased to $71.9 million from $56.6 million for the corresponding prior year period. Gross profit rose to $27.0 million from $16.0 million last year. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin increased to 38% from 28% last year. R&D expenses were $7.3 million, compared with $4.9 million for the first six months of fiscal 2012. SG&A expenses amounted to $11.3 million, versus $9.2 million for the first half of fiscal 2012. Operating income advanced to $8.4 million from $1.9 million a year ago. Net income attributable to Lannett Company increased to $5.8 million, equal to $0.20 per diluted share, from $815,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, for the first half of fiscal 2012. Net income for the most recent six-month period included a favorable litigation settlement of $1.3 million and other non-operating items, equal to $0.03 per diluted share.
Upward Revised Guidance for Fiscal 2013
Based on Lannett's current outlook, the company revised its financial guidance upward for the fiscal 2013 full year as follows:
-
Net sales of $140 million to $142 million, up from the previous guidance of $132 million to $136 million;
-
Gross margin as a percentage of net sales of approximately 36% to 37%, up from 34% to 35%;
-
R&D expense in the range of $17 million to $18 million, down slightly from $18 million to $20 million;
-
SG&A expense ranging from $24 million to $25 million, versus $21 million to $23 million;
-
Other income of approximately $1.5 million, essentially equal to the litigation settlement the company reported in the first quarter; and
-
Capital expenditures in the range of $10 million to $12 million, unchanged from previous guidance.
New research gives unprecedented view of colorectal cancer genetic makeup