BUSINESS NEWS: The Quigley Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2009 Results

The Quigley Corporation today reported net sales of $9.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009, compared to net sales of $6.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2008. The Company generated net income for the three months ended December 31, 2009 of $1.8 million, or $0.14 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.0 million, or ($0.15) per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2008.

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The Quigley Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter 2009 Results


The Quigley Corporation today reported net sales of $9.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009, compared to net sales of $6.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2008.

The Company generated net income for the three months ended December 31, 2009 of $1.8 million, or $0.14 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.0 million, or ($0.15) per share, for the three months ended December 31, 2008.

Results for the fourth quarter of 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of 2008 primarily reflect an increase in net sales of $2.3 million and a corresponding increase of $2.4 million in gross profit. The Company also realized expense reductions of $1.0 million in sales, marketing and administration expenses and $278,000 in research and development costs. The decrease in these costs was principally due to (i) the implementation of more cost-effective and targeted marketing programs, (ii) a reduction in personnel costs and other administrative costs, and (iii) a reduction in clinical study related costs. In addition, during the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company strategically evaluated the Quigley Pharma product development program and determined to curtail significant future investment in this division. This decision was made in consideration of its view concerning market opportunities, regulatory pathways, the need for further robust and consistent preclinical and clinical testing and continued requirements in the areas of commercial formulation and development.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, net sales were $19.8 million, compared to net sales of $20.5 million, for the year ended December 31, 2008.

The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $3.8 million, or ($0.30) per share, compared to a net loss of $5.5 million, or ($0.43) per share, for the year ended December 31, 2008. The net loss for the year ended December 31, 2009 includes approximately $2.3 million in costs incurred (primarily legal expenses) as a consequence of the May 2009 proxy contest between differing slates of proposed boards of directors. In addition to the effect of the costs incurred in the proxy contest, the financial results for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2008, reflect a decrease in net sales of $691,000 offset by a $156,000 increase in gross profit.

The $691,000 decline in sales was offset by a reduction of $2.0 million, exclusive of the effects of the proxy contest, in sales, marketing and administration expenses and $2.9 million in research and development costs. The decrease in these costs was principally due to the aforementioned reduction in personnel costs, lower head count, more targeted marketing expenditures and a reduction in clinical study related costs. Additionally, the net loss for the year ended December 31, 2008 included a one-time aggregate benefit of $875,000 as a result of income from discontinued operations of $139,000 and a gain on the disposal of the health and wellness operations of $736,000.

The gross profits and gross margins for both the three months and year ended December 31, 2009 improved compared to the three months and year ended December 31, 2008 principally due to a reduction in discount coupon marketing and other sales incentives, improved production and inventory management and the elimination of costs associated with the Elizabethtown manufacturing facility which was closed in June 2009. Gross margins are influenced by fluctuations in quarter-to-quarter production volume, fixed production costs and related overhead absorption, and the timing of shipments to customers which are factors of the seasonality of the Company's sales activities and products.

"I am very pleased with the initial progress we made during our tenure in the second half of 2009," said Ted Karkus, Quigley Chairman and CEO. "The third and fourth quarters of 2009 represented our first steps toward returning the Company to real profitability. The increase in gross profits and gross margins were the direct result of careful cost-cutting and purposeful spending. In our Doylestown headquarters alone, SG&A has been reduced dramatically, even while absorbing one time costs associated with reducing the headcount. It is also important to note that sales of Cold-EEZE(R) highly correlates with the incidence of upper respiratory illness which spiked during Q4 2009 due to the presence of Swine Flu. This led consumers and retailers to stock up on cold remedies which in turn increased our sales. However, since December, the incidence of upper respiratory illness declined relative to year ago levels, which led to a drop off in sales in Q1 2010.

"Our visits with retailers have strengthened our working relationships with our key retail customers, and have positioned us for future growth. Our marketing dollars in 2009 also went toward laying a foundation for long-term growth. We have designed and tested new Cold-EEZE(R) packaging and have been upgrading our messaging across all media. At the same time, we have reduced our spending on marketing programs that were either inefficient or ineffective."

Mr. Karkus further stated, "Our plan is to grow sales of both Cold-EEZE(R) and Kids-EEZE(R) while expanding the Kids-EEZE(R) line. This will further strengthen our distribution network which we can then leverage with new product opportunities such as those that will be created from the joint venture we announced earlier this week. Phusion Laboratories, LLC is designed to expand our OTC new product pipeline with powerful new remedies. The Company continues to focus on data-driven strategic planning. Our goal is to continue to avoid investing in marketing efforts, brand development initiatives and new product launches that do not add to shareholder value. While we are pleased with this initial progress, we are still in the early phases of our restructuring and rebuilding efforts and look forward to delivering significantly better performance in the months and years to come."

SOURCE: MarketWatch Report