Marine Products Corporation Reports 2002 Fourth Quarter Results |
- Fourth Quarter Diluted EPS of $0.16 Versus $0.09 in the Prior Year
- Fiscal 2002 Diluted Earnings Per Share Increases from $0.49 to $0.69, or 41%
- Fiscal 2002 Net Sales Increase 20.8%
ATLANTA, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Marine Products Corporation (Amex: MPX) announced its unaudited results for the quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2002. Marine Products is a leading manufacturer of fiberglass boats under two brand names: sterndrive pleasure boats by Chaparral, including SS Sportboats, Sunesta Deckboats, and Signature Cruisers, and offshore sport fishing boats by Robalo.
For the quarter ended December 31, 2002, Marine Products generated net sales of $35,614,000, an 18.2 percent increase compared to $30,139,000 last year. The increase in net sales was due to a 14.6 percent increase in the number of boats sold, a 1.7 percent increase in the average selling price per boat, and an increase in parts and accessories sales. Gross profit for the quarter was $9,121,000, a 54.3 percent increase over the same period in 2001. Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 25.6 percent, an increase of 6 percentage points compared to the fourth quarter of 2001. Gross profit improvement was due to higher overall volume and higher unit production of Robalo sport fishing boats, which led to greater production efficiency. In addition, the gross profit was positively impacted by the recording of an inventory adjustment in the fourth quarter and revising estimates of various model year accruals.
Operating income for the quarter was $4,656,000, a 96.1 percent increase compared to the fourth quarter last year. The higher gross profit was slightly offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses including the incremental costs associated with the new Robalo product line and costs that vary with sales and profitability. These variable costs include incentive compensation costs, such as sales commissions and officer bonus, and warranty expense. The annual increase in variable costs was partially offset by the elimination of goodwill amortization during all of 2002.
Net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2002 was $2,951,000, a 92.0 percent increase compared to $1,537,000 in the prior year. Diluted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.16, a 77.8 percent increase compared to $0.09 diluted earnings per share in the prior year. During the quarter, the Company repurchased 12,890 shares of its common stock for cash on the open market under its stock buyback program.
Net sales for the twelve months ending December 31, 2002 were $162,682,000 a 20.8 percent increase compared to the prior year. Net income for the twelve months was $12,389,000, or $0.69 diluted earnings per share. Net income for the prior year was $8,563,000 or $0.49 diluted earnings per share. The sales increase was due to a 15 percent growth in unit sales and a four percent increase in price.
Richard A. Hubbell, Marine Products' Chief Executive Officer, stated, "This fourth quarter continued the strong performance of the first three quarters of 2002. Winter boat show traffic and sales generally improved compared with last year, with the exception of the New York City show, which fell on a holiday. Low interest rates, a stagnating stock market, and the appeal of a family activity close to home continue to boost the demand for our products."
Hubbell continued, "Our average unit sales price rose by 1.7 percent during the quarter, due to a relative increase in unit sales of our higher-end new model SS Sportboats, additional sales of larger Signature Cruisers, and the new Robalo sales. Sales of Robalo offshore sport fishing boats were approximately 4.3 percent of fourth quarter 2002 sales. We will continue to use Marine Products' strong capital position and cash flow generating potential to generate market share growth.
"Our level of dealer inventories is slightly lower than it was last year at this time, but the sales environment for our products is more favorable. In spite of this favorable environment, we remain cautious about the potential effect of declining consumer confidence and economic uncertainty on our sales as the winter boat show season comes to a peak."
Marine Products Corporation (Amex: MPX) is the third-largest distributor of sterndrive powerboats in the U.S. The company designs, manufactures and distributes premium-branded Chaparral sterndrive pleasure boats and Robalo outboard offshore fishing boats, and continues to diversify its product line through product innovation and strategic acquisition. With premium brands and a solid capital structure, Marine Products Corporation is prepared to capitalize on opportunities to increase its market share and to generate superior financial performance to build long-term shareholder value. For more information on Marine Products Corporation visit www.marineproductscorp.com .
Certain statements and information included in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding our ability to continue to gain market share, the outlook for the industry, continued demand for our products and our ability to continue to generate superior financial performance. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Marine Products Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. These risks include possible decreases in the level of consumer confidence impacting discretionary spending, increased interest rates, deterioration in the quality of Marine Products' network of independent boat dealers or a decrease in the number of dealers. Additional discussion of factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from management's projections, forecasts, estimates and expectations is contained in Marine Products' Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ending December 31, 2001.
** See attachment for entire release ** |
Jan 28, 2003 |
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