MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- IRIDEX Corporation (Nasdaq: IRIX) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended October 1, 2011.
- Revenues were $10.8 million, gross margins were 45.4% and operating expenses were $4.4 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to guidance of $10 million, 45%, and $4.5 million, respectively.
- Direct ophthalmology sales grew 3% in the third quarter of 2011 and 7% in the nine months of 2011. In Q3 2010, the Company benefited from an unusually large US Army order for $0.5 million. Excluding this item, direct ophthalmology sales grew 11% for the third quarter and 9% for the nine months of 2011.
- For the third quarter of 2011, earnings were $0.3 million or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to $0.9 million or $0.09 per diluted share reported in the third quarter of 2010.
- For the first nine months of 2011, earnings were $1.8 million or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to $2.2 million or $0.22 per diluted share reported in the first nine months of 2010. Total sales increased to $32.8 million, up 4% from $31.5 million.
“Third quarter results exceeded guidance for all categories: revenue, gross margin and operating expenses. We were especially pleased to see our core ophthalmology business grow 3% in spite of the macroeconomic uncertainties in the US and Europe and the impact these uncertainties typically have on capital expenditures,” said newly appointed President and CEO Dominik Beck. “Our largest trade show, the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, was in October and we were pleased with the business activity at the Academy.”
“Since taking the CEO role several weeks ago, I have been encouraged and impressed with the many areas of opportunity that exist for the Company, and I strongly believe I have joined IRIDEX at the right time. Having successfully completed its turnaround, the business is again growing and I believe I can accelerate that growth in 2012 and beyond and increase shareholder value through instituting a more commercial focus and driving new market-facing initiatives,” continued Dr. Beck. “IRIDEX is known as a major contributor to the successful laser therapeutic treatment of Retina and Glaucoma diseases and we will focus on increasing our footprint within these diseases.”
Guidance for fourth quarter of fiscal 2011: revenue of $11.3 million to $11.5 million, gross margin of 47% to 50% and operating expenses of $4.9 million to $5.1 million.
During the quarter, the Company continued to execute its limited share repurchase program and purchased approximately 33,000 shares at an average price of $3.66.
Q3 2011 Business Highlights
- Dominik Beck was named President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the IRIDEX Board of Directors. Dr. Beck replaced Theodore A. Boutacoff, a co-founder of IRIDEX who became Chief Technology Officer.
- The Company expanded its product offering by introducing an optional MicroPulse module in the Company’s IQ532 (green) laser system and now provides a complete portfolio of infrared, yellow and green laser systems which can deliver MicroPulse laser treatments.
- The Company introduced the new XP Module - a high power factory installed option for the IRIDEX IQ 532 green laser system. This is a multifunctional device that can be utilized by both ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeons and ophthalmologists, expanding overall utilization and making a laser investment more attractive.
- The Company exclusively licensed the rights to all of the intellectual property of Ocunetics, Inc., a privately held company. Ocunetics develops procedure-enabling medical devices that are intended to increase surgeons’ efficiency, while improving clinical predictability for ophthalmic surgeries.
Conference Call
IRIDEX management will conduct a conference call later today, Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Interested parties may access the live conference call via telephone by dialing (888) 561-1799 (U.S.) or (480) 629-9822 (International) and quoting Conference ID 4484068, or by visiting the Company’s website at www.iridex.com. A telephone replay will be available beginning on Thursday, November 3, 2011 through Thursday, November 10, 2011 by dialing (800) 406-7325 (U.S.) or (303) 590-3030 (International) and entering Access Code 4484068. In addition, later today an archived version of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.iridex.com.
About IRIDEX
IRIDEX Corporation was founded in 1989 and is a worldwide leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative and versatile laser-based medical systems and delivery devices. We provide solutions for multiple specialties, including ophthalmology, dermatology and otolaryngology. We maintain a deep commitment to the success of our customers, with comprehensive technical, clinical, and service support programs. IRIDEX is dedicated to a standard of excellence, offering superior technology for superior results. IRIDEX products are sold in the United States through a direct sales force and internationally through a combination of a direct sales force and a network of approximately 100 independent distributors into 107 countries. For further information, visit the Company’s website at http://www.iridex.com.
