Charles & Colvard Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTHR) (the "Company"), a globally recognized fine jewelry company specializing in lab created gemstones, reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 ("Fiscal 2021"). 

For the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021, the Company reported net sales of $9.7 million, a 120% increase over the year-ago quarter.  Income from operations was $1.1 million.  Net income was $8.4 million, or $0.27 earnings per diluted share.  Online Channels net sales were $5.6 million, which was an 86% increase over the year-ago quarter.  Traditional net sales were $4.2 million, which was a 189% increase over the year-ago quarter.  Finished jewelry net sales for the quarter were $5.6 million, which was an increase of 86% to the year-ago quarter, and loose jewels net sales were $4.1 million, for a 190% increase over the year-ago quarter.  

For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the Company reported net sales of $39.2 million, for a 34% increase over the prior fiscal year.  Income from operations was $5.5 million for Fiscal 2021.  Net income was $12.8 million, or $0.42 earnings per diluted share.  Online Channels net sales were $23.2 million, representing a 40% increase over the year-ago period.  Traditional net sales were $16.0 million, representing an increase of 28% over the prior fiscal year.  Finished jewelry net sales totaled $24.4 million for Fiscal 2021, or a 45% increase over fiscal 2020, and loose jewels net sales were $14.8 million for Fiscal 2021, an increase of 20% over the year-ago period.

"I'm pleased to report this quarter that we continued to execute successfully on our core strategies and to make further strides towards building our global brand," said Don O'Connell, President and CEO of Charles & Colvard. "We've experienced sequential growth quarter-over-quarter, and a 120% increase in revenue compared to the year-ago quarter.  We're excited about the growth that our Caydia^® lab grown diamond brand is bringing to Charles & Colvard's overall market opportunity."

"We were able to increase both our Online Channels and Traditional segments by 86% and 189% respectively compared to the year-ago quarter, which included expanding our finished jewelry net sales 86% and our loose jewels net sales by 190% compared to the year-ago quarter.  We continued to strive to elevate shareholder value as evidenced by the more than 300% increase in our stock price year-over-year.  Looking ahead, we intend to continue to execute on our strategic initiatives:  expanding our brand presence, enhancing customer engagement, and focusing on design and product development, all the while utilizing innovative, technology to drive disciplined, top-line growth," concluded Mr. O'Connell.

Recent Corporate Highlights

• Executed a successful Mother's Day campaign, increasing sales by 123% over the prior-year campaign period;
• Effective June 23, 2021, forgiveness in full of the Company's Paycheck Protection Program Loan, or PPP Loan, including accrued and unpaid interest, in the amount of approximately $974,000 was approved and processed;
• Revamped the Company's Amazon online store presence to further enhance the customer experience;
• Expanded in-store Macy's assortment to nearly 50 styles;
• Introduced new Caydia^® lab grown diamond cuts;
• Expanded patented Signature Collection styles with Forever One^TM moissanite gemstone cuts;
• Presented at Planet MicroCap Showcase: VIRTUAL 2021 and the Q2 Investor Summit;
• Implemented technology in support of digital streaming and shoppable commerce;
• Featured in Forbes, Now Weddings, MSN, Harper's Bazaar, New York Magazine and Brides; and
• Added back to the Russell Microcap^® Index.

Financial Summary for Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021
(Quarter Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Quarter Ended June 30, 2020)

• Net sales increased 120%, to $9.7 million for the quarter, compared with $4.4 million in the year-ago quarter.
• In the Online Channels segment, which consists of e-commerce outlets including charlesandcolvard.com, moissaniteoutlet.com, third-party online marketplaces, drop-ship retail and other pure-play e-commerce outlets, net sales increased 86% year over year, to $5.6 million, representing 57% of total net sales for the quarter, compared to $3.0 million, or 68% of total net sales in the year-ago quarter.
• In the Traditional segment, which consists of wholesale and brick-and-mortar customers, net sales increased 189% year over year, to $4.1 million, representing 43% of total net sales for the quarter, compared to $1.4 million, or 32% of total net sales, in the year-ago quarter.
• Finished jewelry net sales increased 86% to $5.6 million for the quarter, compared to $3.0 million in the year-ago quarter.
• Loose jewel net sales increased 190% to $4.1 million for the quarter, compared to $1.4 million in the year-ago quarter.
• Operating expenses increased 16% to $3.3 million for the quarter, compared to $2.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
• Net income was $8.4 million, or $0.27 earnings per diluted share for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $1.0 million, or $0.04 loss per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.
• Weighted average shares outstanding on a diluted basis were 31.1 million for the quarter, compared to 28.7 million in the year-ago quarter.
• During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021, effective June 23, 2021, the Company's PPP Loan forgiveness was approved and processed by the U.S. Small Business Administration, or the SBA, for the full principal of the Company's PPP Loan in the amount of $965,000. In connection with the Company's PPP Loan forgiveness, the SBA also approved forgiveness of the full amount of accrued and unpaid interest expense in the amount of approximately $9,000 that the Company recognized during the period the principal of the PPP Loan was outstanding. Accordingly, the full amount of principal of the loan, including the inception to-date interest expense, in the amount of approximately $974,000 was recognized and included in the gain on extinguishment of debt in the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021.
• As of June 30, 2021, cumulative positive taxable income over the last three tax years had been generated in the U.S. by the Company, as compared to the negative evidence of cumulative losses in previous years. The Company's management also determined that its expectations of future taxable income in upcoming tax years would be sufficient to result in full utilization of the Company's federal net operating loss carryforwards and certain of the deferred tax assets prior to any statutory expiration. As a result, the Company's management determined that sufficient positive evidence exists as of June 30, 2021, to conclude that it is more likely than not deferred tax assets of approximately $6.4 million are realizable, and it reduced the Company's valuation allowance accordingly. The reduction of the valuation allowance against these deferred tax assets was the main driver of the income tax benefit recognized during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021, of approximately $6.3 million.

Financial Summary for Fiscal Year 2021

• Net sales increased 34% to $39.2 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, compared to $29.2 million in the year-ago period.
• Online Channels segment net sales increased 40% year over year to $23.2 million, representing 59% of total net sales, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, compared to $16.6 million, or 57% of total net sales in the year-ago period.
• Traditional segment net sales increased 28% year over year to $16.0 million, representing 41% of total net sales, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, compared to $12.6 million, or 43% of total net sales, in the year-ago period.
• Finished jewelry net sales increased 45% to $24.4 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, compared to $16.8 million in the year-ago period.
• Loose jewel net sales were $14.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, an increase of 20%, compared to $12.4 million in the year-ago period.
• Operating expenses decreased 10% to $12.9 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, compared to $14.3 million in the year-ago period.
• Net income was $12.8 million, or $0.42 earnings per diluted share, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, compared to a net loss of $6.2 million, or $0.22 loss per diluted share, in the year-ago period.
• Weighted average shares outstanding on a diluted basis were 30.2 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, compared to 28.6 million in the year-ago period.
• As disclosed above, during the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021, the Company's PPP Loan forgiveness was approved and processed by the SBA, which resulted in approximately $974,000 that was recognized and included in the gain on extinguishment of debt in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.
• In addition, as disclosed above, at June 30, 2021, the Company's management determined that sufficient positive evidence existed to conclude that it is more likely than not deferred tax assets of approximately $6.4 million are realizable, and the Company reduced its valuation allowance accordingly. The reduction of the valuation allowance against these deferred tax assets was the main driver of the income tax benefit recognized during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, of approximately $6.3 million.

Financial Position

• Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $21.4 million as of June 30, 2021, representing an increase of $6.8 million from $14.6 million as of June 30, 2020.
• Total inventory decreased to $29.2 million as of June 30, 2021, compared to $30.6 million as of June 30, 2020.
• During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, our working capital increased $12.7 million, or 73%, to $30.1 million from $17.4 million at June 30, 2020.
• The Company had no debt outstanding as of June 30, 2021, compared to $1.0 million at June 30, 2020.

Investor Conference Call

Charles & Colvard will host an investor conference call and webcast presentation to discuss its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 2, 2021.  The investor conference call and accompanying presentation slides will be webcast live and can be accessed in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://ir.charlesandcolvard.com/events.

To participate via telephone, callers should dial 844-875-6912 (U.S. toll-free) or 412-317-6708 (international) and ask to be connected to the "Charles & Colvard, Ltd. Conference Call" a few minutes before 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 2, 2021.

A replay of this conference call will be available until September 9, 2021 at 877-344-7529 (U.S. toll-free) or 412-317-0088 (international). The replay conference ID is 10159158. The call will also be available for replay in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://ir.charlesandcolvard.com/events.

About Charles & Colvard, Ltd.

Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTHR) believes fine jewelry can be accessible, beautiful and conscientious. Charles & Colvard is the original pioneer of lab-created moissanite, a rare gemstone formed from silicon carbide. The Company brings revolutionary gemstones and jewelry to market through its pinnacle Forever One^TM moissanite brand and its premium Caydia^® lab grown diamond brand. Consumers seek Charles & Colvard fashion, bridal and fine jewelry because of its exceptional quality, incredible value and shared beliefs in environmental and social responsibility. Charles & Colvard was founded in 1995 and is based in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park. For more information, please visit www.charlesandcolvard.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements expressing expectations regarding our future and projections relating to our products, sales, revenues, and earnings are typical of such statements and are made under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, representations, and contentions and are not historical facts and typically are identified by use of terms such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "continue," and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently.

All forward-looking statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties inherent in predicting the future. You should be aware that although the forward-looking statements included herein represent management's current judgment and expectations, our actual results may differ materially from those projected, stated, or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors including, but not limited to, (1) our business, financial condition and results of operations could continue to be adversely affected by an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related global economic conditions; (2) our future financial performance depends upon increased consumer acceptance, growth of sales of our products, and operational execution of our strategic initiatives; (3) our business and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected as a result of general and economic conditions; (4) we face intense competition in the worldwide gemstone and jewelry industry; (5) a failure of our information technology infrastructure or a failure to protect confidential information of our customers and our network against security breaches could adversely impact our business and operations; (6) we are subject to certain risks due to our international operations, distribution channels and vendors; (7) our business and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected as a result of our inability to fulfill orders on a timely basis; (8) we are currently dependent on a limited number of distributor and retail partners in our Traditional segment for the sale of our products; (9) we may experience quality control challenges from time to time that can result in lost revenue and harm to our brands and reputation; (10) seasonality of our business may adversely affect our net sales and operating income; (11) our operations could be disrupted by natural disasters; (12) sales of moissanite and lab grown diamond jewelry could be dependent upon the pricing of precious metals, which is beyond our control; (13) our current customers may potentially perceive us as a competitor in the finished jewelry business; (14) we depend on an exclusive supply agreement, or the Supply Agreement, with Cree, Inc., or Cree, for substantially all of our silicon carbide, or SiC, crystals, the raw materials we use to produce moissanite jewels; if our supply of high-quality SiC crystals is interrupted, our business may be materially harmed; (15) if the e-commerce opportunity changes dramatically or if e-commerce technology or providers change their models, our results of operations may be adversely affected; (16) governmental regulation and oversight might adversely impact our operations; (17) the execution of our business plans could significantly impact our liquidity; (18) the financial difficulties or insolvency of one or more of our major customers or their lack of willingness and ability to market our products could adversely affect results; (19) negative or inaccurate information on social media could adversely impact our brand and reputation; (20) we rely on assumptions, estimates, and data to calculate certain of our key metrics and real or perceived inaccuracies in such metrics may harm our reputation and negatively affect our business; (21) we may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property, which could harm the value of our products and brands and adversely affect our business; (22) if we fail to evaluate, implement, and integrate strategic acquisition or disposition opportunities successfully, our business may suffer; (23) our loan, pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program, or the PPP Loan, under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, as administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration, or the SBA, was forgiven in full and may be subject to review for compliance with applicable SBA requirements for six years from the date the loan was forgiven; (24) some anti-takeover provisions of our charter documents may delay or prevent a takeover of our company; and (25) our failure to maintain compliance with The Nasdaq Stock Market's continued listing requirements could result in the delisting of our common stock, in addition to the other risks and uncertainties described in more detail in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur except as required by the federal securities laws, and you are urged to review and consider disclosures that we make in the reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, that discuss other factors relevant to our business.

-Financial Tables Follow -

SOURCE Charles & Colvard, Ltd.