CHARLES & COLVARD REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL FISCAL YEAR 2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS

• Generated $9.3 Million in Net Sales for Q4 of Fiscal 2022
• Delivered All-Time High for the Company of $43.1 Million in Net Sales for Fiscal 2022
• Experienced 173% Increase in Lab Grown Diamond Sales and 13% Increase in Moissanite Sales Versus Fiscal 2021
• Achieved 50% Increase in Lab Grown Diamond Sales Versus the Year-Ago Quarter
• Total Cash Remained Strong at $21.2 Million
• Produced Strong Gross Margin of 47% for Fiscal 2022
• Recorded $2.9 Million in Income from Operations for Fiscal 2022
• Delivered $2.4 Million in Net Income or $0.08 Earnings Per Diluted Share in Fiscal 2022
• Conference Call with Accompanying Slide Presentation Scheduled Today at 4:30 PM ET

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTHR) (the "Company"), a globally recognized fine jewelry company specializing in lab grown gemstones, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year ended June 30, 2022. 

"I'm pleased to report that our record-breaking top line growth has continued for our full fiscal year, with $9.3 million in revenue representing the second highest comparable period in Company history and $43.1 million in revenue for fiscal 2022.  This reflects the highest revenue for any twelve-month period ending June 30. Our investments continue in our people, our direct-to-consumer and brand awareness campaigns and our expanded fine jewelry selections; we believe these investments are bearing fruit, as evidenced by our fourth quarter results and full fiscal year growth in sales," said Don O'Connell, President and CEO of Charles & Colvard.

"Our direct-to-consumer revenue grew 24% over the prior fiscal year, boosting our Online Channels segment net sales 15% over fiscal 2021 and 61% over fiscal 2020, further demonstrating the opportunity that we believe this channel represents for the Company's continued growth. We have now delivered eight consecutive quarters of profitability. We have accumulated $21.2 million in total cash and amassed $33.5 million in premium inventory in support of all channels—all with zero debt.  We believe this positions us well to become one of the leading fine jewelry destinations for all things Made, Not Mined^TM," concluded Mr. O'Connell.

Recent Corporate Highlights

• Launched high carat conscious couture and pavé lab grown diamond collections;
• Expanded moissanite engagement and bridal assortments;
• Featured in The Bachelorette;
• Hosted multiple successful live streaming experiential events;
• Introduced moissaniteoutlet.com product assortment to Drop Ship Retail partners and on Amazon;
• Featured in Brides, MSN, RetailMeNot and JCK Magazine; and
• As of August 26^th, 2022, 273,257 shares of the Company's common stock have been repurchased that are held in treasury stock for an aggregate purchase price of $356,120, at an average price per share of $1.30.

Financial Summary for Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2022
(Quarter Ended June 30, 2022 Compared to Quarter June 30, 2021)

• Net sales were $9.3 million for the quarter, a 4% decrease compared with $9.7 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 3% year over year, to $5.7 million, representing 62% of total net sales for the quarter, compared to $5.6 million, or 57% of total net sales in the year-ago quarter.
• In the Traditional segment, which consists of wholesale and brick-and-mortar customers, net sales decreased 14% year over year, to $3.6 million, representing 38% of total net sales for the quarter, compared to $4.2 million, or 43% of total net sales, in the year-ago quarter.
• Finished jewelry net sales increased 9% to $6.1 million for the quarter, compared to $5.6 million in the year-ago quarter.
• Loose jewels net sales decreased 22% to $3.2 million for the quarter, compared to $4.1 million in the year-ago quarter.
• Cost of goods sold increased 3% to $5.5 million for the quarter, compared to $5.4 million in the year-ago quarter.
• Gross profit was $3.8 million for the quarter, compared to $4.4 million in the year ago quarter.
• Operating expenses increased 14% to $3.7 million for the quarter, compared to $3.3 million in the year-ago quarter.
• Net income was $41,000, or $0.00 earnings per diluted share for the quarter, compared to $8.4 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.
• Weighted average shares outstanding on a diluted basis were 31.2 million for the quarter, compared to 31.1 million in the year-ago quarter.
• During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2021, the Company's PPP Loan in the amount of $965,000, including related accrued and unpaid interest of approximately $9,000, was forgiven the U.S. Small Business Administration, or the SBA. 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, the Company's management determined that certain deferred tax assets of approximately $6.4 million were realizable, and the Company reduced its valuation allowance accordingly, which resulted in an income tax benefit recognized during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021, of approximately $6.3 million.

Financial Summary for Fiscal Year 2022

• Net sales increased 10% to $43.1 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, compared to $39.2 million in the year-ago period.
• Online Channels segment net sales increased 15% year over year to $26.8 million, representing 62% of total net sales, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, compared to $23.2 million, or 59% of total net sales in the year-ago period.
• Traditional segment net sales increased 2% year over year to $16.3 million, representing 38% of total net sales, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, compared to $16.0 million, or 41% of total net sales, in the year-ago period.
• Finished jewelry net sales increased 22% to $29.7 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, compared to $24.4 million in the year-ago period.
• Loose jewel net sales were $13.4 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, a decrease of 10%, compared to $14.8 million in the year-ago period.
• Cost of goods sold increased 10% to $22.8 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, compared to $20.8 million in the year-ago period.
• Gross profit was $20.2 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, compared to $18.4 million in the year ago period.
• Operating expenses increased 34% to $17.4 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, compared to $12.9 million in the year-ago period.
• Net income was $2.4 million, or $0.08 earnings per diluted share, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, compared to $12.8 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, in the year-ago period.
• Weighted average shares outstanding on a diluted basis were 31.3 million for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, compared to 30.2 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 reduced its valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets that resulted in an 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 $21.2 million as of June 30, 2022, representing a decrease of $268 thousand from $21.4 million as of June 30, 2021. Total inventory increased to $33.5 million as of June 30, 2022, compared to $29.2 million as of June 30, 2021. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, our working capital decreased $1.0 million, or 4%, to $29.1 million from $30.1 million at June 30, 2021. The Company had no debt outstanding as of June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021.

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, 2022 at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 1, 2022.  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 1, 2022.

A replay of this conference call will be available until September 8, 2022 at 877-344-7529 (U.S. toll-free) or 412-317-0088 (international). The replay conference ID is 5034150. 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 creator of lab grown 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 and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected as a result of general economic and market 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) the effects of COVID-19 and other potential future public health crises, epidemics, pandemics or similar events on our business, operating results, and cash flows are uncertain; (4) we face intense competition in the worldwide gemstone and jewelry industry; (5) our information technology infrastructure, and our network may be impacted by a cyber-attack or other security incident as a result of the rise of cybersecurity events; (6) constantly evolving privacy regulatory regimes are creating new legal compliance challenges; (7) we are subject to certain risks due to our international operations, distribution channels and vendors; (8) 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; (9) we are currently dependent on a limited number of distributor and retail partners in our Traditional segment for the sale of our products; (10) we may experience quality control challenges from time to time that can result in lost revenue and harm to our brands and reputation; (11) seasonality of our business may adversely affect our net sales and operating income; (12) our operations could be disrupted by natural disasters; (13) sales of moissanite and lab grown diamond jewelry could be dependent upon the pricing of precious metals, which is beyond our control; (14) our current customers may potentially perceive us as a competitor in the finished jewelry business; (15) we depend on a single supplier 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; (16) 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; (17) governmental regulation and oversight might adversely impact our operations; (18) the execution of our business plans could significantly impact our liquidity; (19) 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; (20) negative or inaccurate information on social media could adversely impact our brand and reputation; (21) 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; (22) 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; (23) environmental, social, and governance matters may impact our business, reputation, financial condition, and results of operations; (24) if we fail to evaluate, implement, and integrate strategic acquisition or disposition opportunities successfully, our business may suffer; (25) some anti-takeover provisions of our charter documents may delay or prevent a takeover of our Company; (26) we cannot guarantee that our share repurchase program will be utilized to the full value approved, or that it will enhance long-term stockholder value and repurchases we consummate could increase the volatility of the price of our common stock and could have a negative impact on our available cash balance; and (27) 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 "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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.