CompX Reports Fourth Quarter 2010 Results

DALLAS, March 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CompX International Inc. (Amex: CIX) announced today sales of $32.3 million for the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $29.0 million in the same period of 2009.  Operating income was $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to an operating loss of $2.0 million in the same period in 2009.  Net income for the fourth quarter of 2010 was $625,000, or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $337,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2009.    

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 improved 16% to $135.3 million from $116.1 million in the previous year.  Operating income was $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to an operating loss of $4.0 million for 2009.  Net income for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $3.1 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.0 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, in 2009.  Operating results for 2010 include aggregate charges relating to litigation expenses and a valuation adjustment for assets held for sale of $2.9 million compared to $5.3 million in 2009.  In addition, 2010 net income was impacted by a $1.9 million ($0.15 per diluted share) income tax charge in the first quarter of 2010 resulting from a change in the Company's expectation relating to the repatriation of certain non-U.S. earnings.

Net sales increased principally due to improved order rates from customers across all business segments as a result of a positive change in the economic conditions in North America.  The increases in 2010 operating income over the comparable 2009 periods are primarily due to the net effects of (i) the contribution from the higher sales, (ii) improved margin percentage due to the favorable impact of increased utilization of production capacity and the coverage of fixed manufacturing costs, (iii) lower litigation expense in 2010 and (iv) the unfavorable effects of relative changes in foreign currency exchange rates in 2010.

"Throughout our organization, substantial effort to reduce our cost structure and improve operating efficiency in recent years has paid off this year as our gross margin improved to 27% in 2010 from 20% in 2009," commented David A. Bowers, President & CEO.  "Additionally, persistent marketing efforts during the downturn has also paid off, as we benefited from both an improvement in demand during the year as well as increased sales from new projects.  While we expect the rate of sales growth to moderate in the coming year, we believe we are well positioned to continue to achieve substantial contributions to the bottom line from continued growth."

CompX is a leading manufacturer of security products, furniture components and performance marine components.  It operates from six locations in the U.S., Canada and Taiwan and employs approximately 800 people.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based upon management's belief and assumptions using currently available information.  Although CompX believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct.  Such statements, by their nature, involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements.  While it is not possible to identify all factors, CompX continues to face many risks and uncertainties.  Among the factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, general economic and political conditions, changes in raw material and other operating costs, demand for office furniture, service industry employment levels, competitive products and prices, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the introduction of trade barriers, potential difficulties in integrating completed acquisitions, the ability to sustain or increase operating income improvement resulting from cost control initiatives, uncertainties associated with the development of new product features and other risks and uncertainties detailed in CompX's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.  Should one or more of these risks materialize or if the consequences worsen, or if the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from those currently forecasted or expected.  CompX disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise such statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  

SOURCE CompX International Inc.