UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 26, 2014

 

Charles & Colvard, Ltd.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

North Carolina 000-23329 56-1928817

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

(Commission File

Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

300 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite A  
Morrisville, North Carolina 27560
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(919) 468-0399

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

oWritten communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  
oSoliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  
oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  
oPre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 
 

 

Item 2.02Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On March 26, 2014, Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (the “Company”) issued a press release regarding its financial results for the fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2013. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Pursuant to General Instruction B.2 of Current Report on Form 8-K, the information in Item 2.02 of this report, including the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1, is furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. Furthermore, such information shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Document

     
99.1   Press Release dated March 26, 2014

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

  

  Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
     
March 26, 2014 By: /s/ Kyle Macemore
    Kyle Macemore
    Senior Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer

 

 
 

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Document

     
99.1   Press Release dated March 26, 2014


 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

Charles & Colvard Reports Sales Increased Six Percent for Fourth Quarter, and 27 Percent for the Year over the Prior Year Periods

 

Highest Annual Revenue Since 2006

 

Forever Brilliant® Contributes to Growth

 

Conference Call to Be Held Today at 4:30 PM EDT

 

MORRISVILLE, NC—March 26, 2014Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (NASDAQ: CTHR), the sole source of created moissanite and Forever Brilliant®The World’s Most Brilliant Gem®, reports sales for the three and 12 months ended December 31, 2013 increased 6% and 27%, respectively, over the prior-year periods.

 

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter 2013:

 

·Fourth quarter 2013 sales were the strongest since the fourth quarter of 2006; sales improved 6% to $8.6 million vs. $8.1 million in the fourth quarter 2012, with increases driven by sales of loose jewels including the Company’s whiter Forever Brilliant® moissanite.
·Loose jewel sales increased 12% for the quarter to $5.2 million, while finished jewelry sales decreased 3% to $3.4 million for the quarter, compared with last year.
·The Company’s wholesale business, which accounted for 85% of sales, decreased 1% to $7.3 million, while the direct-to-consumer businesses, Moissanite.com and Lulu Avenue®, increased 69% for the quarter to $1.3 million, and comprised 15% of sales.
·International sales were $2.3 million for the fourth quarter and comprised 26% of sales, compared with $2.7 million and 34% of sales for the fourth quarter of 2012. These results reflect the fact that several international distributors placed orders in the third quarter of 2013 compared to the fourth quarter of 2012.
·U.S. sales increased 18% for the fourth quarter to $6.3 million, compared with $5.4 million in the year-ago fourth quarter. This increase was due to an uptick in the Company’s direct-to-consumer and U.S. distributor sales.
·Operating expenses were $4.2 million in the fourth quarter compared with $3.6 million in the year-ago fourth quarter, with increased expenditures on personnel to support the Company’s growth.
·Fourth quarter 2013 net income of $104,916 or net income of $0.01 per diluted share compared to net income of $4.1 million or $0.20 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2012. Net income in the fourth quarter 2012 included $3.8 million in income tax benefits resulting from the Company’s reduction of a valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets.

 

 
 

 

Highlights for the Full Year 2013:

 

·Sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 27% to $28.5 million from $22.5 million in the year-ago period.
·Loose jewel sales increased 23% to $18.5 million for the full year, with finished jewelry sales increasing 34% to $10.0 million.
·The Company’s wholesale business increased 23% for the year to $25.6 million, while its direct-to-consumer businesses increased 78% to $2.9 million.
·International sales for the year ended December 31, 2013 increased 40% to $7.8 million from $5.6 million in the year-ago period.
·U.S. sales increased 23% for the year ended December 31, 2013 to $20.7 million from $16.9 million in the year-ago period.
·Operating expenses were $15.5 million for the year compared with $12.2 million in the year-ago period.
·Net loss of $1.3 million or $0.06 per share for the year compared with net income of $4.4 million or $0.22 per diluted share for the year-ago period. Net income in 2012 included $3.8 million in income tax benefits resulting from the Company’s reduction of a valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets and an income tax benefit of approximately $0.3 million generated by the reversal of a liability for an uncertain tax position resulting from a voluntary disclosure agreement the Company entered into with a taxing authority.

 

“This past year represented the latest step in our four-year-long progressive growth of the Company, a journey that we began in 2010,” said Randy N. McCullough, Chief Executive Officer of Charles & Colvard, Ltd. “We achieved compounded annual revenue growth in excess of 30% for the past four years, and made investments in management and infrastructure to prepare for opportunities in 2014 and beyond.”

 

Mr. McCullough continued, “As we look ahead to 2014, we are focusing on improving profitability and growing our business on several fronts. These include pursuing additional new customers and channels and increasing public awareness of Forever Brilliant®.”

 

Financial Position

 

Cash and liquid investments totaled $2.6 million at December 31, 2013, down $9.8 million from approximately $12.4 million at December 31, 2012, and the Company had no debt outstanding as of December 31, 2013. Total inventory, including long-term and consigned inventory, was $42.4 million as of December 31, 2013, which was up $9.6 million from $32.8 million at the end of 2012, because of the Company’s investment in Forever Brilliant® and finished jewelry.

 

 
 

 

Investor Conference Call:

 

The Company will host a conference call today, March 26, 2014 at 4:30 PM EDT. Shareholders and other interested parties may participate in today’s investor conference call by dialing 877-317-6789 (international/local participants dial 412-317-6789) and asking to be connected to the “Charles & Colvard, Ltd. Conference Call” a few minutes before 4:30 PM EDT. The call will also be broadcast live on the Internet at http://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/346/3107.

 

A replay of the conference call will be available one hour after the call until 9:00 AM EDT on Friday, April 4, 2014 by dialing 877-344-7529 (U.S.) or 412-317-0088 (international) and entering the conference ID number 10038553. The conference call will also be archived for review on the Internet at http://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/346/3107 and on the Company’s website at www.charlesandcolvard.com until Friday, April 4, 2014.

 

About Charles & Colvard, Ltd.

 

Charles & Colvard, Ltd., is the global sole source of moissanite, a unique, near-colorless created gemstone that is distinct from other gemstones and jewels based on its exceptional fire, brilliance, luster, durability, and rarity. Charles & Colvard Created Moissanite® and Forever Brilliant® are currently incorporated into fine jewelry sold through domestic and international retailers and other sales channels. Charles & Colvard, Ltd.’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CTHR.” For more information, please visit www.charlesandcolvard.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statement

 

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 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,” “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, our dependence on consumer acceptance and growth of sales of our products resulting from our strategic initiatives; dependence on a limited number of customers; the impact of the execution of our business plans on our liquidity; our ability to fulfill orders on a timely basis; the financial condition of our major customers; dependence on Cree, Inc. as the sole current supplier of the raw material; our current wholesale customers’ potential perception of us as a competitor in the finished jewelry business; intense competition in the worldwide jewelry industry; general economic and market conditions, including the current economic environment; risks of conducting business in foreign countries; the pricing of precious metals, which is beyond our control; the potential impact of seasonality on our business; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the risk of a failure of our information technology infrastructure to protect confidential information and prevent security breaches; possible adverse effects of governmental regulation and oversight, including regulations related to conflict minerals; and the failure to evaluate and integrate strategic opportunities, in addition to the other risks and uncertainties described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 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 SEC that discuss other factors relevant to our business.

 

Contacts:

 

Public Relations:

Dian Griesel Int’l.

Susan Forman, Laura Radocaj

(212) 825-3210

 

Investor Relations:

Taglich Brothers, Inc.

Christopher Schreiber

212-661-6886

 

(Financial Highlights Follow)

 

 
 

 

CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited) 

 

   Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012   2013   2012 
Net sales  $8,611,361    8,137,522   $28,487,187   $22,450,498 
Costs and expenses:                    
Cost of goods sold   4,523,657    4,208,484    14,600,177    9,971,663 
Sales and marketing   2,638,542    2,679,189    9,867,425    7,443,784 
General and administrative   1,559,478    921,688    5,476,939    4,756,432 
Research and development   3,124    (1,266)   24,903    17,013 
Loss on abandonment of assets   2,975    2,016    98,027    2,016 
Total costs and expenses   8,727,776    7,810,111    30,067,471    22,190,908 
(Loss) income from operations   (116,415)   327,411    (1,580,284)   259,590 
Other income (expense):                    
Interest income   2,398    11,830    22,007    69,520 
Interest expense   (930)   (321)   (2,106)   (1,260)
Total other income, net   1,468    11,509    19,901    68,260 
(Loss) income before income taxes   (114,947)   338,920    (1,560,383)   327,850 
Income tax net benefit   219,863    3,742,383    269,285    4,049,804 
Net income (loss)  $104,916    4,081,303   $(1,291,098)  $4,377,654 
                     
Net income (loss) per common share:                    
Basic  $0.01    0.21   $(0.06)  $0.22 
Diluted  $0.01    0.20   $(0.06)  $0.22 
                     
Weighted average number of shares used in computing net income (loss)  per common share:                    
Basic   20,137,521    19,651,713    19,904,170    19,581,670 
Diluted   20,604,886    20,037,220    19,904,170    19,967,271 

 

 
 

 

CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited)

 

   December 31, 
   2013   2012 
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $2,573,405   $11,860,842 
Accounts receivable, net   10,244,732    8,138,358 
Interest receivable   -    694 
Held-to-maturity investments   -    505,068 
Inventory, net   13,074,428    8,442,430 
Prepaid expenses and other assets   951,635    737,406 
Deferred income taxes   1,197,832    1,211,772 
Total current assets   28,042,032    30,896,570 
Long-term assets:          
Inventory, net   29,337,674    24,353,580 
Property and equipment, net   1,717,692    1,746,792 
Intangible assets, net   325,867    346,732 
Deferred income taxes   2,841,891    2,520,818 
Other assets   58,696    12,199 
Total long-term assets   34,281,820    28,980,121 
TOTAL ASSETS  $62,323,852   $59,876,691 
           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable  $3,670,551   $2,112,585 
Accrued cooperative advertising   188,000    200,000 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   642,186    574,522 
Total current liabilities   4,500,737    2,887,107 
Long-term liabilities:          
Accrued income taxes   395,442    383,730 
Total liabilities   4,896,179    3,270,837 
Commitments and contingencies          
Shareholders’ equity:          
Common stock, no par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 20,197,301 and 19,654,050 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively   53,949,001    53,318,044 
Additional paid-in capital – stock-based compensation   9,940,980    8,459,020 
Accumulated deficit   (6,462,308)   (5,171,210)
Total shareholders’ equity   57,427,673    56,605,854 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $62,323,852   $59,876,691 

 

 
 

 

CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2013   2012 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net (loss) income  $(1,291,098)  $4,377,654 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   862,683    608,165 
Amortization of bond premium   5,068    5,331 
Stock-based compensation   1,678,107    1,017,078 
Provision for uncollectible accounts   3,690    245,582 
Provision for sales returns   723,000    307,000 
Provision for inventory reserves   264,000    102,000 
Benefit for deferred income taxes   (307,133)   (3,732,590)
Loss on abandonment of assets   98,027    2,016 
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (2,833,064)   (2,626,176)
Interest receivable   694    11,415 
Inventory   (9,880,092)   2,109,079 
Prepaid expenses and other assets, net   (260,726)   (316,130)
Accounts payable   1,557,966    1,051,648 
Accrued cooperative advertising   (12,000)   (13,000)
Accrued income taxes   11,712    (357,915)
Other accrued liabilities   67,664    (6,487)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities   (9,311,502)   2,784,670 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Purchases of property and equipment   (800,367)   (868,986)
Proceeds from call of long-term investments   500,000    3,250,000 
Patent, license rights, and trademark costs   (110,378)   (164,936)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   (410,745)   2,216,078 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Stock option exercises   420,942    158,393 
Tax effect of stock based compensation   13,868    - 
Net cash provided by financing activities   434,810    158,393 
           
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (9,287,437)   5,159,141 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD   11,860,842    6,701,701 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD  $2,573,405   $11,860,842 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Cash paid during the year for interest  $2,106   $1,260 
Cash paid during the year for income taxes  $5,570   $52,523