Cholestech Announces Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2007 Results

HAYWARD, Calif., May 9  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cholestech Corporation (NASDAQ:CTEC) today announced revenue of $18 million for the fourth quarter ended March 30, 2007 compared to revenue of $17.6 million in the prior year fourth quarter. Revenue for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2007 was $69.5 million compared to prior year's revenue of $64.1 million.

  -- Gross margin improved to 67.1% in the quarter from 63.9% in the prior
     year quarter, driven by higher average sales prices of disposable
     cassettes, lower royalty payments and manufacturing efficiencies driven
     by an increase in cassette sales volume.  Gross margin for the year was
     66.9% compared to 62.7% in the prior year.

  -- Fourth quarter operating income decreased to $3.0 million from $3.1
     million in the prior year quarter.  Operating income for the year was
     $11.7 million compared to $8.4 million in the prior year.

  -- Net income for the fourth quarter was $3.3 million, a 57% increase over
     net income of $2.1 million in the prior year fourth quarter.  Net
     income in the fourth quarter of the current year was positively
     impacted by the completion of a research tax credit study that resulted
     in the recognition of an additional $304,000 in tax credits and a
     $348,000 increase in the deferred tax asset as a result of the change
     in the applicable federal statutory rate.  Net income for the year was
     $9.4 million, a 68% increase over net income of $5.6 million in the
     prior year.

  -- Non-GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter was $3.7 million, a
     19% increase compared to $3.1 million in the prior year fourth quarter.
     Non-GAAP operating income for the year was $14.7 million, a 31%
     increase compared to $11.2 million in the prior year.

  -- Non-GAAP net income for the fourth quarter was $3.8 million, an 81%
     increase compared to $2.1 million in the prior year fourth quarter.
     Non-GAAP net income for the year was $11.4 million, a 56% increase
     compared to $7.3 million in the prior year.



Fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 30, 2007 comparisons to the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2006 were negatively impacted by a 13 vs. 14 week and a 52 vs. 53 week comparison, respectively.

To aid in period to period comparisons and to supplement the results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Cholestech uses non-GAAP measures of operating results, net income and net income per diluted share, which are adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude SFAS 123R stock based compensation expenses and prior year expenses incurred in connection with the development and distribution agreement with Boule Diagnostics International AB (Boule).

                         Non-GAAP Reconciliation
                 (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                              Quarter Ended           Fiscal Year Ended
                          3/30/2007    3/31/2006    3/30/2007    3/31/2006

  Operating income          $2,971       $3,132      $11,701       $8,372
   SFAS 123R stock based
    compensation expenses      742           --        2,969           --
   Boule related expenses       --           --           --        2,800
    Non-GAAP operating
     income                 $3,713       $3,132      $14,670      $11,172

  Net income                $3,345       $2,105       $9,406       $5,634
   SFAS 123R stock based
    compensation expenses      504           --        2,015           --
   Boule related expenses,
    net of tax                  --           --           --        1,700
    Non-GAAP net income     $3,849       $2,105      $11,421       $7,334

  Net income per diluted
   share                     $0.21        $0.14        $0.61        $0.38
   SFAS 123R stock based
    compensation expenses,
    net of tax                0.03           --         0.13           --
   Boule related expenses,
    net of tax                  --           --           --         0.11
    Non-GAAP net income
     per diluted share       $0.24        $0.14        $0.74        $0.49




For the fourth quarter ended March 30, 2007, Cholestech generated revenue of $18 million, representing a 3% increase over revenue of $17.6 in the fourth quarter of the prior year.  Operating income for the fourth quarter ended March 30, 2007 of $3.0 million, which includes approximately $742,000 in stock based compensation expenses related to SFAS 123R, was a decrease over the prior year operating income of $3.1 million.  Excluding the impact of SFAS 123R, non-GAAP operating income for the fourth quarter increased 19% over the prior year fourth quarter.

Net income for the fourth quarter ended March 30, 2007 of $3.3 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, which includes approximately $504,000 in net stock based compensation expenses related to SFAS 123R, was an increase over the prior year fourth quarter of $0.14 per diluted share.  Excluding the impact of SFAS 123R and related tax effects, non-GAAP net income was $3.8 million or $0.24 per diluted share. Excluding the impact of SFAS 123R, non-GAAP net income increased 81% over the prior year.  The effective tax rate in the fourth quarter of the current year was positively impacted by the completion of a research tax credit study that resulted in the recognition of an additional $304,000 in tax credits and a $348,000 increase in the deferred tax asset as a result of the change in the applicable federal statutory rate.

For the fiscal year ended March 30, 2007, revenue was $69.5 million, compared to revenue of $64.1 million for the prior fiscal year.  Operating income for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2007 of $11.7 million, which includes approximately $3.0 million in stock based compensation expenses related to SFAS 123R, was an increase over the prior year operating income of $8.4 million, which included $2.8 million of costs related to the Boule transaction.  Excluding the impact of SFAS 123R and Boule, non-GAAP operating income increased 31% over the prior year.  Operating margin for the fiscal year ended March 30, 2007 increased to 16.8% compared to 13.1% for the prior year.

Net income for fiscal 2007 of $9.4 million, or $0.61 per diluted share, which includes approximately $2.0 million in net stock based compensation expenses related to SFAS 123R, was an increase over the prior year net income of $5.6 million, which included $1.7 million of net costs related to the Boule transaction.  Excluding the impact of SFAS 123R and related tax effects, non- GAAP net income was $11.4 million or $0.74 per diluted share.  This compares to non-GAAP net income, excluding Boule transaction costs, of $7.3 million, or $0.49 per diluted share in fiscal 2006.  Excluding the impact of SFAS 123R and Boule, non-GAAP net income increased 56% over the prior year.

Warren E. Pinckert II, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cholestech said, "This past year reflected the improvements we have made in the operations of Cholestech.  We are proud of the 31% growth in non-GAAP operating income and the fact that our cash and equivalents rose this year to over $62 million, an increase of 46%."

Pinckert added, "We believe your company is well positioned for the future."

Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement our results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Cholestech uses non-GAAP measures of operating results, net income and net income per diluted share, which are adjusted from results based on GAAP to exclude SFAS 123R stock based compensation expenses and prior year expenses incurred in connection with the Boule transaction. This non-GAAP financial presentation is given in part to enhance the understanding of the Company's historical financial performance and comparability between periods in light of a change in accounting standards and operating expenses incurred in connection with the Boule transaction that are not indicative of the Company's core operating results, particularly since the Company has not included stock-based compensation under SFAS 123R as an expense in financial statements before. In addition, the Company believes that the non-GAAP presentation to exclude stock-based compensation is relevant and useful information that will be widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties. Cash earnings is not a GAAP defined measure.  The Company believes this measure provides meaningful supplemental information regarding Cholestech's operating results given the current accumulated tax loss carryforwards and because it excludes amounts that are not related to Cholestech's core operating results and facilitates the comparison of results for the current period with results for past periods.  Further, these non-GAAP results are one of the primary indicators management uses for assessing our performance, allocating resources and planning and forecasting future periods. Accordingly, the Company is disclosing this information to permit additional analysis of the Company's performance. These measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results.

Investor Conference Call

Cholestech will conduct a conference call on its fiscal 2007 fourth quarter results beginning at 7 a.m. PT today. The call will be available to all investors by dialing [phone] or, from international locations, [phone].   A replay of the call will be available until 9 p.m. PT on May 23rd by dialing [phone] or from international locations, (402) 220- 0868.  There is no pass code.  The conference call will also be available via the Cholestech website, http://www.cholestech.com/.

About Cholestech

Cholestech is committed to enabling people to lead longer, healthier and more active lives. Cholestech provides easy to use, accessible diagnostic tools and information to health care practitioners in over 35 countries around the world. Cholestech offers efficient and economic diagnostic testing for cholesterol and related lipids, blood glucose and glycemic control, and liver enzymes at the point of care. Health care providers can use the CLIA-waived Cholestech LDX(R) and GDX(TM)* Systems and the hs-CRP test, which is cleared by the FDA for use in moderate complexity labs, to initiate and monitor the progress of patient therapy. By providing effective disease management solutions, Cholestech's goal is to be a leading provider of diagnostic tools and information for immediate risk assessment and therapeutic monitoring of heart disease, inflammatory disorders and diabetes. *The GDX system is 510(k) cleared for prescription home use and, accordingly, is CLIA waived.

Cholestech LDX is a registered trademark and Cholestech GDX is a trademark of Cholestech Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. For more information about Cholestech and its products visit us on the web at http://www.cholestech.com/.

CTEC-F

Safe Harbor Statement of Cholestech Corporation Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties, including:  risks inherent to the regulatory approval process; market acceptance and demand for our current and future products; further regulatory changes and guidelines affecting the healthcare system in the United States; risks inherent to future sales growth and the research and development process; the ability to execute proposed initiatives and other factors.  Additional considerations and important risk factors are described in Cholestech's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                    CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
           (in thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited)

                           Fourth Quarter Ended       Fiscal Year Ended
                          3/30/2007    3/31/2006    3/30/2007   3/31/2006

  Revenue                  $18,032      $17,577      $69,526      $64,093

  Cost of revenue            5,936        6,353       23,042       23,902
  Gross profit              12,096       11,224       46,484       40,191

  Operating expenses:
   Sales and marketing       3,898        3,710       14,785       13,036
   Research and development  1,586        1,582        6,280        7,553
   General and
    administrative           3,641        2,800       13,718       11,230
    Total operating expenses 9,125        8,092       34,783       31,819

  Operating income           2,971        3,132       11,701        8,372

  Net interest and other
   income                      630          306        2,158          923

  Income before provision
   for income taxes          3,601        3,438       13,859        9,295


  Provision for income taxes   256        1,333        4,453        3,661


  Net income                $3,345       $2,105       $9,406       $5,634

  Net income per share:
   Basic                     $0.22        $0.14        $0.62        $0.38
   Diluted                   $0.21        $0.14        $0.61        $0.38

  Shares used to compute
   net income per share:
   Basic                    15,450       14,768       15,106       14,687
   Diluted                  15,873       15,178       15,468       15,013


  Net income to cash earnings reconciliation:

  Net income                                          $9,406       $5,634
   Depreciation and amortization                       2,490        2,916
   Stock-based compensation                            3,211          100
   Provision for income taxes                          4,453        3,661
   Cash paid during the year for taxes                  (514)        (381)
  Cash earnings                                      $19,046      $11,930


                       CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET DATA
                        (in thousands, unaudited)


                                                  3/30/2007      3/31/2006

  Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities
   and long-term marketable securities             $62,452        $42,676

  Total assets                                    $100,701        $80,702

  Long-term debt                                        --             --

  Shareholders' equity                             $94,215        $74,132


DATASOURCE: Cholestech Corporation



CONTACT:  John F. Glenn, Vice President Finance and Chief Financial

Officer of Cholestech Corporation, [phone], or ;

or investors and media, Brendan Lahiff of FD (Financial Dynamics),

[phone], or , for Cholestech Corporation



Web site:  http://www.cholestech.com/

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