Quantcast
 
New book by Larry Connors Click here Improve your trading - See how


 

The Amacore Group Reports Second Quarter and Six Month Financial Results

Fri. August 14, 2009; Posted: 07:00 AM
Stocks RSS
MAITLAND, Fla., Aug 14, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- ACGI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The Amacore Group, Inc., (OTC BB: ACGI), a leader in providing membership benefit programs, insurance programs, and other innovative and high-quality benefit solutions to individuals, families and employer groups nationwide, reports financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. As previously disclosed in the company's Form 8K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 2009, Amacore spun-off its Zurvita division ("Zurvita") to Red Sun Mining on July 30, 2009. Included in Amacore's three and six month financial reports is information regarding Zurvita's financial performance prior to the spin-off.

Revenue for the second quarter ending June 30, 2009 was $7.4 million compared with $7.6 million for the second quarter of 2008. The decrease in revenue for the quarter is the result of lower sales of limited medical insurance plans sold through Amacore's U.S. Health Benefits Group division. This decrease is primarily a result of current national economic factors negatively impacting consumer spending. For the six month period ended June 30, 2009, revenue was $14.9 million compared with $12.7 million in same prior year period. Six-month comparable revenue growth is attributable to the acquisition of USHBG, whose April 2008 acquisition meant it did not contribute to Amacore's first quarter results in 2008, and to the increase in strategic direct response marketing partnerships, and diversification of overall product offerings.

Gross profit for the second quarter of 2009 was $2.6 million, compared with gross profit of $2.4 million for the second quarter of 2008. Gross profit margin for the quarter was 34.5% compared with 31.0 % in last year's second quarter. The increase in gross profit and gross profit margins for the second quarter was primarily the result of the strategic acquisition of USHBG, which eliminated inter-company commission expenses, and improvements in its LifeGuard Benefit Services and Zurvita divisions' gross margins. Gross profit for the first six-months of 2009 was $5.3 million compared with $3.5 million in the year-ago comparable six-month period. Gross profit margins were 35.8%, compared with 27.2% for last year's comparable period.

Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2009 were $7.6 million, compared with operating expenses of $6.8 million for the second quarter of 2009. The increase in operating expenses resulted from increases in professional fees, accrued loss contingency, salaries, office expenses and depreciation costs, offset by decreases in selling and marketing expenses, amortization, and travel. Sales and marketing expenses were dramatically reduced because of the company's negotiation of marketing agreements with new direct response marketers that included more favorable terms to the company. For the six-month period, operating expenses were $15.0 million, compared with $12.9 million for the six-month period of 2008.

The Company's operating loss for the second quarter 2009 was $5.0 million, compared with an operating loss of $4.5 million in the second quarter of 2008. For the 2009 six-month period, the operating loss was $9.7 million, compared with an operating loss of $9.4 million in the year-ago six-month period. During the three months ended June 30, 2008, the company reversed its loss contingency accrual due to a favorable legal settlement. During the three months ended June 30, 2009, the company recorded a loss contingency accrual of approximately $1.8 million as a result of a mutual legal settlement entered into between the company and AmeriPlan on July 9, 2009. For more information on the settlement, please see the company's Form 8K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 14, 2009. Excluding the effects of the aforementioned factors, the company's loss from operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2009 were $7.2 million and $3.2 million, respectively, and $12.0 million and $7.9 million, respectively.

The company reported a net loss available to common stockholders for the second quarter 2009 of $1.4 million or $0.00 per share, compared with a net loss available to common stockholders of $5.7 million or $0.04 per share in the prior year's quarter. Included in net loss for the second quarter of 2009 was a $4.2 million non-cash gain on change in fair value of warrants, compared with a $760,000 non-cash loss on change in fair value of warrants in the second quarter of 2008. For the six-month period, net income included a $10.8 million non-cash gain on the change of fair value of warrants compared with an $8.9 million loss incurred during the comparable 2008 six-month period. Net loss available to shareholders for the six-month 2009 period was $19,000 or $0.00 per share, compared with a net loss available to common stockholders of $19.3 million or $0.13 per share in the same prior year period.

The company's weighted average number of common shares outstanding increased to approximately 1.0 billion as of June 30, 2009, as compared to 148 million as of June 30, 2008. For the first six months of 2009 the number of shares outstanding was approximately 1.0 billion, compared with 144 million in the year-ago six month period. This increase is mainly attributable to certain preferred stock conversions which occurred in December 2008. The company ended the June 30, 2009 quarter with $2.7 million in cash on hand, compared with $238,000 in cash on hand as of December 31, 2008. The favorable increase in the company's cash position is a result of an equity investment by its majority shareholder on June 29, 2009 in the amount of $4.5 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, the company received equity investments from its majority shareholder totaling $12.5 million.

Net cash used to fund the company's operating activities decreased by $3.6 million to $8.3 million for the six month period ending June 30, 2009 as compared to same prior year period. The primary factor leading to this decrease is due to reduced customer acquisition costs being incurred by the company. The company has focused its efforts on contracting with direct response marketers whose commission payment structures compensate based upon net sales. Net cash used in operations decreased 29%, or $1.4 million, from the preceding quarter ended March 31, 2009 to $3.4 million as a result of the company's continuing cost reduction efforts.

Commenting on the financial reports, Jay Shafer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Amacore Group, said: "The Amacore team aggressively continues its mission of increasing revenue and seeking efficiencies and cost reductions to improve our bottom line. To that end, we have implemented new, more favorable marketing agreements, transitioned and refined business operations across all divisions, and implemented staff reductions throughout our organization. During the second quarter alone, our marketing and sales expenses were reduced by approximately 45% over last year's second quarter because of our ability to negotiate more favorable terms for our agreements and to open new, more efficient marketing channels. On the operating expense side, the recent staff reductions are expected to decrease salary and benefits costs by approximately 18%, or $450,000 each quarter. Our 17% increase in revenue for the first six months of 2009 reflects the successful results of our acquisition and our refined marketing strategy. Amacore will continue to focus on efforts that will result in improved profitability and increased shareholder value."

Shafer continued, "Our decision to spin-off Zurvita was driven by the fact that its business model fundamentally differed from that of Amacore. And, although it contributed to our revenue stream, the cash required to operate this dynamic and entrepreneurial company was impacting Amacore's ability to achieve overall profitability. We are pleased to be able to share in Zurvita's success through Amacore's significant equity ownership and shared interests in the new company. There is much more to come from the Amacore-Zurvita relationship."

Regarding the financials and the Zurvita spin-off, Amacore President Guy Norberg added, "Amacore is following a disciplined and targeted strategy that balances growth and expansion with innovation and the pursuit of efficient and cost-effective operations. The first two quarters of 2009 have represented significant and sometimes difficult decisions in furtherance of that strategy, but our management team and our staff have great confidence that these efforts will yield lasting results to the benefit of our shareholders and investors."

About The Amacore Group, Inc. (www.amacoregroup.com)

The Amacore Group, Inc. is primarily a provider and marketer of healthcare related products, including healthcare benefits, vision and dental networks, and administrative services such as billing, fulfillment, patient advocacy, claims administration and servicing. The Company primarily markets healthcare-related membership programs such as limited and major medical programs, supplemental medical and discount dental programs to individuals and families. It distributes these products and services through various distribution methods such as its agent network, direct response marketing companies, DRTV (Direct Response TV), inbound call centers, in-house sales representatives, network marketing and affinity marketing partners. The Company's secondary line of business is to place membership programs through these same marketing channels. These membership programs utilize the same back office and systems creating marketing efficiencies to provide low cost ancillary products such as pet insurance, home warranty, involuntary unemployment insurance, and accident insurance.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future results of our business, including anticipated growth and geographic expansion, new products and services, new business development and opportunities, anticipated revenues, possible reduction or elimination of material weaknesses, anticipated revenue growth, expenses, profitability, losses and profit margins. In some cases, you may identify forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "should," "plan," "intend," "potential," "continue," "believe," "expect," "predict," "anticipate" and "estimate," the negative of these words or other comparable words. These statements are only predictions. One should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are qualified by their terms and/or important factors, many of which are outside the Company's control, involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from the statements made. The forward-looking statements are based on the Company's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company's future performance, taking into account information currently available to the Company. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, including those events and factors described in "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for 2008 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, not all of which are known to the Company. The Company will update the information in this press release only to the extent required under applicable securities laws. If a change occurs, the Company's business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in the aforementioned forward-looking statements.

THE AMACORE GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
                                                              For the Three Months Ended, June 30          For the Six Months Ended, June 30
                                                              2009                   2008                  2009                     2008
REVENUES
Commissions                                                   $     337,576          $     542,002         $    751,540             $    678,745
Marketing fees and materials                                        840,258                470,213              1,576,316                737,311
Membership fees                                                     6,263,555              6,575,425            12,550,059               11,320,732
Total revenues                                                      7,441,389              7,587,640            14,877,915               12,736,788
COST OF SALES
Benefit and service cost                                            1,089,369              1,604,012            2,184,622                2,897,890
Sales commissions                                                   3,785,956              3,630,820            7,361,893                6,372,152
Total cost of sales                                                 4,875,325              5,234,832            9,546,515                9,270,042
GROSS PROFIT                                                        2,566,064              2,352,808            5,331,400                3,466,746
OPERATING EXPENSES
Amortization                                                        257,139                1,001,142            598,730                  1,715,171
Depreciation                                                        114,853                78,922               224,225                  125,902
Office related expenses                                             579,236                554,139              1,285,983                912,782
Payroll and employee benefits                                       2,405,069              2,280,438            4,712,298                4,103,691
Professional fees and accrued loss contingency                      2,603,449              (163,620    )        4,634,268                557,533
Selling and marketing                                               1,518,654              2,739,775            3,348,581                4,827,832
Travel                                                              80,421                 337,756              219,357                  639,385
Total Operating Expenses                                            7,558,821              6,828,552            15,023,442               12,882,296
Loss from operations before other income and expense                (4,992,757    )        (4,475,744  )        (9,692,042    )          (9,415,550  )
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrants                     4,160,361              (760,178    )        10,779,156               (8,910,178  )
Interest expense                                                    (74,149       )        (94,633     )        (154,635      )          (130,170    )
Interest income                                                     1,263                  2,241                4,260                    17,113
Loss on conversion of note payable                                  -                      -                    -                        (242,647    )
Other                                                               6                      5,718                14,407                   7,713
Total other income (expense)                                        4,087,481              (846,852    )        10,643,188               (9,258,169  )
Net income (loss) before income taxes                               (905,276      )        (5,322,596  )        951,146                  (18,673,719 )
Income taxes                                                        -                      -                    -                        -
Net income (loss)                                                   (905,276      )        (5,322,596  )        951,146                  (18,673,719 )
Preferred stock dividend and accretion                              (522,278      )        (388,969    )        (970,445      )          (664,075    )
Net loss available to common stockholders                     $     (1,427,554    )  $     (5,711,565  )   $    (19,299       )     $    (19,337,794 )
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share                   $     (0.00         )  $     (0.04       )   $    (0.00         )     $    (0.13       )
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares          1,027,731,258          147,549,553          1,020,633,200            144,235,116
outstanding
THE AMACORE GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                                                      (Unaudited)
                                                                      June 30, 2009       December 31, 2008
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash                                                                  $    2,676,123      $     238,437
Accounts receivable                                                        613,016              612,945
Non-trade receivables - related party                                      17,481               26,699
Inventory                                                                  23,891               23,891
Deferred expenses                                                          2,841,144            2,816,952
Deposits and advances                                                      -                    287,130
Total current assets                                                       6,171,655            4,006,054
Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of
$671,934 and $447,709
for 2009 and 2008, respectively)                                           1,154,252            863,537
Deferred customer acquisition costs                                        329,883              407,297
Goodwill and other intangible assets                                       9,171,196            9,744,891
Deposits and other assets                                                  1,708,966            2,172,321
Total assets                                                          $    18,535,952     $     17,194,100
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities
Accounts payable                                                      $    2,308,694      $     3,064,721
Accounts payable - related party                                           485,013              524,633
Loans and notes payable                                                    912,209              1,059,373
Notes payable - related party                                              818,592              833,092
Accrued expenses and other liabilities                                     2,835,186            2,429,315
Deferred compensation - related party                                      87,144               82,954
Deferred acquisition payments                                              962,500              472,670
Deferred revenue                                                           2,575,682            2,752,365
Total current liabilities                                                  10,985,020           11,219,123
Capital lease obligation                                                   244,311              52,900
Deferred acquisition payments                                              359,000              648,399
Deferred compensation - related party                                      270,727              315,364
Accrued dividends                                                          1,847,851            879,575
Fair value of warrants                                                     8,121,833            13,315,364
Total liabilities                                                          21,828,742           26,430,725
Stockholders' Deficit
Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized;
Series G mandatorily convertible preferred stock; 1,200 shares
authorized;
1,200 shares issued and outstanding for 2009 and 2008.                     1                    1
Series H mandatorily convertible preferred stock; 400 shares
authorized;
400 shares issued and outstanding for 2009 and 2008.                       -                    -
Series I mandatorily convertible preferred stock; 10,000 shares
authorized;
1,650 and 850 shares issued and outstanding for 2009 and 2008,             2                    -
respectively.
Series L mandatorily convertible preferred stock; 10,000 shares
authorized;
450 and 0 shares issued and outstanding for 2009 and 2008,                 -                    -
respectively.
Series A mandatorily convertible preferred stock; 1,500 shares
authorized;
155 shares issued and outstanding for 2009 and 2008.                       -                    -
Common Stock A, $.001 par value, 1,360,000,000 shares authorized;
1,028,864,296
and 1,008,806,919 shares issued and outstanding for 2009 and 2008,         1,028,864            1,008,807
respectively.
Common Stock B, $.001 par value, 120,000,000 shares authorized;
200,000
shares issued and outstanding for 2009 and 2008.                           200                  200
Additional paid-in capital                                                 115,238,453          109,295,378
Accumulated deficit                              (119,560,310 )     (119,541,011 )
Total stockholders' deficit                      (3,292,790   )     (9,236,625   )
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit    $ 18,535,952       $ 17,194,100

SOURCE: The Amacore Group, Inc.

Company: 
The Amacore Group, Inc. 
Jay Shafer, 407-805-8900 
Chief Executive Officer 
or 
Investor Relations: 
Porter, LeVay & Rose, Inc. 
Michael J. Porter, 212-564-4700 
President
For full details for ACGI click here.

    


More News:   Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index

Email
Print
Archives
Feedback
Email Article Link
Close X
Recipients email address
Your name
Your email
Add a note (optional)




Stocks RSS





Most Popular News
  UPCOMING EVENTS
Learn new strategies, how to trade in this market, and the stocks you should be focusing on each day. Join us for our free 20 minute tele-seminars during the week.
* Attendance is strictly limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
PREMIER SPONSORED LINKS
TRADE CENTER
 
The TradingMarkets Directory
RELATED SITES
Nothing but forex
Please call 1-213-955-5858 ext. 1

About TradingMarkets | Contact | Advertise | Careers | Link to Us | Site Map | Help | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Return Policy | Testimonials | Feedback

Disclaimer:

The Connors Group, Inc. ("Company") is not an investment advisory service, nor a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer and does not purport to tell or suggest which securities or currencies customers should buy or sell for themselves. The analysts and employees or affiliates of Company may hold positions in the stocks, currencies or industries discussed here. You understand and acknowledge that there is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities and/or currencies. The Company, the authors, the publisher, and all affiliates of Company assume no responsibility or liability for your trading and investment results. Factual statements on the Company's website, or in its publications, are made as of the date stated and are subject to change without notice.

It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable or that they will not result in losses. Past results of any individual trader or trading system published by Company are not indicative of future returns by that trader or system, and are not indicative of future returns which be realized by you. In addition, the indicators, strategies, columns, articles and all other features of Company's products (collectively, the "Information") are provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Examples presented on Company's website are for educational purposes only. Such set-ups are not solicitations of any order to buy or sell. Accordingly, you should not rely solely on the Information in making any investment. Rather, you should use the Information only as a starting point for doing additional independent research in order to allow you to form your own opinion regarding investments. You should always check with your licensed financial advisor and tax advisor to determine the suitability of any investment.

HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN INHERENT LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING AND MAY NOT BE IMPACTED BY BROKERAGE AND OTHER SLIPPAGE FEES. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT ACTUALLY BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER- OR OVER-COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.

The Connors Group, Inc.
10 Exchange Place, Suite 1800
Jersey City, NJ 07302

© Copyright 2009 The Connors Group, Inc.


All analyst commentary provided on TradingMarkets.com is provided for educational purposes only. The analysts and employees or affiliates of TradingMarkets.com may hold positions in the stocks or industries discussed here. This information is NOT a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Your use of this and all information contained on TradingMarkets.com is governed by the Terms and Conditions of Use. Please click the link to view those terms. Follow this link to read our Editorial Policy.

© 2009 The Connors Group, Inc.