CHARLES & COLVARD REPORTS THIRD QUARTER FISCAL YEAR 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Charles & Colvard, a fine jewelry company specializing in moissanite and lab-grown diamonds, reported third-quarter fiscal year 2024 financial results. Despite a challenging quarter, the company remains focused on growth through strategic initiatives and technology investments. They saw growth in repeat customers and positive responses to new products and marketing efforts. The company introduced new gemstone brands, expanded product lines, and partnered with a celebrity brand ambassador. However, they experienced a 21% decrease in net sales, primarily in the Traditional segment. Gross profit margin declined to 23%, and operating expenses increased by 13%. The net loss was $3.6 million for the quarter, with cash and inventory decreasing.
The company remains committed to growth through strategic initiatives and technology investments.
Growth in repeat customers and positive responses to new products and marketing efforts demonstrate consumer engagement.
Introduction of new gemstone brands, expansion of product lines, and partnership with a celebrity brand ambassador enhance brand awareness.
A 21% decrease in net sales, particularly in the Traditional segment, challenges the company's revenue performance.
The gross profit margin declined to 23% from 32% in the year-ago quarter, impacting profitability.
Operating expenses increased by 13%, putting pressure on the company's financials.
The net loss was $3.6 million for the quarter, indicating financial challenges.
Cash and inventory decreased, with cash and equivalents totaling $9.2 million and inventory decreasing to $25.3 million as of March 31, 2024.
Insights
The reported decrease in net sales by 21% to
Moreover, the reduction in cash reserves from
The net loss of
The shift towards an omnichannel consumer experience and strategic partnerships, such as with actress Skyler Samuels, signifies an attempt to revitalize brand awareness and customer loyalty. Diversifying the product portfolio and focusing on e-commerce channels, which now represent 77% of total net sales, align with broader retail trends. Yet, the specific consumer response and the effectiveness of these strategies in terms of conversion rates and customer retention should be closely scrutinized. The success of promotional events, like the Valentine's Day Sale and the introduction of new product lines such as Forever Bright™ are positive developments but need to translate into consistent revenue growth to be truly impactful for the stock.
Investors should consider the competitive landscape in fine jewelry, particularly with regard to online sales, which may result in pricing pressures or require increased marketing spend to capture market share. Additionally, the extensive product placements across major online outlets are a positive sign for brand visibility but, again, the true measure of success will be the ability to convert this visibility into sustainable sales growth.
Conference Call with Accompanying Slide Presentation Scheduled Today at 4:30 PM ET
Management Commentary
"We remain committed to growth despite a challenging third quarter. We believe our strategic initiatives, continued investments in innovative technology, and dedication to providing a more seamless omnichannel consumer experience will position us for future success. Although we experienced softness during the quarter, we feel pleased by our growth in repeat customers on our owned property, charlesandcolvard.com, and consumer response to new products and marketing initiatives. We believe the evolution of our product portfolio, from loose gems to bridal-focused jewelry to fine jewelry catering to a variety of audiences, speaks to the strength and longevity of our brand," said Don O'Connell, President and CEO of the Company.
"We believe in the power of storytelling through our brand partners, such as our new celebrity brand ambassador, Skyler Samuels, and look forward to building further brand awareness and loyalty as consumers discover our products via a relatable lens," concluded O'Connell.
Recent Corporate Highlights
- Announced strategic partnership with American actress Skyler Samuels, the Company's new brand ambassador;
- Expanded both product brands on charlesandcolvard.com;
- Conducted successful Valentine's Day Sale on charlesandcolvard.com;
- Announced strategic shift within Traditional segment with launch of charlesandcolvarddirect.com for independent jewelers and retailers;
- Introduced the Company's newest gemstone brand, Forever Bright™; and
- Appeared in numerous brand and product placements, including theknot.com, MarieClaire.com, USAToday.com, NYPost.com, Byrdie.com, NationalJeweler.com, and ETOnline.com.
Financial Summary for Third Quarter Fiscal 2024
(Quarter Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to Quarter Ended March 31, 2023)
- Net sales of
$5.3 million 21% from$6.6 million - In the Online Channels segment, which consists of e-commerce outlets including charlesandcolvard.com, moissaniteoutlet.com, charlesandcolvarddirect.com, madeshopping.com, third-party online marketplaces, drop-ship retail and other pure-play e-commerce outlets, net sales of
$4.1 million 77% of total net sales for the quarter, compared to$4.6 million 70% of total net sales in the year-ago quarter. - In the Traditional segment, which consists of wholesale and brick-and-mortar customers, net sales of
$1.2 million 23% of total net sales for the quarter, compared to$2.0 million 30% of total net sales, in the year-ago quarter. - Finished jewelry net sales of
$4.9 million - Loose jewel net sales of
$400,000 - Gross profit was
$1.2 million 23% for the quarter, compared to gross profit of$2.1 million 32% in the year-ago quarter. - Operating expenses increased
13% to$4.9 million $4.3 million - Net loss was
$3.6 million $0.12 $8.4 million $0.28 - Weighted average diluted shares outstanding were 30.3 million for the quarter, consistent with the year-ago quarter.
Financial Position
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled
Investor Conference Call
Charles & Colvard will host an investor conference call and webcast presentation to discuss its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
Live Call-In Information: Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (844) 875-6912 (
Live Webcast Information: Interested parties can access the conference call and accompanying presentation slides via a live webcast, which is available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at https://ir.charlesandcolvard.com/events or https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/346/50400.
A replay of this conference call will be available until May 9, 2024 at (877) 344-7529 (
About Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
Charles & Colvard, Ltd. (Nasdaq: CTHR) believes that fine jewelry should be as ethical as it is exquisite. Charles & Colvard is the original creator of lab grown moissanite (a rare gemstone formed from silicon carbide). The Company brings revolutionary gems and fine jewelry to market by using exclusively Made, not MinedTM above ground gemstones and a dedication to
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) we face intense competition in the worldwide gemstone and jewelry industry; (4) we have historically been dependent 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; (5) constantly evolving privacy regulatory regimes are creating new legal compliance challenges; (6) our information technology, or IT, infrastructure, and our network has been and may be impacted by a cyber-attack or other security incident as a result of the rise of cybersecurity events; (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) 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; (16) governmental regulation and oversight might adversely impact our operations; (17) 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; (18) the execution of our business plans could significantly impact our liquidity; (19) we are subject to arbitration, litigation and demands, which could result in significant liability and costs, and impact our resources and reputation; (20) 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; (21) negative or inaccurate information on social media could adversely impact our brand and reputation; (22) 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; (23) 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; (24) environmental, social, and governance matters may impact our business, reputation, financial condition, and results of operations; (25) if we fail to evaluate, implement, and integrate strategic acquisition or disposition opportunities successfully, our business may suffer; (26) our failure to maintain compliance with The Nasdaq Stock Market's continued listing requirements could result in the delisting of our common stock; (27) some anti-takeover provisions of our charter documents may delay or prevent a takeover of our Company; and (28) 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, in addition to the other risks and uncertainties described in more detail in our filings with the
- Financial Tables Follow –
CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD. | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended March 31, | Nine Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 5,261,966 | $ | 6,641,799 | $ | 18,120,629 | $ | 24,382,003 | |||||||
Cost of goods sold | 4,076,081 | 4,493,125 | 12,134,535 | 14,650,910 | |||||||||||
Gross profit | 1,185,885 | 2,148,674 | 5,986,094 | 9,731,093 | |||||||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Sales and marketing | 3,684,506 | 3,267,436 | 10,702,796 | 10,715,066 | |||||||||||
General and administrative | 1,199,511 | 1,053,357 | 4,550,841 | 3,654,788 | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 4,884,017 | 4,320,793 | 15,253,637 | 14,369,854 | |||||||||||
Loss from operations | (3,698,132) | (2,172,119) | (9,267,543) | (4,638,761) | |||||||||||
Other income (expense): | |||||||||||||||
Interest income | 74,528 | 69,159 | 244,146 | 168,935 | |||||||||||
Interest and other expense | (9,103) | - | (14,672) | - | |||||||||||
Total other income, net | 65,425 | 69,159 | 229,474 | 168,935 | |||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (3,632,707) | (2,102,960) | (9,038,069) | (4,469,826) | |||||||||||
Income tax expense | - | (6,293,048) | - | (5,858,155) | |||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (3,632,707) | $ | (8,396,008) | $ | (9,038,069) | $ | (10,327,981) | |||||||
Net loss income per common share: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.12) | $ | (0.28) | $ | (0.30) | $ | (0.34) | |||||||
Diluted | $ | (0.12) | $ | (0.28) | $ | (0.30) | $ | (0.34) | |||||||
Weighted average number of shares used | |||||||||||||||
Basic | 30,344,955 | 30,344,954 | 30,344,955 | 30,387,303 | |||||||||||
Diluted | 30,344,955 | 30,344,954 | 30,344,955 | 30,387,303 | |||||||||||
CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD. | ||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
March 31, 2024 (unaudited) | June 30, 2023 | |||||||
ASSETS | ||||||||
Current assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,685,729 | $ | 10,446,532 | ||||
Restricted cash | 5,553,873 | 5,122,379 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net | 566,570 | 380,085 | ||||||
Inventory, net | 10,439,754 | 7,476,046 | ||||||
Note receivable | 250,000 | 250,000 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 794,218 | 901,354 | ||||||
Total current assets | 21,290,144 | 24,576,396 | ||||||
Long-term assets: | ||||||||
Inventory, net | 14,867,933 | 19,277,530 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 2,699,133 | 2,491,569 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net | 340,528 | 305,703 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 1,715,475 | 2,183,232 | ||||||
Other assets | 49,660 | 49,658 | ||||||
Total long-term assets | 19,672,729 | 24,307,692 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 40,962,873 | $ | 48,884,088 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 5,865,435 | $ | 4,786,155 | ||||
Short-term borrowings under line of credit | 500,000 | - | ||||||
Operating lease liabilities, current portion | 898,217 | 880,126 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 1,356,264 | 1,395,479 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 8,619,916 | 7,061,760 | ||||||
Long-term liabilities: | ||||||||
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities | 1,417,478 | 2,047,742 | ||||||
Total long-term liabilities | 1,417,478 | 2,047,742 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 10,037,394 | 9,109,502 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
Shareholders' equity: | ||||||||
Common stock, no par value; 50,000,000 shares | 57,242,211 | 57,242,211 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 26,394,881 | 26,205,919 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost, 388,403 shares | (489,979) | (489,979) | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (52,221,634) | (43,183,565) | ||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 30,925,479 | 39,774,586 | ||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 40,962,873 | $ | 48,884,088 | ||||
CHARLES & COLVARD, LTD. | |||||||
Nine Months Ended March 31, | |||||||
2024 | 2023 | ||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Net loss | $ | (9,038,069) | $ | (10,327,981) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 530,161 | 477,285 | |||||
Stock-based compensation | 188,961 | 209,319 | |||||
Provision for uncollectible accounts | 107,000 | (18,000) | |||||
Provision for sales returns | (160,000) | 59,000 | |||||
Inventory write-downs | - | 119,000 | |||||
Provision for accounts receivable discounts | 11,976 | 42 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | - | 5,851,904 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable | (145,461) | 1,246,221 | |||||
Inventory | 1,445,889 | 64,514 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 574,892 | 756,554 | |||||
Accounts payable | 1,079,280 | (1,284,419) | |||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | (651,388) | (980,909) | |||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (6,056,759) | (3,827,470) | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (723,256) | (884,030) | |||||
Payments for intangible assets | (49,294) | (45,397) | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (772,550) | (929,427) | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |||||||
Proceeds from line of credit | 500,000 | - | |||||
Repurchases of common stock | - | (451,815) | |||||
Net cash provided by (used in) provided by financing activities | 500,000 | (451,815) | |||||
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH | (6,329,309) | (5,208,712) | |||||
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | 15,568,911 | 21,179,340 | |||||
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD | $ | 9,239,602 | $ | 15,970,628 | |||
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | |||||||
Cash paid during the period for taxes | $ | 16,486 | $ | 5,900 | |||
Cash paid during the period for interest expense | $ | 10,770 | $ | - | |||
Reconciliation to Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets: | March 31, | June 30, | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,685,729 | $ | 10,446,532 | |||
Restricted cash | 5,553,873 | 5,122,379 | |||||
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH | $ | 9,239,602 | $ | 15,568,911 | |||
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SOURCE Charles & Colvard, Ltd.
FAQ
What were Charles & Colvard's net sales for the third quarter fiscal year 2024?
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