UUU Universal Security Instruments Inc

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Security Instruments, Inc. (NYSE Amex: UUU) today announced that it has filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 which was not timely filed due to unforeseen delays in the completion of the financial statements of the Company's 50%-owned Hong Kong Joint Venture.   As previously reported, the Company had received a letter from NYSE MKT LLC (the "Exchange") stating that the delayed filing violated Exchange rules and that unless prompt corrective action is taken, the Company could be subject to delisting.  The Company believes that the filing of the Annual Report on Form 10-K satisfies the Exchange's requirements for prompt corrective action.

The Company reported the following:

• For the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2014, a net loss of $1,504,306, or $0.65 per basic and diluted share, on sales of $2,636,933.   This compares to net income of $104,973, or $0.04 per basic and diluted share, on sales of $4,113,976 for the comparable period of the previous year.
• For the 12 months ended March 31, 2014, sales decreased approximately 18% to $12,577,127 versus $15,383,877 for the same period last year. The Company reported a net loss of $4,450,244, or $1.94 per basic and diluted share, versus a net loss of $452,561, or $0.20 per basic and diluted share, for the same period last year.

"For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014 our operations were impacted by lower sales, a non-cash charge to fully reserve our deferred tax asset in the amount of $2,310,835, and the Company's portion of lower joint venture earnings that decreased by $882,774 from the prior year," said Harvey Grossblatt, President and Chief Executive Officer.  "While sales were lower throughout the year, we believe that our fourth quarter sales were further adversely affected by weather which further reduced sales to our retail and new construction customers.

Mr. Grossblatt noted that "The smoke and CO alarm markets are moving toward ten-year sealed alarms to comply with new laws passed in several states, including California and New York. We previewed eleven (11) new sealed smoke and CO alarms at the International Hardware Show in Las Vegas in May, 2014 and our customers' responses were very positive. The first two sealed models will be available during the September quarter and the complete line should be available for sale before the end of our 2015 fiscal year. We believe that with the addition of our new sealed battery product line later this fiscal year, sales will improve and the Company can thereafter begin to return to profitability."

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC. is a U.S.-based manufacturer (through its Hong Kong Joint Venture) and distributor of safety and security devices. Founded in 1969, the Company has a 43 year heritage of developing innovative and easy-to-install products, including smoke, fire and carbon monoxide alarms. For more information on Universal Security Instruments, visit our website at www.universalsecurity.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain matters discussed in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws that inherently include certain risks and uncertainties.  Actual results could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, among other items, our Hong Kong Joint Venture's respective ability to maintain operating profitability, currency fluctuations, the impact of current and future laws and governmental regulations affecting us and our Hong Kong Joint Venture and other factors which may be identified from time to time in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and other public announcements.  We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.  We will revise our outlook from time to time and frequently will not disclose such revisions publicly.

11407 CRONHILL DRIVE, SUITE A -- OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND 21117, USA
 (410) 363-3000 -- www.universalsecurity.com

SOURCE Universal Security Instruments, Inc.