ARTLP The Aristotle (MM)

The Aristotle Corporation (NASDAQ: ARTL; ARTLP) announced today its results of operations for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2007. For the second quarter ended June 30, 2007, net sales increased 5.1% to $56.2 million from $53.5 million in the second quarter of 2006, and earnings before income taxes increased 8.3% to $9.7 million from $9.0 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, net sales increased 4.8% to $104.4 million from $99.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and earnings before income taxes increased 10.6% to $17.1 million from $15.4 million. Net earnings applicable to common stockholders in the second quarter of 2007 were $3.9 million, or $.23 per diluted common share, versus $3.3 million, or $.19 per diluted common share, in the second quarter of 2006. Net earnings applicable to common stockholders for the first six months of 2007 were $6.3 million, or $.36 per diluted common share, compared to $5.1 million, or $.29 per diluted common share, for the comparable six months of 2006. The reported net earnings are shown after deduction for Federal, state and foreign income tax provisions. Approximately $2.6 million in deferred income tax expense in the 2006 second quarter relates to the non-cash charge for utilization of Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards (�NOLs�). For the first six months of 2007 and 2006, respectively, $1.3 million and $4.5 million of the reported deferred income tax expense relate to NOL utilization. The utilization of NOLs for the reported quarters and year to date periods reduced Aristotle�s current Federal tax liability. In the first quarter of 2007, the remaining balance of NOLs available as of December 31, 2006, approximately $3.6 million, was utilized from income generated by the Company. Steven B. Lapin, Aristotle�s President and Chief Operating Officer, stated, �In presenting these results for the second quarter of 2007, I am particularly pleased to report that earnings per share for the quarter, on a fully diluted basis, have increased more than 20% compared to the second quarter of 2006, primarily as a result of organic revenue growth of 5.1% and strengthening of gross profit margins through cost control and promotion of proprietary products. EBITDA growth for the second quarter was 6.7% compared to the second quarter of 2006, reaching $10.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.� Mr. Lapin noted, �The number of proprietary items in the Company�s catalogs, including those geared to the K-12 and health care training markets, continues to increase. The unique features of these products demonstrate Aristotle�s acknowledged ability to create custom designs to meet evolving needs. A principal focus of the Company�s business strategy is the continued enhancement of its proprietary lines so as to provide highly competitive offerings carrying stronger gross margins.� Dean T. Johnson, Aristotle�s Chief Financial Officer, added, �Working capital increased $6.4 million to $77.9 million at June 30, 2007, compared to $71.5 million at June 30, 2006. Within working capital, inventory increased $3.5 million to $45.6 compared to last year. The Company has enhanced its inventory at June 30, 2007 in preparation of the peak shipping months for the K-12 school market, and to strengthen stock levels related to the health care training market to meet expected domestic and international demand for the remainder of 2007.� In providing EBITDA information, Aristotle offers a non-GAAP financial measure to complement its condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure is intended to supplement the reader�s overall understanding of the Company�s current financial performance. However, this non-GAAP financial measure is not intended to supercede or replace Aristotle�s GAAP results. A reconciliation of the non-GAAP results to the GAAP results is provided in the �Reconciliation of GAAP Net Earnings to EBITDA� schedule below. EBITDA is defined as earnings before income taxes, interest expense, other income and expense, depreciation and amortization. About Aristotle The Aristotle Corporation, founded in 1986, and headquartered in Stamford, CT, is a leading manufacturer and global distributor of educational, health, medical technology and agricultural products. A selection of over 80,000 items is offered, primarily through more than 45 separate catalogs carrying the brand of Nasco (founded in 1941), as well as those bearing the brands of Life/Form�, Whirl-Pak�, Simulaids, Triarco, Spectrum Educational Supplies, Hubbard Scientific, Scott Resources, Haan Crafts, To-Sew, CPR Prompt�, Ginsberg Scientific and Summit Learning. Products include educational materials and supplies for substantially all K-12 curricula, molded plastics, biological materials, medical simulators, health care products and items for the agricultural, senior care and food industries. Aristotle has approximately 850 full-time employees at its operations in Fort Atkinson, WI, Modesto, CA, Fort Collins, CO, Plymouth, MN, Saugerties, NY, Chippewa Falls, WI, Otterbein, IN and Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. There are approximately 17.9 million shares outstanding of Aristotle common stock (NASDAQ: ARTL) and approximately 1.1 million shares outstanding of 11%, cumulative, convertible, voting Series I preferred stock (NASDAQ: ARTLP); there are also approximately 11.0 million privately-held shares outstanding of 12%, cumulative, non-convertible, non-voting Series J preferred stock. Aristotle has about 4,000 stockholders of record. Further information about Aristotle can be obtained on its website, at www.aristotlecorp.net. Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 To the extent that any of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking, such statements are based on current expectations that involve a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements. Aristotle cautions investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the ability of Aristotle to obtain financing and additional capital to fund its business strategy on acceptable terms, if at all; (ii) the ability of Aristotle on a timely basis to find, prudently negotiate and consummate additional acquisitions; (iii) the ability of Aristotle to manage any to-be acquired businesses; (iv) there is not an active trading market for the Company�s securities and the stock prices thereof are highly volatile, due in part to the relatively small percentage of the Company�s securities which is not held by the Company�s majority stockholder and members of the Company�s Board of Directors and management; (v) the ability of Aristotle to retain its Federal net operating tax loss carryforward position and other deferred tax positions; and (vi) other factors identified in Item 1A, Risk Factors, contained in the Company�s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. As a result, Aristotle�s future development efforts involve a high degree of risk. For further information, please see Aristotle�s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Forms 10-K, 10-K/A, 10-Q and 8-K. THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) � � Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 � Net sales $ 56,202 53,481 104,426 99,645 Cost of sales 34,631 � 33,086 63,892 � 61,651 � Gross profit 21,571 20,395 40,534 37,994 � Selling and administrative expense 11,917 � 11,359 23,544 � 22,441 � Earnings from operations 9,654 9,036 16,990 15,553 � Other (expense) income: Interest expense (363 ) (501) (689 ) (948 ) Other, net 412 � 425 763 � 830 � 49 � (76) 74 � (118 ) Earnings before income taxes 9,703 8,960 17,064 15,435 � Income tax expense: Current 2,383 1,033 3,906 1,755 Deferred 1,220 � 2,427 2,539 � 4,219 � 3,603 � 3,460 6,445 � 5,974 � Net earnings 6,100 5,500 10,619 9,461 � Preferred dividends 2,157 � 2,159 4,316 � 4,318 � Net earnings applicable to common stockholders $ 3,943 � 3,341 6,303 � 5,143 � � Earnings per common share: Basic $ .23 .19 .36 .30 Diluted $ .23 .19 .36 .29 � Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 17,454,704 17,266,513 17,361,153 17,257,955 Diluted 17,487,936 17,516,190 17,392,101 17,503,199 RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET EARNINGS TO EBITDA (in thousands) (unaudited) � Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2007 2006 2007 2006 � Net earnings $ 6,100 5,500 10,619 9,461 Add: Income tax expense 3,603 3,460 6,445 5,974 Interest expense 363 501 689 948 Other (income) expense (412 ) (425 ) (763 ) (830 ) Depreciation and amortization 480 � 460 � 921 � 895 � EBITDA $ 10,134 � 9,496 � 17,911 � 16,448 � THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands) � Assets June 30,2007 December 31,2006 June 30,2006 (unaudited) (unaudited) Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,423 5,814 3,671 Marketable securities 1,910 - - Investments 15,423 14,586 13,669 Accounts receivable, net 21,934 15,458 20,898 Inventories, net 45,618 37,487 42,108 Prepaid expenses and other 5,080 8,123 4,896 Deferred income taxes 2,680 � 4,051 � 7,088 Total current assets 100,068 85,519 92,330 � Property, plant and equipment, net 26,839 25,426 23,215 � Goodwill 14,185 13,860 14,033 Deferred income taxes 8,188 8,188 2,712 Other assets 332 � 328 � 351 Total assets $ 149,612 � 133,321 � 132,641 � Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Current installments of long-term debt $ 294 287 599 Trade accounts payable 12,040 9,440 12,362 Accrued expenses 6,743 6,729 5,312 Income Taxes 922 1,478 386 Accrued dividends payable 2,157 � 2,159 � 2,159 Total current liabilities 22,156 20,093 20,818 � Long term debt, less current installments 15,317 11,985 24,322 Long term pension obligations 4,303 4,469 1,306 Other long term accruals 2,410 2,383 - � Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock, Series I 6,549 6,601 6,601 Preferred stock, Series J 65,760 65,760 65,760 Common stock 179 172 173 Additional paid-in capital 6,606 3,106 3,299 Retained earnings 26,360 20,057 10,034 Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) (28 ) (1,305 ) 328 Total stockholders' equity 105,426 � 94,391 � 86,195 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 149,612 � 133,321 � 132,641