Silverstar Holdings Reports Record Second Quarter 2008 Results

Second Quarter Revenues Up 260 Percent to Record $10.8 Million; Adjusted EBITDA $2.1 Million or $0.11 Per Share


BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 12, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Silverstar Holdings, Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSTR), a leading international publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, reported financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 ended December 31, 2007. The company also reaffirmed its outlook for the full fiscal year ending June 30, 2008.

Second Quarter 2008 Financial Results, as Compared to the Previous and Same Year Ago Quarter:

Revenues for the quarter totaled a record $10.8 million, an increase of 177% from $3.9 million in the previous quarter and a 260% increase from $3.0 million a year ago. The results were driven primarily by the release of 16 SKUs, particularly the highly successful introductions of Jackass and Animal Paradise, each across multiple game platforms and together accounting for approximately 55% of revenues in the quarter. The year ago quarter included only one month of operating results from the company's new subsidiary, Empire Interactive, due to the timing of its acquisition.

Gross margin increased 2% over the previous quarter to 61%, and increased 3% over a year ago, largely due to increased use of digital distribution, as well as improved sales of higher margin back catalog and republishing product offerings.

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, totaled $2.1 million or $0.11 per share, as compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $1.2 million or ($0.09) per share in the previous quarter and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.6 million or ($0.06) per share a year ago. A more detailed discussion and reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to operating income is included at the end of this release.

Net loss totaled $1.5 million or ($0.08) per share, as compared to a net loss of $4.4 million in the previous quarter or ($0.35) per share and a net loss of $1.3 million or ($0.14) per share a year ago.

"These record results are well in line with our expectations as our game release schedule began to accelerate and we generated positive cash-flow during the quarter," said Clive Kabatznik, CEO of Silverstar Holdings. "New major releases, combined with strong sales in our Xplosiv value category, contributed to a healthy 61% gross margin for the quarter and a much stronger balance sheet. While revenues were more than double over last year as a result of our acquisition of Empire in December 2006, we expect to realize even more dramatic improvements in the second half of the fiscal year as we continue to build momentum across the board."

Second Quarter Fiscal 2008 Operational Highlights



 * Released 16 SKUs, as compared to seven in the previous quarter,
   including Jackass (PS2, PSP), Animal Paradise (DS), Speedball II:
   Brutal Deluxe (Xbox 360), and International Cricket Captain (PS2,
   PSP).

 * Signed an exclusive UK publishing agreement with Microsoft
   Corporation under Empire's value label, Xplosiv, for several
   classic Microsoft PC games.

 * Signed a publishing agreement to bring the best-selling classic
   adventure title, Myst, to the Nintendo DS platform in North America
   in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. This will be the first direct
   sale product offered by the company's new North American sales
   team.

 * Signed an agreement with Valcon Games, LLC to publish and
   distribute in Europe and all PAL territories the Ultimate Board
   Game Collection for the PlayStation 2(tm) and PSP(tm) (PlayStation
   Portable), and on Wii(tm) -- the first Wii product to be sold by
   the company.

 * Back catalog and republishing sales realized record levels due to
   improved retail channels and broader digital distribution.

Second Half Fiscal 2008 Outlook

"In the second half we will continue to build on our excellent strategic position in the interactive entertainment industry to support our long-term business model," said Kabatznik. "This model focuses on creating company-owned game franchises, accessing more titles for publishing, and leveraging back catalog titles across both retail and high-growth, high-margin digital distribution channels. The consistent application of this broad based business model should continue to sustain revenue growth, maintain healthy margins, and drive profitability."

Added Kabatznik, "With more than $2.0 million invested on software development in the quarter, and $1.8 million of this amount capitalized, the release schedule for the balance of the fiscal year and into 2009 looks strong. We have 26 SKUs planned for release across multiple game platforms during the second half of 2008. Our momentum is accelerating with a particularly strong fourth fiscal quarter in the making."

The SKUs planned for release in the second half include multi-platform releases of Ford Off Road Racing, Pipe Mania, and Ultimate Board Game Collection, as well as Myst, Hello Kitty, and Jackass for the DS platforms, and Flat Out Ultimate Carnage for PSP and PC.

The company reaffirms its outlook for anticipated revenues in excess of $40 million for the full fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, with adjusted EBITDA in the range of $7 million to $10 million.

Conference Call

Silverstar management will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. A brief presentation by management will be followed by a question and answer period. To participate in the call, dial the appropriate number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time, request the Silverstar Holdings conference call and provide the conference ID.



 Domestic callers: 1-800-762-8908
 International callers: 1-480-629-1990
 Conference ID#: 3837994
 Internet Simulcast: http://viavid.net/dce.aspx?sid=00004AC1

The call will be available for replay starting at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time until March 12, 2008:



 Toll-Free Replay number: 1-800-406-7325
 International Replay number: 1-303-590-3030
 Replay PIN #: 3837994

If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call or webcast, please contact the Liolios Group at 949-574-3860.

About Silverstar Holdings

Silverstar Holdings Ltd. is an international publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software. It currently owns Empire Interactive, PLC and Strategy First, Inc. Empire Interactive (www.empireinteractive.com) is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software games, including Starsky & Hutch, Big Mutha Truckers, Ford Racing and FlatOut. Empire's products are delivered on both console and PC platforms. Strategy First (www.strategyfirst.com) is a developer and worldwide publisher of entertainment software for the PC. For more information about Silverstar Holdings visit http://www.silverstarholdings.com.

The statements which are not historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to risks associated with the uncertainty of future financial results, additional financing requirements, development of new products, regulatory approval processes, the impact of competitive products or pricing, technological changes, the effect of economic conditions and other uncertainties detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted EBITDA

In addition to other measures, management evaluates operating results based upon an adjusted "EBITDA," which is defined as operating income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income taxes, and stock based compensation, each of which is presented on the company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. The company's presentation of adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP measure, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Any of these items could be significant to the company's financial results. The following table reconciles adjusted EBITDA to operating income for the periods indicated.



                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                        Dec 31
                                                ----------------------
 Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation                  2Q 2008     2Q 2007
                                                ----------------------
 Operating Loss                                 $(1,344.6)  $(1,385.9)
   Depreciation                                      47.2        24.9
   Amortization of Acquired Intangibles            2322.6       630.8
   Amortization of Software Development Costs       958.5         0.0
   Stock Based Compensation                         132.8        77.6
   Shares Issued for Services                        24.4        58.7
                                                ----------------------
    Adjusted EBITDA                             $ 2,140.9   $  (593.8)
    Adjusted EBITDA per Share                       $0.11      $(0.06)
                                                ======================

 Weighted Avg. # of Shares Outstanding             19,772       9,431



              SILVERSTAR HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                           December 31,    June 30, 
                                              2007           2007
                                           -----------     --------
                                           (Unaudited)
             ASSETS 
 Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents
  (includes restricted cash of $731,675
  and $590,990)                             $3,239,660     $3,693,149
 Cash restricted for foreign tax 
  estimated liability                          787,009      1,064,040
 Accounts receivable, net                    4,554,001      6,908,846
 Inventories, net                              936,464        900,128
 Current portion of long term notes 
  receivable                                   366,988        256,982
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets     406,088        669,730
 Assets available for sale                          --        505,650
                                           -----------    -----------
   Total current assets                    $10,290,210    $13,998,525
                                           ===========    ===========

 Property, plant and equipment, net            437,076        488,031
 Software development costs, net             6,714,238      5,183,033
 Investments in non-marketable securities    1,131,066      1,143,566
 Long term notes receivable                     25,351        214,222
 Goodwill, net                                 924,874        890,038
 Intangible assets, net                     16,672,898     20,611,189
 Deferred tax asset                            623,158        625,217
 Deferred charges and other assets             156,960        631,843
                                           -----------    -----------
  Total assets                             $36,975,831    $43,785,664
                                           ===========    ===========
             LIABILITIES
 Liabilities and stockholders' equity:
 Current liabilities:
  Lines of credit                            2,172,176      2,875,472
  Notes payable- acquisition                    94,061      5,475,179
  Earn out notes payable - acquisition       3,916,851      3,847,426
  Accounts payable                           4,177,405      6,959,835
  Accrued royalty expense                    2,627,035      2,937,887
  Accrued expenses                           2,792,851      3,355,852
  Deposits on July 2007 private placement           --        630,403
  Estimated liability for foreign tax          324,768        616,458
                                           -----------    -----------
   Total current liabilities               $16,105,147    $26,698,512
                                           ===========    ===========

 Convertible secured debenture               1,347,087      4,790,779
 Other long-term liabilities                   419,753        412,363
                                           -----------    -----------
   Total liabilities                       $17,871,987    $31,901,654
                                           ===========    ===========
 Liabilities and stockholders' equity
 Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 
  5,000,000 shares authorized; no
  shares issued and outstanding                     --             --
 Common stock, Class A, $0.01 par value, 
  50,000,000 shares authorized; 18,990,857
  (1,496,700 shares in treasury) and 
  9,621,891 shares issued and outstanding,
  respectively                                 198,060         96,218
 Common stock, Class B, $0.01 par value; 
  2,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares and
  835,260 issued and outstanding, respectively       0          8,353
 Common stock, FSAH Class B $0.001 par 
  value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 0 and
  2,671,087 shares issued and 
  outstanding, respectively                          0            600
 Additional paid-in capital                 81,015,079     67,843,919
 Accumulated deficit                       (62,757,787)   (56,796,978)
 Other comprehensive income                    648,492        731,898
                                           -----------    -----------
   Total stockholders' equity              $19,103,844    $11,884,010
                                           -----------    -----------
   Total liabilities and stockholders' 
    equity                                 $36,975,831    $43,785,664
                                           ===========    ===========



               SILVERSTAR HOLDINGS, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                              (UNAUDITED)

                                                Three Months Ended
                                                  December 31,
                                               2007           2006
                                               ----           ----
 Net revenues                               $10,796,896    $2,960,789
 Operating expenses:
    Cost of sales                             4,217,780     1,252,001
    Development costs and royalties             401,603       987,676
    Selling, general and administrative       4,193,808     1,451,216
    Amortization of software
     development costs                          958,526            --
    Amortization of acquired intangibles      2,322,596       630,827
    Depreciation                                 47,173        24,948
                                            ------------   -----------
                                             12,141,486     4,346,668
 Operating loss                              (1,344,590)   (1,385,879)
 Other income                                       100        17,468
 Foreign currency (loss) gain                   (80,770)      357,409
 Gain on sale of fixed assets                    90,348            --
 Amortization of convertible debt discounts
  and issuance costs                           (123,747)     (171,425)
 Interest expense                              (133,005)     (257,896)
 Interest income                                 76,356       159,480
                                            ------------   -----------
 Loss from continuing operations
  before income taxes                        (1,515,308)   (1,298,311)
 Benefit (provision) for income taxes             1,006        (3,360)
                                            ------------   -----------
    Net loss                                ($1,514,302)  ($1,301,671)
                                            ============   ===========

  Loss per share:
    Basic and diluted                             ($.08)        ($.14)
 Weighted average common stock outstanding:
    Basic and diluted                        19,771,824     9,431,657
                                            ============   ===========


            

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