Renaissance Learning, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2009 Results; Orders and Revenue Increase, Earnings Double


WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis., Oct. 19, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Renaissance Learning(TM), Inc. (Nasdaq:RLRN), a leading provider of technology to support personalized practice, differentiated instruction, and progress monitoring in reading, math, and writing for pre-K-12 schools and districts, today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009. Revenues for the third quarter of 2009 were $31.8 million, an increase of 12.6% from third quarter 2008 revenues of $28.2 million. Net income was $5.2 million, or $.18 per share, compared to net income of $2.6 million, or $.09 per share, for the third quarter last year.

Revenues for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 were $89.1 million, up 4.0% from 2008 revenues of $85.6 million. Net income was $13.2 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, up 55.4% from the prior year's net income of $8.5 million. Earnings per share for the nine months of 2009 were $.45, compared to $.29, in the first nine months of 2008.

"I am pleased to report these excellent third quarter results," commented Terrance D. Paul, Chief Executive Officer. "Third quarter revenue is the highest quarterly revenue since 2003, earnings doubled from last year's third quarter, and operating cash flow of $16.7 million was a new quarterly high. Orders were up 34% for the quarter.

"As good as this quarter was, future periods will likely be more challenging due to seasonal variations and to recession-related pressure on school funding, especially as stimulus dollars are used up," continued Paul. "On the other hand, our customers understand the value of our products to accelerate learning, and with our growing customer base, exceptional product lineup, strong balance sheet and solid cash flow, we believe we are positioned to achieve solid growth in the longer term."

Renaissance Learning added approximately 800 new customer schools during the quarter, bringing total schools worldwide that are actively using the Company's products to over 74,000. Of these, more than 30,000 are actively using at least one product running on the Renaissance Place platform.

The Company will hold a conference call at 5:00 p.m. EDT today to discuss its financial results, quarterly highlights, and business outlook. The teleconference may be accessed in listen-only mode by dialing 877-869-3847 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Please call a few minutes before the scheduled start time to ensure a proper connection.

A digital recording of the conference call will be made available on October 19, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. through October 26, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. The replay dial-in is 877-660-6853. The conference account number to access the replay is 350 and replay ID number is 332624.

Renaissance Learning, Inc.

Renaissance Learning, Inc. is the world's leading provider of computer-based assessment technology for pre-K-12 schools. Adopted by more than 74,000 schools, Renaissance Learning's tools provide daily formative assessment and periodic progress-monitoring technology to enhance core curriculum, support differentiated instruction, and personalize practice in reading, writing and math. Renaissance Learning products help educators make the practice component of their existing curriculum more effective by providing tools to personalize practice and easily manage the daily activities for students of all levels. As a result, teachers using Renaissance Learning products accelerate learning, get more satisfaction from teaching, and help students achieve higher test scores on state and national tests. Renaissance Learning has seven U.S. locations and subsidiaries in Canada and the United Kingdom.

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding growth prospects and management's expectations regarding orders and financial results for 2009 and future periods. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various assumptions which management believes are reasonable. However, these statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results encompassed within the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include the failure of AR and AM Enterprise and laptop orders to achieve expected growth targets, a decline in quiz sales that exceeds forecasts, risks associated with the implementation of the Company's strategic growth plan, dependence on educational institutions and government funding, our ability to successfully implement cost savings measures and achieve cost reductions, and other risks affecting the Company's business as described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and later filed quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, which factors are incorporated herein by reference. The Company expressly disclaims a duty to provide updates to forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or other occurrences.



                     RENAISSANCE LEARNING(TM), INC.
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
        (dollar amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
                              (unaudited)

                             Three Months             Nine Months
                          Ended September 30,     Ended September 30,
                           2009        2008        2009        2008

 Net sales:
   Products             $   21,941  $   19,439  $   63,811  $   63,532
   Services                  9,813       8,761      25,278      22,100
     Total net sales        31,754      28,200      89,089      85,632

 Cost of sales:
   Products                  3,693       3,176      10,603      11,175
   Services                  3,419       3,664       8,771       9,993
     Total cost of sales     7,112       6,840      19,374      21,168

 Gross profit               24,642      21,360      69,715      64,464

 Operating expenses:
   Product development       4,110       4,521      12,488      12,822
   Selling and marketing     9,558       8,953      26,882      27,230
   General and
    administrative           3,397       4,226      10,030      11,783

 Total operating expenses   17,065      17,700      49,400      51,835

 Operating income            7,577       3,660      20,315      12,629

 Other income
  (expense), net               218         275         401         616

 Income before income
  taxes                      7,795       3,935      20,716      13,245

 Income taxes                2,590       1,365       7,474       4,722

 Net income             $    5,205  $    2,570  $   13,242  $    8,523

 Income per share:
   Basic and Diluted    $     0.18  $     0.09  $     0.45  $     0.29

 Weighted average
  shares outstanding:
   Basic                29,224,309  29,118,309  29,208,957  29,082,067
   Diluted              29,224,376  29,120,940  29,208,985  29,085,529


                     RENAISSANCE LEARNING(TM), INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                     (dollar amounts in thousands)
                              (unaudited)


                                            September 30, December 31,
                                                2009          2008

 ASSETS:
 Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents                    $ 28,481      $  9,509
 Investment securities                           3,120         4,894
 Accounts receivable, net                       19,839         8,083
 Inventories                                     4,680         5,504
 Prepaid expenses                                1,778         1,999
 Income taxes receivable                         5,118         3,301
 Deferred tax asset                              4,184         4,183
 Other current assets                              213           144
   Total current assets                         67,413        37,617

 Investment securities                           2,165         3,383
 Property, plant and equipment, net              6,857         8,621
 Goodwill                                        2,809         2,750
 Other non-current assets                        4,737         4,555

   Total assets                               $ 83,981      $ 56,926

 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable                             $  2,536      $  1,712
 Deferred revenue                               56,887        43,975
 Payroll and employee benefits                   5,964         3,981
 Other current liabilities                       3,246         3,284
   Total current liabilities                    68,633        52,952

 Deferred revenue                                5,565         2,950
 Deferred compensation and other
  employee benefits                              1,711         1,342
 Income taxes payable                            4,868         4,868
 Other non-current liabilities                     213           133
   Total liabilities                            80,990        62,245

   Total shareholders' equity                    2,991        (5,319)

   Total liabilities and shareholders'
    equity                                    $ 83,981      $ 56,926


            

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