EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

Investor Relations Contact:

Lippert / Heilshorn & Associates

Kirsten Chapman / Cathy Mattison

(415) 433-3777

cmattison@lhai.com

Axesstel Announces Second Quarter 2008 Results

- Quarterly revenue of $31.6 million grows 13%, compared to $28.0 million in second quarter 2007 -

- Delivers record profitability with quarterly EPS of $0.05, compared to $0.01 in second quarter 2007 -

SAN DIEGO, CA – August 7, 2008 – Axesstel, Inc. (AMEX: AFT), a recognized leader in the design and development of fixed wireless voice and broadband data products, announced results for the second quarter and six months ended June 29, 2008.

Clark Hickock, CEO of Axesstel, stated, “In the second quarter, we executed our plan to grow the business profitably and our success is attributable to our focus on both top and bottom line results. Our continued investment in dedicated regional sales teams serving a diversified and global customer base in emerging markets delivered revenue of $31.6 million. This level of revenue, when combined with our operating expense reductions, generated record net income for the quarter of $1.2 million with record EPS of $0.05.”

“On the innovation side, the launch of our new CDMA2000 1xEVDO Rev. A fixed wireless phone began attracting strong interest from operators, and we already have advanced orders. As the emerging markets increase investment in new technology, we have built a pipeline of exciting new products to meet the demand for high performance data and phone devices. We set a 2008 goal to launch 12 products and have introduced seven to date. We are looking forward to the second half of 2008 as we are on track to launch five more new products,” Hickock added.

Financial Results

Revenues for the second quarter of 2008 were $31.6 million, including data products revenue of $23.5 million. This compares to revenues of $28.0 million including $11.9 million from data products in the second quarter of 2007. Revenue during the quarter from both


data products and from sales in the EMEA region were at record levels of $23.5 million and $10.5 million, respectively. Gross margin for the second quarter 2008 was $8.0 million, or 25 percent of revenue, compared to $6.6 million, or 23 percent of revenue for the same period last year. Net income was $1.2 million or $0.05 per diluted share, compared to a net income of $273,000 or $0.01 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2007.

For the six months ended June 29, 2008, the company reported revenue of $56.3 million, compared to $53.2 million for the first half of 2007. Net income for the first half of 2008 was $1.5 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to net loss for the first half of 2007 of $976,000, or $0.04 per share.

As of June 29, 2008, the company had approximately $25 million in backlog which is expected to be delivered in the third quarter.

Pat Gray, Axesstel’s CFO, stated, “At quarter end, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 million, an increase of $800,000 since the beginning of the year. During the quarter, we had sales of $31.6 million, pushing accounts receivable to $38.7 million. We financed $10.4 million of working capital against these accounts receivable, the majority of which came from our Wells Fargo line of credit. This financing is a reflection of the quality of the sales we are making and a high level of confidence in our execution. We believe our strategic banking relationships will provide us the necessary working capital to grow our business.”

Outlook

The company continues to expect full year 2008 revenues to exceed $100 million, up from $82.4 million in 2007. Additionally, the company believes data products will contribute more than $60 million in revenues in 2008, up from $34.9 million in 2007, and will exceed phone revenues for the first time on an annualized basis. Product mix and customer demand can impact gross margin and profitability on a quarterly basis. However, based on its assessment of the market, management is optimistic about delivering profitability for the year.

Recent Highlights

 

 

Expanded its product portfolio to WCDMA/HSPA networks and increased its addressable markets with the launch of the EU230 HSUPA Mini ExpressCard/34 wireless modem for High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) networks.


 

Launched the first CDMA2000 1xEVDO Rev. A fixed wireless phone on the market, combining voice and high-speed data communications into a highly integrated phone and data device and exhibited at CommunicAsia 2008 in Singapore in June.

 

 

Won an annual follow-on purchase order from a customer in EMEA for over 120,000 units, which contributed to the record second quarter revenue from this region.

 

 

Received notification the American Stock Exchange accepted the company’s compliance plan. The company is ahead of schedule on the plan submitted.

Conference Call

Axesstel will host a conference call at 8:00 AM PT (11:00 AM ET) to discuss its second quarter 2008 results. Participating in the call will be Clark Hickock, chief executive officer, and Patrick Gray, chief financial officer.

The call is being webcast and can be accessed from the “Investor Relations” section of the company’s website at http://www.axesstel.com. Alternatively, you may dial the following number ten minutes prior to the scheduled conference call time: 1-877-663-9622. International callers should dial 00-1-706-634-9407. There is no pass code required for this call.

If you are unable to participate in the call at this time, the webcast will be archived on the Axesstel website. In addition, a telephonic replay will be available on Thursday, August 7 at 2:00 p.m. ET through Monday, August 11 at 11:59 p.m. ET. To access the replay, please dial 1-800-642-1687. International callers should dial 00-1-706-645-9291. The pass code is 55056528.

ABOUT AXESSTEL, INC.

Axesstel (AMEX:AFT) is a recognized industry leader in the design and development of fixed wireless voice and broadband data products. Axesstel’s best in class product portfolio includes broadband modems, 3G gateways, voice/data terminals, fixed wireless desktop phones and public call office phones for high-speed data and voice calling services. The company delivers innovative fixed wireless solutions to leading telecommunications operators and distributors worldwide. Axesstel is headquartered in San Diego, California with a research and development center in Seoul, South Korea. For more information on Axesstel, visit www.axesstel.com.

(C) 2008 Axesstel, Inc. All rights reserved. The Axesstel logo is a trademark of Axesstel, Inc.


“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: With the exception of historical information, the statements set forth above include forward-looking statements relating to market penetration and conditions, product capabilities and the timing of new product introductions which may affect future results and the future viability of Axesstel. Axesstel wishes to caution readers that actual results could differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties and a number of important risk factors. Those factors include but are not limited the risk factors noted in Axesstel’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, such as to the need for additional working capital; economic and political instability in developing markets served by Axesstel; unforeseen manufacturing difficulties, unanticipated component shortages, competitive pricing pressures and the rapidly changing nature of technology and frequent introductions of new products and enhancements by competitors; the competitive nature of the markets for Axesstel’s products; product and customer mix, Axesstel’s need to gain market acceptance for its products; dependence on a limited number of large customers; potential intellectual property-related litigation; Axesstel’s need to attract and retain skilled personnel; and Axesstel’s reliance on its primary contract manufacturer. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Axesstel undertakes no obligation to revise or update this press release to reflect events or circumstances occurring after this press release.

Tables to follow


AXESSTEL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

     For the three months ended     For the six months ended  
     June 29, 2008     July 1, 2007     June 29, 2008     July 1, 2007  

Revenues

   $ 31,628,976     $ 28,025,951     $ 56,265,913     $ 53,215,727  

Cost of goods sold

     23,582,519       21,446,608       41,616,998       42,064,881  
                                

Gross margin

     8,046,457       6,579,343       14,648,915       11,150,846  

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

     1,352,299       1,785,923       2,453,066       3,678,128  

Selling, general and administrative

     4,826,599       4,440,694       9,532,889       8,334,689  
                                

Total operating expenses

     6,178,898       6,226,617       11,985,955       12,012,817  
                                

Operating income (loss)

     1,867,559       352,726       2,662,960       (861,971 )

Other income (expense):

        

Interest and other income

     (14,540 )     22,906       15,348       39,536  

Interest and other expense

     (654,989 )     (102,798 )     (1,223,620 )     (153,666 )
                                

Total other income (expense)

     (669,529 )     (79,892 )     (1,208,272 )     (114,130 )
                                

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

     1,198,030       272,834       1,454,688       (976,101 )

Provision for income taxes

     —         —         —         —    
                                

Net income (loss)

     1,198,030       272,834       1,454,688       (976,101 )

Earnings (loss) per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.05     $ 0.01     $ 0.06     ($ 0.04 )
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.05     $ 0.01     $ 0.06     ($ 0.04 )
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     23,228,982       22,888,982       23,228,982       22,878,267  
                                

Diluted

     23,572,213       23,173,701       23,314,113       22,878,267  
                                


AXESSTEL, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(Unaudited)

ASSETS

 

     June 29, 2008    December 31, 2007

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,379,440    $ 555,301

Accounts receivable, net

     38,700,310      20,801,710

Inventory

     1,351,232      2,535,433

Prepayments and other current assets

     888,618      1,295,697
             

Total current assets

     42,319,600      25,188,141

Property and equipment, net

     1,320,000      1,694,493

Other assets:

     

License, net

     1,429,789      1,609,304

Other, net

     583,559      871,059
             

Total other assets

     2,013,348      2,480,363
             

Total assets

   $ 45,652,948    $ 29,362,997
             

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     
     June 29, 2008    December 31, 2007

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 24,945,763    $ 22,619,976

Bank financing

     10,362,347      490,000

Customer advances

     181,771      286,806

Accrued commissions

     2,965,742      1,645,099

Accrued royalties

     1,813,000      767,000

Accrued warranties

     460,000      460,000

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     2,148,275      1,818,279
             

Total current liabilities

     42,876,898      28,087,160

Stockholders’ equity

     2,776,050      1,275,837
             

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 45,652,948    $ 29,362,997