Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. Announces Operating Results for the First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2019 Ended September 30, 2018

GARDNER, Ma., Nov. 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Precision Optics Corporation, Inc. (OTCQB: PEYE) (the “Company”) today announced operating results on an unaudited basis for its first quarter ended September 30, 2018.

First quarter highlights include:

• Revenues of $1,559,000 compared to $1,029,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, representing 52% growth;
• Quarter-over-quarter revenue increase of 7% compared to fourth quarter fiscal 2018 revenue of $1,461,000;
• Non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $343,000 contributing to net loss of $299,000;
• Non-GAAP net income of $44,000 before non-cash stock based compensation expense;
• 30% gross margin compared to 38% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018;
• $2 million capital funding completed in October 2018.

Precision Optics’ CEO, Joseph Forkey, commented, “We are pleased with our first quarter revenue performance.  In our fourth quarter earnings release, we anticipated a similar revenue level in the first quarter.  We comfortably passed that expectation.  Our margins were impacted by start-up costs relating to two key customer programs.  This is not unusual as programs ramp to higher volumes, and we expect margins to return to recent higher levels in the near-term.  We also had an unusually high level of non-cash stock-based compensation expense in the quarter due to the improvement in our stock price and recent compensation changes.  Without the effects of these non-recurring stock-based compensation charges, we had a profitable quarter.  As we work through the program start-up cost issues, we believe we are on track to substantially improve profitability, even before considering the impact of additional growth.”

Dr. Forkey continued, “The market for our technologies and products is strong.  Demand for engineering services is robust, and we continue to add new programs to our engineering project pipeline.  This is a very positive indicator of the long-term prospects for the business.  Ongoing expansion of medical procedures in specialties that benefit from small size instruments, such as urology, cardiology, ophthalmology, neurology and others, are supporting an increasing market for our Microprecision™ products.  The substantial increase in number and size of companies in the robotic surgery space is increasing interest in our 3D endoscope technology.  In order to capitalize on these market opportunities, we raised $2 million of capital in October.  With these added resources, we will prudently invest in our business to increase our ability to capture more opportunities from these expanding markets, and to build engineering and production capacity to continue technology development and to efficiently handle greater production volumes from existing and new products.  We believe that the recent transition of development projects into production, that has driven our recent increase in revenues, combined with these new initiatives, puts us in a strong position for long-term growth.”

The following table summarizes the first quarter results for the periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited):

		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2018				2017
Revenues		$	1,559,458			$	1,028,746
Gross Profit			462,507				386,742
Operating Expenses			761,287				415,011
Net Loss			(299,285	)			(28,785		)
Loss Per Share:
Basic		$	(0.03	)		$	0.00
Diluted		$	(0.00	)		$	0.00
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic and Diluted			10,261,269				9,108,423

Quarterly Conference Call Details

The Company has scheduled a conference call to discuss the fiscal first quarter 2019 financial results for Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. To participate in the conference call, please dial 1-844-826-3042 toll free from the U.S., or 1-412-317-5187 for international callers, and ask to be connected to the Precision Optics conference call.

An audio replay of the conference call will be available approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call and will be made available until November 21, 2018. The audio replay can be accessed by dialing 1-877-344-7529 toll free from the U.S., or 1-412-317-0088 for international callers, and enter conference ID number 10126184.

About Precision Optics Corporation
Precision Optics Corporation has been a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced optical instruments since 1982. Using proprietary optical technologies, the Company designs and produces next generation medical instruments, Microprecision™ micro-optics with characteristic dimensions less than 1 millimeter, and other advanced optical systems for a broad range of customers including some of the largest global medical device companies. The Company’s innovative medical instrumentation line includes state-of-the-art endoscopes and endocouplers as well as custom illumination and imaging products for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures. The Company believes that current advances in its proprietary micro-optics and 3D imaging technologies present significant opportunities for expanding applications to numerous potential medical products and procedures. The Company’s website is www.poci.com. Investors can find Real-Time Quotes and market information for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com/stock/PEYE/quote.

About Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that express the Company’s intentions, beliefs, expectations, strategies, predictions or any other statements related to the Company’s future activities or future events or conditions. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s business based, in part, on assumptions made by the Company’s management. These statements are not guarantees of future performances and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those risks discussed in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and in other documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report, except as required by law.   

Following are the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2018 and June 30, 2018, and statements of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 and statements of cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (unaudited):

PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)

		September 30, 2018				June 30, 2018
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents		$	351,314			$	402,738
Accounts Receivable, net			655,720				796,923
Inventories, net			1,113,618				1,144,068
Prepaid Expenses			57,867				70,991
Total Current Assets			2,178,519				2,414,720
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Machinery and Equipment			2,553,207				2,511,638
Leasehold Improvements			554,836				553,596
Furniture and Fixtures			148,303				148,303
			3,256,346				3,213,537
Less: Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization			(3,171,007	)			(3,164,051	)
Net Fixed Assets			85,339				49,486
Patents, net			47,275				47,275
TOTAL ASSETS		$	2,311,133			$	2,511,481
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current Portion of Capital Lease Obligation		$	9,111			$	8,962
Accounts Payable			963,581				703,538
Customer Advances			400,704				857,842
Accrued Employee Compensation			197,765				238,590
Accrued Professional Services			94,970				98,000
Accrued Warranty Expense			25,000				25,000
Other Accrued Liabilities			–				912
Total Current Liabilities			1,691,131				1,932,844
Capital Lease Obligation, net of current portion			12,267				14,601
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock, $0.01 par value – Authorized – 50,000,000 shares; Issued    and Outstanding – 10,297,139 shares at September 30, 2018 and    10,197,139 shares at June 30, 2018			102,972				101,972
Additional Paid-in Capital			45,826,170				45,484,186
Accumulated Deficit			(45,321,407	)			(45,022,122	)
Total Stockholders’ Equity			607,735				564,036
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		$	2,311,133			$	2,511,481

PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 AND 2017
(UNAUDITED)

		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2018				2017
Revenues		$	1,559,458			$	1,028,746
Cost of Goods Sold			1,096,951				642,004
Gross Profit			462,507				386,742
Research and Development Expenses, net			100,798				118,427
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses			660,489				296,584
Total Operating Expenses			761,287				415,011
Operating Loss			(298,780	)			(28,269	)
Interest Expense			(505	)			(516	)
Net Loss		$	(299,285	)		$	(28,785	)
Loss Per Share:
Basic		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.00	)
Diluted		$	(0.03	)		$	(0.00	)
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic			10,261,269				9,108,423
Diluted			10,261,269				9,108,423

PRECISION OPTICS CORPORATION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 AND 2017
(UNAUDITED)

		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2018				2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Loss		$	(299,285	)		$	(28,785	)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Provided From (Used In)    Operating Activities –
Depreciation and Amortization			6,956				8,750
Stock-based Compensation Expense			342,984				26,057
Non-cash Consulting Expense			–				(7,425	)
Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities –
Accounts Receivable, net			141,203				(145,413	)
Inventories, net			30,450				88,162
Prepaid Expenses			13,124				4,591
Accounts Payable			260,043				5,381
Customer Advances			(457,138	)			(57,642	)
Accrued Liabilities			(44,767	)			(25,322	)
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities			(6,430	)			(131,646	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of Property and Equipment			(42,809	)			–
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities			(42,809	)			–
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of Capital Lease Obligation			(2,185	)			(2,046	)
Gross Proceeds from Private Placement of Common Stock			–				210,001
Net Cash Provided From (Used In) Financing Activities			(2,185	)			207,955
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS			(51,424	)			76,309
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD			402,738				118,405
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD		$	351,314			$	194,714
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCING AND    INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of Common Stock in Settlement of Accounts Payable		$	–			$	40,000
Offering Costs Included in Accounts Payable		$	–			$	2,963