Aristotle   Form 8-K




SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT


PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): MAY 4, 2007



THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)



DELAWARE

0-14669

06-1165854

(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION

(COMMISSION FILE

(I.R.S. EMPLOYER

OF INCORPORATION)

NUMBER)

IDENTIFICATION NO.)



96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD, STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT

 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)



06902

(ZIP CODE)



(203) 358-8000

(REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:


Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))









Page 1 of 2 Pages





Page 2 of 2 Pages


Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.


On May 4, 2007, The Aristotle Corporation issued a press release announcing (i) financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and (ii) the date of Aristotle’s annual meeting and the date by which stockholder proposals need to be delivered to Aristotle’s corporate secretary, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1.


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits


(d)

Exhibits


Exhibit 99.1 - Press release of The Aristotle Corporation, dated May 4, 2007.



The information in this Form 8-K and the Exhibit attached hereto shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, unless expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.




SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.



THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION

 

(Registrant)

 

By:  /s/  H. William Smith

 

Name:  H. William Smith  

Title:    Vice President, General Counsel

 

and Secretary

  


Date: May 4, 2007





EXHIBITS


Exhibit 99.1 Press release issued May 4, 2007.





Exhibit 99.1


For Immediate Release

News Release


Contacts:

Bill Smith or Dean Johnson

The Aristotle Corporation

Phone: (203) 358-8000 or (920) 563-2446

Fax: (203) 358-0179 or (920) 563-0234

wsmith@ihc-geneve.com

int@enasco.com


The Aristotle Corporation Announces

2007 First Quarter Results and Sets Date of Annual Meeting


Stamford, CT, May 4, 2007 - The Aristotle Corporation (NASDAQ: ARTL; ARTLP) announced today its results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, and set the date for its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.


First Quarter 2007 Results


For the quarter ended March 31, 2007, net sales increased 4.5% to $48.2 million from $46.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.  Earnings before income taxes increased 13.7% to $7.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 from $6.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, and net earnings increased 14.1% to $4.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 from $4.0 million from the quarter ended March 31, 2006.  Net earnings applicable to common stockholders for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 were $2.4 million, or $.13 per diluted common share, compared to $1.8 million, or $.10 per diluted common share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.  


The reported net earnings are shown after deduction for Federal, state and foreign income tax expenses.  Approximately $1.3 million and $1.9 million of the income tax provision for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, relate to the non-cash charge for utilization of Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards (“NOL’s”).  The utilization of NOL’s for the reported quarters reduced Aristotle’s current Federal tax liability, thereby conserving cash.  In the quarter ended March 31, 2007, the remaining balance of NOL’s available as of December 31, 2006, approximately $3.6 million, was utilized by Federal taxable income generated by the Company.


Steven B. Lapin, Aristotle’s President and Chief Operating Officer, stated, “I am delighted to report the increase in quarterly earnings per share, on a fully diluted basis, to $.13 per common share compared to $.10 per common share in the same quarter of last year.  Although the first calendar quarter is historically one of the lower revenue quarters of the year, the Company’s ability to yield improved earnings in the 2007 first quarter is an indication that management continues to effectively control the Company’s operating expenses.”


“Additionally, gross profit margins improved in the 2007 first quarter to 39.3% of net sales, compared to 38.1% in the 2006 first quarter.  Each business unit applies corporately-coordinated procurement practices that effectively consolidate purchasing leverage to attain the best available merchandise pricing from vendors.  The Company continues to nurture mutually-beneficial business relationships with vendors so as to expand the value of its product offerings to all customers.”


Dean Johnson, Aristotle’s Chief Financial Officer, commented, “At December 31, 2006, the Company had approximately $3.6 million of NOL’s available that could be utilized to offset future Federal income tax obligations.  In the first quarter of 2007, the Company generated taxable income in excess of the $3.6 million balance of NOL’s.  Utilization of this remaining balance of NOL’s provided the Company a Federal tax benefit of approximately $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2007.  In future quarters, the Company will utilize cash to pay its Federal income tax obligations.”


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 Aristotle’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 net earnings before income taxes, interest expense, other income and expense, and depreciation and amortization.


2007 Annual Meeting


Aristotle also announced today that it will hold its 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on August 8, 2007. Stockholders of record on June 29, 2007 will be entitled to vote at the meeting.  Any stockholder wishing to submit a proposal to be considered for inclusion in Aristotle’s proxy statement and proxy for the Annual Meeting must deliver the proposal by May 25, 2007, addressed to Aristotle’s Secretary at 96 Cummings Point Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06902.


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 17.3 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 shares of 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

 

 

March 31,

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$

48,224

 

46,164

Cost of sales

 

29,261

 

28,565

 

Gross profit

 

18,963

 

17,599

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expense

 

11,627

 

11,082

 

Earnings from operations

 

7,336

 

6,517

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(326)

 

(447)

 

Other, net

 

351

 

405

 

 

25

 

(42)

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

7,361

 

6,475

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

1,523

 

722

 

Deferred

 

1,319

 

1,792

 

 

 

2,842

 

2,514

 

Net earnings

 

4,519

 

3,961

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred dividends

 

2,159

 

2,159

 

Net earnings applicable to common stockholders

$

2,360

 

1,802

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

.14

 

.10

 

Diluted

$

.13

 

.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

17,266,573

 

17,249,302

 

Diluted

 

17,536,665

 

17,494,518






RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET EARNINGS TO EBITDA

(in thousands)

(unaudited)


 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

$

4,519

 

3,961

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

2,842

 

2,514

 

Interest expense

 

326

 

447

 

Other, net

 

(351)

 

(405)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

441

 

435

EBITDA

$

7,777

 

6,952







THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 (in thousands)




Assets

 

March 31,

 2007

 

December 31, 2006

 

March 31, 2006

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

2,013

 

5,814

 

1,999

 

 

Investments

 

14,958

 

14,586

 

13,258

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

19,557

 

15,458

 

19,381

 

 

Inventories

 

39,609

 

37,487

 

38,222

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

6,581

 

8,123

 

7,013

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,774

 

4,051

 

9,501

 

 

Total current assets

 

85,492

 

85,519

 

89,374

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

26,357

 

25,426

 

23,045

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

13,890

 

13,860

 

13,872

 

Deferred income taxes

 

8,188

 

8,188

 

2,712

 

Other assets

 

311

 

328

 

373

 

 

Total assets

$

134,238

 

133,321

 

129,376

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current installments of long-term debt

$

288

 

287

 

589

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

8,495

 

9,440

 

9,704

 

 

Accrued expenses

 

6,434

 

8,207

 

4,630

 

 

Accrued dividends payable

 

-

 

2,159

 

-

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

15,217

 

20,093

 

14,923

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current installments

 

14,913

 

11,985

 

31,268

 

Long-term pension obligations

 

4,653

 

4,469

 

858

 

Other long-term accruals

 

2,397

 

2,383

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, Series I

 

6,601

 

6,601

 

6,601

 

 

Preferred stock, Series J

 

65,760

 

65,760

 

65,760

 

 

Common stock

 

173

 

172

 

173

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

3,294

 

3,106

 

3,219

 

 

Retained earnings

 

22,417

 

20,057

 

6,693

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(1,187)

 

(1,305)

 

(119)

 

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

97,058

 

94,391

 

82,327

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

134,238

 

133,321

 

129,376