SADDLE BROOK, N.J., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: PEDH), a leading provider of supplemental educational material for the K-12 school market, today announced its financial results for the three and six months ended November 30, 2008.

Revenue for the quarter ended November 30, 2008 was $8.3 million, down 2.6% from the same period in the prior year. Revenue from the Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction product group was $6.1 million for the quarter, down 6.3% over the prior year. College Preparation revenue for the quarter was $2.2 million, an increase of 9.2% from the prior year. Net loss for the quarter was $220,000, a $202,000 and 47.9% improvement over the prior year. Basic and diluted net loss per common share was ($0.05) for the quarter, compared to ($0.09) for the same period last year. Non-GAAP net loss for the quarter was ($0.01) per share, consistent with the prior year.

Revenue for the six months ended November 30, 2008 was $24.3 million, down 4.3% from the same period in the prior year. Revenue from the Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction product group was $12.8 million for the six month period, down 8.0% over the prior year. College Preparation revenue for the period was $11.5 million, flat with the prior year. Net income for the six month period was $1.1 million, a $362,000 and 48.9% improvement over the prior year. Basic and diluted net income per common share for the current period was $0.25 compared to $0.17 and $0.16 respectively in the prior year. Non-GAAP net income for the period was $1.5 million or $0.33 per share, compared to $1.2 million or $0.27 per share during the same period in the prior year.

Financial Highlights for the Six Months Ending November 30, 2008

    --  Free Cash Flow (See Exhibit 2) improved $1.8 million on a year-over-year
        basis from $3.8 million to $5.6 million.
    --  Net Income for the period was $1.1 million, an increase of $362,000 and
        48.9% from the prior year.
    --  Non-GAAP Net Income (See Exhibit 1) improved $0.3 million on a
        year-over-year basis from $1.2 million to $1.5 million in the current
        year.
    --  Focused Instruction revenue for the period increased 7.5% on a
        year-over-year basis.
    --  Electronic revenue increased 6.9% on a year-over-year basis.
    --  Direct Costs efficiencies realized in the prior year are being
        maintained. Direct Costs in total have increased from 46.3% of revenue
        in the prior year to 47.4%; however this increase is due to revenue mix.
        Product costs, as a percentage of revenue within our Testing, Assessment
        and Instruction, and College Preparation product groups are consistent
        with the prior year.
    --  Selling and Marketing costs as a percentage of revenue decreased from
        24.0% in the prior year to 19.8%.

Business Outlook

Brian T. Beckwith, President and CEO, commented, "While our six month year-to-date revenue was down approximately 4% over the prior year due to the difficult market for supplemental instructional products, I am pleased that through cost containment initiatives our net income and non-GAAP net income for the period were up 48.9% and 24% respectively over the prior year."

"In an effort to further reduce costs, in early December, we terminated thirteen non-product development employees, the majority of which were administrative in nature. In addition, during the same time period, we were able to eliminate twelve positions within the product development group as we continue our efforts to streamline our processes and increase the use of outsourcing. The changes made will allow us to increase productivity and react on a timelier basis to the needs of our customers."

"Additionally, our liquidity continues to be strong. At November 30, 2008, we had $1.8 million outstanding on our revolving line of credit and we are paying down our $8.5 million term loan at a rate of $500,000 per quarter."

"Based on our six month results and overall market conditions we are revising our guidance. We now expect revenue to be between $37 million to $39 million, net income to be between $0 and $200,000 and non-GAAP net income to be between $500,000 and $800,000. In addition, we expect positive free cash flow to range between $1.0 million and $1.5 million."

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the measures in this press release are non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of SEC Regulation G. Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc. believes presenting non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per share and free cash flow are useful to investors because it describes the operating performance of the Company and helps investors gauge the Company's ability to generate cash flow excluding non-recurring charges and fluctuations between new product development amortization and new product development expenditures. Company management uses these non-GAAP measures as important indicators of the Company's past performance and to plan and forecast performance in future periods. The non-GAAP financial information Peoples Educational Holdings presents, may not be comparable to similarly titled financial measures used by other companies, and investors should not consider non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or in substitution for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP.

About Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc.

Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc. is a publisher and marketer of print and electronic educational materials for the K-12 school market. The Company focuses its efforts in two market areas:

Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction

Test Preparation and Assessment: The Company creates and sells state customized, print and electronic, test preparation and assessment materials that help teachers prepare students for success in school and for required state proficiency tests.

Instruction: The Company produces and sells proprietary state customized print worktexts, and print and web-based delivered assessments. These products provide students with in-depth instruction and practice in reading, language arts, and mathematics. In addition, the Company's backlist remedial and multicultural products are included in this group.

College Preparation

The Company distributes instructional materials that meet the academic standards high schools require for honors, college preparation, and Advanced Placement courses. The Company is the exclusive high school distributor for two major college publishers, and also creates proprietary supplemental materials for this market.

The Company's proprietary products are supplemental in nature. They are predominately soft-cover, high gross profit margin titles that can be sold efficiently through the Company's direct sales force, as well as through catalogs, direct mail, telemarketing, and independent commission sales representatives. Distributed products are both basal and supplemental in nature.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company and its markets as defined in section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including (1) demand from major customers, (2) effects of competition, (3) changes in product or customer mix or revenues and in the level of operating expenses, (4) rapidly changing technologies and the Company's ability to respond thereto, (5) the impact of competitive products and pricing, (6) local and state levels of educational spending, (7) ability to retain qualified personnel, (8) ability to retain its distribution agreements in the College Preparation market, (9) the sufficiency of the Company's copyright protection, and (10) ability to continue to rely on the services of a third party warehouse, and other factors as discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this report. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this press release and the reports the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect the Company's business and results of operations.

Contacts:


    Peoples Education, Inc., Saddle Brook, NJ
    Investor Contact: Michael L. DeMarco
    Press Contact: Michael L. DeMarco
    Phone: 201-712-0090
    investorrelations@peoplesed.com

    Brian T. Beckwith, President & CEO
    Michael L. DeMarco, Executive Vice President, CFO
    (201) 712-0090


    PEOPLES EDUCATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                           UNAUDITED              UNAUDITED
    (In Thousands-Except Share Data)      November 30,  May 31,  November 30,
                                              2008       2008       2007
    ASSETS
    ------

    Current Assets
    --------------

    Cash and Cash Equivalents                  $36        $53       $172
    Accounts Receivable Net of Allowances
     For Doubtful Accounts and Returns       2,816      3,664      2,726
    Inventory                                4,009      4,394      4,769
    Prepaid Expenses and Other                 401        404        443
    Prepaid Marketing Expenses               1,096        829        753
    Deferred Income Taxes                      661      1,024      1,119
                                               ---      -----      -----
       Total Current Assets                  9,019     10,368      9,982

    Equipment - At Cost, Less Accumulated
     Depreciation of $2,142, $1,994 and
     $1,843, respectively                      511        566        634
                                               ---        ---        ---

    Other Assets
    ------------

    Deferred Prepublication Costs, Net      14,588     15,200     16,555
    Deferred Income Taxes                    1,250      1,536        534
    Trademarks, Net                            192        191        170
    Prepaid Expenses and Other                 272        263        324
    Prepaid Marketing Expenses                 247        495        765
                                               ---        ---        ---
       Total Other Assets                   16,549     17,685     18,348
                                            ------     ------     ------

    Total Assets                           $26,079    $28,619    $28,964
    ------------                           =======    =======    =======

    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
    ------------------------------------

    Current Liabilities
    -------------------

    Current Maturities of Long Term
     Obligations                            $2,044     $2,042     $1,570
    Accounts Payable                         6,980      4,906      6,406
    Accrued Compensation                       155        247        178
    Other Accrued Expenses                     276        347        401
    Deferred Revenue                           486        475        656
                                               ---        ---        ---
       Total Current Liabilities             9,941      8,017      9,211

    Long Term Obligations, Less Current
     Maturities                              8,458     14,046     11,715

    Total Liabilities                       18,399     22,063     20,926
    -----------------                       ------     ------     ------

    Commitments and Contingencies
    -----------------------------

    Stockholders' Equity
    --------------------
    Preferred Stock, authorized 1,500,000
     shares; none issued Common Stock, $0.02
     par value; authorized 8,500,000 shares;
     issued: 4,470,734 shares for all
     periods                                    89         89         89
    Additional Paid In Capital               8,034      8,013      7,980
    Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)   (379)    (1,482)        33
    Treasury Stock - 16,232 shares for all
     periods, at cost                          (64)       (64)       (64)
                                               ---        ---        ---

    Total Stockholders' Equity               7,680      6,556      8,038
    --------------------------               -----      -----      -----

    Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
     Equity                                $26,079    $28,619    $28,964
    -----------------------------------    =======    =======    =======



    PEOPLES EDUCATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

    (In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)   Three Months       Six Months
                                                Ended            Ended
                                             November 30,      November 30,
                                            2008     2007     2008     2007
                                            ----     ----     ----     ----

    Revenue, Net                           8,279    8,502   24,276   25,369

    Cost of Revenue
      Direct Costs                         3,102    3,036   11,509   11,739
      Prepublication Cost Amortization     1,694    1,692    3,352    3,395
                                           -----    -----    -----    -----
      Total                                4,796    4,728   14,861   15,134

    Gross Profit                           3,483    3,774    9,415   10,235

    Selling, General and Administrative
     Expenses                              3,629    4,226    7,219    8,355
                                           -----    -----    -----    -----

    Income (Loss) from Operations           (146)    (452)   2,196    1,880

    Other Expenses, Net                        9       12       17       24
    Interest Expense                         208      354      437      742
                                             ---      ---      ---      ---

    Net Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes   (363)    (818)   1,742    1,114

    Income Tax Expense (Benefit)            (143)    (396)     639      373

                                            ----     ----    -----      ---
    Net Income (Loss)                       (220)    (422)   1,103      741
                                            ====     ====    =====      ===

    Net Income (Loss) per Common Share:
      Basic                               $(0.05)  $(0.09)   $0.25    $0.17
      Diluted                             $(0.05)  $(0.09)   $0.25    $0.16

    Weighted-average Number of Common
     Shares Outstanding:
      Basic                                4,455    4,443    4,455    4,434
      Diluted                              4,455    4,443    4,455    4,491
                                           =====    =====    =====    =====



    PEOPLES EDUCATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

    (In Thousands)                           Six Months Ended
                                                November 30,
                                             2008        2007
                                             ----        ----
    Cash Flows From Operating Activities
    Net Income                             $1,103        $741
    Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to
     Net Cash Provided by Operating
     Activities
        Depreciation                          148         151
        Amortization of Prepublication
         Costs and Intangible Assets        3,357       3,412
        Stock-Based Compensation               21          17
        Market Value Adjustment of
         Interest Rate Swap                    25         136
        Deferred Income Taxes                 649         373
    Changes in Assets and Liabilities
        Accounts Receivable                   848       1,235
        Inventory                             385         501
        Prepaid Expenses and Other             (6)        (63)
        Prepaid Marketing Expenses            (19)        156
        Accounts Payable and Accrued
         Expenses                           1,911        (329)
        Deferred Revenue                       11         329
                                               --         ---
            Net Cash Provided By
             Operating Activities           8,433       6,659
                                            -----       -----

    Cash Flows From Investing Activities
        Purchases of Equipment                (93)        (88)
        Expenditures for Intangibles           (6)        (46)
        Expenditures for Prepublication
         Costs                             (2,740)     (2,770)
                                           ------      ------
            Net Cash Used In Investing
             Activities                    (2,839)     (2,904)
                                           ------      ------

    Cash Flows From Financing Activities
        Net Payments Under Line of Credit  (4,591)     (3,669)
        Proceeds From the Exercise of
         Stock Options                          -          88
        Principal Payments On Long-Term
         Debt                              (1,020)       (100)
                                           ------        ----
            Net Cash Used In Financing
             Activities                    (5,611)     (3,681)
                                           ------      ------

            Net Increase (Decrease) in
             Cash and Cash Equivalents        (17)         74

    Cash and Cash Equivalents
        Beginning of Period                    53          98
                                               --          --
        End of Period                         $36        $172
                                              ===        ====

    Supplemental Cash Flow Information
        Cash Payments for:
            Interest                         $410        $633
                                             ====        ====



    Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
     Exhibit 1
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (In Thousands - Except per Share Data)

                                    Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                        November 30,            November 30,
                                     2008        2007        2008        2007
                                     ----        ----        ----        ----
    Net Income (Loss)               $(220)      $(422)     $1,103        $741

    Amortization of Prepublications
     Costs                          1,694       1,692       3,352       3,395
    Cash Expenditures for
     Prepublication Costs          (1,425)     (1,167)     (2,740)     (2,770)
    Market Value Adjustment of
     Interest Rate Swap                37         136          25         136
    Adjusted Benefit (Expense)
     for Income Taxes                (122)       (264)       (255)       (304)
                                     ----        ----        ----        ----
    Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)       $(36)       $(25)     $1,485      $1,198
                                     ====        ====      ======      ======

    Basic Weighted Shares
     Outstanding                    4,455       4,443       4,455       4,434

    Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per
     Share                         $(0.01)     $(0.01)      $0.33       $0.27



    Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash
     Flow Exhibit 2
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (In Thousands - Except per Share Data)

                                    Three Months Ended       Six Months Ended
                                        November 30,            November 30,
                                     2008        2007        2008        2007
                                     ----        ----        ----        ----
    Net Cash Provided by Operating
     Activities                    $2,713      $1,692      $8,433      $6,659
    Cash Expenditures for Equipment
     and Trademarks                   (37)        (71)        (99)       (134)
    Cash Expenditures for
     Prepublication Costs          (1,425)     (1,167)     (2,740)     (2,770)
                                   ------      ------      ------      ------
    Free Cash Flow                 $1,251        $454      $5,594      $3,755
                                   ======        ====      ======      ======

SOURCE Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc.