The Castle Group, Inc. Announces Financial Results for Second Quarter 2008
15 Août 2008 - 3:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Despite lagging Hawaii Tourism, Total Revenues for the second
quarter decreased only 5% to $4,622,369 from $4,840,561 in the
second quarter of last year. HONOLULU, Aug. 14
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Castle Group, Inc. (OTC:CAGU)
(BULLETIN BOARD: CAGU) holding company for Castle Resorts &
Hotels, today announced its financial results for the second
quarter of 2008 ending June 30, 2008. Total Revenues for the second
quarter dropped 5% to $4,622,221 from $4,840,561 in large part due
to decreases in occupancy and room rates in Hawaii during the
second quarter. This is reflective of the overall softening of the
Hawaii tourism market during the period. Castle's operations
outside of Hawaii tempered the impact on the overall revenue
picture. "This is indicative of the weakened tourism economy in
Hawaii and Castle's diversification strategy overall," said Alan
Mattson, President and COO of The Castle Group, Inc. He continued,
"While Total Revenues decreased overall, the non-Hawaii properties
performed very well and offset to some extent the impact from
properties in Hawaii." On a related note, Castle's management and
services revenue increased by $146,650 or 33% to $593,228, which
reflects the expansion in the number of properties under Net
Contracts during the past year. Commenting on the results, Chairman
and CEO of The Castle Group, Inc., Rick Wall said, "Tourism is in a
difficult time in Hawaii; there is no doubt about it, and this is
reflected in our numbers. We are, and will continue to be, focused
on supporting our operations in Hawaii. In view of present trends,
we have also initiated programs, which are expected to reduce
operating expenses throughout our operations in excess of $750,000
from previously planned levels for the second half of 2008." Second
Quarter 2008 and Year to Date Financial Results Total Company
revenues decreased by 5% to $4.6 million for the three months ended
June 30, 2008, from $4.8 million in the comparable period in 2007.
Year to date Total Revenues increased 7% to $10.6 million resulting
from new properties under contract, the strengthening of the New
Zealand dollar, and changes in rates and occupancy at the
properties under Castle's management worldwide, primarily in the
first quarter. Operating Expenses during the second quarter
increased 8% year over year to $5.4 million from $5.0 million as
result of increases in property expense and corporate expenses
related to the new properties added in the past year. Operating
Expenses increased 12% to $11.2 million from $10.0 million in the
first six months of 2007, also as a result of expenses related to
additional properties added to the portfolio in the past year. Net
Loss for the quarter was $545,882 as compared to $170,208 in the
same quarter last year. Year to date the Net Loss totaled $446,224
as compared to $149,678 for the first six months of 2007. "On the
positive side, we continue to add new property contracts to the
list and expect to announce adding several properties to our
portfolio in the third quarter," said Rick Wall, Chairman and CEO
of the Castle Group, Inc. For more information, see the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending June 30, 2008,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About The
Castle Group, Inc. Headquartered in Honolulu, The Castle Group,
Inc. provides management and related hospitality services to hotel
and resort condominiums under the trade name "Castle Resorts &
Hotels." Since 1993, Castle's geographic presence has expanded from
the Hawaiian Islands to additional markets throughout the
Asia/Pacific region, including Guam, Saipan, Thailand, and New
Zealand. Castle's services include pre-opening technical services,
customized hotel and resort operations management, state-of-the-art
sales, marketing and reservations, expert property management and
cost-effective renovations and interior design. Castle offers
travelers accommodations ranging from hotel guest rooms to fully
equipped spacious resort condominiums. This press release contains
forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions
of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Forward-looking statements are based upon the current plans,
estimates, and projections of The Castle Group's management and are
subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results
to differ from the forward-looking statements. These include, but
are not limited to, risks and uncertainties outlined in the
Company's periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission. The Castle Group does not assume any obligation to
update the information contained in this press release. DATASOURCE:
The Castle Group, Inc. CONTACT: Donna Wheeler, Senior Director of
Marketing of The Castle Group, 1-800-733-7753, or +1-808-524-0900,
fax, +1-808-521-9994,
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