Buoyed by the strong preliminary showing of its fourth quarter results, Drugstore.com (Nasdaq: DSCM) said Monday that it expects to hit its profitability target in 2003, approximately one year earlier than the pure-play retailer had previously projected.
According to the Bellevue, Washington-based company, it issued thestepped-up timetable as a result of the roughly US$43 million accrued insales during the most recent quarter, representing a 19 percent spike overthe same period in 2000. Moreover, Drugstore.com said it gained 225,000 newcustomers in the fourth quarter of 2001, bringing its customer base to about2.4 million.
On the cash flow front, the e-tailer said it managed to slash its cash useto $9.7 million, ending the year with $79 million in its pockets. Thecompany said it expects the year-end figure to be “sufficient” to reach thebreakeven point.
“As our preliminary fourth quarter results are showing, Drugstore.com iswell-positioned to reach profitability earlier than originally forecasted,”says Drugstore.com president and chief executive officer Kal Raman. “We havebeen able to increase our sales, increase our customer base and lower ourcash use, while maintaining a commitment to both our customers andinvestors.”
Back in Black
Despite the recent strides, the e-tailer’s latest rosy revenue forecast didnot include comment on the financial shortfall it is expected to haveincurred in the fourth quarter of 2001. In October, the company estimated itwould suffer a net loss of $19 million for the period.
In addition to reaching profitability in 2003, Drugstore.com forecasts thatits earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization willremain positive for the entire fiscal year ending December 2003.
Raman is scheduled to present the company’s latest estimates at an Internet,software and networking conference sponsored by Morgan Stanley inScottsdale, Arizona on Monday afternoon.
Investors seemed pleased with the forecast, sending the company’s stock up$0.34 to $2.55 in morning trading.
Making Strides
Monday’s announcement was the latest dose of good news for the onlinepharmacy and health and beauty product retailer, which has struggled to capture market share in one of the most trying e-commerce sectors.
Over the recently completed holiday season, Drugstore.com said it scored record revenues with sales running morethan 30 percent higher in 2001 compared to the previous holiday.
For several weeks running, Drugstore.com also appeared as one of thefastest-gaining online commerce sites in terms of holiday shopping traffic,according to weekly tracking reports by Jupiter Media Metrix.
Drugstore.com is set to issue more detailed results for 2001 in its fourthquarter earnings release on January 28th.
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