U.S. Homes reports cabinetry sales up
DALLAS, Aug. 10  -- U.S. Home Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: USHS) today reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010. USHS is engaged in the specialty products home improvement business. The Company's principal product lines include kitchen cabinet refacing products, bathroom remodeling products, storage organization systems for closets and garages and related accessories.

Financial Results

For the second quarter, USHS revenues increased 38.0% to $35.2 million as compared to $25.5 million in the second quarter 2009. The increase in revenues marked the fourth consecutive quarterly improvement in revenues.

Net income for the second quarter 2010 was $464,000 or $0.06 per share. The quarter included a pre-tax charge of $180,000 related to certain lease obligations. Excluding this charge, net income would have been $570,000, or $0.08 per share. In the second quarter 2009 net loss was $1,211,000 or ($0.17) per share. Net loss in the second quarter last year included a pre-tax charge of $1,500,000 related to a litigation settlement. Excluding the litigation charge, net loss for second quarter 2009 was $286,000, or ($0.04) per share.

Murray Gross, chairman and chief executive officer, commented, "Our strong performance in the second quarter marks the fourth consecutive quarterly increase in revenues and new orders, each building upon the momentum that was first set into motion in the third quarter last year. Our new orders in the second quarter increased 41.0% to $37.4 million from $26.5 million in the second quarter last year, and increased 8.8% sequentially from $34.4 million in the first quarter 2010. We saw robust growth in our kitchen refacing and countertop product line across most of our geographic regions."

Mr. Gross continued, "We attribute much of the second quarter increase in new orders to The Home Depot's inclusion of the cabinet refacing category in their new national kitchen marketing strategy, which highlights 'A Solution for Every Kitchen and Budget - Replace, Reface, Renew'. Supporting this marketing strategy we continued the installation of new kitchen refacing product displays in The Home Depot stores. The new displays better demonstrate the benefits of the cabinet refacing category and our product offering."

Second Quarter 2010 Highlights
-- USHS reported new orders increased 41.0% in the second quarter 2010 to
$37.4 million from $26.5 million in the second quarter last year, and
increased 8.8% sequentially from $34.4 million in the first quarter
2010.
-- In connection with USHS market expansion program, USHS initiated
service in 4 new markets during the second quarter 2010. As of June
30, 2010, it has initiated service in 10 new markets in 2010
encompassing approximately 140 The Home Depot stores.
-- Fixed operating costs, consisting of branch operating and general and
administrative expenses, declined to 13.5% of revenues in the second
quarter 2010 from 17.2% in the same quarter last year. The decline
reflected increased leverage from higher revenues.  

Mr. Gross continued, "As we announced in May 2010, in connection with our market expansion plan, we identified three markets we previously served through our sales and installation centers that we transitioned to SCN contractors to better penetrate the marketplace and reduce our costs. We intend to sublease our sales and installation centers in these three markets. However, as a result of this transition, in the second quarter 2010 we recorded a one-time charge of approximately $180,000 which is equal to the present value of future rental payments, net of expected sublease receipts, for the remaining term of the applicable leases."

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, USHS had revenues of approximately $68.3 million as compared to $51.7 million in the same period last year. Net income was $829,000 or $0.12 per share as compared to a net loss of $2.2 million, or ($0.30) per share, respectively.

Mr. Gross concluded, "Despite no improvement in the credit approval rate for our customers, we have achieved solid growth in the last six months. In a report recently released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) indicated that a recovery in home improvement spending is underway and remodeling spending is expected to increase on an annual basis by the end of the year. We remain confident in continuing near term improvement as we work together with our strategic partner."

Third Quarter 2010 Outlook
USHS expects:
-- Revenues in the third quarter 2010 of $35 to $36 million as compared
to revenues of $28.4 million in the third quarter 2009.
-- Net income of $0.07 to $0.08 per share, compared to a net loss of $510,000, or $0.07 per share in the third quarter of 2009.

About U.S. Home Systems, Inc.

U.S. Home Systems, Inc. (www.ushomesystems.com) manufactures or procures, designs, sells and installs custom quality specialty home improvement products. The Company's product lines include kitchen cabinet refacing products utilized in kitchen remodeling, bathroom tub liners and wall surround products utilized in bathroom remodeling, and storage organization systems for closets and garages. The Company manufactures its own cabinet refacing products and bathroom cabinetry.
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