DRAD Digirad Corporation

Board of Directors Approves Share Buyback Program POWAY, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Digirad Corporation (NASDAQ:DRAD), a leading provider of diagnostic imaging products, and personnel and equipment leasing services, today reported that robust camera sales, combined with company-wide efficiency measures, resulted in 17 percent growth in total sales, improved gross margin, and generated strong cash flow in its fourth-quarter ended December 31, 2008. Digirad CEO Todd Clyde said that steps taken in 2008 allowed the Company's product division to achieve profitability in the quarter and for the full year. The focus is now on reshaping a more powerful DIS core footprint from which we will further penetrate our markets and expand our Centers of Influence locations, which pair leading academic institutions with physicians in those communities. "Progress toward consistent profitability and positive cash flow are the priority at Digirad today," Clyde said. "Achieving that stable financial and operating platform allows us to make investments to drive product evolution, establish new service initiatives, increase market share, and ultimately make growth possible in 2010 and beyond." Fourth-Quarter Highlights: -- Total revenue rose to a record $22.0 million, compared to $18.8 million in fourth-quarter 2007. Product sales grew to $7.8 million from $5.4 million in fourth-quarter 2007, and DIS revenues increased to $14.2 million from $13.4 million in fourth-quarter 2007. -- Gross profit was $6.3 million, or 29 percent of revenue, compared to $4.5 million, or 24 percent, in fourth-quarter 2007. -- Net loss was $3.4 million, or $(0.18) per share, including $3.8 million in restructuring charges and goodwill impairment that are not expected to recur in coming periods, compared to net loss of $1.1 million, or $(0.06) per share, in fourth-quarter 2007. -- Cash and cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale totaled $28.3 million, or $1.50 per share, on December 31, 2008. Cash and cash equivalents and securities available-for-sale were $31.7 million on December 31, 2007 and $25.6 million on September 30, 2008. The increase during the 2008 fourth quarter resulted primarily from strong camera sales coupled with consistent cash collections of accounts receivables in both the product business and the personnel and equipment leasing services business. -- DIS asset utilization was 56 percent on 160 systems (nuclear and ultrasound), compared to 61 percent on 136 systems (nuclear and ultrasound) during fourth-quarter 2007. Full Year 2008 Summary: -- Total revenue rose to $80.4 million, compared to $73.9 million in 2007. Product sales were $24.2 million, compared to $21.5 million for 2007, and DIS revenues were $56.2 million compared to $52.4 million for 2007. -- Gross profit was $20.1 million, or 25 percent of revenue, compared to $20.5 million, or 28 percent, for 2007. The decline in gross margin was largely the result of costs related to initiatives to reduce turnover of mobile imaging services personnel and upgrading the Company's fleet of mobile imaging systems. -- Net loss was $6.9 million, or $(0.36) per share, including the restructuring and goodwill impairment costs noted above, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million, or $(0.07) per share, for twelve-months 2007. The increase in net loss reflected costs associated with the restructuring and goodwill impairment charge and lower gross margins in the first three quarters of 2008 and lower interest income, compared to 2007. Clyde continued, "The financial and operational performance in the fourth quarter was a strong indication that a leaner Digirad organization is adopting the changes necessary to move the company forward and generate greater value for our customers and shareholders." Corporate Goals in 2009 -- Creating greater efficiency as we sell or close additional underperforming hub operations; -- Continually improving our approach to launching and growing Centers of Influence; -- Introducing new imaging technologies during the year; -- Moving forward with the development of a longer-term technology platform designed to attract new customer segments and take market share from our competitors; and, -- Progressing toward consistent profitability and positive cash flow. Share Buyback Approved The Company also announced that its board of directors has authorized a stock buyback program to repurchase up to an aggregate of $2 million of its issued and outstanding common shares. Digirad had approximately 19 million shares outstanding as of December 31, 2008. At current valuations, this repurchase plan would authorize the buyback of approximately 2.1 million shares, or approximately 11 percent of the company's outstanding shares. Chairman of the Digirad Board of Directors R. King Nelson said, "The board believes the Company's direction and goals towards generating positive cash flow and earnings coupled with an undervalued stock price present a unique investment opportunity. We are confident this will provide a solid return to our shareholders." The timing of stock repurchases and the number of shares of common stock to be repurchased will be made in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The timing and extent of the repurchase will depend upon market conditions, applicable legal and contractual requirements, and other factors. Conference Call Information A conference call is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. EST today to discuss the results and management's outlook. The call may be accessed by dialing 800-762-8795 five minutes prior to the scheduled start time and referencing Digirad. For callers outside the United States, dial 480-248-5085. A simultaneous webcast of the call may be accessed online from the Events & Presentations link on the Investor Relations page at http://www.digirad.com/; an archived replay of the webcast will be available within 15 minutes of the end of the conference call. About Digirad Corporation Digirad provides medical diagnostic imaging systems and personnel and equipment leasing services to physicians' offices, hospitals and imaging centers for cardiac, vascular, and general imaging applications. Digirad's Cardius XPO line of nuclear imaging cameras use patented solid-state technology and unique multi (single, dual, triple) head design for superior performance and advanced features for sharper digital images, faster processing, compact size, lighter weight for portability, ability to handle patients up to 500 pounds, and improved patient comfort compared to standard nuclear cameras. Digirad's 2020tc general-purpose nuclear imager has a small footprint and may also be configured for fixed or mobile use to supplement primary imaging. Digirad's installed base of equipment exceeds 600 systems; in addition, a mobile fleet of more than 145 nuclear and ultrasound imaging systems is being used in 21 states, primarily in the eastern, midwestern and southwestern United States. For more information, please visit http://www.digirad.com/. Digirad(R), Digirad Imaging Solutions(R), and Cardius(R) are registered trademarks of Digirad Corporation. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements regarding the efficacy of Digirad's centers of influence model, the status of the negotiation of the sale or closure of underperforming hub locations, and the ability to achieve positive cash flow and profitability, drive technology progress and improve services utilization to grow market share. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including the risks associated with changes in business conditions, technology, customers' business conditions, work force, suppliers, business prospects, economic outlook, operational policy or structure, acceptance and use of Digirad's camera systems and services, reliability, recalls, and other risks detailed in Digirad's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on these forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Digirad undertakes no obligation to revise or update the forward looking statements contained herein. Investor Contact: Company Contact: Matt Clawson Todd Clyde, CEO Allen & Caron 858-726-1600 949-474-4300 Digirad Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31, 2008 2007 2008 2007 (unaudited) (unaudited) Revenues: DIS $14,172 $13,420 $56,204 $52,440 Product 7,815 5,403 24,154 21,507 Total revenues 21,987 18,823 80,358 73,947 Cost of revenues: DIS 11,162 10,749 44,697 39,520 Product 4,543 3,582 15,590 13,909 Total cost of revenues 15,705 14,331 60,287 53,429 Gross profit 6,282 4,492 20,071 20,518 Operating expenses: Research and development 805 631 2,764 3,072 Sales and marketing 2,121 2,009 8,554 7,670 General and administrative 2,853 2,794 11,805 11,920 Amortization and impairment of intangible assets 256 371 798 697 Goodwill impairment loss 2,466 -- 2,466 -- Restructuring loss 1,308 -- 1,308 -- Total operating expenses 9,809 5,805 27,695 23,359 Loss from operations (3,527) (1,313) (7,624) (2,841) Interest income, net 212 343 819 1,566 Other expense (128) (130) (60) (101) Net loss $(3,443) $(1,100) $(6,865) $(1,376) Net loss per share - basic and diluted $(0.18) $(0.06) $(0.36) $(0.07) Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic and diluted 18,986 18,916 18,955 18,845 Stock-based compensation expense is included in the above as follows: Cost of DIS revenue $11 $10 $55 $71 Cost of Product revenue 15 (11) 53 49 Research and development 11 15 47 77 Sales and marketing 29 35 115 102 General and administrative 20 32 446 606 Digirad Corporation Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(1) (in thousands) December 31, 2008 2007 (unaudited) Assets Cash and cash equivalents $13,525 $14,922 Securities available-for-sale 14,759 16,740 Accounts receivable, net 9,324 8,536 Inventories, net 4,978 5,455 Property and equipment held for sale 1,122 -- Other current assets 1,982 1,786 Total current assets 45,690 47,439 Property and equipment, net 13,428 16,235 Other intangible assets, net 1,833 2,631 Goodwill 184 2,650 Restricted cash 60 60 Total assets $61,195 $69,015 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Accounts payable $2,197 $2,650 Accrued compensation 3,457 3,547 Accrued warranty 906 930 Other accrued liabilities 2,705 3,285 Deferred revenue 2,723 2,909 Current portion of long-term debt 52 213 Total current liabilities 12,040 13,534 Long-term debt, net of current portion 54 -- Deferred rent 142 234 Total stockholders' equity 48,959 55,247 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $61,195 $69,015 (1) The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date. DATASOURCE: Digirad Corporation CONTACT: Investors, Matt Clawson of Allen & Caron, +1-949-474-4300, or Company, Todd Clyde, CEO of Digirad Corporation, +1-858-726-1600, Web Site: http://www.digirad.com/

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