CALGARY, May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Westaim Corporation announced today that for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, it recorded a net loss of $2.7 million, or 3 cents per share, on revenues of $5.2 million compared to a net loss of $6.9 million, or 7 cents per share, on revenues of $5.2 million in the previous year. The loss from continuing operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 was $2.3 million compared to income of $3.2 million for the same period in 2008.
At March 31, 2009, Westaim had $40.2 million in consolidated cash and cash equivalents, compared to $46.8 million at December 31, 2008. Westaim's cash position, excluding cash and cash equivalents held by its 75 per cent owned subsidiary NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp., was $29.6 million. In addition, Westaim held ABCP with a book value of $4.0 million.
"Westaim is well positioned with strong cash and asset resources," said Cameron MacDonald, President & CEO of Westaim. "We will look for opportunities to make the most of our investment resources and leverage our experience to increase shareholders' equity."
Tomorrow, May 12, 2009, The Westaim Corporation is holding its Annual Meeting of Shareholders in Toronto, Canada at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The meeting will be webcast live and is available through the company website http://www.westaim.com/. An archive of the webcast will be posted following the meeting.
The Westaim Corporation invests, directly and indirectly, through acquisitions, joint ventures and other arrangements, with the objective of providing its shareholders with capital appreciation and real wealth preservation. Westaim holds a 75 per cent interest in NUCRYST Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ: NCST; TSX: NCS). Westaim's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol WED.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and Westaim can give no assurance that these expectations are correct. Various factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such statements, including but not limited to statements regarding Westaim's examination of possible new investment opportunities in an effort to enhance shareholder value. Westaim disclaims any intention or obligation to revise forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and should not rely on this information at any date other than the date of this news release. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
THE WESTAIM CORPORATION Financial Highlights (unaudited) (thousands of dollars except per share data) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended March 31 Consolidated Statements of Operations 2009 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue $ 5,174 $ 5,209 (Loss) income from continuing operations (2,339) 3,227 Net loss (2,681) (6,857) Net (loss) income per common share - basic and diluted Continuing operations (0.02) 0.03 Net loss (0.03) (0.07) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (thousands) 94,216 94,186 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended March 31 Segmented Information 2009 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Revenue from continuing operations Nucryst Pharmaceuticals $ 5,174 $ 5,209 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Loss) income from continuing operations Nucryst Pharmaceuticals $ (1,377) $ (2,238) Other (including corporate costs) (962) 5,465 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Loss) income from continuing operations $ (2,339) $ 3,227 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 31, December 31, Consolidated Balance Sheets 2009 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents $ 40,159 $ 46,768 Current assets 50,254 59,783 Other assets 16,818 17,494 Current liabilities 7,132 9,841 Shareholders' equity 47,830 50,002
Westaim Corporation
CONTACT: Cameron MacDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer, The
Westaim Corporation, (416) 203-2022, info@westaim.com
