Canterbury Park Holding Corporation Reports Financial Results for the Second Quarter of 2006
Canterbury Park Holding Corporation (AMEX:ECP) today
announced results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30,
2006.
The Company earned net income of $345,358 on revenues of
$14,912,645 for the three months ended June 30, 2006, compared to net
income of $454,149 on revenues of $14,906,919 for the same period in
2005. Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2006 were
$.08 compared to $.11 for the second quarter of 2005. Further results
for the first six months of 2006 are presented in the accompanying
table.
Revenues for the second quarter of $14.9 million increased less
than 1% when compared to revenues in the second quarter ended June 30,
2005. This slight increase is primarily due to an increase in
Concessions revenues of 2.3%, offset by a decrease in Card Club
revenues of 1%, and virtually unchanged Pari-mutuel revenues.
Operating expenses however increased approximately $375,000 or 2.7% in
the three months ended June 30, 2006 compared to the second quarter
last year. The increase was primarily attributable to the following
factors: an increase in salaries and benefits due to the $1 per hour
increase to the minimum wage mandated by the State of Minnesota in
August 2005, and the implementation of SFAS 123R accounting for stock
compensation expense; and an increase in purse expense from simulcast
wagering.
"The flat revenues for the quarter were below our expectations,"
stated Randy Sampson, Canterbury Park's President, "and we are
particularly disappointed to see a slight decrease in Card Club
revenues compared to the second quarter of 2005. This decline was
primarily due to increased competition for poker from Native American
casinos in Minnesota, bar tournaments and the Internet. To address
this decline, we are increasing our promotions, tournaments and player
reward program to make Canterbury Park the most attractive alternative
when customers in our market want to play cards. On the Pari-mutuel
side, we were encouraged that the slight decrease in on-track live
racing handle, due primarily to weather cancellations and delays, was
offset by a slight increase in on-track simulcast handle and a
significant increase in out-of-state handle on our live product.
Although our weather problems have continued in July with excessive
heat, we are optimistic that the live meet, which ends on Labor Day,
will finish with an increase in total wagering handle."
In May, the 2006 session of the Minnesota Legislature adjourned
without taking action on the Company's proposed "Racino" legislation,
which would have authorized electronic gaming devices to be operated
by the Minnesota Lottery at the Racetrack. "We are disappointed with
the results of the 2006 legislative session," stated Mr. Sampson.
"However, as public opinion surveys consistently show that Minnesotans
overwhelmingly support the Racino proposal, we intend to renew our
efforts to gain approval of our Racino bill in the Minnesota
Legislature when next biannual session begins in January 2007."
In recognition of the Company's sound financial position, on June
1, 2006 the Canterbury Park Board of Directors declared a special cash
dividend of $.25 per share of common stock, which was paid to
shareholders on July 14, 2006.
About Canterbury Park:
Canterbury Park Holding Corporation owns and operates Canterbury
Park Racetrack, Minnesota's only pari-mutuel horse racing facility.
The Company's 69-day live race meet began on May 6th and ends
September 4, 2006. In addition, the Company is authorized under
Minnesota law to host "unbanked" card games. Canterbury Park's Card
Club operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with 34 poker tables,
and 16 tables offering a variety of card games. The Company also
conducts year-round wagering of simulcast horse racing and hosts a
variety of other entertainment and special events at its facility in
Shakopee, Minnesota. For more information about the Company please
visit us at www.canterburypark.com.
Cautionary Statement: From time to time, in reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, in press releases, and in other
communications to shareholders or the investing public, the Company
may make forward-looking statements concerning possible or anticipated
future financial performance, business activities or plans which are
typically preceded by the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates,"
"intends" or similar expressions. Shareholders and the investing
public should understand that such forward-looking information and
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause
actual performance, activities or plans to differ significantly from
those presented in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to: material fluctuations
in attendance at the Racetrack, material changes in the level of
wagering by patrons, decline in interest in the unbanked card games
offered at the Card Club, competition from other venues offering
unbanked card games, legislative and regulatory changes subsequent to
2006, the impact of wagering products and technologies introduced by
competitors; increases in the percentage of revenues allocated for
purse fund payments; higher than expected increases in compensation
and employee benefit costs; a decline in the general level of interest
in gaming products as a form of entertainment; higher than expected
expense related to new marketing initiatives; and other factors
discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. For such forward-looking
information and statements, the Company claims the protection of the
safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in federal
securities laws.
CANTERBURY PARK HOLDING CORPORATION'S
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SUMMARY OF OPERATING RESULTS
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Three Months Three Months Six Months Six Months
Ended Ended Ended Ended
June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005 June 30, 2006 June 30, 2005
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Operating
Revenues $14,912,645 $14,906,919 $27,067,412 $26,629,474
Operating
Expenses $14,375,025 $14,000,302 $24,543,729 $23,795,677
Income from
Operations $537,620 $906,617 $2,523,683 $2,833,797
Non-Operating
Income $66,247 $24,830 $119,331 $42,198
Income Tax
Expense ($258,509) ($477,298) ($1,135,009) ($1,341,418)
Net Income $345,358 $454,149 $1,508,005 $1,534,577
Basic Net
Income Per
Common Share $0.08 $0.12 $0.38 $0.40
Diluted Net
Income Per
Common Share $0.08 $0.11 $0.33 $0.37
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