Warrantech Corporation, an independent provider of service contracts and after-market warranties, has reported profits for the twelfth consecutive quarter. Net income was $234,000 or $0.01 per diluted share for the company’s fourth quarter for fiscal 2003, which ended March 31, 2003, versus $1,195,000 or $0.08 per diluted share in the same period a year ago. The change in net income for the fourth quarter was the result of higher levels of deferred revenue in the amount of $6,529,826 during the fourth quarter 2002. Deferred revenue for the fourth quarter 2003 was $3,652,025.

For the twelve months ended March 31, 2003, net income was $2,861,000 or $0.19 per diluted share, up 6 percent compared to net income of $2,695,000 or $0.18 per diluted share for the fiscal year 2002. The rise in earnings for fiscal year 2003 ended March 31, 2003 was the result of an increase in gross revenues of over 24 percent. Earnings have continued to grow in

conjunction with rising levels of gross revenue and increased business volume. This rise in gross revenue contributed to increased net earned administrative fees that were reduced by a drop in deferred revenue of $2,877,801 in fiscal 2003 versus fiscal 2002. Warrantech’s ability to maintain a streamlined operating infrastructure and minimize SG&A expense was also a prime contributor to fiscal 2003 profits.

“Warrantech is proud of our operating performance during fiscal 2003. Our gross revenues were up significantly as we continue to log profits, quarter after quarter. Today, we reported twelve consecutive quarters of positive earnings, ” said Joel San Antonio, Warrantech chairman and chief executive officer. “Warrantech has remained at the forefront of our industry because of our ability to identify and meet the needs of our customers. This year, our new business efforts have resulted in signed agreements with companies such as VTech Communications Inc., one of the world’s leading consumer-focused technology companies, Braun Corporation, Monro Muffler, Rex Stores, and MARTA Cooperative, among others. Our excellent service record encouraged retailers such as Desears Appliance and Anderson’s TV to return to Warrantech. Despite economic uncertainty in the United States, Warrantech continues to maintain profitable business trends.”

“Warrantech’s new first class world headquarters in Bedford, Texas is the primary reason we can provide such a high standard of service – while maintaining lower operating costs. We are optimistic about the future. We have the people, the programs and the means to deliver the profits our dealers and shareholders have come to expect,” San Antonio said.

Gross Revenues

Gross revenues for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2003, were $40,599,000, an increase of 10 percent, compared to $37,064,000 for the same period last year. For the year, gross revenues grew 24 percent to $150,344,000 versus $121,119,000 last year.

The Automotive segment reported gross revenues of $30,366,000 during the fourth quarter ended March 2003 from $24,747,000 in the comparable quarter the prior year. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2003, the Automotive segment had gross revenues of $108,025,000, up 38 percent compared to $78,214,000 in the prior year. The International segment had gross revenues of $1,367,000 for the fourth quarter 2003, up 33 percent compared to $1,030,000 in the same period the prior year. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2003, the International segment had gross revenues of $5,474,000 an increase of 21 percent compared to $4,520,000 in the corresponding period a year ago.

Consumer Products segment reported gross revenues of $8,939,000, during the fourth quarter 2003 compared to $11,294,000 in the corresponding 2002 period. For the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2003, Consumer Products segment reported gross revenues of $37,157,000 down 4 percent compared to $38,796,000 in the corresponding period the previous year.

Net Earned Administrative Fee

Net earned administrative fees are gross revenues less the combined sum of premiums, commissions, sales allowances and deferred revenue. The net earned administrative fee for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2003 was $9,841,000, compared to $10,452,000 for the same period last year. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2003, the net earned administrative fee increased 2 percent to $38,156,000 compared to $38,025,000 in the previous year. The change in net earned administrative fees was due primarily to the appreciable increase from both new and existing products and new and existing dealers reduced by less deferred revenue this year versus last year.

The Automotive segment’s net earned administrative fee was $3,855,000 during the fourth quarter 2003 compared to $ 6,588,000 in the same period in fiscal 2002. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2003, Automotive segment net earned administrative fee was $18,517,000, a decrease of 4 percent compared to $19,346,000 reported during the previous year. Although the Automotive segment had an increase of $1,050,751 in net earned administrative fees from an increase in sales volume, it was offset by higher premium costs, lower unit net margin and lower net deferred revenues recognized this period.

The net earned administrative fee for the Consumer Products segment decreased during the fourth quarter to $2,198,000 from $3,683,000 for the same quarter the previous year. The decrease was due to higher sales related variable costs associated with a major customer and lower deferred revenues from prior periods. During the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2003, net earned administrative fees for the Consumer Products segment were $13,766,000 down 18 percent from $16,711,000 in the prior year. The change was primarily attributed to lower net earned administrative fees associated with a major customer, as higher volume rebates to the customer and higher premium fees associated with the products sold, cut into the net earned administrative fee margins.

Net earned administrative fees for the International segment increased to $832,000 in the fourth quarter 2003, up 345 percent from $187,000 during the same quarter the prior year. The dramatic increase in the International net earned administrative fees was the result of improved margins in South America and increased market penetration in Puerto Rico. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2003, net earned administrative fee for the International segment increased 35 percent to $3,182,000 compared to $2,353,000 in fiscal 2002. During fiscal 2003, the International segment net earned administrative fee income rose due to increased market penetration from existing customers in the Latin American market.

Service, Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A)

SG&A expenses for the fourth quarter 2003 were $8,591,000, compared to $7,526,000 in the corresponding quarter the previous year. Rent related expense increased $427,000, while sales related costs increased $298,000 during the current quarter compared to the same period last year. Telephone expenses were $287,000 down 36 percent in the fourth quarter ended 2003 from $450,000 in the same quarter the previous year.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, SG&A expenses were $31,093,000, up $325,000 or 1 percent from $30,768,000 in the same period the prior year. The change in SG&A expense results from higher litigation expenses related to several lawsuits that were settled in 2003, which were partially offset by lower employee and telephone expenses associated with the company’s strict cost cutting programs. For the twelve-month fiscal 2003 period, employee and payroll expenses were $17,957,000 down 3 percent compared to $18,589,000 in the same period a year ago. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2003, telephone expenses were $1,467,000 down 39 percent from $2,419,000 in the prior year period. Rent expense was $1,863,000 for fiscal 2003 compared to $1,415,000 for fiscal 2002, which reflects the company’s move to its new corporate headquarters in Bedford, Texas.

Income from Operations

Income from operations for the fourth quarter 2003 was $94,000 compared to $1,885,000 in the previous year. For the twelve months ended March 31, 2003, income from operations was $3,027,000, down 15 percent compared to $3,576,000 in the prior year as described above.

Other Matters

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, the Company's operations provided $9,558,420 of net cash compared to cash from operations of $10,077,578 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002. The change in net cash from operations, relates to unfavorable changes in its working capital from negative $1,656,179 at March 31, 2002 to a negative $2,985,930 at March 31, 2003. The change in working capital resulted primarily from advances made by the Company to the obligor under the service contracts, Butler Financial Solutions, LLC ("Butler"), to assist Butler in funding claims under service contracts previously insured by Reliance Insurance Company which is liquidation and unable to pay those claims.

The Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") recently selected the Company's periodic reports for review. The SEC staff stated that the purpose of the review is to assist the Company in its compliance with applicable disclosure requirements and to enhance the overall disclosure in the Company's reports. As a result of the communications with the SEC staff, the Company agreed to amend certain of its disclosures and these disclosures

are reflected in Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, which was filed with the SEC yesterday. The Company also decided to restate its financial statements for prior periods to reflect certain changes in accounting policy. Although the cumulative effect of the change to prior periods is a net benefit of $1,721,184 in retained earnings, the new accounting policy did not have a material effect on the results reported in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. The SEC staff's most recent set of questions, to which the Company has responded, pertained primarily to the Company's accounting treatment of the obligations assumed by Butler under the service contracts administered by the Company and related financial disclosures. The Company may receive further comments from the SEC staff based upon its review.

About Warrantech

Warrantech Corporation administers and markets service contracts and after-market warranties on automobiles, automotive components, recreational vehicles, appliances, consumer electronics, homes, computer and computer peripherals for retailers, distributors and manufacturers. The company continues to expand its domestic and global penetration, and now provides its services in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Latin America. For additional information on Warrantech, access www.warrantech.com.

0 Comments