Martek Announces Third Quarter 2009 Financi...(reasonable profit margins can be generat...),Health

Gross Margin and Operating Expenses

Overall gross margin for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was 43.7%, a record gross margin, and a significant increase over the 41.5% gross margin realized in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. The improvement resulted largely from ARA cost reductions and DHA productivity increases.

Research and development expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 were $6.6 million, an increase of 5% over the corresponding quarter of last year. The increase relates primarily to development work focusing on offerings for new markets and broadening the array of foods and beverages in which the Company's life'sDHA(TM) can be incorporated. The Company continues to expect quarter-to-quarter fluctuations in research and development expenses mainly due to the timing of outside services, including third-party clinical trial services.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $11.4 million, a decrease from $13.6 million in last year's third quarter. The Company continues to closely manage its SG&A spending levels. Martek expects that for fiscal 2009, SG&A will be lower than fiscal 2008 levels on both a percentage of revenue and absolute dollar basis reflecting the cost management measures employed by the Company to address economic challenges. Such cost management measures during the third quarter included reductions to estimated annual incentive compensation payouts which resulted in a reversal of certain previously accrued incentive compensation expenses.

Financial Position

As of the end of the third quarter, Martek had $129.3 million in cash an
'/>"/>