Forward Reports Fiscal 2016 and Fourth Quarter Results

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 12, 2016 -- December 12, 2016 – Forward Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:FORD), a designer and distributor of custom carry and protective solutions, today announced financial results for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.

Full Fiscal Year 2016 Highlights

Net income was $607 thousand in Fiscal 2016 compared to a net loss of $1.4 million in Fiscal 2015.
Earnings per share was $0.07 per share for Fiscal 2016 compared to a loss per share of $0.23 per share for Fiscal 2015.
Total Revenues were $27.5 million in Fiscal 2016, down 8% from Fiscal 2015.
Gross profit percentage decreased by 0.8% to 18.5% in Fiscal 2016 from 19.3% in Fiscal 2015.

Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights

Net income was $140 thousand, which is down from $260 thousand in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Earnings per share was $0.02 per share compared to $0.03 per share for the fourth quarter of 2015.
Revenues were $6.7 million compared to $7.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Gross profit percentage decreased by 1.0% to 19.2% from 20.2% in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $4.8 million at September 30, 2016, up from $4.0 million at September 30, 2015.

Terry Wise, Chief Executive Officer of Forward Industries, stated:
“For the first time in a decade, I am delighted to report that the company has earned positive net income for the full fiscal year 2016. This is a watershed in the Company’s history and marks the start of a significant turnaround for the Company. In a challenging environment, we have streamlined our business as a platform for growth whilst successfully renewing major contracts with our blue-chip pharmaceutical customers. These extensions are a resounding endorsement of the quality of our products and reliability of our supply capability. Going forward, our focus is to grow revenues through an expansion of our customer base, broadening our product offering to both new and existing customers and extending our relationships with our existing customers through long-term sourcing agreements.”

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements including statements regarding profitability, growth in revenues, and expansion of customer base. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include unexpected issues with Forward China and our customers going directly to our sourcing agents for their products. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC, including our Form 10-K. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

About Forward Industries
Incorporated in 1962, and headquartered West Palm Beach, Florida, Forward Industries is a global designer and distributor of mobile device cases and accessories. Forward’s products can be viewed online at www.forwardindustries.com.

FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

	For the Fiscal Years Ended
	September 30,
		2016		2015

Net revenues	$	27,479,896	$	30,013,891
Cost of goods sold		22,399,734		24,220,698
Gross profit		5,080,162		5,793,193

Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing		1,891,409		2,362,553
General and administrative		2,571,799		4,943,184
Total operating expenses		4,463,208		7,305,737

Income (loss) from operations		616,954		(1,512,544	)

Other (income) expense:
Interest income		-		(3,022	)
Loss on marketable securities, net		-		110,001
Other expense, net		10,392		13,421
Total other (income) expense, net		10,392		120,400

Income (loss) from continuing operations		606,562		(1,632,944	)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax provision of $0		-		198,963
Net income (loss)		606,562		(1,433,981	)
Preferred stock dividends, accretion and beneficial conversion feature		-		(475,580	)
Net income (loss) applicable to common equity	$	606,562	$	(1,909,561	)

Net income (loss)	$	606,562	$	(1,433,981	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Translation adjustments		-		(1,374	)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	606,562	$	(1,435,355	)

Net income (loss) per basic common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.07	$	(0.25	)
Income from discontinued operations		0.00		0.02
Net income (loss) per basic common share	$	0.07	$	(0.23	)

Net income (loss) per diluted common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.07	$	(0.25	)
Income from discontinued operations		0.00		0.02
Net income (loss) per diluted common share	$	0.07	$	(0.23	)

Weighted average number of common and
common equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic		8,521,188		8,342,168
Diluted		8,675,583		8,342,168

FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	September 30,
		2016			2015

Assets

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,760,620		$	4,042,124
Accounts receivable		4,864,423			5,454,129
Inventories		2,572,980			2,866,464
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		141,421			296,012

Total current assets		12,339,444			12,658,729

Property and equipment, net		43,030			78,733
Other assets		12,843			40,962

Total assets	$	12,395,317		$	12,778,424

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	62,136		$	122,803
Due to Forward China		3,519,676			4,168,021
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		587,741			1,039,085
Total current liabilities		4,169,553			5,329,909

Other liabilities		51,486			115,202

Total liabilities		4,221,039			5,445,111

Commitments and contingencies

Shareholders' equity:

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 40,000,000 shares authorized;
8,780,830 and 8,641,755 shares issued and outstanding
at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively		87,808			86,418
Additional paid-in capital		17,783,060			17,550,047
Accumulated deficit		(9,674,805	)		(10,281,367	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(21,785	)		(21,785	)

Total shareholders' equity		8,174,278			7,333,313

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	12,395,317		$	12,778,424

Contact:                                                
Forward Industries, Inc.                                         
Michael Matte, CFO                                               
(561) 465-0031

Forward Reports Fiscal 2016 and Fourth Quarter Results

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