Pure Cycle Corporation Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results

DENVER, April 9, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pure Cycle Corporation (Nasdaq:PCYO) announced the following summary results of operations:


                                           Six Months Ended Febraury 28,
                                  ------------------------------------------------

                                                                               %
                                       2010           2009       $ Change   Change
                                  -------------  -------------  ----------  ------
  Total revenues                      $ 110,800      $ 118,000   $ (7,200)     -6%

  Total cost of revenues               (80,000)       (83,600)       3,600     -4%
                                  -------------  -------------  ----------  ------
  Gross margin                           30,800         34,400     (3,600)    -10%
   Gross margin %                           28%            29%                 -1%

  Operating expenses:
   General and administrative
    expenses                          (940,200)    (1,092,400)     152,200    -14%

   Other operating expenses           (149,300)      (145,600)     (3,700)      3%
                                  -------------  -------------  ----------  ------
  Loss from operations              (1,058,700)    (1,203,600)     144,900    -12%
  Other (expense) income:
   Interest imputed on the
    Tap
     Participation Fee
      liability                     (1,782,000)    (2,004,000)     222,000    -11%

  Other                                  47,700         94,300    (46,600)    -49%
                                  -------------  -------------  ----------  ------

  Net loss                         $(2,793,000)   $(3,113,300)   $ 320,300    -10%
                                  =============  =============  ==========  ======

  Weighted average shares
   outstanding (basic and
   diluted)                          20,206,566     20,206,566
                                  =============  =============

  Loss per share                       $ (0.14)       $ (0.15)      $ 0.01
                                  =============  =============  ==========

Revenues for the six months ended February 28, 2010 decreased 6% over the comparable period in 2009. This was mainly attributable to decreased water usage at our largest customer due to a reduction in funding experienced by the customer as a result of the economy, which resulted in the closing of student housing facilities and reduced water usage. Due to our ability to actively manage our expenditures including some of our energy costs, the gross margin percentage decreased 1%, period over period.

Our general and administrative expenses ("G&A expenses") decreased approximately 14% as a result of cost reduction efforts undertaken by management in light of the weakened economy and particularly the housing market and delays in development within our service areas. Specifically, we reduced the level of outside professional services we were utilizing by more closely managing the level of involvement by legal counsel and other professional service firms. More specific details of the decreases in our G&A expenses are included in our Form 10-Q which was filed on April 9, 2010.

Our summarized financial position as of February 28, 2010 and August 31, 2009 is as follows:


                                         February 28,     August 31,                     %
                                             2010            2009         $ Change    Change
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------  ------

  Assets
  ---------------------------------
   Cash, cash equivalents and
    marketable securities                  $ 2,907,700     $ 3,707,300   $ (799,600)    -22%

   Other current assets                        332,100         283,100        49,000     17%
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------  ------
    Total current assets                     3,239,800       3,990,400     (750,600)    -19%

   Investments in water and water
    systems, net                           102,980,200     103,159,600     (179,400)      0%

   Other long-term assets                      915,200         941,100      (25,900)     -3%
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------  ------

    Total assets                         $ 107,135,200   $ 108,091,100   $ (955,900)     -1%
                                        ==============  ==============  ============  ======


  Liabilities and Shareholders'
   Equity
  ---------------------------------
   Current liabilities                       $ 183,500       $ 138,100      $ 45,400     33%
   Tap participation fee payable to
    HP A&M                                  59,303,300      57,521,300     1,782,000      3%

  Other long-term liabilities                2,633,900       2,662,500      (28,600)     -1%
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------  ------
    Total liabilities                       62,120,700      60,321,900     1,798,800      3%


   Total shareholders' equity               45,014,500      47,769,200   (2,754,700)     -6%
                                        --------------  --------------  ------------  ------
    Total liabilities and
     shareholders' equity                $ 107,135,200   $ 108,091,100   $ (955,900)     -1%
                                        ==============  ==============  ============  ======

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities have declined due to use of cash in operations. Reference is made to the Management, Discussion and Analysis section of our February 28, 2010 Form 10-Q for further information on cash used by operations.

The Tap Participation Fee is due and payable once we have sold a water tap and received the consideration due for such water tap. The Tap Participation Fee liability represents the fair value of the estimated amounts payable to HP A&M as a result of the assets we acquired from HP A&M in 2006. The increase is due to the imputing of approximately $898,000 and $1.8 million of interest during the three and six months ended February 28, 2010, respectively. This liability is described in further detail in our February 28, 2010 Form 10-Q.

We will host an audio conference call, which will simultaneously be broadcast via webcast on Monday April 12, 2010, at 2 p.m. Mountain time. We also have posted a detailed slide presentation which overviews the Company and presents summary financial results on our website which can be accessed at www.purecyclewater.com. Call information presented below:

TIME: 2 p.m. Mountain (4 p.m. Eastern) WHEN: Monday, April 12, 2010 CALL IN: (877) 377-7104 ON-LINE: www.purecyclewater.com

A digitized replay of the call will be available on our website through April 30, 2010.

Company Information

Pure Cycle owns water assets in several river basins in the State of Colorado as well as certain aquifers in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area. Pure Cycle provides water and wastewater services to customers located in the Denver metropolitan area including the design, construction, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems.

Additional information including our recent press releases and Annual Reports are available at www.purecyclewater.com, or you may contact our President, Mark W. Harding, at 303-292-3456 or at info@purecyclewater.com.

CONTACT:  Pure Cycle Corporation
          Mark W. Harding, President
          303-292-3456
          info@purecyclewater.com