Pure Cycle Corporation Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2010 Results

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


                                             Nine Months Ended May 31,
                                  ----------------------------------------------

                                       2010            2009        $ Change
                                  --------------  --------------  -----------
  Total revenues                       $ 168,700       $ 180,400   $ (11,700)

  Total cost of revenues               (115,600)       (120,400)        4,800
                                  --------------  --------------  -----------
  Gross margin                            53,100          60,000      (6,900)
   Gross margin %                            31%             33%

  Operating expenses:
   General and administrative
    expenses                         (1,327,500)     (1,547,900)      220,400

   Other operating expenses            (223,900)       (218,800)      (5,100)
                                  --------------  --------------  -----------
  Loss from operations               (1,498,300)     (1,706,700)      208,400
  Other (expense) income:
   Interest imputed on the
    Tap
     Participation Fee
      liability                      (2,694,000)     (2,862,000)      168,000

   Other                                  65,900         130,200     (64,300)
                                  --------------  --------------  -----------

  Net loss                         $ (4,126,400)   $ (4,438,500)    $ 312,100
                                  ==============  ==============  ===========

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

  Loss per share                        $ (0.20)        $ (0.22)       $ 0.02
                                  ==============  ==============  ===========

Revenues for the nine months ended May 31, 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 2%, period over period despite a 6% decrease in revenues.

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 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 9, 2010.

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


                                                          August 31,
                                         May 31, 2010        2009          $ Change
                                        --------------  --------------  --------------

  Assets
  ---------------------------------
   Cash, cash equivalents and
    marketable securities                  $ 2,549,900     $ 3,707,300   $ (1,157,400)

   Other current assets                        340,600         283,100          57,500
                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
     Total current assets                    2,890,500       3,990,400     (1,099,900)

   Investments in water and water
    systems, net                           102,894,400     103,159,600       (265,200)

   Other long-term assets                      912,100         941,100        (29,000)
                                        --------------  --------------  --------------

     Total assets                        $ 106,697,000   $ 108,091,100   $ (1,394,100)
                                        ==============  ==============  ==============


  Liabilities and Shareholders'
   Equity
  ---------------------------------
   Current liabilities                       $ 167,100       $ 138,100        $ 29,000
   Tap participation fee payable to
    HP A&M                                  60,215,300      57,521,300       2,694,000

   Other long-term liabilities               2,619,700       2,662,500        (42,800)
                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
     Total liabilities                      63,002,100      60,321,900       2,680,200


   Total shareholders' equity               43,694,900      47,769,200     (4,074,300)
                                        --------------  --------------  --------------
     Total liabilities and
      shareholders' equity               $ 106,697,000   $ 108,091,100   $ (1,394,100)
                                        ==============  ==============  ==============

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities have declined due to use of cash in operations. Reference is made to the Management's, Discussion and Analysis section of our May 31, 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 $912,000 and $2.7 million of interest during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2010, respectively. This liability is described in further detail in our May 31, 2010 Form 10-Q.

As we announced in 2009, management will host earnings calls reviewing mid-year and year end results. Therefore, our next earnings call will be hosted after the release of our fiscal year end results. We 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.

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.

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