The Aristotle Corporation reports financial results for the third quarter of 2009

The Aristotle Corporation (NASDAQ: ARTL; ARTLP) announced today its results of operations for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Net earnings applicable to common stockholders for the first nine months of 2009 were $8.3 million, or $.46 per diluted common share, compared to $12.0 million, or $.67 per diluted common share, for the comparable nine months of 2008. Pursuant to a final settlement with the Internal Revenue Service of an audit previously reported by the Company, the nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes additional Federal income taxes of $.5 million and $1.0 million for the 2006 and 2007 tax years, respectively, plus approximately $.1 million of interest, related to a partial disallowance of the Company’s historical Federal net operating tax losses that were utilized. Such amounts reduced net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 by approximately $.09 per diluted common share. For the third quarter ended September 30, 2009, net earnings applicable to common stockholders were $4.8 million, or $.27 per diluted common share, compared to $4.7 million, or $.26 per diluted common share, in the third quarter of 2008. An adjustment to the initial IRS settlement reduced the Federal tax expense by $.3 million and the related interest expense by $.1 million, or approximately $.02 per diluted common share, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009. No additional taxes were due for any years prior to 2006.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2009, net sales decreased 7.8% to $158.9 million from $172.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008. Earnings from operations decreased by 11.5% in the first nine months of 2009 to $26.8 million, or 16.9% of net sales. In the first nine months of 2008, earnings from operations totaled $30.3 million (including a $.7 million insurance recovery), or 17.6% of net sales. In the third quarter of 2009, net sales decreased 5.9% to $61.1 million from $65.0 million in the third quarter of 2008. Earnings from operations decreased by 2.6% in the third quarter of 2009 to $11.4 million, or 18.6% of net sales. In the same quarter of 2008, earnings from operations totaled $11.7 million, or 17.9% of net sales.