(Source: Business Wire)

AMERICAN SHARED HOSPITAL SERVICES (NYSE AMEX:AMS), a leading
provider of turnkey technology solutions for advanced radiosurgical and
radiation therapy services, today announced financial results for the
third quarter and first nine months of 2009.
Third Quarter Results
For the three months ended September 30, 2009, revenue decreased to
$3,926,000 compared to $4,532,000 for the third quarter of 2008. Net
income for the third quarter of 2009 was $17,000, or $0.00 per diluted
share, which included transaction costs of $22,000 incurred during the
quarter. This compares to net income of $25,000, or $0.00 per diluted
share, for the third quarter of 2008.
The total number of Gamma Knife procedures performed during this year's
third quarter was unchanged versus prior year. Primarily reflecting
normal fluctuations in the mix of business, revenue decreased due to a
shift in volume toward centers with relatively lower payment rates per
procedure compared to the third quarter of 2008.
Cash flow, as measured by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization (EBITDA), was $2,220,000 for the third quarter and
$6,360,000 for the first nine months of 2009, compared to EBITDA of
$2,273,000 for the third quarter and $7,298,000 for the first nine
months of 2008.
At September 30, 2009, AMS reported cash and cash equivalents of
$9,469,000. This compares to cash and cash equivalents of $10,286,000 at
December 31, 2008. Shareholders' equity at September 30, 2009 was
$22,776,000, or $4.96 per outstanding share. This compares to
shareholders' equity at December 31, 2008 of $22,938,000, or $4.87 per
outstanding share.
The Company repurchased 74,863 of its common shares during the third
quarter of 2009 for an average purchase price of $2.37 per share. The
number of common shares outstanding at September 30, 2009 was 4,595,070
compared to 4,712,183 at December 31, 2008.
Nine Months Results
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, revenue decreased to
$12,676,000 compared to $14,359,000 for the first nine months of 2008.
The net loss for this year's first nine months was $51,000, or ($0.01)
per share, which included transaction costs of $342,000 ($174,000 on an
after-tax basis, or ($0.04) per share). This compares to net income for
the first half of 2008 of $394,000, or $0.08 per diluted share.
As previously disclosed, earlier this year the Company engaged in
discussions concerning the possible sale of its 81% interest in GKF, the
operating subsidiary for the Company's Gamma Knife business. These
discussions were terminated on May 28, 2009. Under applicable accounting
rules, the Company is required to expense the legal, accounting,
investment banking and other costs incurred for these activities, which
are classified separately as transaction costs.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ernest A. Bates, M.D. said, "AMS'
creative financing solutions have helped make advanced radiation
oncology solutions available and affordable to hospitals and their
patients since 1991.