Astro-Med Reports Fiscal 2010 First Quarter Financial Results; Directors Declare Quarterly Cash Dividend

WEST WARWICK, RI, May 19 (MARKET WIRE) --
Astro-Med, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALOT) reports sales of $14,677,000 and a net
loss of $231,000 equal to $0.03 per diluted share for the First Quarter
ended May 2, 2009. During the comparable period of the prior year, the
Company reported sales of $18,688,000 and net income of $897,000, equal
to $0.12 per diluted share. Unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates
reduced First Quarter sales by approximately $743,000 or 5.1% when
compared to the prior year.

Commenting on the results, Albert W. Ondis, Chief Executive Officer,
stated: "We are disappointed but not surprised with the First Quarter
results. As was evident during the second half of our previous fiscal
year, we are experiencing the adverse effects of this global recession in
all of our markets and in all of our product lines. Although customer
interest in our advanced products is extremely high, companies are
reluctant to make capital equipment purchases. Additionally, they are
purchasing consumable products such as label supplies in order to satisfy
immediate needs only, with no provision to stock a supply for future use.
We believe these purchasing patterns will continue until there are clear
signs that the global recession is abating. Meanwhile, we are maintaining
a very high level of marketing and sales activity, customer support, new
product development, and are poised for a fast recovery.

"The Company's balance sheet at the end of the Quarter is quite healthy.
Our cash and investment balances are $22,475,000, reflecting an increase
of $370,000 from the prior year end; we improved the current ratio from
6.1:1 to 6.4:1; we remain free of any debt obligation; and we retain a
book value of $7.19 per share."

On May 19, 2009, the Directors of Astro-Med declared the regular quarterly
cash dividend of 6 cents per share, payable on July 1, 2009 to
shareholders of record on June 12, 2009.

First Quarter Conference Call to be Held Wednesday, May 20th

The First Quarter conference call will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009,
at 11:00 AM EDT. It will be broadcast in real time on the Internet through
the investing section of our website. We invite you to log on and listen
in real time on May 20th, or to participate in the conference call by
dialing 877-941-1466 and referencing ID number 4063299. Following the live
broadcast, an audio webcast of the call will be available for ten days at
www.Astro-Medinc.com. A conference call replay will also be available for
ten days by dialing 800-406-7325 reference ID number 4063299.

About Astro-Med, Inc.

Astro-Med, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of specialty high tech printing
systems, electronic medical instrumentation, and test and measurement
instruments. Astro-Med, Inc. products are sold under the brand names
Astro-Med(R), Grass(R) Technologies and QuickLabel(R) Systems and are
employed around the world in a wide range of aerospace, medical, military,
industrial, and packaging applications. Astro-Med, Inc. is a member of the
Russell Microcap(R) Index. Additional information is available by
visiting
www.Astro-MedInc.com.

ASTRO-MED, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
in Thousands Except for Per Share Data
(Unaudited)

Three Months Three Months
Ended Ended
May 2, 2009 May 3, 2008
------------ ------------
Net Sales $ 14,677 $ 18,688

Gross Profit 5,813 8,188
39.6% 43.8%
Operating Expenses:
Selling and Marketing 3,883 4,421
Research & Development 1,228 1,226
General and Administrative 1,162 1,246
------------ ------------
6,273 6,893

Operating Income (Loss) (460) 1,295
(3.1%) 6.9%

Other, Net 105 176
------------ ------------

Income (Loss) Before Taxes (355) 1,471

Income Tax Provision (Credit) (124) 574
------------ ------------

Net Income (Loss) ($ 231) $ 897
------------ ------------

Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic ($ .03) $ 0.13
------------ ------------
Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Diluted ($ .03) $ 0.12
------------ ------------

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares -
Basic 7,087 6,936

Weighted Average Number of Common Shares -
Diluted 7,087 7,444

Dividends Declared Per Common Share $ 0.06 $ 0.06

Selected Balance Sheet Data
in Thousands

As of As of
May 2, January 31,
2009 2009
------------- -------------
(Unaudited)
Cash & Marketable Securities (1) $ 22,475 $ 22,104

Current Assets $ 47,818 $ 48,023

Total Assets $ 61,689 $ 62,155

Current Liabilities $ 7,494 $ 7,904

Shareholders' Equity $ 51,404 $ 51,471

(1) Including long term investments

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements, and actual results
may vary from those expressed or implied herein. Factors that could affect
these results include those mentioned in Astro-Med's FY2009 annual report
and its annual and quarterly filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

Contact:
Albert W. Ondis
CEO
Joseph P. O'Connell
CFO
Astro-Med, Inc.
Tel: 800-343-4039

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