SAN MARCOS, Calif., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Natural Alternatives International ("NAI"), Inc. (Nasdaq: NAII), a leading formulator and manufacturer of customized nutritional supplements, reported net income of $567,000 or $0.09 per diluted share on revenue of $16.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003.

First quarter revenue increased 27% to $16.7 million from $13.1 million for the comparable quarter last year. The revenue growth resulted from a 30% increase in private label contract manufacturing sales and a 15% increase in Direct-to-Consumer ("DTC") sales. Income from operations increased $227,000 to $630,000 from $403,000 for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Excluding the effects of litigation settlement proceeds of $225,000 in the prior fiscal year, net income increased $255,000 to $567,000 or $0.09 per diluted share from $312,000 or $0.05 per diluted share for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Net income as reported increased $30,000 from $537,000 or $0.09 per diluted share for the comparable quarter last year.

As of September 30, 2003, NAI had cash and working capital of approximately $3.2 million and $13.1 million, respectively, compared to $5.5 million and $12.3 million, respectively, at June 30, 2003.

Chairman and CEO Mark LeDoux commented, "We begin fiscal 2004 building upon the groundwork established in fiscal 2003. Our focus on serving the needs of our valued primary customers continues to produce significant private label contract manufacturing sales growth. Additionally, our investment in marketing the Dr. Cherry Pathway to Healing(TM) brand combined with new product introductions resulted in record quarterly DTC revenues of $3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2004. Looking forward we anticipate moderate revenue growth for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 from incremental production for existing customers and continued growth of our DTC marketing program."

President Randell Weaver commented that, "We are encouraged that while we continue to invest in quality assurance, regulatory compliance and strategies to provide long-term revenue growth, our income from operations still improved to $630,000. We anticipate strengthening our investment in NAI's long-term growth and improving operational efficiency while maintaining current profitability levels in the near term. Additionally, we continue to evaluate expansion opportunities that could increase product lines, enhance our manufacturing capabilities or reduce risks associated with reliance on a limited number of customers."

NAI, headquartered in San Marcos, California, is a leading formulator and manufacturer of nutritional supplements that provides strategic partnering services to its customers. The Company's comprehensive partnership approach offers a wide range of innovative nutritional products and services to the client including: scientific research, clinical studies, proprietary ingredients, customer-specific nutritional product formulation, product testing and evaluation, marketing management and support, packaging and delivery system design, regulatory review and international product registration assistance. For more information about NAI, please see our website at http://www.nai-online.com .

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not historical facts and information. These statements represent the Company's intentions, expectations and beliefs concerning future events, including, among other things, expectations and beliefs with respect to future financial and operating results and the ability to sustain profitability, maintain adequate financing, improve liquidity, maintain revenue growth, and implement its strategic plan. The Company wishes to caution readers that these statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes for future periods to differ materially from any forward-looking statement or views expressed herein. The Company's financial performance and the forward-looking statements contained herein are further qualified by other risks including those set forth from time to time in the documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including NAI's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

For more information, please contact John R. Reaves, Chief Financial Officer of Natural Alternatives International, Inc., +1-760-744-7340 or info@nai-online.com .

                   NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                    CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                (In thousands)

                                             September 30,   June 30,
                                                 2003          2003
                                             -------------   ----------
                                              (Unaudited)
     ASSETS
     Cash and cash equivalents                  $3,179         $5,482
     Accounts receivable, net                    6,150          5,668
     Inventories, net                           10,443          7,845
     Other current assets                        1,356            766
                                             ----------      ---------
      Total current assets                      21,128         19,761
     Property and equipment, net                10,541         10,820
     Other assets                                  134            143
                                             ----------      ---------
      Total Assets                             $31,803        $30,724
                                             ==========      =========

     LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
     Current liabilities                        $8,029         $7,440
     Long-term debt, less current installments   2,243          2,386
     Long-term pension liability                   156            121
                                             ----------      ---------
      Total Liabilities                         10,428          9,947
                                             ----------      ---------
     Stockholders' Equity                       21,375         20,777
                                             ----------      ---------

      Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
       Equity                                  $31,803        $30,724
                                             ==========      =========


               CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
               (In thousands, except share and per share data)

                                               Three months ended
                                                  September 30,
                                           -------------------------
                                               2003          2002
                                           -----------    ----------
                                                   (Unaudited)

     NET SALES                               $16,721        $13,136
     Cost of goods sold                       12,575          9,941
                                           ----------      ---------
     Gross profit                              4,146          3,195
     Selling, general & administrative
      expenses                                 3,516          2,792
                                           ----------      ---------
     INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                      630            403
     Other income (expense)                      (41)           142
                                           ----------      ---------
     INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                  589            545
     Provision for income taxes                   22              8
                                           ----------      ---------
     NET INCOME                                 $567           $537
                                           ==========      =========
     NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
     Basic                                     $0.10          $0.09
                                           ==========      =========
     Diluted                                   $0.09          $0.09
                                           ==========      =========
     WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
      OUTSTANDING:
     Basic shares                          5,820,709      5,804,267
                                           ==========    ===========
     Diluted shares                        6,106,834      5,928,884
                                           ==========    ===========

SOURCE Natural Alternatives International, Inc.