Revenue during the quarter grew 4.76 percent to $45.83 million from $43.74 million in the previous year period. Gross margin for the quarter contracted 55 basis points over the previous year period to 22.34 percent. Total expenses were 91.77 percent of quarterly revenues, down from 94.28 percent for the same period last year. This has led to an improvement of 251 basis points in operating margin to 8.23 percent.

Operating income for the quarter was $3.77 million, compared with $2.50 million in the previous year period.

"Revenue growth of 8% in a year that had challenges, including retail bankruptcies and a continuation of a soft archery category, was more than offset with on-line sales growth and market share gains in the basketball category," stated Dave Fetherman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Escalade, Inc. "We see those challenges continuing through the first quarter of 2017, yet remain confident of continued revenue growth from internally developed products and as we look for accretive acquisitions. Based on 2016 operating results, we are pleased to increase the current quarterly dividend to $0.115 per share."

Debt moves up 
Escalade, Incorporated has witnessed an increase in total debt over the last one year. It stood at $25.44 million as on Dec. 31, 2016, up 9.01 percent or $2.10 million from $23.34 million on Dec. 26, 2015. Total debt was 16.87 percent of total assets as on Dec. 31, 2016, compared with 16.24 percent on Dec. 26, 2015. Debt to equity ratio was almost stable at 0.25 as on Dec. 31, 2016, when compared with the last year. Interest coverage ratio deteriorated to 18.58 for the quarter from 19.24 for the same period last year.