Synergy Brands posts fourth-quarter loss

<p>Synergy Brands shares fell Friday after the firm said it widened its fourth-quarter loss to $1 million from $493,000 a year ago.</p><p>Shares of Synergy (Nasdaq: SCBR) fell 21 percent, or 36 cents, in mid-day trading to $1.39.</p><p>The wholesaler and e- commerce

firm also said its sales slipped 3 percent to $16.2 million.</p><p>Synergy blamed the larger loss for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2005 on $600,000 in special charges.</p><p>The company widened its 2005 loss 38 percent to $2.9 million, even though revenues rose 13 percent to $64.1 million.</p><p>Although sales rose, Synergy for the year took $1.8 million in non-cash charges, including depreciation and impairment.</p><p>The firm was also hit with $1.9 million in financing charges for the year, further battering its bottom line.</p><p>The company projected $65 million in revenue, up slightly from 2005.</p>