Lifetime brands

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Lifetime Brands, Inc. Reports First Quarter Financial Results

May 7, 2015 at 7:02 AM EDT

Reaffirms 2015 Sales Guidance of 3-6% Growth

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2015-- Lifetime Brands, Inc. (NasdaqGS:LCUT), a leading global provider of branded kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home, today reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.

  • Consolidated net sales were $117.7 million, as compared to consolidated net sales of $118.4 million for the corresponding period in 2014. In constant currency, net sales were $120.4 million, an increase of $2.0 million, or 1.7%, as compared to the corresponding 2014 period.
  • Gross margin was $44.9 million, or 38.2%, as compared to $44.3 million, or 37.4%, for the corresponding period in 2014.
  • Loss from operations was $2.2 million in both the 2015 and 2014 periods.
  • Net loss was $2.1 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, as compared to $2.9 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, in the corresponding period in 2014.
  • Adjusted net loss was $1.9 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, as compared to $1.7 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the corresponding period in 2014.
  • Consolidated EBITDA was $2.5 million, as compared to $3.7 million for the corresponding 2014 period.
  • Equity in earnings, net of taxes, was $288,000, as compared to equity in losses, net of taxes of $208,000, in the corresponding 2014 period.

Jeffrey Siegel, Lifetime's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented,

“Lifetime’s financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2015, were in line with our expectations. Net sales in the first quarter were affected by the West Coast dockworkers slowdown, which prevented some shipments from reaching our distribution center in Fontana, California, by shifts in the timing of certain warehouse club promotions and by translation losses resulting from a weaker GBP/USD exchange rate. Excluding the effects of the dock slowdown and the weakness of the British Pound, net sales for the quarter would have increased by approximately 2.7% over the same period in 2014.

“Net sales for the U.S. Wholesale segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $86.5 million, an increase of $0.8 million, or 0.9%, as compared to net sales of $85.7 million for the corresponding period in 2014.

“Net sales for the U.S. Wholesale’s Kitchenware product category were $54.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, an increase of $2.7 million, or 5.2%, as compared to $51.9 million for the corresponding period in 2014. The increase in the Kitchenware product category reflects the strength of Tools & Gadgets and an improvement for Cookware.

“Net sales for the U.S. Wholesale’s Tableware product category were $19.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, a decrease of $4.0 million, or 17.2%, as compared to $23.3 million for the corresponding period in 2014. The decrease in the Tableware product category was principally attributable to the timing of warehouse club programs in the current year.

“Net sales for U.S. Wholesale’s Home Solutions product category were $12.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, an increase of $2.1 million, or 20.0%, as compared to $10.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase in the Home Solutions product category reflects the inclusion of Built NY, acquired in the first quarter of 2014, as well as successful new Pantryware programs.

“Net sales for the International segment were $25.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, a decrease of $2.7 million, as compared to net sales of $28.1 million for the corresponding period in 2014. In local currency, net sales decreased approximately 1.0%. The decrease was in part due to a decline in export sales of kitchenware products as a result of the weakness in the European economy.

“Net sales for the Retail Direct segment were $5.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, an increase of $1.2 million, as compared to net sales of $4.6 million for the corresponding period in 2014. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in sales from the Mikasa.com Internet website.

"Our retailer partners generally are showing confidence in a strong Holiday selling season, which we see reflected in strong bookings and placements for products to be delivered later this year. Based on these indications, we currently forecast that, for the full year 2015, net sales are likely to increase by 3% to 6%, reaffirming the guidance we provided on our fourth quarter conference call. We expect our operating margin to be in the range of 4.5 to 5.5%.”

Conference Call

The Company has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, May 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. ET. The dial-in number for the conference call is (877) 280-4962 or (857) 244-7319 passcode #94839464. A replay of the call will also be available through Thursday, May 14, 2015 and can be accessed by dialing (888) 286-8010 or (617) 801-6888, conference ID #72789939. A live webcast of the conference call will be broadcast in the Investor Relations section of the Company's web site, www.lifetimebrands.com. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an audio replay of the call will also be available on the site.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release contains non-GAAP financial measures. A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statements of income, balance sheets, or statements of cash flows of the Company; or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the most directly comparable measure so calculated and presented. As required by SEC rules, the Company has provided reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP measures are provided because management of the Company uses these financial measures in evaluating the Company's on-going financial results and trends, and management believes that exclusion of certain items allows for more accurate comparison of the Company’s operating performance. Management uses this non-GAAP information as an indicator of business performance. These non-GAAP measures should be viewed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, GAAP measures of performance.

Forward-Looking Statements

In this press release, the use of the words “believe,” "could," "expect," "may," "positioned," "project," "projected," "should," "will," "would" or similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements that represent the Company’s current judgment about possible future events. The Company believes these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any events or financial results, and actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors. Such factors might include, among others, the Company’s ability to comply with the requirements of its credit agreements; the availability of funding under such credit agreements; the Company’s ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt; changes in general economic conditions which could affect customer payment practices or consumer spending; the impact of changes in general economic conditions on the Company’s customers; changes in demand for the Company’s products; shortages of and price volatility for certain commodities; significant changes in the competitive environment and the effect of competition on the Company’s markets, including on the Company’s pricing policies, financing sources and an appropriate level of debt.

Lifetime Brands, Inc.

Lifetime Brands is a leading global provider of kitchenware, tableware and other products used in the home. The Company markets its products under such well-known kitchenware brands as Farberware®, KitchenAid®, Cuisine de France®, Fred® & Friends, Guy Fieri®, Kitchen Craft®, Kizmos, La Cafetière®, Misto®, Mossy Oak®, Pedrini®, Sabatier®, Savora and Vasconia®; respected tableware brands such as Mikasa®, Pfaltzgraff®, Creative Tops®, Gorham®, International® Silver, Kirk Stieff®, Sasaki®, Towle® Silversmiths, Tuttle®, Wallace®, V&A® and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew®; and home solutions brands, including Kamenstein®, Bombay®, BUILT®, Debbie Meyer® and Design for Living. The Company also provides exclusive private label products to leading retailers worldwide.

The Company’s corporate website is www.lifetimebrands.com.

 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands - except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
    Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015     2014
 
Net sales $ 117,657 $ 118,411
 
Cost of sales   72,749     74,079  
 
Gross margin 44,908 44,332
 
Distribution expenses 13,483 12,346
Selling, general and administrative expenses   33,596     34,183  
 
Loss from operations (2,171 ) (2,197 )
 
Interest expense (1,431 ) (1,390 )
Financing expense (154 ) -
Loss on early retirement of debt   -     (319 )
 
Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings (3,756 ) (3,906 )
 
Income tax benefit 1,363 1,185
Equity in earnings (losses), net of taxes   288     (208 )
 
NET LOSS $ (2,105 ) $ (2,929 )
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic   13,738     13,274  
 
BASIC LOSS PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.15 ) $ (0.22 )
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted   13,738     13,274  
 
DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE $ (0.15 ) $ (0.22 )
 
Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.0375 $ 0.0375
 
 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands - except share data)
(unaudited)

 
    March 31,     December 31,
2015 2014
(unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,415 $ 5,068

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $6,375 at March 31, 2015 and
$6,663 at December 31, 2014

78,761 107,211
Inventory 142,997 137,924
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 11,462 7,914
Deferred income taxes   420     -  
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 237,055 258,117
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net 26,317 26,801
INVESTMENTS 27,970 28,155
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net 101,851 103,597
OTHER ASSETS   4,539     4,732  
TOTAL ASSETS $ 397,732   $ 421,402  
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Current maturity of Credit Agreement Term Loan $ 10,000 $ 10,000
Short term loan 480 765
Accounts payable 27,155 28,694
Accrued expenses 32,393 36,961
Deferred income taxes 2,551 2,293
Income taxes payable   60     5,156  
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 72,639 83,869
 
DEFERRED RENT & OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 20,303 20,160
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 1,485 1,485
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY 85,279 92,655
CREDIT AGREEMENT TERM LOAN 32,500 35,000
 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized: 100 shares of Series A
and 2,000,000 shares of Series B; none issued and outstanding

- -
 

Common stock, $.01 par value, shares authorized: 25,000,000; shares
issued and outstanding: 13,859,121 at March 31, 2015 and 13,712,081 at
December 31, 2014

139 137
 
Paid-in capital 162,970 160,315
Retained earnings 35,078 37,703
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (12,661 )   (9,922 )
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   185,526     188,233  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 397,732   $ 421,402  
 
 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)
(unaudited)

 
   

Three Months Ended

March 31,
2015     2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss $ (2,105 ) $ (2,929 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

Provision for doubtful accounts 18 50
Depreciation and amortization 3,555 3,613
Amortization of financing costs 149 149
Deferred rent 346 (274 )
Deferred income taxes - (179 )
Stock compensation expense 750 726
Undistributed equity in losses, net (288 ) 208
Loss on early retirement of debt - 319

Changes in operating assets and liabilities (excluding the effects of business acquisitions)

Accounts receivable 27,355 19,218
Inventory (6,468 ) (3,068 )
Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets (3,593 ) (3,755 )
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities (4,407 ) (10,197 )
Income taxes payable   (5,071 )   (2,947 )
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES   10,241     934  
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment (1,431 ) (1,156 )
Kitchen Craft acquisition, net of cash acquired - (59,856 )
Other acquisitions, net of cash acquired - (5,280 )
Net proceeds from sale of property   25     -  
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES   (1,406 )   (66,292 )
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from Revolving Credit Facility 61,523 78,657
Repayments of Revolving Credit Facility (68,899 ) (43,458 )
Repayments of Senior Secured Term Loan - (20,625 )
Proceeds from Credit Agreement Term Loan - 50,000
Repayment of Credit Agreement Term Loan (2,500 ) -
Proceeds from Short Term Loan 37 -
Payments on Short Term Loan (322 ) -
Payment of financing costs - (1,375 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 281 1,200
Cash dividends paid   (514 )   (501 )
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES   (10,394 )   63,898  
 
Effect of foreign exchange on cash (94 ) 736
 
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (1,653 )   (724 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   5,068     4,947  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 3,415   $ 4,223  
 
 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
Supplemental Information
(In thousands)

 
    Consolidated EBITDA for the
Four Quarters Ended
March 31, 2015
Three months ended March 31, 2015 $ 2,519
Three months ended December 31, 2014 20,918
Three months ended September 30, 2014 16,470
Three months ended June 30, 2014   1,494
Total for the four quarters $ 41,401
 
 
Consolidated EBITDA for the
Four Quarters Ended

March 31, 2014 (1)

Three months ended March 31, 2014 $ 3,660
Three months ended December 31, 2013 21,011
Three months ended September 30, 2013 15,067
Three months ended June 30, 2013   4,321
Total for the four quarters $ 44,059
 

(1) Consolidated EBITDA for the four quarters ended March 31, 2014 excludes the effect of a pro forma acquisition adjustment of $6.4 million.

 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Results

               

Consolidated EBITDA:

 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015

December 31,
2014

September 30,
2014

June 30,
2014

Net income (loss) as reported $ (2,105 ) $ 9,261 $ (1,586 ) $ (3,202 )
Subtract out:
Undistributed equity in (earnings) losses, net (288 ) 1,364 5,193 (41 )
Add back:
Income tax provision (benefit) (1,363 ) 5,473 3,123 (1,586 )
Interest expense 1,431 1,658 1,698 1,672
Loss on early retirement of debt - 27 - -
Financing expense 154 758 -
Intangible asset impairment - - 3,384 -
Depreciation and amortization 3,555 3,572 3,299 3,716
Stock compensation expense 750 2,360 694 713
Contingent consideration accretion 147 (4,115 ) 665 -
Permitted acquisition related expenses 238 560 - 97
Restructuring expenses   -     -     -     125  
Consolidated EBITDA $ 2,519   $ 20,918   $ 16,470   $ 1,494  
 
 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
Supplemental Information

(In thousands)

 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Results (continued)

 

Consolidated EBITDA:

 
Three Months Ended

March 31,
2014

December 31,
2013

September 30,
2013

June 30,
2013

Net income (loss) as reported $ (2,929 ) $ 9,388 $ 1,093 $ (568 )
Subtract out:
Undistributed equity in (earnings) losses, net 208 (332 ) 5,452 480
Add back:
Income tax provision (benefit) (1,185 ) 6,182 3,869 (477 )
Interest expense 1,390 1,256 1,280 1,149
Loss on early retirement of debt 319 102 - -
Intangible asset impairment - - - -
Depreciation and amortization 3,613 2,708 2,517 2,667
Stock compensation expense 726 750 738 722
Contingent consideration accretion - - - -
Permitted acquisition related expenses 1,518 957 39 60
Restructuring expenses   -     -     79     288  
Consolidated EBITDA $ 3,660   $ 21,011   $ 15,067   $ 4,321  
 

Consolidated EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure that the Company defines as net income (loss), adjusted to exclude undistributed equity in earnings (losses), income taxes, interest, losses on early retirement of debt, depreciation and amortization, stock compensation expense, intangible asset impairment, accretion of contingent consideration, acquisition related expenses and restructuring expenses, as shown in the tables above.

 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC.
Supplemental Information
(In thousands - except per share data)

 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Results (continued)

 

Adjusted net loss and adjusted diluted loss per common share:

 

    Three Months Ended
March 31,
2015     2014
 
Net loss as reported $ (2,105 ) $ (2,929 )
Adjustments:
Acquisition related expenses 238 1,518
Financing expenses 154 -
Loss on early retirement of debt - 319
Income tax effect on adjustments   (157 )   (657 )
Adjusted net loss $ (1,870 ) $ (1,749 )
Adjusted diluted loss per common share $ (0.14 ) $ (0.13 )
 

Adjusted net loss in the three months ended March 31, 2015 excludes acquisition related expenses and financing expenses. Adjusted net loss in the three months ended March 31, 2014 excludes acquisition related expenses and the loss on retirement of debt.

Source: Lifetime Brands, Inc.

Lifetime Brands, Inc.
Laurence Winoker, 516-203-3590
Chief Financial Officer
investor.relations@lifetimebrands.com
or
Lippert/Heilshorn & Assoc.
Harriet Fried, 212-838-3777
SVP
hfried@lhai.com