Lifetime Brands, Inc. Reports Second Quarter Financial Results

Declares Regular Quarterly Dividend

GARDEN CITY, N.Y., Aug. 09, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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 second quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Second Quarter Financial Highlights:

Consolidated net sales were $118.1 million, as compared to consolidated net sales of $120.9 million in the corresponding period in 2015. In constant currency, which excludes the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations, consolidated net sales decreased 1.4%, as compared to consolidated net sales in the corresponding period in 2015.

Gross margin was $43.0 million, or 36.4%, as compared to $43.5 million, or 36.0%, for the corresponding period in 2015.

Loss from operations was $0.3 million, as compared to a loss of $1.0 million for the corresponding period in 2015.

Net loss was $1.2 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $1.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the corresponding period in 2015.  

Adjusted net income was $0.1 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, as compared to adjusted net loss of $0.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, in the corresponding period in 2015.

Consolidated EBITDA was $5.2 million, as compared to $4.4 million for the corresponding 2015 period.

Six Months Financial Highlights:

Consolidated net sales were $229.0 million, as compared to consolidated net sales of $238.6 million for the corresponding period in 2015.  In constant currency, consolidated net sales decreased 3.1%.

Gross margin was $83.5 million, or 36.5%, as compared to $88.4 million, or 37.1%, for the corresponding period in 2015.

Loss from operations was $5.5 million, as compared to a loss of $3.2 million, for the corresponding period in 2015.

Net loss was $5.5 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, as compared to a loss of $3.8 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, in the 2015 period. 

Adjusted net loss was $3.3 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, as compared to a loss of $2.5 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, in the 2015 period. 

Consolidated EBITDA was $5.5 million, as compared to $6.9 million for the corresponding 2015 period.

Equity in losses, net of taxes, was $0.1 million, as compared to equity in earnings, net of taxes, of $0.3 million in the corresponding 2015 period.

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

“As we previously have noted, Lifetime’s business is heavily weighted to the second half of the year. Our results for this quarter generally were in line with our expectations. Consolidated net sales decreased modestly, reflecting the timing of shipments. This decrease was offset by an increase in our overall gross margin percentage and by lower distribution and SG&A expenses, resulting in positive adjusted net income, as compared to adjusted net loss in the corresponding period in 2015. Consolidated EBITDA increased to $5.2 million, as compared to $4.4 million in the prior year’s quarter.

“We have now commenced the implementation phase of the restructuring plan that we initiated earlier this year with the assistance of a major international consulting firm to right size Lifetime’s SG&A expense base, realign our operating structure and improve the efficiency of our operating activities, and are confident that we are on track to achieve significant efficiencies that will be reflected in our operating results beginning in 2017.

“It is too early to assess the effects of the “Brexit” referendum on our U.K. subsidiaries, Creative Tops and Kitchen Craft, the net sales of which represent approximately 19% of Lifetime’s consolidated net sales. Through this year, we expect any such effects to be modest, as Creative Tops and Kitchen Craft were able to hedge their anticipated U.S. dollar purchases through the end of 2016. Moreover, by relying on Lifetime’s global sourcing infrastructure, Creative Tops and Kitchen Craft should be able to source products on better terms than their smaller competitors. Longer term, a prolonged decline in the value of the British pound would increase the cost of imports into the U.K. and could negatively affect the translation of financial results into U.S. dollars.

“As of now, we foresee a healthy holiday shopping season and expect top line growth in the second half of the year.”

Dividend

On Thursday, August 4, 2016, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.0425 per share payable on November 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on November 1, 2016.

Conference Call

The Company has scheduled a conference call for Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. ET. The dial-in number for the conference call is (844) 787-0801 or (661) 378-9632, passcode #50286455. A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible through http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/tig87ni9/lan/en. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, an audio replay of the webcast will be available.

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 well-known kitchenware brands, including Farberware®, KitchenAid®, Sabatier®, Fred® & Friends, Kitchen Craft®, Kamenstein®, Kizmos™, La Cafetière®, Misto®, Mossy Oak®, Reo® and Savora™; respected tableware and giftware brands, including Mikasa®, Pfaltzgraff®, Creative Tops®, Empire Silver™, Gorham®, International® Silver, Kirk Stieff®, Towle® Silversmiths, Wallace®, Wilton Armetale®, V&A® and Royal Botanic Gardens Kew®; and valued home solutions brands, including Bombay®, BUILT NY® and Debbie Meyer®. The Company also provides exclusive private label products to leading retailers worldwide.

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

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

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands - except per share data) (unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
			2016				2015				2016				2015
Net sales		$	118,050			$	120,935			$	228,975			$	238,592
Cost of sales			75,056				77,424				145,430				150,173
Gross margin			42,994				43,511				83,545				88,419
Distribution expenses			12,377				12,547				25,694				26,030
Selling, general and administrative expenses			29,845				31,951				61,653				65,547
Restructuring expenses			1,060				-				1,701				-
Loss from operations			(288	)			(987	)			(5,503	)			(3,158	)
Interest expense			(1,122	)			(1,459	)			(2,315	)			(2,890	)
Financing expense			-				-				-				(154	)
Loss on early retirement of debt			(272	)			-				(272	)			-
Loss before income taxes and equity in earnings			(1,682	)			(2,446	)			(8,090	)			(6,202	)
Income tax benefit			473				717				2,743				2,080
Equity in earnings (losses), net of taxes			18				2				(132	)			290
NET LOSS		$	(1,191	)		$	(1,727	)		$	(5,479	)		$	(3,832	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic			14,155				13,845				14,059				13,779
BASIC LOSS PER COMMON SHARE		$	(0.08	)		$	(0.12	)		$	(0.39	)		$	(0.28	)
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted			14,155				13,845				14,059				13,779
DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE		$	(0.08	)		$	(0.12	)		$	(0.39	)		$	(0.28	)
Cash dividends declared per common share		$	0.0425			$	0.0375			$	0.085			$	0.075

 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands - except share data)
				June 30,				December 31,
					2016				2015
				(unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	6,649			$	7,131
	Accounts receivable, less allowances of $4,513 at June 30, 2016 and $5,300 at December 31, 2015				81,055				90,576
	Inventory				150,593				136,890
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets				9,107				8,783
	Deferred income taxes				4,668				-
		TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS			252,072				243,380
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net					22,910				24,877
INVESTMENTS					23,486				24,973
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net					93,397				96,593
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES					7,122				6,486
OTHER ASSETS					2,196				2,022
			TOTAL ASSETS	$	401,183			$	398,331
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
	Current maturity of Credit Agreement Term Loan			$	9,836			$	19,646
	Short term loan				131				252
	Accounts payable				25,942				27,245
	Accrued expenses				34,343				40,154
	Income taxes payable				-				4,064
		TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES			70,252				91,361
DEFERRED RENT & OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES					18,906				18,556
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES					9,091				8,596
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY					105,925				65,617
CREDIT AGREEMENT TERM LOAN					4,426				14,733
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Preferred stock, $1.00 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: 50,000,000 at June 30, 2016 and 25,000,000 at December 31, 2015; shares issued and outstanding: 14,429,719 at June 30, 2016 and 14,030,221 at December 31, 2015				144				140
	Paid-in capital				170,374				165,780
	Retained earnings				41,025				47,733
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss				(18,960	)			(14,185	)
		TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY			192,583				199,468
			TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	401,183			$	398,331

 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) (unaudited)
				Six Months Ended
				June 30,
					2016				2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
	Net loss			$	(5,479	)		$	(3,832	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
		Depreciation and amortization			7,062				7,193
		Amortization of financing costs			333				313
		Deferred rent			(37	)			503
		Deferred income taxes			113				-
		Stock compensation expense			1,290				1,523
		Undistributed equity in (earnings) losses, net			132				(290	)
		Gain on disposal of fixed assets			(17	)			-
		Loss on early retirement of debt			272				-
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities (excluding the effects of business acquisitions)
		Accounts receivable			7,562				29,752
		Inventory			(16,357	)			(16,011	)
		Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets			(1,359	)			(2,351	)
		Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities			(3,748	)			(663	)
		Income taxes receivable			(4,311	)			-
		Income taxes payable			(5,031	)			(5,513	)
			NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		(19,575	)			10,624
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
	Purchases of property and equipment				(1,091	)			(2,881	)
	Proceeds from disposition of GSI				567				-
	Acquisitions				(614	)			-
			NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(1,138	)			(2,881	)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
	Proceeds from Revolving Credit Facility				120,334				129,229
	Repayments of Revolving Credit Facility				(79,206	)			(130,571	)
	Repayment of Credit Agreement Term Loan				(20,500	)			(5,000	)
	Proceeds from Short Term Loan				-				37
	Payments on Short Term Loan				(117	)			(688	)
	Payment for capital leases				(32	)			-
	Payments of tax withholding for stock based compensation				(65	)			-
	Proceeds from exercise of stock options				1,191				541
	Cash dividends paid				(1,198	)			(1,033	)
			NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES		20,407				(7,485	)
Effect of foreign exchange on cash					(176	)			(370	)
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS					(482	)			(112	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period					7,131				5,068
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD				$	6,649			$	4,956

 

LIFETIME BRANDS, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands)
		Consolidated EBITDA for the Four Quarters Ended June 30, 2016
Three months ended June 30, 2016		$	5,206
Three months ended March 31, 2016			268
Three months ended December 31, 2015			23,889
Three months ended September 30, 2015			14,089
	Total for the four quarters	$	43,452
		Consolidated EBITDA for the Four Quarters Ended June 30, 2015
Three months ended June 30, 2015		$	4,388
Three months ended March 31, 2015			2,519
Three months ended December 31, 2014			20,918
Three months ended September 30, 2014			16,470
	Total for the four quarters	$	44,295

 

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Results
Consolidated EBITDA:
			Three Months Ended
			June 30,  2016				March 31, 2016				December 31, 2015				September 30, 2015
Net income (loss) as reported			$	(1,191	)		$	(4,288	)		$	11,006			$	5,104
	Subtract out:
		Undistributed equity in (earnings) losses, net		(18	)			150				(517	)			459
	Add back:
		Income tax provision (benefit)		(473	)			(2,270	)			5,962				2,745
		Interest expense		1,122				1,193				1,402				1,454
		Loss on early retirement of debt		272				-				-				-
		Depreciation and amortization		3,578				3,484				3,500				3,510
		Stock compensation expense		487				803				2,972				791
		Contingent consideration		-				-				(876	)			-
		Permitted acquisition related expenses, net of recovery		369				555				3				26
		Restructuring expenses		1,060				641				437				-
Consolidated EBITDA			$	5,206			$	268			$	23,889			$	14,089
LIFETIME BRANDS, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands) Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Results (continued)
Consolidated EBITDA:
			Three Months Ended
			June 30,  2015				March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014				September 30, 2014
Net income (loss) as reported			$	(1,727	)		$	(2,105	)		$	9,261			$	(1,586	)
	Subtract out:
		Undistributed equity in (earnings) losses, net		(2	)			(288	)			1,364				5,193
	Add back:
		Income tax provision (benefit)		(717	)			(1,363	)			5,473				3,123
		Interest expense		1,459				1,431				1,658				1,698
		Loss on early retirement of debt		-				-				27				-
		Financing expense		-				154				758				-
		Intangible asset impairment		-				-				-				3,384
		Depreciation and amortization		3,638				3,555				3,572				3,299
		Stock compensation expense		773				750				2,360				694
		Contingent consideration		1,545				147				(4,115	)			665
		Permitted acquisition related expenses, net of recovery		(581	)			238				560				-
Consolidated EBITDA			$	4,388			$	2,519			$	20,918			$	16,470

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, contingent consideration, certain 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 income (loss) and adjusted diluted income (loss) per common share:
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
			2016				2015				2016				2015
Net loss as reported		$	(1,191	)		$	(1,727	)			(5,479	)		$	(3,832	)
Adjustments:
	Contingent consideration		-				1,545				-				1,545
	Acquisition related expenses (recoveries), net		369				(649	)			924				(411	)
	Financing expenses		-				-				-				154
	Loss on early retirement of debt		272				-				272				-
	Restructuring expenses		1,060				-				1,701				-
	Deferred tax for foreign currency translation for Grupo Vasconia		261				575				455				575
	Income tax effect on adjustments		(681	)			(358	)			(1,159	)			(515	)
Adjusted net income (loss)		$	90			$	(614	)			(3,286	)		$	(2,484	)
Adjusted diluted income (loss) per common share		$	0.01			$	(0.04	)		$	(0.23	)		$	(0.18	)

Adjusted net income (loss) in the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 excludes acquisition related expenses, loss on early retirement of debt, restructuring expenses and deferred tax expense related to our equity earnings of Vasconia due to recording the tax benefit of cumulative translation losses through other comprehensive income. Adjusted net loss in the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 excludes the fair value adjustment of certain contingent consideration, acquisition related expenses, the recovery of acquisition related expenses for an acquisition not completed, financing expenses and deferred tax expense related to our equity earnings of Vasconia due to recording the tax benefit of cumulative translation losses through other comprehensive income.

	LIFETIME BRANDS, INC. Supplemental Information (In thousands) Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Operating Results (continued)
		As Reported												Constant Currency (1)
		Three Months Ended												Three Months Ended																Year-Over-Year
		June 30,												June 30,																Increase (Decrease)
	Net sales		2016				2015			Increase (Decrease)					2016				2015			Increase (Decrease)				Currency Impact				Excluding Currency				Including Currency				Currency Impact
	U.S. Wholesale	$	92,738			$	94,601			$	(1,863	)		$	92,738			$	94,577			$	(1,839	)		$	(24	)			(1.9	)%			(2.0	)%			(0.1	)%
	International		21,560				22,464				(904	)			21,560				21,313				247				(1,151	)			1.2	%			(4.0	)%			(5.2	)%
	Retail Direct		3,752				3,870				(118	)			3,752				3,870				(118	)			-				(3.0	)%			(3.0	)%			-	%
	Total net sales	$	118,050			$	120,935			$	(2,885	)		$	118,050			$	119,760			$	(1,710	)		$	(1,175	)			(1.4	)%			(2.4	)%			(1.0	)%
		As Reported												Constant Currency (1)
		Six Months Ended												Six Months Ended																Year-Over-Year
		June 30,												June 30,																Increase (Decrease)
	Net sales		2016				2015			Increase (Decrease)					2016				2015			Increase (Decrease)				Currency Impact				Excluding Currency				Including Currency				Currency Impact
	U.S. Wholesale	$	175,006			$	181,122			$	(6,116	)		$	175,006			$	181,026			$	(6,020	)		$	(96	)			(3.3	)%			(3.4	)%			(0.1	)%
	International		45,233				47,829				(2,596	)			45,233				45,521				(288	)			(2,308	)			(0.6	)%			(5.4	)%			(4.8	)%
	Retail Direct		8,736				9,641				(905	)			8,736				9,641				(905	)			-				(9.4	)%			(9.4	)%			-	%
	Total net sales	$	228,975			$	238,592			$	(9,617	)		$	228,975			$	236,188			$	(7,213	)		$	(2,404	)			(3.1	)%			(4.0	)%			(1.0	)%
	(1) "Constant Currency" is determined by applying the 2016 average exchange rates to the prior year local currency sales amounts, with the difference between the change in "As Reported" net sales and "Constant Currency" net sales,  reported in the table as "Currency Impact". Constant currency sales growth excludes the impact of currency.

Lifetime Brands, Inc.