Diamond Foods Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2014 Financial Results


SAN FRANCISCO, June 5, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Diamond Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq:DMND) ("Diamond") today reported financial results for its fiscal 2014 third quarter and nine months ended April 30, 2014.

Third Quarter Fiscal 2014 Highlights

  • Net sales were $190.9 million, up 3.2% year-over-year
  • Snacks segment sales increased 9.6% to $114.3 million and Nuts segment sales decreased 5.0% to $76.6 million
  • Gross margin was 23.6% compared to 23.4%
  • GAAP loss per share was $3.63 primarily attributable to the extinguishment of the Oaktree debt; non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) was $0.11
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.5% to $23.5 million

Year-to-Date Fiscal 2014 Highlights

  • Net sales decreased 2.7% to $646.1 million
  • Snacks segment sales increased 7.1% to $343.6 million and Nuts segment sales decreased 11.9% to $302.5 million
  • Gross margin was 24.6% compared to 23.0%
  • GAAP loss per share was $6.69; non-GAAP EPS was $0.44
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 5.3% to $81.2 million

(All comparisons above are to the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2013. Non-GAAP financial measures are reconciled in the tables below.)

"We are very pleased with the overall performance of our Snacks segment in the third quarter, as we continued to deliver solid year-over-year sales growth and gross margin expansion," said Brian J. Driscoll, President and CEO. "While these results reflect strong progress against our overall turnaround plan, in the Nuts segment a walnut cost increase this quarter impacted our results by $2.2 million."

Third Quarter Fiscal 2014

Consolidated net sales during the quarter increased 3.2%, to $190.9 million, compared to the same quarter of the prior year. Gross profit was $45.1 million, or 23.6% of net sales, for the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $43.4 million, or 23.4% of net sales, for the same quarter in the prior year.

GAAP net loss was $105.6 million and GAAP diluted loss per share ("EPS") was ($3.63) in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. On February 19, 2014, the Company re-financed its outstanding debt, including the Oaktree notes, and Oaktree exercised their warrant of 4.4 million shares. A charge of $83.0 million relating to the refinancing transactions was expensed in the quarter including: $41.6 million representing the difference between the reacquisition price and the carrying value of the Oaktree debt, $28.7 million of Oaktree debt call premium, and $12.7 million of refinancing transaction costs. In addition, we incurred a $15.0 million Oaktree warrant exercise inducement fee and $2.0 million for the change in the fair value of the Oaktree warrant liability. Excluding these items and other adjustments, non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $3.5 million and non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.11. Adjusted EBITDA was $23.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $23.2 million in the prior year. Please refer to the table at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP information.

Year-to-Date Fiscal 2014

Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 decreased 2.7% to $646.1 million compared to $664.2 million during the first nine months of last year, and gross profit as a percent of net sales was 24.6% compared to 23.0% last year.

Net loss was $162.8 million, or a loss of $6.69 per share on a fully diluted basis. Excluding certain charges, non-GAAP net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2014 was $13.3 million and non-GAAP fully diluted earnings per share was $0.44. Adjusted EBITDA was $81.2 million, compared to $77.2 million last year. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the tables in this press release for a reconciliation of all non-GAAP financial measures.

As of April 30, 2014, net debt outstanding was $635.4 million and the$125 million ABL Revolver was undrawn.

Segment Review

The Company has two reportable segments: Snacks and Nuts. The Snacks segment includes products sold under the Kettle U.S., Kettle U.K. and Pop Secret brands. The Nuts segment includes products sold under the Diamond of California and Emerald brands.

Snacks Segment: Net sales during the third quarter increased 9.6%, to $114.3 million compared to the prior year period. Gross profit was $41.7 million, or 36.5% of net sales, for the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $36.7 million, or 35.2% of net sales, for the same quarter in the prior year.

Net sales during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 were $343.6 million, a 7.1% increase compared to the first nine months of last year. Gross profit during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 was $123.7 million, 36.0% of net sales, compared to $109.8 million, 34.2% of net sales, in the prior year period.

Nuts Segment: Net sales during the third quarter decreased 5.0% to $76.6 million compared to the prior year period. Gross profit was $3.4 million, or 4.4% of net sales, in the third quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $6.7 million, or 8.3% of net sales, for the same quarter in the prior year.

Net sales during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 were $302.5 million, an 11.9% decrease compared to the first nine months of last year. Gross profit during the first nine months of fiscal 2014 was $35.3 million, 11.7% of net sales, compared to $42.7 million, 12.4% of net sales, in the prior year period.

Outlook

Despite headwinds associated with tree nut commodity costs in fiscal 2014 that adversely impacted the Nuts segment; the Company expects to realize an increase in Adjusted EBITDA year-over-year.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call with members of the executive management team to discuss these results with additional comments and details. The conference call is scheduled to begin today at 4:30 p.m. ET. To participate on the live call, listeners in North America may dial (888) 791-4324 and international listeners may dial (913) 312-0375.

In addition, the call will be broadcast live over the Internet hosted at the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at http://www.diamondfoods.com and will be archived online through June 19, 2014. A telephonic playback will be available from 7:30 p.m. ET, June 5, 2014, through June 19, 2014. North America listeners may dial (877) 870-5176 and international listeners may dial (858) 384-5517; the passcode is 5998359.

About Diamond Foods

Diamond Foods is an innovative packaged food company focused on building and energizing brands including Kettle® Chips, Emerald® snack nuts, Pop Secret® popcorn, and Diamond of California® nuts. Diamond's products are distributed in a wide range of stores where snacks and culinary nuts are sold. For more information, visit the Company's corporate web site: http://www.diamondfoods.com.

Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, including statements about commodity headwinds, Adjusted EBITDA projections, and progress against the Company's turnaround plan. These forward-looking statements are based on our assumptions, expectations and projections about future events only as of the date of this press release. Many of our forward-looking statements include discussions of trends and anticipated developments under the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the periodic reports that we file with the SEC. We use the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "may" and other similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements that discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our results of operations or financial condition or state other "forward-looking" information. You also should carefully consider other cautionary statements elsewhere in this press release and in other documents we file from time to time with the SEC. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release. Actual results may differ materially from what we currently expect because of many risks and uncertainties, such as: unexpected delays or increased costs in implementing our business strategies; changes in consumer preferences for snack and nut products; risks relating to our leverage, including the cost of our debt and its effect on our ability to respond to changes in our business, markets and industry; the dilutive impact of equity issuances; risks relating to litigation and regulatory proceedings; uncertainties relating to our relations with growers; availability and cost of walnuts and other raw materials; increasing competition and possible loss of key customers; and general economic and capital markets conditions.

Financial Summary

Summarized Statement of Operations:

  Three Months Ended April 30, Nine Months Ended April 30,
  2014 2013 2014 2013
Net sales  $ 190,892  $ 184,905  $ 646,137  $ 664,211
Cost of sales  145,796  141,555  487,180  511,746
Gross profit  45,096  43,350  158,957  152,465
Operating expenses:        
Selling, General and administrative  30,735  35,334  121,113  105,781
Advertising  8,590  8,023  32,377  29,362
(Gain) loss on warrant liability   1,995  1,873  25,933  (9,236)
Warrant exercise fee  15,000  --   15,000  -- 
Total operating expenses  56,320  45,230  194,423  125,907
Income (loss) from operations  (11,224)  (1,880)  (35,466)  26,558
Loss on debt extinguishment  83,004  --   83,004  -- 
Interest expense, net  10,582  14,542  41,534  42,685
Loss before income taxes  (104,810)  (16,422)  (160,004)  (16,127)
Income taxes (benefit)  823  (840)  2,842  43
Net loss  $ (105,633)  $ (15,582)  $ (162,846)  $ (16,170)
         
Loss per share:        
Basic  $ (3.63)  $ (0.71)  $ (6.69)  $ (0.74)
Diluted  $ (3.63)  $ (0.71)  $ (6.69)  $ (1.08)
Shares used to compute loss per share:        
Basic  29,119  21,819  24,338  21,774
Diluted  29,119  21,819  24,338  23,514
         

Segment Information:

  Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended  
  April 30,  % Change from April 30,  % Change from
  2014 2013 2013 to 2014 2014 2013 2013 to 2014
Net sales            
Snacks  $ 114,255  $ 104,201 9.6%  $ 343,601  $ 320,865 7.1%
Nuts  76,637  80,704 -5.0%  302,536  343,346 -11.9%
Total  $ 190,892  $ 184,905 3.2%  $ 646,137  $ 664,211 -2.7%
             
Gross profit            
Snacks  $ 41,699  $ 36,684 13.7%  $ 123,660  $ 109,812 12.6%
Nuts  3,397  6,666 -49.0%  35,297  42,653 -17.2%
Total  $ 45,096  $ 43,350 4.0%  $ 158,957  $ 152,465 4.3%
             

Summarized Balance Sheet Data:

  April 30,
  2014 2013
ASSETS    
Total current assets  $ 268,118  $ 251,269
Property, plant and equipment, net  131,033  138,420
Goodwill  410,261  401,906
Other intangible assets, net  393,828  428,419
Other long-term assets  20,045  20,886
Total assets  $ 1,223,285  $ 1,240,900
     
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    
Total current liabilities  $ 171,515  $ 200,008
Long-term obligations  638,351  579,202
Deferred income taxes  108,457  127,604
Other liabilities  20,927  24,825
Total stockholders' equity  284,035  309,261
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 1,223,285  $ 1,240,900
     

Non-GAAP Financial Information

Reconciliation of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes to Non-GAAP EPS:

  Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended  
  April 30,   April 30,  
  2014 2013   2014 2013  
GAAP income (loss) before income taxes   $ (104,810)  $ (16,422)    $ (160,004)  $ (16,127)  
(Gain) Loss on warrant liability  1,995  1,873    25,933  (9,236)  
Warrant exercise fee  15,000  --     15,000  --   
Loss on debt extinguishment  83,004  --     83,004  --   
Reduction of liability due to lease assignment  --   --     --   (1,319)  
(Gain) Loss on Securities settlement liability  5,963  --     38,136  --   
SEC settlement  --   --     5,000  --   
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts  1,440  1,354  (1)  4,993  3,655  (1)
Shareholder derivative suit gain  --   --     (1,600)  --   
Legal Expenses  1,939  (10)    4,266  2,964  
Adjustments to SG&A  20  12,878  (2)  330  28,698  (2)
Non-GAAP income before income taxes   4,551  (327)    15,058  8,635  
GAAP income taxes (benefit)   823  (840)    2,842  43  
Tax effect of Non-GAAP adjustments  252  (1,448)    (1,083)  (1,147)  
Non-GAAP income taxes (benefit)   1,075  (2,288)    1,759  (1,104)  
Non-GAAP net income (loss)  $ 3,476  $ 1,961    $ 13,299  $ 9,739  
             
Non-GAAP EPS-diluted            
EPS-diluted  $ 0.11  $ 0.08    $ 0.44  $ 0.42  
Shares used in computing Non-GAAP   31,592  23,500    30,059  23,464  
             
(1) These expenses represent amortization of deferred and capitalized debt issuance costs and the amortization of original issue discounts on debt that are included within the interest expense, net line item on the summarized statement of operations. The exclusion of this item to calculate non-GAAP income before income taxes was first established for the three months ended April 30, 2014 and therefore the Company adjusted all historical periods to exclude this item for comparative purposes. 
(2) Related primarily to audit committee investigation, restatement- related expenses, consulting fees, retention, and severance. 
             

Reconciliation of Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes to Non-GAAP EPS FY 14 Update:

As a result of the Company's decision to exclude the amortization of deferred and capitalized debt issuance costs and the amortization of original issue discounts on debt on a go-forward basis the Company has updated the previously reported non-GAAP EPS for fiscal 2014. Please refer to the table below for the updated previously reported fiscal 2014 non-GAAP calculation: 

  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended  
  October 31, 2013 January 31, 2014 January 31, 2014  
         
As previously presented        
Non-GAAP income before income taxes  $ 4,453  $ 2,502  $ 6,955  
GAAP income taxes (benefit)  1,048  971  2,019  
Tax effect of Non-GAAP adjustments  (1,634)  (1,056)  (2,690)  
Non-GAAP income taxes (benefit)   (586)  (85)  (671)  
Non-GAAP inet income (loss)  $ 5,039  $ 2,587  $ 7,626  
         
Non-GAAP EPS-diluted        
Shares used in computing Non-GAAP EPS-diluted   28,460  29,922  29,209  
EPS-diluted   $ 0.18  $ 0.09  $ 0.26  
         
         
  Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Nine Months Ended
  October 31, 2013 January 31, 2014 January 31, 2014 April 30, 2014
  Revised Revised Revised  
As revised reflecting amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts        
Non-GAAP income before income taxes  $ 4,453  $ 2,502  $ 6,955  $ 10,065
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts  1,724  1,829  3,553  4,993
Revised Non-GAAP income before income taxes  6,177  4,331  10,508  15,058
GAAP income taxes (benefit)  1,048  971  2,019  2,842
Tax effect of Non-GAAP adjustments  (971)  (364)  (1,335)  (1,083)
Non-GAAP income taxes (benefit)   77  607  684  1,759
Non-GAAP net income (loss)  $ 6,100  $ 3,724  $ 9,824  $ 13,299
         
Non-GAAP EPS-diluted        
Shares used in computing Non-GAAP EPS-diluted   28,460  29,922  29,209  30,059
EPS-diluted   $ 0.21  $ 0.12  $ 0.34  $ 0.44
         

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA:

  Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended   
  April 30,   April 30,  
  2014 2013   2014 2013  
Net income (loss)  $ (105,633)  $ (15,582)    $ (162,846)  $ (16,170)  
Income taxes (benefit)   823  (840)    2,842  43  
Income (loss) before income taxes  (104,810)  (16,422)    (160,004)  (16,127)  
Interest expense, net  10,582  14,542    41,534  42,685  
Loss on debt extinguishment  83,004  --     83,004  --   
Income (loss) from operations  (11,224)  (1,880)    (35,466)  26,558  
Reduction of liability due to lease assignment  --   --     --   (1,319)  
(Gain) Loss on warrant liability  1,995  1,873    25,933  (9,236)  
Warrant exercise fee  15,000  --     15,000  --   
(Gain) Loss on Securities settlement liability  5,963 --     38,136  --   
SEC settlement  --   --     5,000  --   
Shareholder derivative suit gain  --   --     (1,600)  --   
Legal Expenses  1,939  (10)    4,266  2,964  
Adjustments to SG&A expenses   20  12,787  (1)  330  30,493  (1)
Stock-based compensation expense   1,994  1,365    5,458  2,487  
Depreciation and amortization  7,859  9,072    24,152  25,210  
Adjusted EBITDA  $ 23,546  $ 23,207    $ 81,209  $ 77,157  
             
(1) Related primarily to audit committee investigation, restatement- related expenses, consulting fees, retention, and severance. 
 

About Diamond's Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This release contains non-GAAP financial measures of Diamond's performance ("non-GAAP measures") for different periods. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Diamond's non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting, and differ both from GAAP financial measures and from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Diamond urges investors to review its reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures, and its financial statements to evaluate its business.

Diamond believes that its non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful information regarding operating results because they do not include amounts that Diamond excludes when monitoring operating results and assessing performance of the business. Diamond believes that its non-GAAP financial measures also facilitate comparison of results for current periods and business outlook for future periods.

Adjusted EBITDA is used by management as a measure of operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense, income taxes, stock-based compensation, depreciation, amortization, and other non-operating expenses, including the aforementioned expenses related to the proposed settlement of the private securities class action case, Oaktree warrant liability gains/losses, SG&A expenses primarily related to audit committee investigation, and restatement and related expenses. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful as an indicator of ongoing operating performance. As a result, some management reports feature Adjusted EBITDA, in conjunction with traditional GAAP measures, as part of our overall assessment of company performance.

Diamond's management uses non-GAAP financial measures in internal reports used to monitor and make decisions about its business, such as monthly financial reports prepared for management. The principal limitation of the non-GAAP measures is that they exclude significant expenses and other amounts required under GAAP. They also reflect the exercise of management's judgments about which adjustments are appropriately made. To mitigate this limitation, Diamond presents the non-GAAP measures in connection with GAAP results, and recommends that investors do not give undue weight to them. Diamond believes that non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors by allowing them to view Diamond's business through the eyes of management, facilitating comparison of results across historical and future periods, and providing a focus on the underlying operating performance of the business.



            

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