Black Diamond, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2016 Results


SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 31, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Diamond, Inc. (NASDAQ:BDE) (the “Company”), a global leader of innovative active outdoor performance equipment and apparel, under the brand name Black Diamond®, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2016.

Reported results are from continuing operations, excluding the results of POC Sweden AB and POC USA, LLC, which the Company sold on October 7, 2015, for all periods presented.

Third Quarter 2016 Financial Summary vs. Same Year-Ago Quarter

  • Sales up slightly to $39.4 million vs. $39.3 million (up 3% in constant currency)
  • Gross margin of 31.3% vs. 36.0% (33.2% in constant currency).
  • Selling, general and administrative expenses down 19% to $11.5 million.
  • Net loss from continuing operations was $0.4 million or $(0.01) per share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $50.8 million or $(1.55) per share.
  • Adjusted net income before non-cash items increased to $1.7 million or $0.06 per share, compared to $0.7 million or $0.02 per share.
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 61% to $1.7 million.
  • Repurchased 277,656 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock for an average price of approximately $4.52 per share.

Third Quarter 2016 Financial Results

Sales in the third quarter of 2016 were $39.4 million compared to $39.3 million in the same year-ago quarter. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, sales were up 3% due to strong climb and mountain equipment product growth.

Gross margin in the third quarter was 31.3% compared to 36.0% in the year-ago quarter. Foreign currency headwinds accounted for 190 basis points of this decline. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, gross margin was 33.2%. Gross margin was also negatively impacted by a combination of an unfavorable mix of lower margin products and additional costs associated with the continued ramp of Black Diamond’s recently repatriated manufacturing activities from Asia to the U.S.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter of 2016 decreased 19% to $11.5 million compared to $14.2 million in the year-ago quarter. The decline was due to the Company’s realization of savings from its restructuring plan implemented in 2015 to realign resources within the organization.

Net loss from continuing operations in the third quarter was $0.4 million or $(0.01) per diluted share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $50.8 million or $(1.55) per diluted share in the year-ago quarter. Net loss from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2016 included $1.9 million of non-cash items and $0.3 million in restructuring costs.

Adjusted net income from continuing operations, which excludes the non-cash items and restructuring costs, increased to $1.7 million or $0.06 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2016, compared to an adjusted net income from continuing operations before non-cash items of $0.7 million or $0.02 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2015.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 61% to $1.7 million compared to $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2015, primarily due to the aforementioned reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses.

At September 30, 2016, cash totaled $96.0 million compared to cash and marketable securities of $98.2 million at December 31, 2015. Total debt was $21.4 million compared to $20.1 million at December 31, 2015. Stockholders’ equity was $162.7 million or approximately $5.42 per share based on 30.0 million shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2016.

During the third quarter, the Company repurchased a total of 277,656 shares of its common stock for a total cost of approximately $1.3 million or $4.52 per share.

Management Commentary

“The third quarter was once again highlighted by healthy demand for our climbing and mountain equipment products across all geographic regions,” said John Walbrecht, Black Diamond Equipment’s new brand president. “The quarter was also characterized by stability within our independent global distributor business, solid execution of pre-season orders, improved fulfillment rates and healthier inventory levels, which drove strong at-once orders.

“Our third quarter was also impacted by a weaker Euro and higher costs associated with manufacturing we repatriated from China back to our U.S. headquarters. However, the Company made steady improvements during the quarter in efficiency, quality and output, and we believe that the repatriation has us well-positioned to achieve higher gross margins in 2017 and beyond, along with improved levels of service to our customers and better working capital management.”

2016 Outlook

The Company reaffirms its fiscal year 2016 sales expectation of approximately $145-$150 million compared to $155.3 million in 2015. On a constant currency basis, the Company expects sales of approximately $155-$160 million, or flat to up 3% compared to 2015. As a result of the higher costs due to the repatriation of the Company’s Chinese manufacturing assets and ramp-up in Salt Lake City, UT during 2016, the Company expects gross margin in fiscal 2016 to be approximately 30.0% compared to 34.9% in 2015. On a constant currency basis, the Company expects gross margin of approximately 33.5%.

Redeployment and Diversification Strategy

On November 9, 2015, the Company announced that it is seeking to redeploy its significant cash balances. The Company expects to invest in high-quality, durable, cash flow-producing assets potentially unrelated to the outdoor industry in order to diversify its business and potentially monetize its substantial net operating losses. The Company intends to focus its search primarily in the United States, while also evaluating international investment opportunities should it find such opportunities attractive.

Net Operating Loss (NOL)

The Company estimates that it has available NOL carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $166 million. The Company’s common stock is subject to a rights agreement dated February 7, 2008 that is intended to limit the number of 5% or more owners and therefore reduce the risk of a possible change of ownership under Section 382 of the Code. Any such change of ownership under these rules would limit or eliminate the ability of the Company to use its existing NOLs for federal income tax purposes. However, there is no guaranty that the rights agreement will achieve the objective of preserving the value of the NOLs.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its third quarter 2016 results.

Date: Monday, October 31, 2016
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (3:00 p.m. Mountain time)
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-800-449-5865
International dial-in number: 1-719-325-2366
Conference ID: 9326110

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Liolios at 1-949-574-3860.

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay at http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=121543 and via the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.blackdiamond-inc.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through November 14, 2016.

Toll-free replay number: 1-844-512-2921
International replay number: 1-412-317-6671
Replay ID: 9326110

About Black Diamond, Inc.

Black Diamond, Inc. (Black Diamond) is a publicly-traded (NASDAQ:BDE) holding company which seeks opportunities to acquire and grow businesses that can generate durable free cash flows and attractive returns. Black Diamond has substantial cash balances and net operating tax loss carryforwards which will be redeployed to maximize shareholder value in a diverse array of businesses. Currently, Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. is its only operating subsidiary. Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd. is a manufacturer of active outdoor equipment and clothing for the climbing, skiing and mountain sports markets. For additional information, please visit our corporate website at www.blackdiamond-inc.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). This press release contains the non-GAAP measures: (i) net income (loss) from continuing operations before non-cash items and related income (loss) per diluted share, and adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations before non-cash items and related income (loss) per diluted share, and (ii) earnings before interest, taxes, other income, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and adjusted EBITDA. The Company also believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP measures, i.e.: (i) net income (loss) from continuing operations before non-cash items and related income (loss) per diluted share, and adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations before non-cash items and related income (loss) per diluted share, and (ii) EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, provide useful information for the understanding of its ongoing operations and enables investors to focus on period-over-period operating performance, and thereby enhances the user's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance relative to past performance and provides, along with the nearest GAAP measures, a baseline for modeling future earnings expectations. Non-GAAP measures are reconciled to comparable GAAP financial measures in the financial tables within this press release. The Company cautions that non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the Company's reported GAAP results. Additionally, the Company notes that there can be no assurance that the above referenced non-GAAP financial measures are comparable to similarly titled financial measures used by other publicly traded companies.

Forward-Looking Statements

Please note that in this press release we may use words such as “appears,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “future,” and similar expressions which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, the overall level of consumer spending on our products; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence; disruption and volatility in the global capital and credit markets; the financial strength of the Company's customers; the Company's ability to implement its reformation and growth strategy, including its ability to organically grow each of its historical product lines, the ability of the Company to identify potential acquisition or investment opportunities as part of its redeployment and diversification strategy; the Company’s ability to successfully redeploy its capital into diversifying assets or that any such redeployment will result in the Company’s future profitability; the Company’s exposure to product liability or product warranty claims and other loss contingencies; stability of the Company's manufacturing facilities and foreign suppliers; the Company's ability to protect patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and contracted products as well as foreign currency fluctuations; our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards; and legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in international markets. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results is included from time to time in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release, and speak only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

       
BLACK DIAMOND, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
     
  September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015
Assets      
Current assets      
Cash $ 95,955  $ 88,401 
Marketable securities   -    9,824 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful      
accounts of $390 and $184, respectively   27,298    26,774 
Inventories   45,250    51,496 
Prepaid and other current assets   1,603    3,337 
Income tax receivable   706    749 
Total current assets   170,812    180,581 
       
Property and equipment, net   11,218    10,790 
Other intangible assets, net   10,208    10,934 
Indefinite lived intangible assets   22,729    22,644 
Other long-term assets   386    1,843 
Total assets $ 215,353  $ 226,792 
       
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity      
Current liabilities      
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 20,925  $ 21,446 
Income tax payable   1,080    - 
Current portion of long-term debt   21,439    - 
Total current liabilities   43,444    21,446 
       
Long-term debt, net   -    20,133 
Deferred income taxes   8,864    8,969 
Other long-term liabilities   388    1,812 
Total liabilities   52,696    52,360 
       
Stockholders' Equity      
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 5,000      
shares authorized; none issued   -    - 
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized;      
32,888 and 32,884 issued and 30,016 and 31,203 outstanding, respectively   3    3 
Additional paid in capital   483,891    483,698 
Accumulated deficit   (308,328)   (300,739)
Treasury stock, at cost   (12,398)   (7,320)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (511)   (1,210)
Total stockholders' equity   162,657    174,432 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 215,353  $ 226,792 
       


       
BLACK DIAMOND, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
       
   Three Months Ended 
  September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015
       
Sales      
Domestic sales $ 17,939  $ 17,185 
International sales   21,502    22,071 
Total sales   39,441    39,256 
       
Cost of goods sold   27,105    25,113 
Gross profit   12,336    14,143 
       
Operating expenses      
Selling, general and administrative   11,483    14,243 
Restructuring charge   282    696 
Transaction costs   -    39 
       
Total operating expenses   11,765    14,978 
       
Operating income (loss)   571    (835)
       
Other (expense) income      
Interest expense, net   (719)   (705)
Other, net   422    696 
       
Total other expense, net   (297)   (9)
       
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax   274    (844)
Income tax expense   679    49,958 
Loss from continuing operations   (405)   (50,802)
       
Discontinued operations, net of tax   -    1,107 
       
Net loss $ (405) $ (49,695)
       
Loss from continuing operations per share:      
Basic $ (0.01) $ (1.55)
Diluted   (0.01)   (1.55)
       
Net loss per share:      
Basic $ (0.01) $ (1.52)
Diluted   (0.01)   (1.52)
       
Weighted average shares outstanding:      
Basic   30,063    32,776 
Diluted   30,063    32,776 
       

 

        
BLACK DIAMOND, INC. 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 
(Unaudited) 
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 
        
   Nine Months Ended  
  September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 
        
Sales       
Domestic sales $ 54,190  $ 51,992  
International sales   52,600    59,198  
Total sales   106,790    111,190  
        
Cost of goods sold   75,155    71,711  
Gross profit   31,635    39,479  
        
Operating expenses       
Selling, general and administrative   37,311    43,470  
Restructuring charge   1,275    2,572  
Transaction costs   269    446  
Arbitration award   (1,967)   -  
        
Total operating expenses   36,888    46,488  
        
Operating loss   (5,253)   (7,009) 
        
Other (expense) income       
Interest expense, net   (2,142)   (2,073) 
Other, net   826    346  
        
Total other expense, net   (1,316)   (1,727) 
        
Loss from continuing operations before income tax   (6,569)   (8,736) 
Income tax expense   1,020    47,651  
Loss from continuing operations   (7,589)   (56,387) 
        
Discontinued operations, net of tax   -    (430) 
        
Net loss $ (7,589) $ (56,817) 
        
Loss from continuing operations per share:       
Basic $ (0.25) $ (1.72) 
Diluted   (0.25)   (1.72) 
        
Net loss per share:       
Basic $ (0.25) $ (1.74) 
Diluted   (0.25)   (1.74) 
        
Weighted average shares outstanding:       
Basic   30,525    32,735  
Diluted   30,525    32,735  
        

 

             
BLACK DIAMOND, INC.
RECONCILIATION FROM NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE NON-CASH
ITEMS, ADJUSTED NET INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE NON-CASH ITEMS AND RELATED EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
             
             
   Three Months Ended 
      Per Diluted      Per Diluted 
  September 30, 2016 Share September 30, 2015 Share
             
             
Net loss from continuing operations $ (405) $ (0.01) $ (50,802) $ (1.55)
             
Amortization of intangibles   269    0.01    319    0.01 
Depreciation   529    0.02    709    0.02 
Accretion of note discount   469    0.02    391    0.01 
Stock-based compensation   42    0.00    126    0.00 
Gain from removal of accumulated translation adjustment   31    0.00    (606)   (0.02)
Income tax expense   679    0.02    49,958    1.52 
Cash paid for income taxes   (167)   (0.01)   (110)   (0.00)
             
Net income (loss) from continuing operations before non-cash items $ 1,447  $ 0.05  $ (15) $ (0.00)
             
Restructuring charge   282    0.01    696    0.02 
Transaction costs   -    -    39    0.00 
State cash taxes on adjustments   (8)   (0.00)   (26)   (0.00)
AMT cash taxes on adjustments   (5)   (0.00)   (14)   (0.00)
             
Adjusted net income from continuing operations before non-cash items $ 1,716  $ 0.06  $ 680  $ 0.02 
             

 

              
BLACK DIAMOND, INC. 
RECONCILIATION FROM NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE NON-CASH 
ITEMS, ADJUSTED NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE NON-CASH ITEMS AND RELATED EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE 
(In thousands, except per share amounts) 
              
              
   Nine Months Ended  
      Per Diluted      Per Diluted  
  September 30, 2016 Share September 30, 2015 Share 
              
              
Net loss from continuing operations $ (7,589) $ (0.25) $ (56,387) $ (1.72) 
              
Amortization of intangibles   808    0.03    977    0.03  
Depreciation   1,705    0.06    2,316    0.07  
Accretion of note discount   1,358    0.04    1,133    0.03  
Stock-based compensation   193    0.01    1,028    0.03  
Gain from removal of accumulated translation adjustment   126    0.00    (606)   (0.02) 
Income tax expense   1,020    0.03    47,651    1.46  
Cash paid for income taxes   (124)   (0.00)   (384)   (0.01) 
              
Net loss from continuing operations before non-cash items $ (2,503) $ (0.08) $ (4,272) $ (0.13) 
              
Restructuring charge   1,275    0.04    2,572    0.08  
Transaction costs   269    0.01    446    0.01  
Arbitration award   (1,967)   (0.06)   -    -  
State cash taxes on adjustments   (44)   (0.00)   (106)   (0.00) 
AMT cash taxes on adjustments   (30)   (0.00)   (58)   (0.00) 
              
Adjusted net loss from continuing operations before non-cash items $ (3,000) $ (0.10) $ (1,418) $ (0.04) 
              

 

  
BLACK DIAMOND, INC. 
RECONCILIATION FROM NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION, AND AMORTIZATION (EBITDA), AND ADJUSTED EBITDA 
(In thousands) 
        
   Three Months Ended  
  September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015 
        
        
Net loss from continuing operations $ (405) $ (50,802) 
        
Income tax expense   679    49,958  
Other, net   (422)   (696) 
Interest expense, net   719    705  
        
Operating income (loss)   571    (835) 
        
Depreciation   529    709  
Amortization of intangibles   269    319  
        
EBITDA $ 1,369  $ 193  
        
Restructuring charge   282    696  
Transaction costs   -    39  
Stock-based compensation   42    126  
        
Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,693  $ 1,054  
        

 

         
BLACK DIAMOND, INC.  
RECONCILIATION FROM NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION, AND AMORTIZATION (EBITDA), AND ADJUSTED EBITDA  
(In thousands)  
   
         
   Nine Months Ended   
  September 30, 2016 September 30, 2015  
         
         
Net loss from continuing operations $ (7,589) $ (56,387)  
         
Income tax expense   1,020    47,651   
Other, net   (826)   (346)  
Interest expense, net   2,142    2,073   
         
Operating loss   (5,253)   (7,009)  
         
Depreciation   1,705    2,316   
Amortization of intangibles   808    977   
         
EBITDA $ (2,740) $ (3,716)  
         
Restructuring charge   1,275    2,572   
Transaction costs   269    446   
Arbitration award   (1,967)   -   
Stock-based compensation   193    1,028   
         
Adjusted EBITDA $ (2,970) $ 330   

 


            

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