Black Diamond Reports Record Second Quarter 2015 Results

- Q2 Sales of $35.1 Million with Gross Margin up 80 Basis Points to 36.7% -

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Diamond, Inc. (NASDAQ:BDE) (the "Company" or "Black Diamond"), a global leader of innovative active outdoor performance equipment and apparel, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015.

Second Quarter 2015 Financial Highlights vs. Same Year-Ago Quarter

  • Record sales of $35.1 million (up 7% in constant currency)
  • Gross margin increased 80 basis points to 36.7% (up 360 basis points constant currency)
  • Adjusted net income before non-cash items increased to $0.2 million or $0.01 per diluted share, compared to a loss of $3.7 million or $(0.11) per diluted share

Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

Sales in the second quarter of 2015 increased 2% to $35.1 million compared to $34.4 million in the same year-ago quarter. The increase was driven by growth in Black Diamond apparel and the continued rollout of POC's cycling products, including its new spring 2015 "Race Day" line and expanded assortment of eyewear. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, sales grew 7%.

Gross margin in the second quarter of 2015 increased 80 basis points to 36.7% compared to 35.9% in the year-ago quarter, in spite of a 280 basis point headwind from foreign currency. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, gross margin increased 360 basis points. The increase was due to a favorable mix of higher margin products and higher margin channel mix, reflecting the margin-enhancing activities contained in the Company's strategic pivot following the sale of Gregory Mountain Products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2015 was essentially unchanged at $18.1 million compared to $18.0 million in the year-ago quarter. These expenses include termination benefits provided to the Company's former president, Ms. Zeena Freeman, offset by the realization of savings from the restructuring plan implemented during 2014 to realign resources within the organization. The Company anticipates completing the plan during 2015.

Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter of 2015 was a loss of $3.1 million compared to a loss of $3.5 million in the year-ago quarter.

Net loss from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2015 was $5.4 million or $(0.17) per diluted share, compared to a loss of $4.4 million or $(0.14) per diluted share in the year-ago quarter. Net loss from continuing operations in the second quarter of 2015 included $3.6 million of non-cash items, $1.4 million in restructuring costs and $0.7 million in transaction costs, compared to $0.4 million of non-cash items and $0.4 million in restructuring costs in the year-ago quarter.

Adjusted net income from continuing operations, which excludes these non-cash items, increased significantly to $0.2 million or $0.01 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2015, compared to an adjusted net loss from continuing operations of $3.7 million or $(0.11) per diluted share in the second quarter of 2014.

At June 30, 2015, cash and available-for-sale marketable securities totaled $44.3 million compared to $40.9 million at December 31, 2014. Total debt was $22.0 million at June 30, 2015, which includes $19.2 million of 5% subordinated notes due in 2017 and $2.6 million in a foreign seasonal working capital credit facility for POC, compared to $22.4 million at December 31, 2014.

Management Commentary

"The second quarter reflects the Company's initiatives to grow sales and gross margin while controlling expenses and improving cash flow," said Peter Metcalf, CEO of Black Diamond. "Our 7% currency-neutral sales growth, despite continued headwinds in parts of Europe and Asia, and 360 basis point currency-neutral gross margin expansion demonstrates that our initiatives remain on track. In addition, we exited the quarter with $44.3 million in cash and marketable securities, generating $4.2 million in free cash flow in the first half of 2015.

"Today's results are being driven by POC's successful road bike product line and the addition of women's sportswear for spring '15, making for a more complete seasonal collection of Black Diamond apparel. Our Black Diamond equipment business also continues to gain market share, driven by double-digit sales growth both in the quarter and year-to-date in North America—our largest market. We expect momentum in this market along with our fast-growing POC brand and solid double-digit gains in both POC and Black Diamond's direct-to-consumer channels to drive record results in 2015."

Exploration of Strategic Alternatives

As previously announced on March 16, 2015, Black Diamond has engaged the financial advisory firms Rothschild Inc. and Robert W. Baird & Co. to lead the exploration of a full range of strategic alternatives, including a sale of the entire Company and the potential sales of the Company's Black Diamond Equipment (including PIEPS) and POC brands in two separate transactions.

The Company anticipates that the results of the strategic review process will be known during the third quarter of 2015. Black Diamond does not intend to comment further regarding the strategic review process unless or until a specific transaction is approved by its board of directors or shareholders, the strategic review process is concluded, or it is otherwise determined that further disclosure is appropriate or required by law. The Company provides no assurance that the strategic review process will result in any completed transaction.

2015 Outlook

Black Diamond's guidance for fiscal 2015 remains on track with sales expected to increase 11% on a constant currency basis. Also on a constant currency basis, the Company expects gross margin in fiscal year 2015 to be approximately 40%.

Net Operating Loss (NOL)

The Company estimates that it has available NOL carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $167 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

Black Diamond will hold a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its second quarter 2015 results.

Date: Monday, August 10, 2015
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (3:00 p.m. Mountain time)
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-888-801-6507
International dial-in number: 1-913-312-9330
Conference ID: 6968627

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 Group at 1-949-574-3860.

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay at http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=115669 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 August 24, 2015.

Toll-free replay number: 1-877-870-5176
International replay number: 1-858-384-5517
Replay ID: 6968627

About Black Diamond, Inc.

Black Diamond, Inc. is a global leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative active outdoor performance equipment and apparel for climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, skiing, cycling and a wide range of other year-round outdoor recreation activities. The Company's principal brands, Black Diamond®, POC™ and PIEPS™, are iconic in the active outdoor, ski and cycling industries and linked intrinsically with the modern history of these sports. Black Diamond is synonymous with performance, innovation, durability and safety that the outdoor and action sport communities rely on and embrace in their active lifestyle. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, the Company's products are created and tested on some of the best alpine peaks, slopes, crags, roads and trails in the world. These close connections to the Black Diamond lifestyle enhance the authenticity of the Company's brands, inspire product innovation and strengthen customer loyalty. Black Diamond's products are sold in approximately 50 countries around the world. For additional information, please visit the Company's websites at www.blackdiamond-inc.com, www.blackdiamondequipment.com, www.pocsports.com or www.pieps.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 growth strategy, including its ability to organically grow each of its historical product lines, its new apparel line and its recently acquired businesses; the results of the Company's review of strategic alternatives; the Company's ability to successfully integrate and grow acquisitions; 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; 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)
     
  June 30, 2015 December 31, 2014
Assets    
Current assets    
Cash  $ 34,409  $ 31,034
Marketable securities  9,925  9,902
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $713 and $724, respectively  25,154  38,734
Inventories  62,230  64,481
Prepaid and other current assets  7,704  6,111
Income tax receivable  1,883  5,333
Deferred income taxes  2,832  2,965
Total current assets  144,137  158,560
     
Property and equipment, net  13,558  13,760
Other intangible assets, net  22,520  24,912
Indefinite lived intangible assets  34,528  35,600
Goodwill  40,885  41,983
Deferred income taxes  39,246  37,877
Other long-term assets  2,492  2,821
Total assets  $ 297,366  $ 315,513
     
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $ 21,426  $ 28,639
Deferred income taxes  130  26
Current portion of long-term debt  2,649  3,875
Total current liabilities  24,205  32,540
     
Long-term debt  19,339  18,562
Deferred income taxes  3,822  5,076
Other long-term liabilities  2,257  2,142
Total liabilities  49,623  58,320
     
Stockholders' Equity    
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 5,000 shares authorized; none issued  --   -- 
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 32,859 and 32,801 issued and 32,763 and 32,704 outstanding  3  3
Additional paid in capital  484,115  482,985
Accumulated deficit  (230,319)  (223,197)
Treasury stock, at cost  (186)  (186)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (5,870)  (2,412)
Total stockholders' equity  247,743  257,193
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 297,366  $ 315,513
 
 
BLACK DIAMOND, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
     
  Three Months Ended 
  June 30, 2015 June 30, 2014
     
Sales    
Domestic sales  $ 18,211  $ 14,430
International sales  16,868  19,992
Total sales  35,079  34,422
     
Cost of goods sold  22,220  22,078
Gross profit  12,859  12,344
     
Operating expenses    
Selling, general and administrative  18,129  17,984
Restructuring charge  1,408  410
Transaction costs  689  -- 
     
Total operating expenses  20,226  18,394
     
Operating loss  (7,367)  (6,050)
     
Other (expense) income    
Interest expense, net  (695)  (623)
Other, net  92  319
     
Total other expense, net  (603)  (304)
     
Loss before income tax  (7,970)  (6,354)
Income tax benefit  (2,523)  (1,911)
Loss from continuing operations  (5,447)  (4,443)
     
Discontinued operations, net of tax  --   (540)
     
Net loss  $ (5,447)  $ (4,983)
     
Loss from continuing operations per share:    
Basic  $ (0.17)  $ (0.14)
Diluted  (0.17)  (0.14)
     
Net loss per share:    
Basic  $ (0.17)  $ (0.15)
Diluted  (0.17)  (0.15)
     
Weighted average shares outstanding:    
Basic 32,723 32,515
Diluted 32,723 32,515
 
 
BLACK DIAMOND, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
     
  Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 2015 June 30, 2014
     
Sales    
Domestic sales $ 39,090  $ 31,559
International sales  46,252  47,295
Total sales  85,342  78,854
     
Cost of goods sold  53,487  49,868
Gross profit  31,855  28,986
     
Operating expenses    
Selling, general and administrative  37,286  38,797
Restructuring charge  1,876  410
Transaction costs  988  -- 
     
Total operating expenses  40,150  39,207
     
Operating loss  (8,295)  (10,221)
     
Other (expense) income    
Interest expense, net  (1,397)  (1,249)
Other, net  (159)  192
     
Total other expense, net  (1,556)  (1,057)
     
Loss before income tax  (9,851)  (11,278)
Income tax benefit  (2,729)  (3,433)
Loss from continuing operations  (7,122)  (7,845)
     
Discontinued operations, net of tax  --   1,535
     
Net loss  $ (7,122)  $ (6,310)
     
Loss from continuing operations per share:    
Basic  $ (0.22)  $ (0.24)
Diluted  (0.22)  (0.24)
     
Net loss per share:    
Basic  $ (0.22)  $ (0.19)
Diluted  (0.22)  (0.19)
     
Weighted average shares outstanding:    
Basic 32,714 32,495
Diluted 32,714 32,495
 
 
BLACK DIAMOND, INC.
RECONCILIATION FROM NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE NON-CASH
ITEMS, ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS) 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
  June 30, 2015  Share June 30, 2014 Share
         
         
Net loss from continuing operations  $ (5,447)  $ (0.17)  $ (4,443)  $ (0.14)
         
Amortization of intangibles  646  0.02  765  0.02
Depreciation  963  0.03  1,042  0.03
Accretion of note discount  378  0.01  328  0.01
Stock-based compensation  575  0.02  306  0.01
Income tax benefit  (2,523)  (0.08)  (1,911)  (0.06)
Cash received (paid) for income taxes  3,608  0.11  (146)  (0.00)
         
Net loss from continuing operations before non-cash items  $ (1,800)  $ (0.06)  $ (4,059)  $ (0.12)
         
Restructuring charge  1,408  0.04  410  0.01
Transaction costs  689  0.02  --   -- 
State cash taxes on adjustments  (73)  (0.00)  (12)  (0.00)
AMT cash taxes on adjustments  (40)  (0.00)  (8)  (0.00)
         
Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations before non-cash items  $ 184  $ 0.01  $ (3,669)  $ (0.11)
 
 
BLACK DIAMOND, INC.
RECONCILIATION FROM NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE NON-CASH ITEMS,
ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE NON-CASH ITEMS AND RELATED EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
         
  Six Months Ended 
     Per Diluted     Per Diluted 
  June 30, 2015 Share June 30, 2014  Share
         
         
Net loss from continuing operations  $ (7,122)  $ (0.22)  $ (7,845)  $ (0.24)
         
Amortization of intangibles  1,301  0.04  1,538  0.05
Depreciation  1,884  0.06  2,067  0.06
Accretion of note discount  742  0.02  645  0.02
Stock-based compensation  1,038  0.03  513  0.02
Income tax benefit  (2,729)  (0.08)  (3,433)  (0.11)
Cash received (paid) for income taxes  3,356  0.10  (142)  (0.00)
         
Net loss from continuing operations before non-cash items  $ (1,530)  $ (0.05)  $ (6,657)  $ (0.20)
         
Restructuring charge  1,876  0.06  410  0.01
Transaction costs  988  0.03  --   -- 
State cash taxes on adjustments  (100)  (0.00)  (12)  (0.00)
AMT cash taxes on adjustments  (55)  (0.00)  (8)  (0.00)
         
Adjusted net income (loss) from continuing operations before non-cash items  $ 1,179  $ 0.04  $ (6,267)  $ (0.19)
 
 
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 
  June 30, 2015 June 30, 2014
     
     
Net loss from continuing operations  $ (5,447)  $ (4,443)
     
Income tax benefit  (2,523)  (1,911)
Other, net  (92)  (319)
Interest expense, net  695  623
     
Operating loss  (7,367)  (6,050)
     
Depreciation  963  1,042
Amortization of intangibles  646  765
     
EBITDA  $ (5,758)  $ (4,243)
     
Restructuring charge  1,408  410
Transaction costs  689  -- 
Stock-based compensation  575  306
     
Adjusted EBITDA  $ (3,086)  $ (3,527)
 
 
BLACK DIAMOND, INC.
RECONCILIATION FROM NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES,
DEPRECIATION, AND AMORTIZATION (EBITDA), AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(In thousands)
     
  Six Months Ended
  June 30, 2015 June 30, 2014
     
     
Net loss from continuing operations  $ (7,122)  $ (7,845)
     
Income tax benefit  (2,729)  (3,433)
Other, net  159  (192)
Interest expense, net  1,397  1,249
     
Operating loss  (8,295)  (10,221)
     
Depreciation  1,884  2,067
Amortization of intangibles  1,301  1,538
     
EBITDA  $ (5,110)  $ (6,616)
     
Restructuring charge  1,876  410
Transaction costs  988  -- 
Stock-based compensation  1,038  513
     
Adjusted EBITDA  $ (1,208)  $ (5,693)
CONTACT: Company Contact:

         Warren B. Kanders
         Executive Chairman
         Tel 1-203-428-2000
         warren.kanders@bdel.com
         or
         Peter Metcalf
         CEO
         Tel 1-801-278-5552
         peter.metcalf@bdel.com

         Investor Relations:

         Liolios Group, Inc.
         Scott Liolios or Cody Slach
         Tel 1-949-574-3860
         BDE@liolios.com

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Source: Black Diamond, Inc.