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      

 

Company Contact:
Warren B. Kanders
Executive Chairman
Tel 1-203-428-2000
warren.kanders@bdel.com
or
Aaron Kuehne
Chief Administrative Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
Tel 1-801-993-1364
aaron.kuehne@bdel.com

Investor Relations:
Liolios
Cody Slach
Tel 1-949-574-3860
BDE@liolios.com

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Source: Black Diamond, Inc.