Rocky Brands, Inc. Announces 2019 Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results

Fourth Quarter Revenue Increased 12.1% to $75.3 Million

Fourth Quarter Diluted Earnings Per Share Increased 41.7% to $0.68

2019 Year-End Cash and Cash Equivalents Increased 52.5% to $15.5 Million

NELSONVILLE, Ohio--()--Rocky Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCKY) today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.

Fourth Quarter 2019 Sales and Income

Fourth quarter net sales increased 12.1% to $75.3 million versus net sales of $67.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2018. Fourth quarter net income increased 41.0% to $5.1 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, compared to $3.6 million, or $0.48 per diluted share in the year ago period.

Fiscal Year 2019 Sales and Income

For fiscal year 2019, net sales increased 7.0% to $270.4 million versus net sales of $252.7 million in fiscal year 2018. Net income increased 20.0% to $17.5 million, or $2.35 per diluted share, for fiscal year 2019, compared with a net income of $14.6 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, for fiscal 2018. Adjusted net income for fiscal 2019 was $16.9 million, or $2.27 per diluted share, compared to an adjusted net income of $14.0 million, or $1.88 per diluted share in 2018. (See below for a reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures).

“Our fourth quarter performance represents a fantastic finish to a record year of profitability for Rocky Brands, Inc.,” said Jason Brooks, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Throughout 2019, we successfully executed our key initiatives, fueling strong momentum in our Rocky, Georgia Boot and Durango brands and robust growth of our retail segment. Our recent results highlight our progress as fourth quarter retail sales increased 26% driven by both our Lehigh CustomFit safety shoe program and direct-to-consumer ecommerce channels, while wholesale sales improved 7% led by strong gains in our work, western and commercial military categories. The significant improvement in earnings for both the fourth quarter and full year underscores our continued progress enhancing gross margins through segment mix, increased manufacturing efficiencies and improved full priced selling, which has allowed us to make additional investments in people, resources and marketing programs to support sustained top-line growth. We feel good about the strategic direction the Company is headed and we are confident in our ability to continue generating increased value for our shareholders over the long-term.”

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Review

Wholesale sales for the fourth quarter increased 7.3% to $49.3 million compared to $45.9 million for the same period in 2018. Retail sales for the fourth quarter increased 26.0% to $20.8 million compared to $16.5 million for the same period last year. Military segment sales for the fourth quarter increased 10.4% to $5.3 million compared to $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Gross margin in the fourth quarter of 2019 increased 17.1% to $28.3 million, or 37.5% of sales, compared to $24.1 million, or 35.9% of sales, for the same period last year. The 160 basis point increase was driven by a higher percentage of retail sales, which carry higher gross margins than wholesale and military sales, and higher wholesale, retail and military segment margins versus the same period last year.

Operating expenses were $21.6 million, or 28.7% of net sales, for the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $19.3 million, or 28.7% of net sales, a year ago.

Income from operations for the fourth quarter of 2019 increased 37.2% to $6.7 million, or 8.8% of net sales compared to $4.9 million for the same period a year ago, or 7.2% of net sales.

For 2019, wholesale sales increased 3.7% to $179.5 million compared to $173.1 million for 2018. Retail sales increased 21.8% to $64.8 million compared to $53.2 million for the same period last year. Military segment sales declined 1.1% to $26.1 million compared to $26.4 million in 2018.

Gross margin for 2019 increased 12.2% to $97.7 million, or 36.1% of sales, compared to $87.0 million, or 34.4% of sales, for the same period last year. The 170 basis point increase was driven by a higher percentage of retail sales, which carry higher gross margins than wholesale and military sales, and higher wholesale, retail and military segment margins versus the same period last year.

Operating expenses were $75.6 million, or 28.0% of net sales, for 2019 compared to $69.0 million, or 27.3% of net sales, a year ago.

Income from operations for 2019 increased to $22.1 million, or 8.2% of net sales compared to $18.1 million for the same period a year ago, or 7.1% of net sales.

Balance Sheet Review

Cash and cash equivalents increased $5.3 million or 52.5% to $15.5 million at December 31, 2019 compared to $10.2 million on the same date a year ago.

Inventory at December 31, 2019 increased 5.4% to $76.7 million compared to $72.8 million on the same date a year ago.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to GAAP financial measures, we present the following non-GAAP financial measures: “non-GAAP adjusted gross margin,” “non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses,” “non-GAAP adjusted other- net,” “non-GAAP adjusted net income,” and “non-GAAP adjusted net income per share.” Adjusted results exclude the impact of items that management believes affect the comparability or underlying business trends in our consolidated financial statements in the periods presented. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors and other users of our consolidated financial statements as an additional tool for evaluating operating performance. We believe they also provide a useful baseline for analyzing trends in our operations. Investors should not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. See “Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures” accompanying this press release.

Conference Call Information

The Company’s conference call to review fourth quarter 2019 results will be broadcast live over the internet today, Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at 4:30 pm Eastern Time. The broadcast will be hosted at http://www.rockybrands.com.

About Rocky Brands, Inc.

Rocky Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brand names including Rocky®, Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, and the licensed brand Michelin®.

Safe Harbor Language

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements regarding intent, beliefs, expectations, projections, forecasts, and plans of the Company and its management and include statements in this press release regarding the Company’s ability to continue generating increased value for shareholders over the long-term (paragraph 3). These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the various risks inherent in the Company’s business as set forth in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (filed March 13, 2019) and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019 (filed May 9, 2019), June 30, 2019 (filed August 8, 2019) and September 30, 2019 (filed November 5, 2019). One or more of these factors have affected historical results, and could in the future affect the Company’s businesses and financial results in future periods and could cause actual results to differ materially from plans and projections. Therefore there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the Company, or any other person should not regard the inclusion of such information as a representation that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

 

 

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

15,518

$

10,173

Trade receivables, net

 

 

45,585

 

43,337

Contract receivables

 

 

4,746

 

2,602

Other receivables

 

 

366

 

331

Inventories – net

 

 

76,731

 

72,822

Income tax receivable

 

 

150

 

30

Prepaid expenses

 

 

3,030

 

1,890

Total current assets

 

 

146,126

 

131,185

LEASED ASSETS

 

 

1,743

 

-

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT – net

 

 

27,423

 

23,057

IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLES – net

 

 

30,240

 

30,273

OTHER ASSETS

 

 

294

 

148

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

205,826

$

184,663

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

15,776

$

13,543

Contract liabilities

 

 

4,746

 

2,602

Accrued expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Salaries and wages

 

 

3,044

 

3,339

Taxes - other

 

 

967

 

556

Accrued freight

 

 

867

 

668

Commissions

 

 

608

 

560

Accrued duty

 

 

3,824

 

2,334

Other

 

 

1,702

 

1,416

Total current liabilities

 

 

31,534

 

25,018

LONG-TERM TAXES PAYABLE

 

 

169

 

169

LONG-TERM LEASE

 

 

1,158

 

-

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

 

 

8,108

 

7,780

DEFERRED LIABILITIES

 

 

201

 

121

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

 

41,170

 

33,088

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, no par value;

 

 

 

 

 

25,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding December 31, 2019 - 7,354,970; December 31, 2018 - 7,368,494

 

 

67,993

 

68,387

Retained earnings

 

 

96,663

 

83,188

Total shareholders' equity

 

 

164,656

 

151,575

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

$

205,826

$

184,663

 

 

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

NET SALES

$

75,341

$

67,186

$

270,408

$

252,694

COST OF GOODS SOLD

 

47,089

 

43,054

 

172,723

 

165,665

GROSS MARGIN

 

28,252

 

24,132

 

97,685

 

87,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

21,596

 

19,281

 

75,600

 

68,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

6,656

 

4,851

 

22,085

 

18,061

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES)

 

(13)

 

(15)

 

146

 

(162)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

6,643

 

4,836

 

22,231

 

17,899

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

1,557

 

1,229

 

4,769

 

3,346

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

$

5,086

$

3,607

$

17,462

$

14,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.69

$

0.49

$

2.36

$

1.96

Diluted

$

0.68

$

0.48

$

2.35

$

1.95

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

7,372

 

7,414

 

7,387

 

7,412

Diluted

 

7,426

 

7,467

 

7,439

 

7,462

 

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

Gross Margin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin, as reported

$

28,252

$

24,132

$

97,685

$

87,029

Less: Hurricane related expense reimbursement *

 

-

 

-

 

(725)

 

-

Adjusted gross margin

$

28,252

$

24,132

$

96,960

$

87,029

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

$

21,596

$

19,281

$

75,600

$

68,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS, ADJUSTED

$

6,656

$

4,851

$

21,360

$

18,061

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income, as reported

$

5,086

$

3,607

$

17,462

$

14,553

Less: Transition Tax Adjustment **

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(561)

Less: Hurricane related expense reimbursement, after tax

 

-

 

-

 

(579)

 

-

Adjusted net income

$

5,086

$

3,607

$

16,883

$

13,992

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share, as reported

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.69

$

0.49

$

2.36

$

1.96

Diluted

$

0.68

$

0.48

$

2.35

$

1.95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted net income per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.69

$

0.49

$

2.29

$

1.89

Diluted

$

0.68

$

0.48

$

2.27

$

1.88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

7,372

 

7,414

 

7,387

 

7,412

Diluted

 

7,426

 

7,467

 

7,439

 

7,462

* Adjustment related to reimbursements of expenses associated with the temporary closure of our Puerto Rican manufacturing facility as a result of Hurricane Maria in 2017

** Adjustment related to the one-time transition tax on the deemed repatriation of undistributed foreign earnings as a result of further analysis of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Contacts

Company:
Tom Robertson
Chief Financial Officer
(740) 753-9100

Investor Relations:
Brendon Frey
ICR, Inc.
(203) 682-8200

Contacts

Company:
Tom Robertson
Chief Financial Officer
(740) 753-9100

Investor Relations:
Brendon Frey
ICR, Inc.
(203) 682-8200