David Lee
Analyst · Roth Capital Partners. Your line is now open
Thank you, Selwyn. To begin, I encourage everyone to read the 8-K filed this morning with respect to our December 31, 2019 earnings press release for more detailed explanations of the results, including reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures and the 10 Q. Let me take a moment to review the financial highlights for the fiscal 2020 third quarter, reflecting record sales for the third quarter and record nine months on a reported and adjusted basis.Net sales for the fiscal 2020 third quarter increased to 125.6 million from 124.1 million for the same period a year earlier. Prior year, fiscal third quarter results included approximately net 7 million core revenue in connection with the cancellation of a customer contract. Adjusting net sales for the fiscal year 2020 third quarter increased to 127.7 million from 119.6 million a year earlier.Gross profit for the fiscal 2020 third quarter was 27.7 million compared with 21.2 million a year earlier. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales at fiscal 2020 third quarter was 22% compared with 17% a year earlier. Adjusted gross profit for the fiscal 2020 third quarter was 34.3 million compared with 30.9 million a year ago. Adjusted gross profit as a percentage of adjusted net sales for the three months was 26.9% compared with 25.8% a year earlier.The results for the fiscal 2020 third quarter gross margin were primarily impacted by two items totaling 5.8 million. First non-cash expenses of 3.7 million including a write-down of a 2.4 million associated with a quarterly revaluation for cores on customer shelves and 1.3 million of amortization related to the premium for core buybacks.It is important to recognize that even though the core value or cores on customers' shelves maybe written down on our balance sheet, we are entitled to a full contractual price refund in the event that the relationship with our customer is terminated. Second transition costs are up 2.1 million associated with a move into the new facilities in Mexico to support the Company's anticipated growth.Total operating expenses decreased by 1.1 million to 18.4 million for the third quarter from 19.5 million for the prior year. This decrease was impacted by a non-cash 1.6 million gain for the quarter compared with a non-cash loss of 860,000 for the prior year, recorded due to the change in the fair value of the forward foreign currency exchange contract, a non-cash gain of 2.1 million due to the re-measurement of foreign currency denominated lease liabilities, partially offset by 1.8 million of operating expenses attributable to our fiscal '19 acquisitions and other cost expense explained further below.Adjusted operating expenses increased by 3.9 million to 20.1 million for the fiscal third quarter from 16.2 million for the prior year. This increase in adjusted operating expenses was due in part to 1.5 million expenses attributable to our fiscal 2019 acquisitions, 476,000 of expenses in connection with our internal control remediation efforts and approximately 334,000 of increased depreciation and amortization. Additionally, approximately 500,000 is related to additional professional fee and approximately 400,000 is related to increases in both personnel and infrastructure expenditures to accommodate our anticipated growth.Operating income was $9.2 million for the fiscal 2020 third quarter, compared with operating income of $1.6 million for the prior year third quarter. Adjusted operating income was $14.2 million for the third quarter, compared with $14.7 million for the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $16.5 million for the third quarter, compared with $16.2 million for the period a year ago.Depreciation and amortization expense was $2.3 million for the third quarter. Interest expense was $6.9 million for the third quarter, compared with $5.8 million last year. The increase in interest expense was due primarily to increased average outstanding borrowings in connection with the growth initiatives. In addition, interest expense for the third quarter was higher due to increased utilization of our customers accounts receivable discount program.Income tax expense for the third quarter was $1.5 million, compared with income tax expense of $1 million for the prior year period. The effective tax rate was 63.5% for the quarter, which reflects the impact of not being able to recognize a tax benefit of pretax loss in a specific jurisdiction. Net income for fiscal 2020 third quarter was 865,000 or $0.04 per diluted share, compared to with net loss of $3.1 million or $0.15 per share a year ago.Our adjusted net income for fiscal 2020 third quarter was $5.5 million or $0.28 per diluted share, compared with $6.7 million or $0.35 per share a year a year earlier. Let me now discuss results for the nine months ended December 31, 2019. Net sales for the fiscal 2020 nine months period increased 12% to $385.1 million, compared with net sales of $343.7 million for the prior year nine months. Adjusted net sales for the nine months increased 12.8% to $387.7 million compared with $343.6 million for last year.Gross profit for the fiscal 2020 nine months period was $81.8 million, compared with $63.2 million a year earlier. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for the fiscal 2020 nine months was 21.2%, compared with 18.4% a year earlier. Adjusted gross profit for the fiscal 2020 nine months period was $103.4 million, compared with $89.8 million a year ago. Adjusted gross profit percentage of adjusted net sales for the nine months was 26.7%, compared with 26.1% a year earlier.Net income for the nine month period was $903,000 or $0.05 per diluted share, compared with net loss of $5.1 million or $0.20 per share a year ago. Adjusted net income for the nine months was $28.1 million, compared with $21.2 million for the prior year nine months and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.05, compared with $1.10 per diluted share last year.Adjusted EBITDA was $53.2 million for the nine months period, compared with $49 million a year earlier. As of December 31, 2019, our adjusted EBITDA for the trailing 12 months was $78.1 million and the average equity and net debt balance was $409 million, resulting in a 19.1% return on invested capital on a pretax basis. Our method of calculating ROIC is to divide trailing 12 months adjusted EBITDA by the average equity and net debt balance for the 12 month period.I should point out that, we have just begun to realize the benefits of expanding our Mexico operations and the launch of our new brake categories, with the expectation of significant revenue growth from both new and existing product lines. At December 31, 2019, we had a net bank debt of approximately $145.6 million. Total cash availability on the revolver credit facility was approximately $83.2 million at December 31, 2019, based on a total $239 million revolver credit facility and subject to certain limitations.At December 31, 2019, the Company had approximately $727 million in total assets. Current assets were $373 million and current liabilities were $298 million. This reflects the adoption of a new lease accounting pronouncement, which requires balance sheet recognition of a lease asset and liability for all leases.Net cash provided by operating activities during fiscal year 2020 third quarter was $22.3 million due in part to a $16 million decrease in accounts receivable. For the nine months ended December 31, 2019, cash used in operating activities was $4.4 million.Depending on the timing of shipments, we expect to generate positive cash flows from operations during the current fiscal fourth quarter and breakeven to modest positive overall cash flow from operating activities for the full fiscal year 2020 compared with cash used and operating activities of $40 million for the prior year fiscal 2019. For the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, please refer to exhibits one through seven in this morning's earnings press release.I will now open the call for questions and Selwyn will then provide some closing remarks.