FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Turning Point Brands, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2018 Results
LOUISVILLE, KY. (August 8, 2018) -Turning Point Brands, Inc. (NYSE:TPB), a leading provider of Other Tobacco Products (“OTP”), today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.
Second Quarter 2018 Results at a Glance
(Comparisons vs. same period year-ago)
✓ | Net sales increased 12.5% to a record $81.1 million |
✓ | Gross profit increased 11.8% to a record $35.8 million |
✓ | Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. increased 25.3% to $9.3 million |
✓ | Adjusted EBITDA was $17.2 million (see Schedule A for a reconciliation to net income) |
✓ | Diluted EPS of $0.47 and Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.50 as compared to $0.38 and $0.35, respectively (see Schedule D for a reconciliation to Diluted EPS) |
✓ | Other highlights from the second quarter: |
| o | Stoker’s MST sets another record share on strong distribution gains |
| o | Zig-Zag delivers double-digit sales gains in MYO cigar wraps, Canadian rolling papers and U.S. papers on new product launches |
| o | Vapor Shark e-liquid manufacturing and logistics integrated into Louisville facility |
Recent Events
The second quarter saw significant developments for the company surrounding strategic initiatives and working capital progression. In the quarter, TPB had one-time cash outflows including:
| · | Completed the Vapor Supply acquisition, with purchase price consideration of $4.8 million, $1.0 million for related transaction expenses and $1.8 million to normalize depleted inventories at Vapor Supply |
| · | $6.5 million for a one-year loan made to a TPB supplier |
| · | $3.5 million to paydown the $2.0 million VaporBeast seller note and $1.5 million for escrow associated with the November 2016 VaporBeast acquisition |
| · | $2.0 million amortization on the 2018 Credit Facility |
In June 2018, TPB distributed $1.9 million to former employees from assets within its defined benefit pension plan. The lump sum payments were to certain former employees who opted to participate in the defined benefit pension plan buy-out program. The second quarter non-cash charge for the lump sum payment distribution was $0.3 million and recorded as other pension costs in the quarter. After the distribution our defined benefit pension plan is overfunded by approximately $1.3 million.
Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE On August 7, 2018, the TPB board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.04 per common share which will be paid on October 12, 2018, to shareholders of record on the close of business on September 21, 2018.
Management Observations on the Second Quarter 2018
“We are especially pleased with our achievements in the quarter and our progress thus far in 2018”, said Larry Wexler, President and CEO. “Our focus brands, Stoker’s in smokeless, Zig-Zag in smoking and VaporBeast in NewGen each performed exceptionally well, as evidenced by robust increases in net sales and gross profit across all three of our segments, as compared to the year-ago quarter.”
Smokeless Products Segment (30% of total net sales in the quarter)
For the second quarter, Smokeless products net sales increased 10.8% to a record $24.4 million on the continuing growth of Stoker’s MST. In the quarter, total Smokeless segment volume increased 6.5% and price/mix increased 4.3%.
Year-over-year industry volumes for chewing tobacco declined by approximately 3% in the quarter, while industry MST1 volumes were soft by approximately 1% to year-ago, according to MSAi. Stoker’s outpaced the smokeless industry in the quarter, growing its MSAi share in both chewing tobacco and MST. Stoker’s MST cases shipped in the quarter rose by greater than 10%.
For the quarter, gross profit for the Smokeless segment increased 8.5% to a record $12.5 million. Segment gross margin contracted 120 basis points to 51.3% due to a year-ago LIFO expense of ($0.4) million. Absent the LIFO expense, gross margin increased 70 basis points from the year-ago quarter (see Schedule B for reconciliation).
“In the quarter, we continued to expand the retail distribution of Stoker’s MST products with good success, including a chain-wide expansion into Dollar General,” said Wexler. “While the average dollar store is not equivalent to a standard c-store in terms of category volume, it is a growing channel and the distribution strengthens our position against a growing body of smokeless enthusiasts. Furthermore, our early read on replenishment shipments to the chain is highly encouraging.”
Smoking Products Segment (36% of total net sales in the quarter)
1 TPB measures industry MST volumes excluding pouch and snus products.
For the second quarter, net sales of Smoking products increased 8.5% to $29.3 million. Sales in the quarter for our focus Zig-Zag papers and cigar wraps were up $3.8 million, offset by a $1.2 million decrease related to our strategic decision to deemphasize the low margin cigar products business and our previously announced line rationalization of MYO tobacco. In the quarter, Smoking products volume increased 3.4% and price/mix increased 5.1%.
In the quarter, Zig-Zag retained its share leadership position in both premium cigarette papers and MYO cigar wraps. Distribution expansion of the new Canadian paper products continues and was supplemented with additional products in the second quarter. In the U.S., the new Zig-Zag Hemp papers introduction in late first quarter continues with positive trade enthusiasm.
According to MSAi, second quarter industry volumes for U.S. cigarette papers decreased by low-single-digits, while industry MYO cigar wraps generated mid-single-digit category expansion.
Smoking products gross profit for the quarter increased $1.1 million to $15.2 million, despite an adverse year-over-year euro exchange rate impact of $0.6 million. Gross margin decreased to 51.8% compared with 52.2% for the year-ago quarter due principally to adverse exchange rates.
NewGen (New Generation) Products Segment (34% of total net sales in the quarter)
For the second quarter, NewGen segment net sales grew 18.7% to a record $27.4 million on continued VaporBeast momentum and two months of Vapor Supply sales.
Gross profit for the NewGen segment increased by $1.7 million over the year-ago quarter to a record $8.1 million. Gross margin for the quarter expanded by 200 basis points to 29.5%, compared to the year-ago quarter.
For the quarter, VaporBeast’s key sales performance metrics indicate continued progress against our goal to grow sales in the existing store base, as evidenced by increases in both order sizes and order frequency. Additionally, we continue to drive process improvements across the Vapor Shark platform to strengthen sales performance in both the company and franchise branded stores. The Vapor Shark e-liquid manufacturing and warehouse operations were integrated into our Louisville facility late in the second quarter. At Vapor Supply, we are working towards integration and efficiency initiatives which we expect to realize in late fourth quarter of 2018.
“As we move into the third and fourth quarters, we will continue to focus on vapor integration and financial synergies,” said Wexler. “Optimizing the platform efficiency and effectiveness is job one for the entire NewGen team.”
Turning Point Brands, Inc. | www.turningpointbrands.com | ir@tpbi.om | 502.774.9238
Other Events and Performance Measures in the Second Quarter
Second quarter 2018 consolidated SG&A expenses were $21.0 million compared to $18.3 million in 2017 due primarily to the inclusion of the Vapor Supply SG&A, transaction expenses and higher legal and litigation expenses associated with the previously announced anti-counterfeiting initiative.
2018 second quarter SG&A included $1.1 million of non-recurring charges including $1.0 million of Strategic expenses as compared to $0.4 million of Strategic a year-ago. These Strategic Initiatives include an investment banking fee of $0.5 million related to the Vapor Supply acquisition and $0.5 million of legal and financial due diligence expenses related primarily to the acquisition.
Absent the immediately aforementioned charges, SG&A as a percent of net sales was 24.6%.
Interest expense for the quarter dropped to $3.6 million, which is $0.5 million, or 11.6%, lower than the year-ago period. The reduction is principally attributable to lower interest rates as a result of the first quarter 2018 refinancing in conjunction with lower debt levels as compared to 2017.
For the quarter, fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 19.8 million.
Second quarter 2018 diluted EPS was $0.47 while Adjusted diluted EPS was $0.50 (see Schedule D for reconciliation).
Second quarter 2018 Adjusted EBITDA of $17.2 million was up 9.4% to the year-ago period (See Schedule A for a reconciliation).
Capital expenditures in the second quarter 2018 totaled $0.6 million.
Total debt at June 30, 2018 was $210.3 million. Net debt at June 30, 2018 was $206.9 million, compared to $199.4 million as of December 31, 2017, an increase of $7.5 million, primarily due to the spend described in Recent Events. Net debt at June 30, 2018 to rolling twelve months Adjusted EBITDA was 3.4x (see Schedule C for a reconciliation).
2018 Outlook Update
As previously announced and based upon the current understanding of the 2018 FDA schedule, the company has identified products for 2018 rationalization and estimates that SKU discontinuations will unfavorably impact year-over-year net sales by approximately $3.5 million. Sales impact from SKU discontinuations were $0.8 million in the first quarter and $0.8 million in the second quarter. The company anticipates 2018 net sales growth of 12% to 16%.
Turning Point Brands, Inc. | www.turningpointbrands.com | ir@tpbi.com | 502.774.9238
Excluding any acquisition related expenses, SG&A as a percent of net sales for the full year is expected to be in the 25% to 27% range. Interest expense is currently expected to be $14 million, which includes $1 million non-cash deferred financing charges.
New product launch costs, including the $0.7 million recorded in the first quarter and $0.0 million in the second quarter are estimated to be approximately $1.9 million for the year.
The company now expects 2018 effective income tax rate to be 20%, down from the previously announced 24% due to state tax reform and higher stock option exercises. We expect to fully utilize our Federal net operating losses during 2018 when we will begin paying cash federal income taxes.
Capital expenditures for 2018 are expected to be on the lower end of the previously announced $2 to $3 million, due to capacity synergies from the Vapor Supply acquisition. These expenditures include one-time investments associated with logistics efficiency and integration activities.
Earnings Conference Call
As previously disclosed, a conference call with the investment community to review TPB’s financial results has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 8, 2018. Investment community participants should dial in ten minutes ahead of time using the toll free number 844-889-4324 (International participants should call 412-317-9262). A live listen-only webcast of the call is available from the Events and Presentations section of the investor relations portion of the company website (www.turningpointbrands.com). A replay of the webcast will be available on the site one hour following the call.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), this press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, Net Debt and Gross Profit excluding LIFO. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures accompanies this release.
About Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Louisville, Kentucky-based Turning Point Brands, Inc. (NYSE: TPB) is a leading U.S. provider of Other Tobacco Products. TPB, through its three focus brands, Stoker’s® in Smokeless products, Zig-Zag® in Smoking products and the VaporBeast® distribution engine in NewGen products, generates solid cash flow which it uses to finance acquisitions, increase brand support and strengthen its capital structure. TPB does not sell cigarettes. More information about the company is available at its corporate website, www.turningpointbrands.com.
Turning Point Brands, Inc. | www.turningpointbrands.com | ir@tpbi.com | 502.774.9238
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan" and "will" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. As a result, actual events may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by TPB in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for TPB to predict these events or how they may affect it. TPB has no obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to:
· | declining sales of tobacco products, and expected continuing decline of sales, in the tobacco industry overall; |
· | our dependence on a small number of third-party suppliers and producers; |
· | the possibility that we will be unable to identify or contract with new suppliers or producers in the event of a supply or product disruption; |
· | the possibility that our licenses to use certain brands or trademarks will be terminated, challenged or restricted; |
· | failure to maintain consumer brand recognition and loyalty of our customers; |
· | substantial and increasing U.S. regulation; |
· | regulation of our products by the FDA, which has broad regulatory powers; |
· | uncertainty related to the regulation and taxation of our NewGen products; |
· | possible significant increases in federal, state and local municipal tobacco-related taxes; |
· | possible increasing international control and regulation; |
· | our reliance on relationships with several large retailers and national chains for distribution of our products; |
· | our amount of indebtedness; |
· | the terms of our credit facilities, which may restrict our current and future operations; |
· | intense competition and our ability to compete effectively; |
· | uncertainty and continued evolution of markets containing our NewGen products; |
· | significant product liability litigation; |
· | the scientific community’s lack of information regarding the long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes, vaporizer and e-liquid use; |
· | requirement to maintain compliance with master settlement agreement escrow account; |