Non-Tobacco Nicotine Included Under Jurisdiction of FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products
New legislation enacted on March 15, 2022, provides authority for the FDA to regulate tobacco products containing nicotine from any source (“NTN Products”). This law took effect April 14, 2022, and requires NTN Products to comply with applicable requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, such as not selling to persons under 21 years of age, not marketing these products as modified risk tobacco products without FDA’s authorization, and not distributing free samples. Additionally, companies with NTN Products in the market between March 15, 2022, and April 14, 2022, were required to file a premarket tobacco application by May 14, 2022. NTN Products subject of a timely-filed PMTA, and not in receipt of a negative action, were allowed to remain on the market until July 13, 2022, at which time these products became subject to enforcement, similar to tobacco-derived products remaining under review. We submitted premarket filings for certain of our NTN Products prior to the May 14, 2022, deadline. While these applications remain under review, we will continue to supplement these filings with additional information to support a finding that the marketing of these products is “appropriate for the protection of public health.”
CLIPPER® Lighters
In February 2022, we entered into an agreement with Flamagas, a renowned lighter manufacturer, for exclusive distribution of CLIPPER® lighters in the United States and Canada.
Final Rule Related to PACT Act Published
On October 21, 2021, the United States Postal Service (“USPS”) published a Final Rule entitled “Treatment of E-Cigarettes in the Mail,” which followed its earlier publication of the Proposed Rule on February 19, 2021. This Final Rule was required as a result of the inclusion of Division FF, Title VI (Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children or “POSECA”) in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. POSECA, among other things, expanded the definition of “cigarettes” in the Jenkins Act and Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (“PACT”) Act to expressly capture “electronic nicotine delivery systems,” i.e., ENDS. Consistent with the Proposed Rule, the Final Rule extends the existing prohibition on and exceptions to the mailing of “cigarettes” via USPS to ENDS products, other than the Consumer Testing and Public Health exceptions. Specifically, the Final Rule extends the following exceptions to the prohibition on mailing of ENDS products: the Business/Regulatory Purposes Exception, the Certain Individuals Exception, and the exception for intra-Alaska and intra-Hawaii shipments. We have received certain shipping exemptions from carrier services to carry the affected freight and have created a supplemental logistical network for those shipments not covered by the exemptions.
Critical Accounting Policies and Uses of Estimates
There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
There are no recent accounting pronouncements that impact the Company.
Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022, to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
The table and discussion set forth below displays our consolidated results of operations (in thousands):
| | Three Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | % Change | |
Consolidated Results of Operations Data: | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales | | | | | | | | | |
Zig-Zag products | | $ | 52,061 | | | $ | 42,234 | | | | 23.3 | % |
Stoker's products | | | 33,525 | | | | 30,472 | | | | 10.0 | % |
NewGen products | | | 22,216 | | | | 37,198 | | | | -40.3 | % |
Total net sales | | | 107,802 | | | | 109,904 | | | | -1.9 | % |
Cost of sales | | | 55,090 | | | | 55,635 | | | | -1.0 | % |
Gross profit | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Zig-Zag products | | | 28,035 | | | | 23,703 | | | | 18.3 | % |
Stoker's products | | | 18,279 | | | | 17,104 | | | | 6.9 | % |
NewGen products | | | 6,398 | | | | 13,462 | | | | -52.5 | % |
Total gross profit | | | 52,712 | | | | 54,269 | | | | -2.9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses | | | 32,891 | | | | 31,894 | | | | 3.1 | % |
Operating income | | | 19,821 | | | | 22,375 | | | | -11.4 | % |
Interest expense, net | | | 4,802 | | | | 5,397 | | | | -11.0 | % |
Investment income | | | (75 | ) | | | (157 | ) | | | -52.2 | % |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | | | - | | | | (375 | ) | | | -100.0 | % |
Income before income taxes | | | 15,094 | | | | 17,510 | | | | -13.8 | % |
Income tax expense | | | 3,797 | | | | 4,073 | | | | -6.8 | % |
Consolidated net income | | | 11,297 | | | | 13,437 | | | | -15.9 | % |
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest | | | (239 | ) | | | (31 | ) | | | 671.0 | % |
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. | | $ | 11,536 | | | $ | 13,468 | | | | -14.3 | % |
Net Sales: For the three months ended September 30, 2022, consolidated net sales decreased to $107.8 million from $109.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $2.1 million or 1.9%. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven by decreased sales volume in the NewGen Products segment.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, net sales in the Zig-Zag Products segment increased to $52.1 million from $42.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $9.8 million or 23.3%. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, volume increased 21.7% and price/mix increased 1.6%. Our U.S. rolling papers business grew double-digits, primarily through our e-commerce channels. Continued strength in paper cones, strong receptivity to promotional programs, the launch of CLIPPER lighters, and timing shifts in Canadian deliveries contributed to strong performance during the quarter. In total, we believe approximately $5 million of sales were pulled forward from the fourth quarter across the Zig Zag Products segment.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, net sales in the Stoker’s Products segment increased to $33.5 million from $30.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $3.1 million or 10%. For the three months ended September 30, 2022, volume increased 2.4% and price/mix increased 7.6%. The increase in net sales was driven by double-digit growth of Stoker’s® MST partially offset by a mid-single digit decline in loose-leaf chewing tobacco. FRE nicotine pouch products was a marginal contributor to segment sales.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, net sales in the NewGen products segment decreased to $22.2 million from $37.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $15.0 million or 40.3%. The decrease in net sales was primarily the result of declines in the vape distribution businesses which continues to be impacted by the regulatory environment. Net sales have been relatively steady sequentially within the current year period.
Gross Profit: For the three months ended September 30, 2022, consolidated gross profit decreased to $52.7 million from $54.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $1.6 million or 2.9%. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue decreased to 48.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2022, compared to 49.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 driven by mix.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, gross profit in the Zig-Zag Products segment increased to $28.0 million from $23.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $4.3 million or 18.3%. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 53.9% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2022, from 56.1% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2021, as a result of strong growth in lower gross margin products including the launch of our lighters business.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, gross profit in the Stoker’s Products segment increased to $18.3 million from $17.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $1.2 million or 6.9%. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 54.5% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2022, from 56.1% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2021, primarily as a result of the mix impact of FRE and stronger growth in discount looseleaf products.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, gross profit in the NewGen products segment decreased to $6.4 million from $13.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $7.1 million or 52.5%. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 28.8% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2022, from 36.2% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2021, primarily as a result of product mix and the competitive environment.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses: For the three months ended September 30, 2022, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $32.9 million from $31.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $1.0 million or 3.1%. Selling, general and administrative expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2022, included $1.4 million of stock options, restricted stock and incentives expense, $1.2 million of expense related to PMTA and $0.4 million of consulting expense related to the scoping and mobilization of the new ERP and CRM systems. Selling, general and administrative expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2021, included $1.8 million of stock option, restricted stock and incentives expense, $0.2 million of transaction income and $1.0 million of expense related to PMTA.
Interest Expense, net: For the three months ended September 30, 2022, interest expense, net decreased to $4.8 million, from $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 as a result of the repayment of the Promissory Note and forgiveness of the Unsecured Loan each discussed in Note 11 Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt in the Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition interest income earned on our cash balance offset interest expense.
Investment Income: For the three months ended September 30, 2022, investment income decreased to $0.1 million, compared to $0.2 million of investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2021.
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt There was no gain on extinguishment of debt for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 related to the repayment of the Promissory Note.
Income Tax Expense: Our income tax expense of $3.8 million was 25.2% of income before income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and included a discrete tax benefit of $0.0 million relating to stock option exercises. Our effective income tax rate was 23.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and included a discrete tax benefit $1.0 million relating to stock option exercises.
Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest was $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $0.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021.
Net Income Attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.: Due to the factors described above, net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, was $11.5 million and $13.5 million, respectively.
Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022, to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
The table and discussion set forth below displays our consolidated results of operations (in thousands):
| | Nine Months Ended September 30, | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | | | % Change | |
Consolidated Results of Operations Data: | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales | | | | | | | | | |
Zig-Zag products | | $ | 143,959 | | | $ | 130,440 | | | | 10.4 | % |
Stoker's products | | | 98,816 | | | | 93,096 | | | | 6.1 | % |
NewGen products | | | 68,846 | | | | 116,652 | | | | -41.0 | % |
Total net sales | | | 311,621 | | | | 340,188 | | | | -8.4 | % |
Cost of sales | | | 155,646 | | | | 172,685 | | | | -9.9 | % |
Gross profit | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Zig-Zag products | | | 80,808 | | | | 76,342 | | | | 5.8 | % |
Stoker's products | | | 54,044 | | | | 51,142 | | | | 5.7 | % |
NewGen products | | | 21,123 | | | | 40,019 | | | | -47.2 | % |
Total gross profit | | | 155,975 | | | | 167,503 | | | | -6.9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses | | | 98,779 | | | | 95,900 | | | | 3.0 | % |
Operating income | | | 57,196 | | | | 71,603 | | | | -20.1 | % |
Interest expense, net | | | 15,142 | | | | 15,406 | | | | -1.7 | % |
Investment loss (income) | | | 6,074 | | | | (292 | ) | | | -2180.1 | % |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | - | | | | 5,331 | | | | -100.0 | % |
Income before income taxes | | | 35,980 | | | | 51,158 | | | | -29.7 | % |
Income tax expense | | | 8,706 | | | | 11,151 | | | | -21.9 | % |
Consolidated net income | | | 27,274 | | | | 40,007 | | | | -31.8 | % |
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest | | | (684 | ) | | | (598 | ) | | | 14.4 | % |
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. | | $ | 27,958 | | | $ | 40,605 | | | | -31.1 | % |
Net Sales: For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, consolidated net sales decreased to $311.6 million from $340.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $28.6 million or 8.4%. The decrease in net sales was driven by decreased sales volume in the NewGen Products segment.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, net sales in the Zig-Zag Products segment increased to $144.0 million from $130.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $13.5 million or 10.4%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, volume increased 8.4% and price/mix increased 2.0%. The increase in net sales was driven by double-digit growth in U.S. rolling papers primarily through our e-commerce channels. Continued strength in paper cones, strong receptivity to promotional programs, the launch of CLIPPER lighters, and timing shifts in Canadian deliveries contributed to strong performance during the quarter. In total, we believe approximately $5 million of sales were pulled forward from the fourth quarter across the Zig Zag Products segment. However, these increases were offset by declines in the cigar wraps business driven partially by a trade inventory reduction in the current period compared with a trade inventory load in the prior year period.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, net sales in the Stoker’s Products segment increased to $98.8 million from $93.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $5.7 million or 6.1%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, volume decreased 1.4% and price/mix increased 7.5%. The increase in net sales was driven by double digit growth of Stoker’s® MST partially offset by a mid-single digit decline in loose-leaf chewing tobacco. FRE nicotine pouch products was a marginal contributor to segment sales.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, net sales in the NewGen products segment decreased to $68.8 million from $116.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $47.8 million or 41.0%. The decrease in net sales was primarily the result of declines in the vape distribution businesses which continue to be impacted by the regulatory environment.
Gross Profit: For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, consolidated gross profit decreased to $156.0 million from $167.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $11.5 million or 6.9%. Gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased to 50.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, compared to 49.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 driven by mix as the NewGen Products segment generates lower margins.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, gross profit in the Zig-Zag Products segment increased to $80.8 million from $76.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $4.5 million or 5.8%. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 56.1% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, from 58.5% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as a result of strong growth in lower gross margin products including the launch of our lighters business.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, gross profit in the Stoker’s Products segment increased to $54.0 million from $51.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, an increase of $2.9 million or 5.7%. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 54.7% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, from 54.9% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, gross profit in the NewGen products segment decreased to $21.1 million from $40.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $19.0 million or 47.2%. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased to 30.7% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, from 34.3% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, as a result of product mix and the competitive environment.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses: For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased to $98.8 million from $95.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, an increase of $2.9 million or 3.0%. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, included $4.1 million of stock options, restricted stock and incentives expense, $0.8 million of transaction expense, $4.3 million of expense related to PMTA, $1.6 million of expense related to corporate restructuring and $1.6 million of consulting expense related to the scoping and mobilization of the new ERP and CRM systems. Selling, general and administrative expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2021, included $6.0 million of stock option, restricted stock and incentives expense (including $1.1 million for accelerated vesting of options for a departing executive), $1.1 million of transaction costs and $1.9 million of expense related to PMTA.
Interest Expense, net: For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, interest expense, net decreased to $15.1 million, from $15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 as a result of the increase in the Company’s outstanding debt in February 2021 offset by interest earned on our cash balance.
Investment Loss (Income): For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, investment loss increased to $6.1 million, compared to $0.3 million of investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, primarily as a result of $6.3 million impairment of our investment in dosist. See Note 9 Other Assets in the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the dosist impairment.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt: There was no loss on extinguishment of debt for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $5.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 related to the repayment of the 2018 First Lien Credit Facility.
Income Tax Expense: Our income tax expense of $8.7 million was 24.2% of income before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and included a discrete tax benefit of $0.7 million relating to stock option exercises. Our effective income tax rate was 21.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and included a discrete tax benefit $6.2 million relating to stock option exercises.
Net Loss Attributable to Non-Controlling Interest: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest was $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Net Income Attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.: Due to the factors described above, net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, was $28.0 million and $40.6 million, respectively.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, we use non-U.S. GAAP financial measures including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to compare our performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses and planning purposes and is presented to our Board of Directors. We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are appropriate measures of operating performance because they eliminate the impact of expenses that do not relate to operating performance. In addition, our debt instruments contain covenants which use Adjusted EBITDA calculations.
We define “EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, net, gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, net, gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items, and other items we do not consider ordinary course in our evaluation of ongoing operating performance noted in the reconciliation below.
Non-U.S. GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA excludes significant expenses required to be recorded in our financial statements by U.S. GAAP and is subject to inherent limitations. Other companies in our industry may calculate this non-U.S. GAAP measure differently than we do or may not calculate it at all, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. The tables below provide reconciliations between net income and Adjusted EBITDA.
| | Three Months Ended | |
(in thousands) | | September 30, | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. | | $ | 11,536 | | | $ | 13,468 | |
Add: | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | | | 4,802 | | | | 5,397 | |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | | | - | | | | (375 | ) |
Income tax expense | | | 3,797 | | | | 4,073 | |
Depreciation expense | | | 861 | | | | 767 | |
Amortization expense | | | 454 | | | | 477 | |
EBITDA | | $ | 21,450 | | | $ | 23,807 | |
Components of Adjusted EBITDA | | | | | | | | |
Corporate restructuring (a) | | | 17 | | | | - | |
ERP/CRM (b) | | | 435 | | | | - | |
Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense (c) | | | 1,442 | | | | 1,752 | |
Transactional expenses (d) | | | - | | | | (232 | ) |
FDA PMTA (e) | | | 1,169 | | | | 960 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 24,513 | | | $ | 26,287 | |
(a) | Represents costs associated with corporate restructuring, including severance. |
(b) | Represents cost associated with scoping and mobilization of new ERP and CRM systems and cost of duplicative ERP licenses. |
(c) | Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock, incentives expense and Solace performance stock units. |
(d) | Represents the fees incurred for transaction expenses. |
(e) | Represents costs associated with applications related to FDA premarket tobacco product application ("PMTA"). |
| | Nine Months Ended | |
(in thousands) | | September 30, | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc. | | $ | 27,958 | | | $ | 40,605 | |
Add: | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | | | 15,142 | | | | 15,406 | |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | | | - | | | | 5,331 | |
Income tax expense | | | 8,706 | | | | 11,151 | |
Depreciation expense | | | 2,611 | | | | 2,313 | |
Amortization expense | | | 1,373 | | | | 1,431 | |
EBITDA | | $ | 55,790 | | | $ | 76,237 | |
Components of Adjusted EBITDA | | | | | | | | |
Corporate restructuring (a) | | | 1,619 | | | | - | |
ERP/CRM (b) | | | 1,626 | | | | - | |
Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense (c) | | | 4,103 | | | | 6,015 | |
Transactional expenses (d) | | | 789 | | | | 1,077 | |
FDA PMTA (e) | | | 4,265 | | | | 960 | |
Non-cash asset impairment (f) | | | 6,300 | | | | - | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 74,492 | | | $ | 84,289 | |
(a) | Represents costs associated with corporate restructuring, including severance. |
(b) | Represents cost associated with scoping and mobilization of new ERP and CRM systems and cost of duplicative ERP licenses. |
(c) | Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock, incentives expense and Solace performance stock units. |
(d) | Represents the fees incurred for transaction expenses. |
(e) | Represents costs associated with applications related to FDA premarket tobacco product application ("PMTA"). |
(f) | Represents impairment of investment in dosist. |
Liquidity and Capital Reserves
Our principal uses for cash are working capital, debt service, and capital expenditures. We believe our cash on hand, cash flows from operations and borrowing availability under our 2021 Revolving Credit Facility are adequate to satisfy our operating cash requirements for the foreseeable future. As of September 30, 2022, we had $105.7 million of cash on hand and have $21.4 million of availability under the 2021 Revolving Credit Facility.
Our working capital, which we define as current assets less cash and current liabilities, increased $27.7 million to $108.2 million at September 30, 2022, compared with $80.5 million at December 31, 2021 primarily due to increase in inventory as a result of our annual tobacco purchase.
| | As of | |
(in thousands) | | September 30, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | | | | | |
Current assets | | $ | 150,110 | | | $ | 120,849 | |
Current liabilities | | | 41,881 | | | | 40,336 | |
Working capital | | $ | 108,229 | | | $ | 80,513 | |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities was $16.4 million compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $49.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $33.2 million, primarily due to lower net income due to decreased sales in the NewGen Segment combined with the timing of changes to working capital, primarily as a result of annual tobacco inventory purchase.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, net cash used in investing activities was $17.8 million compared to net cash used in investing activities of $52.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $34.5 million, primarily due to the lower purchases of investments in our MSA escrow account as well as no acquisitions and a small investments made in the current year period.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, net cash used in financing activities was $31.2 million compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $76.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, a decrease of $107.5 million. The decrease was primarily due to an increase in cash used to repurchase common stock during 2022 while in 2021 the Company received net proceeds received from the Senior Secured Notes partially offset by the repayment in full of the 2018 First Lien Term Loan in the first quarter of 2021.
Dividends and Share and Repurchases
The most recent dividend of $0.06 per common share was paid on October 7, 2022, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 16, 2022.
On February 25, 2020, our Board of Directors approved a $50.0 million share repurchase program, which is intended for opportunistic execution based upon a variety of factors including market dynamics. On October 25, 2021, the Board increased the approved share repurchase program by $30.7 million. On February 24, 2022, the Board increased the approved share repurchase program by $24.6 million. The program is subject to the ongoing discretion of the Board. The total number of shares repurchased for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was 307,207 shares for a total cost of $7.6 million and an average price per share of $24.78. $29.4 million remains available for share repurchases under the program at September 30, 2022.
Subject to market conditions, we will from time to time opportunistically repurchase our Senior Secured Notes and Convertible Senior Notes and any other securities we may have outstanding.
Repurchases of common stock, Senior Secured Notes and Convertible Senior Notes may be made through bilateral transactions, open market transactions, 10b5-1 trading plans or otherwise.
Long-Term Debt
As of September 30, 2022, we were in compliance with the financial and restrictive covenants of the Senior Secured Notes and 2021 Revolving Credit Facility. The following table provides the outstanding balances of our debt instruments.
| | September 30, | | | December 31, | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Senior Secured Notes | | $ | 250,000 | | | $ | 250,000 | |
Convertible Senior Notes | | | 172,500 | | | | 172,500 | |
Gross notes payable and long-term debt | | | 422,500 | | | | 422,500 | |
Less deferred finance charges | | | (6,471 | ) | | | (8,328 | ) |
Notes payable and long-term debt | | $ | 416,029 | | | $ | 414,172 | |
Senior Secured Notes
On February 11, 2021, we closed a private offering (the “Offering”) of $250 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.625% senior secured notes due 2026 (the “Senior Secured Notes”). The Senior Secured Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.625% and will mature on February 15, 2026. Interest on the Senior Secured Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2021. We used the proceeds from the Offering (i) to repay all obligations under and terminate the 2018 First Lien Credit Facility, (ii) to pay related fees, costs, and expenses and (iii) for general corporate purposes.
Obligations under the Senior Secured Notes are guaranteed by the Company’s existing and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) that guarantee any Credit Facility (as defined in the Indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes or the “Senior Secured Notes Indenture”) or capital markets debt securities of the Company or Guarantors in excess of $15.0 million. The Senior Secured Notes and the related guarantees are secured by first-priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors, subject to certain exceptions.
We may redeem the Senior Secured Notes, in whole or in part, at any time prior to February 15, 2023, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the applicable redemption date, plus a “make-whole” premium. Thereafter, we may redeem the Senior Secured Notes, in whole or in part, at established redemption prices set forth in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, on or prior to February 15, 2023, we may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes with the net cash proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 105.625%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any to the redemption date; provided, however, that at least 50% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes (calculated after giving effect to the issuance of any additional notes) remains outstanding. In addition, at any time and from time to time prior to February 15, 2023, but not more than once in any twelve-month period, we may redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes at a redemption price of 103% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any to but not including the redemption date, on the Senior Secured Notes to be redeemed.
If we experience a change of control (as defined in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture), we must offer to repurchase the Senior Secured Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to: (i) grant or incur liens; (ii) incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness; (iii) sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries; (iv) make certain investments; (v) pay dividends, make distributions or redeem or repurchase capital stock; (vi) engage in certain transactions with affiliates; and (vii) consolidate or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our assets to another entity. These covenants are subject to a number of limitations and exceptions set forth in the Indenture. The Indenture provides for customary events of default. We were in compliance with all covenants as of September 30, 2022.
We incurred debt issuance costs attributable to the issuance of the Senior Secured Notes of $6.4 million which are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected life of the Senior Secured Notes.
2021 Revolving Credit Facility
In connection with the Offering, we also entered into a new $25.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2021 Revolving Credit Facility”) with the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”) and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Agent”). The 2021 Revolving Credit Facility provides for a revolving line of credit of up to $25.0 million. Letters of credit are limited to $10 million (and are a part of, and not in addition to, the revolving line of credit). We have not drawn any borrowings under the 2021 Revolving Credit Facility but do have letters of credit of approximately $3.6 million outstanding under the facility as of September 30, 2022. The 2021 Revolving Credit Facility will mature on August 11, 2025 if none of our Convertible Senior Notes are outstanding, and if any Convertible Senior Notes are outstanding, the date which is 91 days prior to the maturity date of July 15, 2024, for such Convertible Senior Notes.
Interest is payable on the 2021 Revolving Credit Facility at a fluctuating rate of interest determined by reference to the Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin of 3.50% (with step-downs upon de-leveraging). We also have the option to borrow at a rate determined by reference to the base rate.
The obligations under the 2021 Revolving Credit Agreement are guaranteed on a joint and several basis by the Guarantors. The Company’s and Guarantors’ obligations under the 2021 Revolving Credit Facility are secured on a pari passu basis with the Senior Secured Notes.
The 2021 Revolving Credit Agreement contains covenants that are substantially the same as the covenants in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture. The 2021 Revolving Credit Facility also requires the maintenance of a Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the 2021 Revolving Credit Agreement) of 5.50 to 1.00 (with a step down to 5.25 to 1.00 beginning with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2023) at the end of each fiscal quarter when extensions of credit under the 2021 Revolving Credit Facility and certain drawn and undrawn letters of credit (excluding (a) letters of credit that have been cash collateralized and (b) letters of credit having an aggregate face amount less than $5.0 million) in the aggregate outstanding exceeds 35% of the total commitments under the 2021 Revolving Credit Facility. The 2021 Revolving Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default. We were in compliance with all covenants as of September 30, 2022.
We incurred debt issuance costs attributable to the issuance of the 2021 Revolving Credit Facility of $0.5 million which are amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected life of the 2021 Revolving Credit Facility.
2018 Credit Facility
In the first quarter of 2021, we used a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Secured Notes to prepay all outstanding amounts under and terminate the 2018 First Lien Credit Facility in the amount of $130.0 million, and the transaction resulted in a $5.7 million loss on extinguishment of debt. See Note 11, “Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report for further discussion.
Convertible Senior Notes
In July 2019 we closed an offering of $172.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2.50% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2024 (the “Convertible Senior Notes”). The Convertible Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.50% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2020. The Convertible Senior Notes will mature on July 15, 2024, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. The Convertible Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations.
The Convertible Senior Notes are convertible into approximately 3,213,589 shares of our voting common stock under certain circumstances prior to maturity at a conversion rate of 18.630 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Senior Notes, which represents a conversion price of approximately $53.68 per share, subject to adjustment under certain conditions, but will not be adjusted for any accrued and unpaid interest. The conversion price is adjusted periodically as a result of dividends paid by the us in excess of pre-determined thresholds of $0.04 per share. Upon conversion, we may pay cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of cash and stock, as determined by us at our discretion. The conditions required to allow the holders to convert their Convertible Senior Notes were not met as of September 30, 2022.
We incurred debt issuance costs attributable to the Convertible Senior Notes of $5.9 million which are amortized to the interest expense using the effective interest method over the expected life of the Convertible Senior Notes.
In connection with the Convertible Senior Notes offering, we entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions with certain financial institutions. The capped call transactions have a strike price of $53.68 per and a cap price of $82.86 per share, and are exercisable when, and if, the Convertible Senior Notes are converted. We paid $20.53 million for these capped calls at the time they were entered into and charged that amount to additional paid-in capital.
Promissory Note
On June 10, 2020, in connection with the acquisition of certain Durfort assets, we issued an unsecured subordinated promissory note (“Promissory Note”) in the principal amount of $10.0 million (the “Principal Amount”), with an annual interest rate of 7.5%, payable quarterly, with the first interest payment due September 10, 2020. We prepaid all outstanding amounts under and terminated the Promissory Note in the third quarter of 2021 in the amount of $9.6 million. The transaction resulted in a $0.4 million gain on extinguishment of debt.
Unsecured Loan
On April 17, 2020, National Tobacco Company, L.P., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a loan agreement with Regions Bank guaranteed by the Small Business Administration for a $7.5 million unsecured loan issued pursuant to the CARES Act. The proceeds of the loan were received on April 27, 2020. The loan was scheduled to mature on April 17, 2022 and had a 1.00% interest rate. Under the CARES Act we were permitted to apply for forgiveness of the loan if the proceeds were used as required for certain purposes. During 2021, we applied for forgiveness for the loan. On October 15, 2021, we received notice that our application for forgiveness was fully approved. The extinguishment of the unsecured loan occurred in the fourth quarter of 2021 resulting in a $7.5 million gain on extinguishment of debt. We are subject to audit relating to the unsecured loan until 2027 which could result in repayment of some or all of the unsecured loan previously forgiven. However, we believe that repayment of any amount is not probable.
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we executed various option contracts, which met hedge accounting requirements for the purchase of €18.5 million with maturity dates ranging from August 2022 to March 2023. At September 30, 2022, we had option contracts for the purchase of €15.2 million outstanding. The foreign currency contracts’ fair value at September 30, 2022, resulted in an asset of $0.2 million included in Other current assets and a liability of $0.5 million included in Accrued liabilities. During 2021, we did not execute any foreign currency contracts. We had no foreign currency contracts at December 31, 2021. The Company had no interest rate swap contracts at September 30, 2022. The Company terminated its interest rate swap agreement in conjunction with the prepayment of all outstanding amounts under to the 2018 First Lien Credit Facility in the first quarter of 2021 in the amount of $3.6 million, and the transaction resulted in a $5.7 million loss recorded in the loss on extinguishment of debt. See Note 11, “Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt,” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Quarterly Report for further discussion.
Inflation
Inflation in general and the recent rapid increases in costs of goods and services, such as food and gas prices have had a substantial negative effect on the purchasing power of consumers. While historically, we have been able to pass on most cost increases to our customers, no assurance can be given that we will continue to be able to do so. In addition, we have been able to maintain a relatively stable variable cost structure for our products due, in part, to our successful procurement with regard to our tobacco products and, in part, to our existing contractual agreement for the purchase of our premium cigarette papers.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Foreign Currency Sensitivity
There have been no material changes in our exposure to exchange rate fluctuation risk, as reported within our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, during the period. Please refer to our ‘Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk’ included in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
Credit Risk
There have been no material changes in our exposure to credit risk, as reported within our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, during the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Please refer to our ‘Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk’ included in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
In February 2021, we issued the Senior Secured Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $250 million. In July 2019, we issued Convertible Senior Notes in an aggregate principal amount of $172.5 million. Since the Senior Secured Notes and Convertible Senior Notes bear interest at a fixed rate, we have no financial risk associated with changes in interest rates. However, the fair value of the Convertible Senior Notes changes when the market price of our stock fluctuates, or interest rates change. Our remaining debt instruments bear interest at fixed rates and are not subject to interest rate volatility.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We have carried out an evaluation under the supervision, and with the participation of, our management including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), and Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Act”)) as of September 30, 2022. Based upon the evaluation, our CEO, CFO, and CAO concluded our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective as of such date solely due to the material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting that was disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
As previously described in Part II, Item 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, we began implementing a remediation plan to address the material weakness mentioned above. The material weakness will not be considered remediated until the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period of time, and management has concluded through testing that these controls are operating effectively. We expect that the remediation of this material weakness will be completed by the end of the fiscal year 2022.
Other than in connection with aspects of our remediation plan, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022 which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
For a description of our material pending legal proceedings, please see Contingencies in Note 15 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report.
See ‘Risk Factors—We may become subject to significant product liability litigation’ within our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional details.
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, carefully consider the factors discussed in the ‘Risk Factors’ section contained in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors set forth in the 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On February 25, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a $50.0 million share repurchase program, which is intended for opportunistic execution based upon a variety of factors including market dynamics. On October 25, 2021, the Board increased the approved share repurchase program by $30.7 million bringing the authority at the time back to $50 million (including approximately $19.3 million available for repurchases under the Board’s previous authorization). On February 24, 2022, the Board increased the approved share repurchase program by $24.6 million bringing total authority at that time to $50 million. This share repurchase program has no expiration date and is subject to the ongoing discretion of the Board. All repurchases to date under our stock repurchase programs have been made through open market transactions, but in the future, we may also purchase shares through privately negotiated transactions or 10b5-1 repurchase plans.
The following table includes information regarding purchases of our common stock made by us during the quarter ended September 30, 2022 in connection with the repurchase program described above:
| | | | | | | | | | | Maximum Number | |
| | | | | | | | | | | (or Approximate | |
| | | | | | | | Total Number of | | | Dollar Value) | |
| | | | | | | | Shares Purchased | | | of Shares that | |
| | Total Number | | | Average | | | as Part of Publicly | | | May Yet Be | |
| | of Shares | | | Price Paid | | | Announced Plans | | | Purchased Under the | |
Period | | Purchased (1) | | | per Share | | | or Programs | | | Plans or Programs | |
July 1 to July 31 | | | 86,841 | | | $ | 27.93 | | | | 86,841 | | | $ | 34,578,518 | |
August 1 to August 31 | | | 113,576 | | | $ | 24.53 | | | | 113,241 | | | $ | 31,800,716 | |
September 1 to September 30 | | | 107,125 | | | $ | 22.51 | | | | 107,125 | | | $ | 29,389,333 | |
Total | | | 307,542 | | | | | | | | 307,207 | | | | | |
(1) The total number of shares purchased includes (a) shares purchased under the February 2020 share repurchase program (which totaled 86,841 shares in July, 113,241 in August and 107,125 shares in September) and (b) shares withheld by the Company in an amount equal to the statutory withholding taxes for holders who vested in stock-based awards (which totaled 335 shares in August). Shares withheld by the Company to cover statutory withholdings taxes are repurchased pursuant to the applicable plan and not the authorization under the share repurchase program.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Not applicable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None
Exhibit No. | Description |
| |
| Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Graham Purdy.* |
| |
| Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Luis Reformina.* |
| |
| Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Brian Wigginton.* |
| |
| Section 1350 Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.* |
| |
101 | XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language). The following materials from Turning Point Brands, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, filed on October 26, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL (iXBRL): (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of income, (iii) consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) consolidated statements of cash flows, and (v) the notes to consolidated financial statements.* |
| |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in iXBRL and included in Exhibit 101).* |
* | Filed or furnished herewith |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| TURNING POINT BRANDS, INC. |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Graham Purdy |
| | Name:
| Graham Purdy |
| | Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| | By: | /s/ Luis Reformina |
| | Name:
| Luis Reformina |
| | Title: | Chief Financial Officer |
| | By: | /s/ Brian Wigginton |
| | Name:
| Brian Wigginton |
| | Title: | Chief Accounting Officer |
| | | |
Date: October 26, 2022 | | | |
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