EXHIBIT 99.1
S&W Announces Results for the Third
Quarter of Fiscal Year 2014
For Immediate Release
Company Contact: Matthew Szot, Chief Financial Officer S&W Seed Company Phone: (559) 884-2535 www.swseedco.com | Investor Contact: Joe Dorame, Robert Blum, Joe Diaz Lytham Partners, LLC Phone: (602) 889-9700 sanw@lythampartners.com www.lythampartners.com |
FIVE POINTS, California - May 14, 2014 - S&W Seed Company (Nasdaq: SANW) today announced financial results for its third quarter of fiscal 2014 ended March 31, 2014.
Third Quarter Overview:
- Third quarter revenues were $8.1 million compared to $4.2 million in the comparable quarter of fiscal 2013;
- Gross margins improved to 20.3% during the third quarter compared to adjusted gross margins of 8.8% for the third quarter of the prior fiscal year;
- Fourth consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvement in gross margins;
- Third quarter Adjusted EBITDA for the seasonally slow third quarter (see Table A) improved by $648,000 to $(20,000), compared to the third quarter of last year of $(668,000);
- Net loss per basic and diluted share of ($0.03) for the third quarter improved compared to adjusted net loss per basic and diluted share of $(0.07) in the period a year ago and compared to GAAP net loss per basic and diluted share of $(0.21).
Quarterly Results
For the third fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2014, S&W reported revenues of $8.1 million versus $4.2 million in the comparable period of the prior year. Revenues during the quarter were above the company's stated expectations and primarily driven by an increase in domestic orders.
Gross margins improved to 20.3% during the third quarter compared to adjusted gross margins of 8.8% in last year's third quarter, which excluded a $1.8 million inventory valuation charge for stevia recorded in the third quarter of the prior year. Gross margins improved for the fourth consecutive quarter as a result of the company's success in maximizing value of its seed inventory through a series of initiatives, including its optimization program.
Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the third quarter totaled $1.7 million compared to $1.3 million for the comparable period of the prior year. The increase in SG&A expense versus the prior year was primarily due to the acquisition of SGI which closed on April 1, 2013 and therefore was not included in the third quarter results in the comparable period of the prior year. Also, included in SG&A last year was $133,000 of acquisition related expenses. Non-cash stock-based compensation totaled $215,000 in the current quarter versus $179,000 in the comparable period in the prior year.
Net loss for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 was $(399,000), or $(0.03) per basic and diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $(1,872,000), or $(0.21) per basic and diluted common share during the third quarter of last year. Excluding the effects of the $1.8 million inventory valuation charge for stevia and a $133,000 impact on SG&A due to acquisition related expenses last year (see adjusted statement of operations), net loss would have been $(640,000), or $(0.07) during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP metric (see Table A), for the third quarter of fiscal 2014 improved by $648,000 to $(20,000), compared to the third quarter of last year of $(668,000);
Outlook
Based upon the evaluation of information currently available to management, the company estimates revenues for the fourth quarter to be approximately $20 to $22 million compared to revenes of $12.7 million in the fourth quarter of last year.
Management Discussion
Mark Grewal, president and chief executive officer of S&W Seed Company, commented, "We continued to execute operationally on our plan throughout the third quarter, which resulted in solid shipments of seed and a focus on driving improvements in gross margins to 20.3% compared to 8.8% last year. Strategically, we added new distributors domestically which should bode well for our continual growth in the U.S. markets over the coming years; we worked to expand the production capacity of our elite S&W varieties in Australia through a series of meetings with potential new growers in the country; and we executed on a number of steps to expand the addressable market opportunity for S&W through increased opportunities in the dormant market."
Mr. Grewal continued, "Our near-term focus is now squarely on the upcoming harvest and fall planting season, where sales have already commenced and will continue over the coming months. The market continues to be dynamic, especially in parts of the Middle East due to higher lead in inventory levels of non-proprietary varieties from last year and labor issues that we have previously discussed. Meanwhile, the market in parts of Northern Africa and Mexico continue to remain strong, where we have seen much more stability and normal purchasing patterns. We remain focused on meeting the needs of our customers around the world, while ensuring that we obtain adequate margins for our seed inventories."
Matthew Szot, chief financial officer of S&W Seed Company commented, "A number of opportunities for revenue growth and gross margin expansion continue to present themselves. In particular, we believe that our strategy to move into Australia will be one that has the ability to dramatically transform the capabilities of S&W over the next number of years due to the decreased cost of production in that region. We are already benefitting from the synergies of optimizing our group inventory, and look forward to the coming years as we increase our proprietary S&W seed production in Australia. There will continue to be quarterly fluctuations in gross margins based on revenue mix in any particular quarter, but we continue to stay focused on delivering improved results and managing the business efficiently."
Mr. Grewal concluded, "As we have seen over the last year or so, there are a number of factors that are at play not only in the alfalfa seed market, but the agricultural industry as a whole, that have created a rather dynamic market. Hay sales continue to remain robust, with pricing in certain markets remaining extremely high. We are also seeing a tremendous amount of exports from the western U.S. into Asia and MENA as the demand for hay remains strong. We will continue to stay focused on the long-term opportunities to create a great agricultural company, by avoiding the pitfalls of sacrificing that long-term focus for a short-term benefit. S&W has aggregated an outstanding set of assets, which allows us to leverage our elite alfalfa seed germ plasm, our strong production and distribution capabilities, and an expanding R&D pipeline, to create a strong return for our shareholders over the coming years."
Conference Call
S&W Seed Company has scheduled a conference call for today, Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at 4:30pm ET (1:30pm PT) to review the results of its most recent quarter. Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (877) 317-6789 or (412) 317-6789 or can listen via a live Internet webcast, which is available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://www.swseedco.com/investors. A teleconference replay of the call will be available for three days at (877) 344-7529 or (412) 317-0088, confirmation # 10045971. A webcast replay will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://www.swseedco.com/investors for 30 days.
Non-GAAP Measurements
This press release includes certain financial information which constitutes "non-GAAP financial measures" as defined by the SEC. A full reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to GAAP can be found in the tables of today's press release. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental to results presented under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. These non-GAAP measures are used by management to facilitate period-to-period comparisons and analysis of S&W's operating performance and liquidity. Management believes these non-GAAP measures are useful to investors in trending, analyzing and benchmarking the performance and value of S&W's business. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other similar measures reported in accordance with GAAP.
About S&W Seed Company
Founded in 1980, S&W Seed Company is a global agricultural company, headquartered in the Central Valley of California. The company is the largest producer of non-dormant, alfalfa seed varieties in the world, with production operations in the San Joaquin and Imperial Valley's of California, as well as in Southern Australia. The company has worldwide sales and distribution through both a direct sales force as well as dealer-distributors. The company's proprietary varieties are designed to meet the shifting needs of farmers that require high performance in poor and highly saline soil conditions and have been verified over decades of university-sponsored trials. Additionally, the company is utilizing its research and breeding expertise to develop and produce U.S.-based stevia leaf. Stevia is an all-natural, zero calorie sweetener from the food and beverage industry. For more information, please visit www.swseedco.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may," "future," "plan" or "planned," "will" or "should," "expected," "anticipates," "draft," "eventually" or "projected." You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and other risks identified in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, and in other filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
S&W SEED COMPANY
(A NEVADA CORPORATION)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
| | | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended |
| | | March 31, | | | March 31, |
| | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | NON-GAAP | | | | | | | | | | Non-GAAP | | |
| | | GAAP | | | GAAP | | Adjustments | | Adjusted | | | GAAP | | | GAAP | | Adjustments | | Adjusted |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | | 8,130,725 | | | 4,208,735 | | | | 4,208,735 | | | 31,969,509 | | | 24,614,353 | | - | | 24,614,353 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue | | | 6,482,693 | | | 5,677,409 | | (1,840,209) | | 3,837,200 | | | 25,636,066 | | | 23,420,173 | | (2,140,209) | | 21,279,964 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | | 1,648,032 | | | (1,468,674) | | 1,840,209 | | 371,535 | | | 6,333,443 | | | 1,194,180 | | 2,140,209 | | 3,334,389 |
| | | 20.3% | | | -34.9% | | | | 8.8% | | | 19.8% | | | 4.9% | | | | 13.5% |
Operating expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 1,722,394 | | | 1,280,563 | | (132,536) | | 1,148,027 | | | 4,787,638 | | | 3,096,003 | | (185,285) | | 2,910,718 |
Research and development expenses | | | 167,171 | | | 69,835 | | | | 69,835 | | | 647,260 | | | 275,302 | | | | 275,302 |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 315,381 | | | 154,423 | | - | | 154,423 | | | 947,169 | | | 374,572 | | - | | 374,572 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating expenses | | | 2,204,946 | | | 1,504,821 | | (132,536) | | 1,372,285 | | | 6,382,067 | | | 3,745,877 | | (185,285) | | 3,560,592 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations | | | (556,914) | | | (2,973,495) | | 1,972,745 | | (1,000,750) | | | (48,624) | | | (2,551,697) | | 2,325,494 | | (226,203) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other expense | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gain on disposal of fixed assets | | | (6,897) | | # | - | | - | | - | | | (6,897) | - | | - | | - | | - |
Foreign currency (gain) loss | | | (11,218) | | | - | | - | | - | | | (41,415) | | | - | | - | | - |
Interest expense, net | | | 149,253 | | | 8,804 | | - | | 8,804 | | | 429,377 | | | 30,901 | | - | | 30,901 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss before income tax benefit | | | (688,052) | | | (2,982,299) | | | | (1,009,554) | | | (429,689) | | | (2,582,598) | | | | (257,104) |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | | (289,458) | | | (1,109,925) | | 740,428 | | (369,497) | | | (182,436) | | | (945,589) | | 851,489 | | (94,100) |
Net loss | | $ | (398,594) | | $ | (1,872,374) | | 1,232,317 | $ | (640,057) | | $ | (247,253) | | $ | (1,637,009) | | 1,474,005 | $ | (163,004) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | (0.03) | | $ | (0.21) | | | $ | (0.07) | | $ | (0.02) | | $ | (0.21) | | | $ | (0.02) |
Diluted | | $ | (0.03) | | $ | (0.21) | | | $ | (0.07) | | $ | (0.02) | | $ | (0.21) | | | $ | (0.02) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | | 11,559,022 | | | 9,087,463 | | | | 9,087,463 | | | 11,561,346 | | | 7,898,123 | | | | 7,898,123 |
Diluted | | | 11,559,022 | | | 9,087,463 | | | | 9,087,463 | | | 11,561,346 | | | 7,898,123 | | | | 7,898,123 |
Table A
S&W SEED COMPANY
(A NEVADA CORPORATION)
ITEMIZED RECONCILIATION BETWEEN NET LOSS AND NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA
(unaudited)
| | | Three Months Ended | | | Nine Months Ended |
| | | March 31, | | | March 31, |
| | | 2014 | | | 2013 | | | 2014 | | | 2013 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Non-GAAP | | | | | | | | | | Non-GAAP | | |
| | | GAAP | | | GAAP | | Adjustments | | Adjusted | | | GAAP | | | GAAP | | Adjustments | | Adjusted |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (398,594) | | $ | (1,872,374) | $ | 1,232,317 | $ | (640,057) | | $ | (247,253) | | $ | (1,637,009) | | 1,474,005 | | (163,004) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 315,381 | | | 154,423 | | | | 154,423 | | | 947,169 | | | 374,572 | | | | 374,572 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-cash stock based compensation | | | 215,108 | | | 178,851 | | | | 178,851 | | | 652,603 | | | 368,812 | | | | 368,812 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency (gain) loss | | | (11,218) | | | - | | | | - | | | (41,415) | | | - | | | | - |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense, net | | | 149,253 | | | 8,804 | | | | 8,804 | | | 429,377 | | | 30,901 | | | | 30,901 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | | (289,458) | | | (1,109,925) | | 740,428 | | (369,497) | | | (182,436) | | | (945,589) | | 851,489 | | (94,100) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | (19,528) | | $ | (2,640,221) | | | | (667,476) | | $ | 1,558,045 | | $ | (1,808,313) | | | | 517,181 |
S&W SEED COMPANY
(A NEVADA CORPORATION)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited)
| | | March 31, | | | June 30, |
| | | 2014 | | | 2013 |
ASSETS | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 1,663,840 | | $ | 11,781,074 |
Accounts receivable, net | | | 11,074,254 | | | 12,700,106 |
Inventories, net | | | 31,762,471 | | | 25,822,467 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 1,278,372 | | | 509,037 |
Deferred tax asset | | | 1,708,588 | | | 954,874 |
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | | | 47,487,525 | | | 51,767,558 |
| | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | | | 10,304,046 | | | 10,239,435 |
Goodwill | | | 4,874,864 | | | 4,832,050 |
Other intangibles, net | | | 14,649,926 | | | 15,240,835 |
Crop production costs, net | | | 2,519,220 | | | 1,582,599 |
Deferred tax asset - long term | | | 1,672,349 | | | 1,920,742 |
Other asset - long term | | | 351,899 | | | - |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 81,859,829 | | $ | 85,583,219 |
| | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 13,002,437 | | $ | 19,512,235 |
Accounts payable - related parties | | | 689,685 | | | 893,929 |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | | 858,329 | | | 1,662,642 |
Working capital line of credit | | | 11,878,864 | | | 6,755,998 |
Foreign exchange contract liability | | | - | | | 663,043 |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | 266,938 | | | 746,788 |
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | 26,696,253 | | | 30,234,635 |
| | | | | | |
Non-compete payment obligation, less current portion | | | 150,000 | | | 200,000 |
Other non-current liabilities | | | 18,255 | | | 122,881 |
Deferred tax liability - non-current | | | 303,423 | | | 299,682 |
Long-term debt, less current portion and net of debt discount | | | 4,467,695 | | | 4,668,958 |
| | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | | | 31,635,626 | | | 35,526,156 |
| | | | | | |
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; | | | | | | |
no shares issued and outstanding | | | - | | | - |
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; | | | | | | |
11,632,688 issued and 11,607,688 outstanding at March 31, 2014; | | | | | | |
11,584,101 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 | | | 11,633 | | | 11,585 |
Treasury stock, at cost, 25,000 shares at March 31, 2014 and no shares at June 30, 2013 | | | (134,196) | | | - |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 54,784,742 | | | 54,338,758 |
Retained earnings (deficit) | | | (2,436,697) | | | (2,189,444) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (2,001,279) | | | (2,103,836) |
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | | 50,224,203 | | | 50,057,063 |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | $ | 81,859,829 | | $ | 85,583,219 |
S&W SEED COMPANY
(A NEVADA CORPORATION)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
| | | Nine Months Ended |
| | | March 31, |
| | | 2014 | | | 2013 |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (247,253) | | $ | (1,637,009) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from operating activities to net | | | | | | |
cash used in operating activities | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 652,603 | | | 368,812 |
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts | | | 10,445 | | | 10,445 |
Stevia inventory impairment charge | | | - | | | 2,140,209 |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 947,169 | | | 374,572 |
Gain on disposal of fixed assets | | | (6,897) | | | - |
Change in foreign exchange contracts | | | (662,704) | | | - |
Amortization of debt discount | | | 38,473 | | | - |
Changes in: | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | 1,654,779 | | | (6,136,983) |
Inventories | | | (5,713,554) | | | 1,616,484 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | (757,992) | | | 9,232 |
Crop production costs | | | (936,621) | | | (2,716,885) |
Deferred tax asset | | | (498,889) | | | (949,615) |
Accounts payable | | | (6,633,565) | | | 560,328 |
Accounts payable - related parties | | | (209,680) | | | 1,939,324 |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | | (860,124) | | | (142,754) |
Other non-current liabilities | | | (104,797) | | | - |
Net cash used in operating activities | | | (13,328,607) | | | (4,563,840) |
| | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | |
Additions to property, plant and equipment | | | (314,148) | | | (7,400,169) |
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets | | | 24,832 | | | - |
Acquisition of business | | | - | | | (3,000,000) |
Acquisition of germ plasm | | | - | | | (57,500) |
Investment in Bioceres | | | (351,899) | | | - |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (641,215) | | | (10,457,669) |
| | | | | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from sale of common stock in equity offerings | | | - | | | 12,876,224 |
Net proceeds from warrant exercises | | | - | | | 5,381,137 |
Common stock repurchased | | | (134,196) | | | - |
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards | | | (206,571) | | | - |
Borrowings and repayments on line of credit, net | | | 5,050,874 | | | - |
Borrowings of long-term debt | | | - | | | 2,669,572 |
Repayments of long-term debt | | | (719,586) | | | (65,547) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 3,990,521 | | | 20,861,386 |
| | | | | | |
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH | | | (137,933) | | | - |
| | | | | | |
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH | | | (10,117,234) | | | 5,839,877 |
| | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of the period | | | 11,781,074 | | | 8,235,495 |
| | | | | | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period | | $ | 1,663,840 | | $ | 14,075,372 |