Rocky Brands, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2022 Results

NELSONVILLE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rocky Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: RCKY) today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2022.

Third Quarter 2022 Overview

  • Net sales increased 17.5% to $147.5 million, and 14.7% to $143.9 million on an adjusted basis (See below for a reconciliation of GAAP financial measures to non-GAAP financial measures)
    • Wholesale segment sales increased 25.8%; Retail segment sales increased 7.3%
  • Income from operations increased $8.9 million, or 322.3% to $11.6 million, and increased $4.8 million or 73.6% to $11.3 million on an adjusted basis
  • Net income improved to $5.7 million, or $0.77 per diluted share
  • Adjusted net income increased 116.7% to $5.5 million, or $0.74 per diluted share

“The third quarter was highlighted by strong sales growth compared to the year ago period even as the macroeconomic headwinds pressuring consumer discretionary spending intensified,” said Jason Brooks, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our top line performance underscores the strength of our brand portfolio, the desirability of our innovative, functional footwear, and the important relationships we’ve established with our consumers and retail partners. These important aspects of our business, combined with actions we’ve already taken to address cost pressures and reduce expenses, have the Company in a good position to weather this challenging operating environment. While projecting near-term demand trends is currently more difficult than usual, we are confident that our growth strategies will continue to drive sustained market share gains and increase shareholder value.”

Third Quarter 2022 Review

Third quarter net sales increased 17.5% to $147.5 million compared with $125.5 million in the third quarter of 2021. Adjusted net sales, which exclude the sale of inventory related to the divesture of the NEOS brand during the third quarter of 2022, increased 14.7% to $143.9 million. Wholesale sales for the third quarter increased 25.8% to $120.7 million compared to $96.0 million for the same period in 2021. Retail sales for the third quarter increased 7.3% to $23.4 million compared to $21.8 million for the same period last year. Contract Manufacturing sales, which include contract military sales and private label programs, were $3.3 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $7.7 million in the prior year. The decrease in Contract Manufacturing sales was due to the expiration of certain contracts with the U.S. Military.

Gross margin in the third quarter of 2022 was $51.9 million, or 35.2% of net sales, compared to $47.0 million, or 37.4% of net sales, for the same period last year. Excluding the cost of goods sold related to the NEOS brand inventory sold during the quarter, adjusted gross margin for the third quarter 2022 was $50.8 million, or 35.3% of adjusted net sales. Adjusted gross margin for the third quarter 2021, which excluded a $0.9 million inventory purchase accounting adjustment, was $47.8 million, or 38.1% of net sales. The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of adjusted net sales was mainly attributable to increases in product costs, inbound freight costs and other shipping and logistics costs compared with the year ago period.

Operating expenses were $40.3 million, or 27.3% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $44.2 million, or 35.2% of net sales, for the same period a year ago. Excluding $0.9 million of acquisition-related amortization and disposition of assets in the third quarter of 2022 and $2.9 million in acquisition-related amortization and integration expenses in the third quarter of 2021, adjusted operating expenses were $39.5 million in the current year period and $41.3 million in the year ago period. The decrease in operating expenses was driven primarily by a decrease in discretionary spending and improved distribution center efficiencies compared with the year ago period. As a percentage of adjusted net sales, adjusted operating expense improved 549-basis points to 27.4% in the third quarter 2022 compared with 32.9% in the year ago period.

Income from operations for the third quarter of 2022 was $11.6 million, or 7.9% of net sales compared to $2.8 million or 2.2% of net sales for the same period a year ago. Adjusted operating income for the third quarter of 2022 was $11.3 million, or 7.9% of net sales compared to adjusted operating income of $6.5 million, or 5.2% of net sales a year ago.

Interest expense for the third quarter of 2022 was $4.2 million compared with $3.2 million a year ago.

The Company reported third quarter net income of $5.7 million, or $0.77 per diluted share compared to a net loss of ($0.4) million, or $(0.05) per diluted share in the third quarter of 2021. Adjusted net income for the third quarter of 2022 was $5.5 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net income of $2.5 million, or $0.34 per diluted share in the year ago period.

Balance Sheet Review

Cash and cash equivalents were $7.3 million at September 30, 2022 compared to $12.9 million on the same date a year ago.

Total debt at September 30, 2022 was $284.8 million which includes $122.1 million of senior term loan and $165.6 million of borrowings under the Company's senior secured asset-backed credit facility.

Inventories at September 30, 2022 were $265.1 million compared to $202.2 million on the same date a year ago and $287.8 million at June 30, 2022. The year-over-year change in inventories was driven by the distribution and fulfillment challenges experienced in the second half of 2021 and overall cost increases and strong sales growth, combined with additional inventory on hand as the result of increased transit times. Compared with June 30, 2022, inventories are down $22.7 million and the Company plans to further realign inventory levels with sales growth and inventory purchasing strategies over the coming quarters.

Conference Call Information

The Company's conference call to review third quarter 2022 results will be broadcast live over the internet today, Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 4:30 pm Eastern Time. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (888) 254-3590 (domestic) or (323) 994-2093 (international). The conference call will also be available to interested parties through a live webcast at www.rockybrands.com. Please visit the website and select the “Investors” link at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register and download any necessary software.

About Rocky Brands, Inc.

Rocky Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brand names. Brands in the portfolio include Rocky®, Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, The Original Muck Boot Company®, XTRATUF®, Servus® and Ranger®. More information can be found at RockyBrands.com.

Safe Harbor Language

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements regarding intent, beliefs, expectations, projections, forecasts, and plans of the Company and its management and include statements in this press release regarding the position and ability of the Company to weather the challenging operating environment (Paragraph 2), the ability of the Company to project near-term demand trends (Paragraph 2), and that the Company’s growth strategies will continue to drive sustained market share gains and increase shareholder value (Paragraph 2). These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the various risks inherent in the Company’s business as set forth in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (filed March 15, 2022), and the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 (filed May 3, 2022) and June 30, 2022 (filed August 9, 2022). One or more of these factors have affected historical results, and could in the future affect the Company’s businesses and financial results in future periods and could cause actual results to differ materially from plans and projections. Therefore there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation or warranty by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

2022

 

2021

 

2021

ASSETS:

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

7,277

$

5,909

$

12,918

Trade receivables – net

 

118,193

 

126,807

 

80,677

Contract receivables

 

-

 

1,062

 

1,899

Other receivables

 

490

 

242

 

211

Inventories – net

 

265,082

 

232,464

 

202,199

Income tax receivable

 

1,633

 

4,294

 

4,220

Prepaid expenses

 

4,360

 

4,507

 

7,438

Total current assets

 

397,035

 

375,285

 

309,562

LEASED ASSETS

 

9,971

 

11,428

 

2,833

PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT – net

 

60,271

 

59,989

 

57,190

GOODWILL

 

50,246

 

50,641

 

49,169

IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLES – net

 

122,552

 

126,315

 

127,116

OTHER ASSETS

 

878

 

917

 

952

TOTAL ASSETS

$

640,953

$

624,575

$

546,822

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

Accounts payable

$

101,683

$

114,632

$

85,100

Contract liabilities

 

-

 

1,062

 

1,899

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

 

3,250

 

3,250

 

3,250

Accrued expenses:

 

 

 

Salaries and wages

 

3,667

 

3,668

 

6,409

Taxes - other

 

1,784

 

849

 

585

Accrued freight

 

3,842

 

1,798

 

3,796

Commissions

 

1,619

 

2,447

 

898

Accrued duty

 

8,051

 

5,469

 

5,243

Accrued interest

 

2,314

 

2,133

 

2,216

Other

 

5,486

 

4,828

 

4,956

Total current liabilities

 

131,696

 

140,136

 

114,352

LONG-TERM DEBT

 

281,515

 

266,794

 

235,506

LONG-TERM TAXES PAYABLE

 

169

 

169

 

169

LONG-TERM LEASE

 

7,394

 

8,809

 

1,980

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

 

10,293

 

10,293

 

8,271

DEFERRED LIABILITIES

 

558

 

519

 

503

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

431,625

 

426,720

 

360,781

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 

299,929

 

 

Common stock, no par value;

 

 

 

25,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding September 30, 2022 - 7,322,232; December 31, 2021 - 7,302,199; September 30, 2021 - 7,283,434

 

68,986

 

68,061

 

67,662

Retained earnings

 

140,342

 

129,794

 

118,379

Total shareholders' equity

 

209,328

 

197,855

 

186,041

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

640,953

$

624,575

$

546,822

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

NET SALES

$

147,486

 

$

125,507

 

$

476,549

 

$

344,776

 

COST OF GOODS SOLD

 

95,556

 

 

78,546

 

 

308,042

 

 

213,522

 

GROSS MARGIN

 

51,930

 

 

46,961

 

 

168,507

 

 

131,254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

40,305

 

 

44,208

 

 

138,089

 

 

113,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

11,625

 

 

2,753

 

 

30,418

 

 

17,771

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST AND OTHER EXPENSES

 

(4,181

)

 

(3,241

)

 

(12,411

)

 

(7,366

)

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

7,444

 

 

(488

)

 

18,007

 

 

10,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

 

1,753

 

 

(113

)

 

4,057

 

 

2,393

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

5,691

 

$

(375

)

$

13,950

 

$

8,012

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.78

 

$

(0.05

)

$

1.91

 

$

1.10

 

Diluted

$

0.77

 

$

(0.05

)

$

1.89

 

$

1.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

7,319

 

 

7,370

 

 

7,313

 

 

7,304

 

Diluted

 

7,349

 

 

7,370

 

 

7,382

 

 

7,436

 

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

2022

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET SALES

 

 

 

 

NET SALES, AS REPORTED

$

147,486

 

$

125,507

 

$

476,549

 

$

344,776

 

DISPOSITION OF INVENTORY ASSETS

 

(3,569

)

 

-

 

 

(3,569

)

 

-

 

ADJUSTED NET SALES

$

143,917

 

$

125,507

 

$

472,980

 

$

344,776

 

 

 

 

 

 

COST OF GOODS SOLD

 

 

 

 

COST OF GOODS SOLD, AS REPORTED

$

95,556

 

$

78,546

 

$

308,042

 

$

213,522

 

LESS: DISPOSITION OF INVENTORY ASSETS

 

(2,444

)

 

-

 

 

(2,444

)

 

-

 

LESS: INVENTORY FAIR VALUE ADJUSTMENT

 

-

 

 

(881

)

 

-

 

 

(3,504

)

ADJUSTED COST OF GOODS SOLD

$

93,112

 

$

77,665

 

$

305,598

 

$

210,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

GROSS MARGIN

 

 

 

 

GROSS MARGIN AS REPORTED

$

51,930

 

$

46,961

 

$

168,507

 

$

131,254

 

ADJUSTED GROSS MARGIN

$

50,805

 

$

47,842

 

$

167,382

 

$

134,758

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES, AS REPORTED

$

40,305

 

$

44,208

 

$

138,089

 

$

113,483

 

LESS: ACQUISITION-RELATED AMORTIZATION

 

(782

)

 

(782

)

 

(2,346

)

 

(1,694

)

LESS: DISPOSITION OF ASSETS

 

(33

)

 

-

 

 

(33

)

 

-

 

LESS: ACQUISITION-RELATED INTEGRATION EXPENSES

 

-

 

 

(2,101

)

 

(397

)

 

(8,642

)

LESS: RESTRUCTURING COSTS

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(1,201

)

 

-

 

ADJUSTED OPERATING EXPENSES

$

39,490

 

$

41,325

 

$

134,112

 

$

103,147

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS, ADJUSTED

$

11,315

 

$

6,517

 

$

33,270

 

$

31,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTEREST AND OTHER EXPENSES

$

(4,181

)

$

(3,241

)

$

(12,411

)

$

(7,366

)

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME, AS REPORTED

$

5,691

 

$

(375

)

$

13,950

 

$

8,012

 

TOTAL NON-GAAP ADJUSTMENTS

 

(310

)

 

3,764

 

 

2,852

 

 

13,840

 

TAX IMPACT OF ADJUSTMENTS

 

73

 

 

(872

)

 

(643

)

 

(3,183

)

ADJUSTED NET INCOME

$

5,454

 

$

2,517

 

$

16,159

 

$

18,669

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME PER SHARE, AS REPORTED

 

 

 

 

BASIC

$

0.78

 

$

(0.05

)

$

1.91

 

$

1.10

 

DILUTED

$

0.77

 

$

(0.05

)

$

1.89

 

$

1.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADJUSTED NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

BASIC

$

0.75

 

$

0.34

 

$

2.21

 

$

2.56

 

DILUTED

$

0.74

 

$

0.34

 

$

2.19

 

$

2.51

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

BASIC

 

7,319

 

 

7,370

 

 

7,313

 

 

7,304

 

DILUTED

 

7,349

 

 

7,370

 

 

7,382

 

 

7,436

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to GAAP financial measures, we present the following non-GAAP financial measures: "non-GAAP adjusted net sales," "non-GAAP adjusted cost of goods sold," "non-GAAP adjusted gross margin," "non-GAAP adjusted operating expenses," "non-GAAP adjusted net income," and "non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share." Adjusted results exclude the impact of items that management believes affect the comparability or underlying business trends in our consolidated financial statements in the periods presented. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful to management and investors and other users of our consolidated financial statements as an additional tool for evaluating operating performance. We believe they also provide a useful baseline for analyzing trends in our operations.

Investors should not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. See "Reconciliation of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures" accompanying this press release.

Non-GAAP

adjustment or

measure

Definition

Usefulness to management and investors

Disposition of Inventory Assets

Disposition of inventory assets relate to the sale of inventory and related cost of goods sold in connection with the divesture of the NEOS brand.

We exclude the disposition of inventory assets for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures because the sale and related cost of goods sold does not reflect our normal business operations. These adjustments facilitate a useful evaluation of our current operating performance and comparisons to past operating results and provide investors with additional means to evaluate cost trends.

Inventory fair value adjustments

Inventory fair value adjustments are costs related to the fair value markup of inventory purchased with the acquisition of the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International, Inc. as required by business combination accounting rules.

We excluded adjustments related to the inventory fair value markup for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures because these costs do not reflect the manufactured or sourced cost of the inventory of the acquired business. These adjustments facilitate a useful evaluation of our current operating performance and comparisons to past operating results and provide investors with additional means to evaluate cost trends.

Acquisition-related amortization

Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets consists of amortization of intangible assets such as brands and customer relationships acquired in connection with the acquisition of the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International, Inc. Charges related to the amortization of these intangibles are recorded in operating expenses in our GAAP financial statements. Amortization charges are recorded over the estimated useful life of the related acquired intangible asset, and thus are generally recorded over multiple years.

We excluded amortization charges for our acquisition-related intangible assets for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures because these charges are inconsistent in size and are significantly impacted by the valuation of our acquisition. These adjustments facilitate a useful evaluation of our current operating performance and comparison to past operating performance and provide investors with additional means to evaluate cost and expense trends.

Disposition of Assets

Disposition of fixed assets relate disposals of non-financial assets. This includes the disposal of non-financial assets and corresponding expenses related to the divesture of the NEOS brand and other long-lived assets at our manufacturing facilities.

We exclude the disposition of non-financial assets and related expenses for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures because the loss does not accurately reflect our current operating performance and comparisons to past operating results and provide investors with additional means to evaluate cost trends.

Acquisition-related integration expenses

Acquisition-related integration expenses are expenses including investment banking fees, legal fees, transaction fees, integration costs and consulting fees tied to the acquisition of the performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International, Inc.

We exclude the disposition of assets for purposes of calculating certain non-GAAP measures because the gain does not accurately reflect our current operating performance and comparisons to past operating results and provide investors with additional means to evaluate cost trends.

Restructuring Costs

Restructuring costs represent severance expenses associated with headcount reductions following the integration of the acquired performance and lifestyle footwear business of Honeywell International Inc.

We excluded restructuring costs for purposes of calculating non-GAAP measures because these costs do not reflect our current operating performance. These adjustments facilitate a useful evaluation of our current operations performance and comparisons to past operating results and provide investors with additional means to evaluate expense trends.

 

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

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

Source: Rocky Brands, Inc.