Lumber Liquidators Announces Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results


(MENAFNEditorial) iCrowdNewswire - Aug 4, 2017

TOANO, Va —Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL), the largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring inNorth America, today announced financial results for the second quarter and six months endedJune 30, 2017.

Second Quarter Results

Net sales for the second quarter of 2017 increased$25.4 million, or 10.7%, to$263.5 millionfrom$238.1 millionin the second quarter of 2016. Net sales in comparable stores increased$21 million, or 8.8%, driven by a 5.3% increase in the number of customers invoiced and a 3.5% increase in the average sale. Merchandise sales in comparable stores grew 6.1% in the quarter. Net sales in non-comparable stores increased$4.4 million. The Company did not open any stores during the second quarter of 2017, so total store count remained at 385 as ofJune 30, 2017.

Gross profit increased 38.1% in the second quarter of 2017 to$97.5 millionfrom$70.6 millionin the comparable period in 2016. Gross margin increased to 37% in the second quarter of 2017 from 29.7% in the second quarter of 2016. During the quarter endedJune 30, 2017, gross margin was favorably impacted by a combined total of$3.8 milliondue to revisions to anti-dumping rates ($2.8 million) and a reduction of$1 millionin the reserve for the Company's Air Quality Testing Program. The three months endedJune 30, 2016were negatively impacted by$5.5 millionin estimated anti-dumping charges and$3.3 millionfor the Company's Air Quality Testing Program. Excluding these costs from both years, which are summarized in the table below, the 220 basis points improvement from 2016 was due to increases in the sales mix of manufactured products such as vinyl and ancillary products, both of which have higher gross margins, and lower transportation costs. These benefits were offset by higher installation sales that have slightly lower gross margins.

SG & A expenses increased 2.7% in the second quarter of 2017 to$92.3 millionfrom$89.9 millionin the comparable period in 2016, including legal and professional fees as well as settlement expenses in connection with the Company's defense of various legal and regulatory matters. These legal and professional fees were down in the three months endedJune 30, 2017as compared to the comparable period in the prior year and will continue to fluctuate in line with case activity until the outstanding legal matters are resolved. These items are described in a supplemental table in the SG & A section below. Excluding these items from both periods, SG & A increased$7.5 millionin the three months endedJune 30, 2017as compared to the year-ago period, primarily driven by a$3.9 millionincrease in payroll due to greater store level staffing, the development of the Company's Installations and Pro Sales teams, and investments in corporate capabilities, a$1 millionincrease in advertising, and a$2 millionincrease in other operating expenses.

Net income for the three months endedJune 30, 2017was$4.5 million, resulting in income of$0.16per diluted share, compared to a net loss of$12.2 million, resulting in a loss of$0.45per diluted share, during the prior-year period.

AtJune 30, 2017, the Company had approximately$83 millionin immediate liquidity, comprised of cash and cash equivalents and availability under its revolving credit facility, but not including its income tax refund of$29 millionthat was received in July 2017. The Company had$57 millionoutstanding on its revolving credit facility atJune 30, 2017.

Dennis Knowles, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "In the quarter, we saw positive results in net revenues, comparable store sales and customer traffic, in addition to gross margin expansion which drove positive operating results. Customers have responded to the investments that we made to broaden and strengthen our assortment with innovative products, while also ensuring the right mix of those products were available in our stores. Although we are pleased with the results in the quarter, we still have work to do. Our management team is confident in the potential of our business, and remains dedicated to carrying out the long-term strategy of the Company. We believe that by continuing to work our plan, we will position the Company for long-term profitability and growth."

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company plans to host a conference call and audio webcast onAugust 1, 2017, at8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference may be accessed by dialing (877) 407-9039 or (201) 689-8470. A replay will be available approximately two hours after the call ends throughAugust 8, 2017and may be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 or (412) 317-6671 and entering pin number 13665975. The live conference call and replay can also be accessed via audio webcast at the Investor Relations section of the Company's website,.

About Lumber Liquidators

With 385 locations, Lumber Liquidators isNorth America'slargest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring. The Company features more than 400top quality flooring varieties, including solid and engineered hardwood, bamboo, cork, laminate, resilient vinyl and wood-look ceramic tile. Additionally, Lumber Liquidators provides a wide selection of flooring enhancements and accessories to complement, install and maintain your new floor. Every location is staffed with flooring experts who can provide advice and useful information about Lumber Liquidators' low priced product, much of which is in stock and ready for delivery.

Withpremierbrands including Bellawood and Morning Star Bamboo, Lumber Liquidators' flooring is often featured on popular television shows such as HGTV'sDream HomeandThis Old House. For more information, please visitor call 1.800.HARDWOOD.

Lumber Liquidators aims to be the industry leader in sustainability. For more information, please visit. Learn more about our corporate giving program at. You can also follow the Company onand.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT

This press release includes statements of the Company's expectations, intentions, plans and beliefs that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meanings of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which may be identified by words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "thinks," "estimates," "seeks," "predicts," "could," "projects," "potential" and other similar terms and phrases, are based on the beliefs of the Company's management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company's management as of the date of such statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Forward-looking statements in this press release may include, without limitation, statements regarding legal matters and settlement discussions, the terms of and compliance with the Plea Agreement with the Department of Justice (the "Plea Agreement") and the associated environmental compliance plan (the "Lacey Compliance Plan"), the Company's ability to borrow under its asset-based revolving credit facility, elevated levels of legal and professional fees, costs associated with the Products Liability Cases, costs associated with antidumping and countervailing duties, levels of payroll and stock-based compensation expense, sales growth, comparable store net sales, number of stores providing installation services, impact of cannibalization, impact of inflation, price changes, inventory availability and inventory per store, inventory valuation, earnings performance, margins, return on invested capital, advertising costs, costs to administer the Company's indoor air quality testing program, intention to conduct additional investigation and reviews in connection with certain consumers' indoor air quality tests, strategic direction, the scale of the expansion of and transition to the Company's laminate products sourced fromEuropeandNorth America, supply chain, the demand for the Company's products, benefits from an improving housing market, volatility in the housing market; construction of engineered hardwood as to not be subject to anti-dumping and countervailing duties, ultimate resolution of governmental investigations, and store openings and remodels. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of potential risks, uncertainties and other factors including, but not limited to, changes in general economic and financial conditions, such as the rate of unemployment, consumer access to credit, and interest rate; the volatility in mortgage rates; the legislative/regulatory climate; political unrest in the countries of the Company's suppliers; the ability to retain and motivate Company employees; the availability of sufficient suitable hardwood; the impact on the Company if the Company is unable to maintain quality control over its products; the cost and effect on the Company's reputation of, and consumers' purchasing decisions in connection with, unfavorable allegations surrounding the product quality of the Company's laminates sourced fromChina; the terms of and compliance with the voluntary measures associated with the settlement agreement with the California Air Resources Board; the terms of and compliance with the corrective action plan associated with the settlement agreement with the Consumer Product Safety Commission; changes in international trade laws and treaties; the Company's suppliers' ability to meet its quality assurance requirements; disruption in the Company's suppliers' abilities to supply needed inventory; the impact on the Company's business of its expansion of laminate products sourced fromEuropeandNorth Americaand the flooring industry's demand for product from these regions; disruptions or delays in the production, shipment, delivery or processing through ports of entry; the strength of the Company's competitors and their ability to increase their market share; slower growth in personal income; the number of customers requesting and cost associated with addressing the Company's indoor air quality testing program; the ability to collect necessary additional information from applicable customers in connection with indoor air quality test results; changes in business and consumer spending and the demand for the Company's products; changes in transportation costs; the rate of growth of residential remodeling and new home construction; the Company's ability to offset the effects of the rate of inflation, if higher than expected; the demand for and profitability of installation services; changes in the scope or rates of any antidumping or countervailing duty rates applicable to the Company's products; the duration, costs and outcome of pending or potential litigation or governmental investigations; ability to successfully and timely implement the Lacey Compliance Plan; ability to make timely payments pursuant to the terms of the Plea Agreement; ability to borrow under its asset-based revolving credit facility; ability to reach an appropriate resolution in connection with the governmental investigations; uncertainty regarding the disposition of the laminate flooring sourced fromChinaand costs and/or benefits associated with such disposal; and inventory levels. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these statements, which speak only as of the dates on which such statements are made, except as may be required under the federal securities laws. Information regarding these additional risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Item 1A, "Risk Factors," section of the Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2016.

For further information contact:
Lumber Liquidators Investor Relations
Steve Calk
Tel: 757.566.7512

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)

June 30,

December 31,

2017

2016

Assets

Current Assets:

Cash and Cash Equivalents

$

7,639

$

10,271

Merchandise Inventories

275,142

301,892

Prepaid Expenses

9,817

5,367

Refundable Income Taxes

29,620

31,429

Other Current Assets

2,865

5,346

Total Current Assets

325,083

354,305

Property and Equipment, net

108,703

115,004

Goodwill

9,693

9,693

Other Assets

5,395

3,542

Total Assets

$

448,874

$

482,544

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current Liabilities:

Accounts Payable

$

67,570

$

120,647

Customer Deposits and Store Credits

38,156

32,639

Accrued Compensation

8,114

9,193

Sales Tax Liabilities

4,203

4,249

Other Current Liabilities

40,625

19,984

Total Current Liabilities

158,668

186,712

Revolving Credit Facility

57,000

40,000

Deferred Tax Liability

2,788

3,798

Other Long-Term Liabilities

18,604

21,142

Total Liabilities

237,060

251,652

Stockholders' Equity:

Common Stock ($0.001 par value; 35,000 shares authorized; 31,297 and 31,102 shares issued and 28,414 and 28,249 shares outstanding, respectively)

31

31

Treasury Stock, at cost (2,883 and 2,853 shares, respectively)

(140,043)

(139,420)

Additional Paid-in Capital

206,030

202,700

Retained Earnings

147,140

169,037

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

(1,344)

(1,456)

Total Stockholders' Equity

211,814

230,892

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

$

448,874

$

482,544

Lumber Liquidators Holdings,Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

Net Sales

$

263,500

$

238,092

$

511,889

$

471,605

Cost of Sales

166,044

167,508

327,634

324,912

Gross Profit

97,456

70,584

184,255

146,693

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

92,336

89,900

204,550

207,136

Operating Income (Loss)

5,120

(19,316)

(20,295)

(60,443)

Other Expense

516

131

1,028

282

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

4,604

(19,447)

(21,323)

(60,725)

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

129

(7,217)

574

(16,093)

Net Income (Loss)

$

4,475

$

(12,230)

$

(21,897)

$

(44,632)

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share—Basic

$

0.16

$

(0.45)

$

(0.77)

$

(1.65)

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share—Diluted

$

0.16

$

(0.45)

$

(0.77)

$

(1.65)

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding:

Basic

28,394

27,108

28,342

27,100

Diluted

28,697

27,108

28,342

27,100

Lumber Liquidators Holdings,Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited, in thousands)

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2017

2016

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

Net Loss

$

(21,897)

$

(44,632)

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss:

Depreciation and Amortization

8,716

8,867

Stock-based Compensation Expense

2,469

3,085

Stock-based Portion of Provision for Securities Class Action

15,420

Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

Merchandise Inventories

25,942

(11,308)

Accounts Payable

(51,601)

16,860

Customer Deposits and Store Credits

5,617

(2,692)

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

3,110

(40,643)

Accrual for Multidistrict Litigation

18,000

Other Assets and Liabilities

(7,112)

31,318

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

(16,756)

(23,725)

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

Purchases of Property and Equipment

(3,847)

(3,834)

Other Investing Activities

250

575

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

(3,597)

(3,259)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

Borrowings on Revolving Credit Facility

35,000

17,000

Payments on Revolving Credit Facility

(18,000)

(5,000)

Payments on Capital Lease Obligations

(237)

Other Financing Activities

321

114

Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities

17,084

12,114

Effect of Exchange Rates on Cash and Cash Equivalents

637

899

Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

(2,632)

(13,971)

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period

10,271

26,703

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

$

7,639

$

12,732

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating and financing activities:

Installment payment of insurance premiums

$

1,346

$

Lumber Liquidators Holdings,Inc.

Other Supporting Schedules

(Unaudited, in thousands)

Items impacting gross margin with comparisons to the prior-year period include:

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

(in thousands)

Antidumping (Income) Charges1

$

(2,797)

$

5,450

$

(2,797)

$

5,450

Indoor Air Quality Testing Program2

(993)

3,292

(993)

6,187

Total

$

(3,790)

$

8,742

$

(3,790)

$

11,637

___________________

1We recognized countervailing and antidumping income of $2.8 million and costs of $5.5 million associated with applicable shipments of engineered hardwood from China for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

2In the second quarter 2017, we reduced the reserve for estimated costs to be incurred related to our indoor air quality testing program by approximately $1 million. During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, we initially established a reserve of $3.6 million representing our best estimate of costs to be incurred in the future periods to service this program. This reserve is recorded in other current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Items impacting SG & A with comparisons to the prior-year period include:

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2017

2016

2017

2016

(in thousands)

Multidistrict Litigation1

$

-

$

-

$

18,000

$

-

Legal and Professional Fees2

3,553

8,294

5,897

18,708

Securities Class Action3

-

(600)

-

15,420

All Other4

-

945

-

2,220

Total

$

3,553

$

8,639

$

23,897

$

36,348

___________________

1This amount represents the charge to earnings related to our offer to settle our MDL and Abrasion MDL, which is described more fully in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

2Represents charges to earnings related to our defense of various significant legal actions during the period. This does not include all legal costs incurred by the Company.

3This amount represents the net charge to earnings related to the stock-based element of our 2016 settlement in the securities class action lawsuit.

4All Other primarily relates to various payroll factors, including our retention initiatives, and the net impact of the CARB and Prop 65 settlements in 2016.

SOURCE Lumber Liquidators

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