Energizer Holdings, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2016 Second Quarter Results and Raises Financial Outlook for Fiscal 2016

ST. LOUIS, May 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR) today announced results for the second fiscal quarter, which ended March 31, 2016.  For the second fiscal quarter, net earnings were $16.4 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $69.2 million, or a loss of $1.11 per diluted share, in the prior year second quarter. Adjusted net earnings in the second quarter were $18.5 million, or $0.30 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net earnings of $27.5 million, or $0.44 per diluted share, in the prior year second quarter.

"We achieved solid results in the second quarter adding to our momentum from the start of the year," said Alan Hoskins, Chief Executive Officer.  "We continued to increase distribution in the U.S. and pricing in certain international markets.  In addition, global category trends were stable.   As a result of this strong performance in the first half of the year, improving foreign currency trends and a more favorable outlook on our effective tax rate, we are increasing our full year outlook for adjusted earnings per share in the range of $2.15 to $2.25.  We remain focused on delivering results for the balance of the year and a top-tier cash flow performance, as well as investing in the long-term health of our business."

Second Quarter Financial Highlights (Unaudited)The following is a summary of key second fiscal quarter results.  All comparisons are with the second quarter of fiscal 2015 unless otherwise stated. 

Net sales were $334.0 million, a decrease of 6.4%: (a)

• Organic net sales increased 0.5% due primarily to distribution and space gains and storm related volumes. These gains were partially offset by the lapping of the EcoAdvanced product launch in the prior year.
• The following items were offsetting amounts to the organic net sales increase:
  • Unfavorable currency impacts were $15.5 million, or 4.3%;
  • International go-to-market changes, including the exit from certain markets and shift to distributors, resulted in a decline of $3.9 million, or 1.1%; and
  • Change in Venezuela results, due to the deconsolidation, resulted in a decline of $5.4 million, or 1.5%. This will be the last quarter of impact from the deconsolidation which occurred at the end of the prior year second quarter.
• Gross Margin percentage was 42.4%, down 480 basis points driven in part by unfavorable currencies, change in Venezuela results and international go-to-market changes. Excluding the impact from these items, gross margin percentage declined 220 basis points driven by higher costs in the quarter due to investments in product improvements and productivity initiatives partially offset by favorable commodity and other product costs. (a)
• A&P spending was 5.4% of net sales, a decrease of 290 basis points, or $11.4 million, due to higher prior year spending related to the EcoAdvanced launch and the timing of current year advertising and promotional activities.
• SG&A, excluding spin and restructuring costs, was 24.3% of net sales compared to 22.5% in the prior year. The higher percentage comparison versus the prior year quarter reflects the impact of lower reported net sales, incremental investment spending and the timing of overhead spend. (a)
• Restructuring related charges were $1.5 million in the second fiscal quarter. (a)
• Spin-off and spin restructuring related charges were $1.9 million in the second fiscal quarter. (a)
• Pretax income of $21.0 million compared to pre-tax loss of $71.7 million in the prior year quarter.
• Income tax rate on a year to date basis was 29.1% due to the favorable impacts from the country mix of earnings. This favorable change in tax rate is included in the current quarter's results, which is reflected in the disproportionately lower rate of 21.9% in the quarter.
• Net earnings per diluted share were $0.26.
• Adjusted net earnings per diluted share were $0.30 compared to $0.44 prior year second quarter. (a)
• Adjusted EBITDA was $51.4 million. (a)
• Net cash from operating activities on a year to date basis was $128.3 million and Free Cash Flow on a year to date basis was $114.8, or 13.7% of net sales. (a)
• Dividend payments in the quarter were approximately $15.5 million, or $0.25 per share, and $30.9 million on a year to date basis, or $0.50 per share.
• Repurchased 600,000 shares of common stock on a year to date basis for $21.8 million.

(a) See Press Release attachments for additional information as well as the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.

Results for the second quarter and six months ended March 31, 2015 are based on carve out financial data.  Net sales, Gross profit, Advertising & promotion (A&P) and Research & development (R&D) spending are directly attributable to our business.  However, certain Selling, general, and administrative expense (SG&A), Interest expense, Other financing items and Spin-off and Restructuring related charges were allocated from our former parent company, Edgewell, and not necessarily representative of Energizer's stand-alone results or expected future results as an independent company.

Total net sales decreased 6.4% or $22.9 million driven by the unfavorable impact in foreign currency of 4.3%, the change in Venezuela  results of 1.5% (due to the Company's previously announced deconsolidation) and the impact of international go-to-market changes of 1.1%, including the exit and shift to distributors in certain markets. 

Organic net sales increased 0.5% in the quarter as a result of the following items:

• Increase of approximately 3% related to distribution and space gains;
• Decrease of approximately 3% related to the lapping of the EcoAdvanced product launch in the prior year;
• Increase of approximately 0.5% primarily related to incremental storm volumes; and
• Flat price/mix impact as pricing declines due to heightened competitive activity in our Asia developed markets were offset by net pricing and mix gains in the rest of world.

Total Segment Profit in the second fiscal quarter declined 15.3%, or $12.4 million.  Excluding the unfavorable movement in foreign currency of $10.4 million, the $2.0 million change in Venezuela results (due to the Company's previously announced deconsolidation) and the favorable $1.0 million net impact of go-to-market changes resulting from overhead reductions, organic segment profit declined 1.2% or $1.0 million in the current fiscal quarter.  The 1.2% decline was driven primarily by lower gross margin as a result of higher costs in the quarter due to investments in product improvements and productivity initiatives partially offset by favorable commodity and other products costs.

Financial Outlook Projection for Fiscal Year 2016As a result of the strong performance in the first half of the year, improved current foreign currency rates and a more favorable effective tax rate estimate, the company has increased its financial outlook for Adjusted EPS in the range of $2.15 to $2.25.  The Company is also providing the following assumptions related to the full year financial outlook for fiscal year 2016:

• Net Sales are expected to be down low single digits:
  • Organic net sales are expected to be up low-single digits;
  • The negative impact of foreign currency movement is now expected to reduce net sales by $60 to $70 million, a slight improvement from our prior outlook;
  • International go-to-market changes are expected to reduce net sales in the low single digits, consistent with the prior outlook; and
  • Change in Venezuela results, due to the previously announced deconsolidation, will reduce net sales by $8.5 million, or 0.5%, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Gross Margin rates are expected to decline up to 250 basis points, consistent with the prior outlook, driven in part by unfavorable currency impacts, international go-to-market changes, the impact from the Venezuela deconsolidation and investments in product improvements and productivity initiatives.
• SG&A as a percent of net sales, excluding spin related and restructuring costs, is expected to be in the low 20's, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Pre-tax income is expected to be negatively impacted due to the movement in foreign currencies by $50 to $60 million, a slight improvement from our prior outlook.
• Income Tax Rate is now expected to be in the range of 29 to 30 percent, a slight improvement from our prior outlook.
• Adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be in the range of $280 to $300 million, a slight improvement from our prior outlook, reflecting the impact of improved current currency rates.
• Free Cash Flow is expected to exceed $150 million, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Spin and restructuring costs are now expected to be in the range of $15 to $20 million in fiscal year 2016.

All comparisons above are with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 (which was on a carve out basis through the first three quarters), unless otherwise stated.

Webcast InformationIn conjunction with this announcement, the Company will hold an investor conference call beginning at 10:00 a.m. eastern time today. The call will focus on second fiscal quarter earnings and the updated financial outlook for fiscal 2016. All interested parties may access a live webcast of this conference call at www.energizerholdings.com, under "Investors" and "Events and Presentations" tabs or by using the following link:http://investors.energizerholdings.com/Energizer-Holdings-Inc-Second-Quarter-Fiscal-2016-Results

For those unable to participate during the live webcast, a replay will be available on www.energizerholdings.com, under "Investors," "Events and Presentations," and "Past Events" tabs.

Forward-Looking Statements. This document contains both historical and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect our expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events, including, without limitation, the future sales, gross margins, costs, earnings, cash flows, tax rates and performance of the Company. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "expectation," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "estimate," "plan," "target," "predict," "likely," "will," "should," "forecast," "outlook," or other similar words or phrases. These statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or projections will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this document are only made as of the date of this document and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Numerous factors could cause our actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:

• market and economic conditions;
• market trends in the categories in which we compete;
• the success of new products and the ability to continually develop and market new products;
• our ability to attract, retain and improve distribution with key customers;
• our ability to continue planned advertising and other promotional spending;
• our ability to timely execute strategic initiatives, including restructurings, and international go-to-market changes in a manner that will positively impact our financial condition and results of operations and does not disrupt our business operations;
• the impact of strategic initiatives, including restructurings, on our relationships with employees, customers and vendors;
• our ability to maintain and improve market share in the categories in which we operate despite heightened competitive pressure;
• our ability to improve operations and realize cost savings;
• the impact of foreign currency exchange rates and currency controls, as well as offsetting hedges;
• the impact of raw materials and other commodity costs;
• costs and reputational damage associated with cyber-attacks or information security breaches or other events;
• our ability to acquire and integrate businesses, and to realize the projected results of acquisitions;
• the impact of advertising and product liability claims and other litigation;
• compliance with debt covenants and maintenance of credit ratings as well as the impact of interest and principal repayment of our existing and any future debt; and
• the impact of legislative or regulatory determinations or changes by federal, state and local, and foreign authorities, including taxing authorities.

In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we consider immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. The list of factors above is illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. Additional risks and uncertainties include those detailed from time to time in our publicly filed documents, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 20, 2015.

 

 

ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.Supplemental SchedulesIntroduction to the Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP MeasuresFor the Quarter and Six Months ended March 31, 2016

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP").  However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide users with additional meaningful comparisons to the corresponding historical or future period and assist investors in performing analysis consistent with financial models developed by research analysts. Investors should consider non-GAAP measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, the comparable GAAP measures. Additionally, we are unable to provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP measures due to uncertainty regarding future restructuring related charges, spin-off related charges, the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency movements and the cost of raw materials.

We provide the following non-GAAP measures and calculations, as well as the corresponding reconciliation to the closest GAAP measure in the following supplemental schedules:

Segment Profit.  This amount represents the operations of our four geographic segments including allocations for shared IT and finance functions.  General corporate and other expenses, Global marketing expenses, R&D expenses, interest expense and charges related to the spin-off, restructuring and integration have all been excluded from segment profit.

Adjusted Earnings Before Taxes, Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Diluted EPS.  These measures exclude the impact of the costs related to the Venezuela deconsolidation, spin-off, restructurings and integration.

Organic.  This is the non-GAAP financial measurement of the change in revenue, segment profit or other margins that excludes or otherwise adjusts for the impact of our go-to-market initiatives, the change in our Venezuela results from the deconsolidation of those operations, and the impact of currency from the changes in foreign currency exchange rates as defined below:

International Go-to-market initiatives. To compete more effectively as an independent company, we increased our use of exclusive and non-exclusive third-party distributors and wholesalers, and decreased or eliminated our business operations in certain countries, consistent with our international go-to-market strategy.  In order to capture the impact of these international go-to-market changes and exits, we have separately identified the impact of these changes, which represents the year over year change in those markets since the date of exit.  We expect to realize the majority of the impact from these changes by July 1, 2016.

Change in Venezuela Results. As previously announced, we deconsolidated our Venezuelan subsidiaries on March 31, 2015 and began accounting for our investment in our Venezuelan operations using the cost method of accounting.  Subsequent to March 31, 2015, our financial results do not include the operating results of our Venezuelan operations.  As a result of the deconsolidation, we have taken the year over year change in Venezuela results and separately identified the impact in our change in sales and segment profit for all periods presented.

Impact of currency. The Company evaluates the operating performance of our Company on a currency neutral basis.  The impact of currency is the difference between the value of current year foreign operations at the current period ending USD exchange rate, compared to the value of the current year foreign operations at the prior period ending USD exchange rate.

Adjusted Comparisons.  Detail for adjusted gross margin, adjusted A&P as a percent of sales, adjusted R&D as a percent of sales and adjusted SG&A as a percent of sales are also supplemental non-GAAP measure disclosures. These measures exclude the impact of costs related to spin-off, restructuring and integration.

EBITDA and ADJUSTED EBITDA.  EBITDA is defined as earnings/loss from continuing operations before income tax expense/benefit, interest and depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA further excludes the impact of the costs related to the spin-off, restructurings, Venezuela deconsolidation and share-based payments.

Free Cash Flow.  Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities reduced by capital expenditures, net of the proceeds from asset sales.  Given our extensive international operations, a significant portion of our cash is generated outside of the U.S.  The repatriation of cash balances from certain of our subsidiaries could have adverse tax consequences or be subject to regulatory capital requirements.

Energizer Holdings, Inc.Supplemental Schedules - Segment Information and Supplemental Sales DataFor the Quarter and Six Months ended March 31, 2016 (In millions, except per share data - Unaudited)

Operations for Energizer are managed via four major geographic reportable segments: North America (the United States and Canada), Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"), and Asia Pacific.

Energizer's operating model includes a combination of standalone and shared business functions between the geographic segments, varying by country and region of the world. Shared functions include IT and finance shared service costs. Energizer applies a fully allocated cost basis, in which shared business functions are allocated between segments. Such allocations are estimates, and also do not represent the costs of such services if performed on a standalone basis.

Segment sales and profitability, as well as the reconciliation to earnings before tax, for the quarter and six months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, are presented below.

Supplemental product information is presented below for revenues from external customers:

Energizer Holdings, Inc.Supplemental Schedules - GAAP EPS to Adjusted EPS ReconciliationFor the Quarter and Six Months ended March 31, 2016(In millions, except per share data - Unaudited)

The following tables provide a reconciliation of net earnings/(loss) and net earnings/(loss) per diluted share to adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per diluted share, which are non-GAAP measures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE Energizer Holdings, Inc.