Q.E.P. Co., Inc. Reports Fiscal 2017 Nine Month and Third Quarter Sales and Earnings

NINE MONTH SALES – $238.2 MILLION THIRD QUARTER SALES – $78.0 MILLION 

NINE MONTH NET INCOME – $6.5 MILLION THIRD QUARTER NET INCOME – $2.0 MILLION

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 05, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Q.E.P. CO., INC. (OTC:QEPC.PK) (the “Company”) today reported its consolidated results of operations for the first nine months and third quarter of its fiscal year ending February 28, 2017.

The Company reported net sales of $238.2 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2016, an increase of $0.8 million or 0.3% from the $237.4 million reported in the same period of fiscal 2016.  As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 28.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2017 compared to 26.7% in the first nine months of fiscal 2016.

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2017 were $78.0 million and a gross margin of 28.2% compared to net sales of $77.5 million and a gross margin of 25.9% for the third quarter of fiscal 2016.

Lewis Gould, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented on Q.E.P.’s nine month results, “We are generally pleased with the increase in gross margin in spite of the fact we have had significant headwinds in foreign exchange – particularly in Europe.  While the strong US dollar reduces our reported foreign sales, our profitability has been enhanced by cost management as well as the impact of the strong US dollar when translating foreign costs.  We have taken measures globally to focus on the cost side of our business to contain expenditures and increase our operational efficiencies.  This has resulted in increased EBITDA, the strengthening of our balance sheet and the reduction of our debt obligations over the last 24 months.”

Mr. Gould concluded, “Q.E.P. has continued to look for ways to increase sales and profitability by expanding our product line offerings to our customers worldwide.  The company believes that it is well positioned to find strategic opportunities throughout the world.”

Net sales for both the nine and three month periods ended November 30, 2016 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year reflect growth across a range of product categories and customers, net of the impact of the negative effects of foreign currency rate changes, primarily in the UK during the second and third quarters. 

The Company’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales for both year-to-date and the third quarter increased compared to the prior fiscal year periods. The Company benefited from changes in the product mix and management of costs, which were partially offset by the negative impact of changes in foreign currency rates, primarily in the UK.   

Operating expenses for the first nine months and third quarter of fiscal 2017 were $56.1 million and $18.6 million, respectively, or 23.6% and 23.8% of net sales in those periods, compared to $55.9 million and $18.5 million, respectively, or 23.5% and 23.9% of net sales in the comparable fiscal 2016 periods. The relatively unchanged operating expense trend was driven by targeted increases in North America marketing programs and personnel, offset by decreased shipping costs related to customer and product mix and the favorable translation impact of foreign currency movements.

Non-operating income for the first nine months of fiscal 2017 represents a gain on the sale of certain non-core assets of the Company.

The decrease in interest expense during fiscal 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016 is principally the result of the repayment of outstanding debt.

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes for the first nine months and third quarter of fiscal 2017 was 37.5% in each period, compared to 35.0% in each period for the comparable periods of fiscal 2016. The effective tax rate in both fiscal years reflects the relative contribution of the Company’s earnings sourced from its international operations.

Net income for the first nine months and third quarter of fiscal 2017 was $6.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively, or $2.03 and $0.62, respectively, per diluted share. For the comparable periods of fiscal 2016, net income was $4.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively, or $1.34 and $0.26, respectively, per diluted share.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and non-operating income for the first nine months and third quarter of fiscal 2017 was $14.0 million and $4.4 million, respectively, as compared to $10.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively, for the comparable periods of fiscal 2016.

			For the Three Months						For the Nine Months
			Ended November 30,						Ended November 30,
				2016			2015			2016				2015
	Net income		$	1,989		$	850		$	6,517			$	4,338
	Add:	Interest expense, net		240			264			812				871
		Provision for income taxes		1,192			458			3,910				2,336
		Depreciation and amortization		980			1,114			2,973				3,299
		Non-operating income		-			-			(184	)			-
	EBITDA before non-operating income		$	4,401		$	2,686		$	14,028			$	10,844

Cash provided by operations during the first nine months of fiscal 2017 was $7.2 million as compared to $10.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2016, reflecting both the increase in operating income and additional net investments in working capital. In both the current and prior year nine month fiscal periods, the Company’s capital expenditures, investments and treasury stock purchases were funded through cash from operations as additional funds from operations were used to reduce debt and increase cash balances.

Working capital at the end of the Company’s fiscal 2017 third quarter was $45.6 million compared to $38.7 million at the end of the 2016 fiscal year.  Aggregate debt, net of available cash balances at the end of the Company’s fiscal 2017 third quarter was $13.7 million or 18.5% of equity, a decrease of $6.4 million compared to $20.1 million or 29.4% of equity at the end of the 2016 fiscal year.

The Company will be hosting a conference call to discuss these results and to answer your questions at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, January 10, 2017. If you would like to join the conference call, dial 1-888-452-4023 toll free from the US or 1-719-325-2432 internationally approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time and ask for the Q.E.P. Co., Inc. Third Quarter Conference Call / Conference ID 3495364. A replay of the conference call will be available until midnight January 17, 2017 by calling 1-844-512-2921 toll free from the US and entering pin number 3495364; internationally, please call 1-412-317-6671 using the same pin number.

Q.E.P. Co., Inc., founded in 1979, is a world class, worldwide provider of innovative, quality and value-driven flooring and industrial solutions. As a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor, QEP delivers a comprehensive line of hardwood and laminate flooring, flooring installation tools, adhesives and flooring related products targeted for the professional installer as well as the do-it-yourselfer. In addition, the Company provides industrial tools with cutting edge technology to the industrial trades. Under brand names including QEP®, ROBERTS®, Capitol®, Harris®Wood, Fausfloor®, Vitrex®, Homelux®, TileRite®, PRCI®, Nupla®, HISCO®, Plasplugs®, Ludell®, Porta-Nails®, Tomecanic®, Bénètiere® and Elastiment®, the Company sells its products to home improvement retail centers, specialty distribution outlets, municipalities and industrial solution providers in 50 states and throughout the world.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding economic conditions, sales growth, profit improvements, product development and marketing, operating expenses, cost savings, cash flow, debt and currency exchange rates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations.  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current presentation.

-Financial Information Follows-

	Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
	(In thousands except per share data)
	(Unaudited)
		For the Three Months Ended November 30,								For the Nine Months Ended November 30,
			2016				2015				2016				2015
	Net sales	$	77,960			$	77,454			$	238,218			$	237,427
	Cost of goods sold		55,943				57,407				171,060				174,027
	Gross profit		22,017				20,047				67,158				63,400
	Operating expenses:
	Shipping		6,801				6,655				20,483				21,071
	General and administrative		6,379				6,531				19,283				19,116
	Selling and marketing		5,529				5,362				16,741				15,940
	Other income, net		(113	)			(73	)			(404	)			(272	)
	Total operating expenses		18,596				18,475				56,103				55,855
	Operating income		3,421				1,572				11,055				7,545
	Non-operating income		-				-				184				-
	Interest expense, net		(240	)			(264	)			(812	)			(871	)
	Income before provision for income taxes		3,181				1,308				10,427				6,674
	Provision for income taxes		1,192				458				3,910				2,336
	Net income	$	1,989			$	850			$	6,517			$	4,338
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	0.62			$	0.27			$	2.03			$	1.35
	Diluted	$	0.62			$	0.26			$	2.03			$	1.34
	Weighted average number of common
	shares outstanding:
	Basic		3,198				3,206				3,199				3,208
	Diluted		3,207				3,228				3,214				3,230

	Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	(In thousands)
	(Unaudited)
		For the Three Months Ended November 30,								For the Nine Months Ended November 30,
			2016				2015				2016				2015
	Net income	$	1,989			$	850			$	6,517			$	4,338
	Unrealized currency translation adjustments		(490	)			(451	)			(347	)			(932	)
	Comprehensive income	$	1,499			$	399			$	6,170			$	3,406

	Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
	(In thousands except per share values)
		November 30,  2016 (Unaudited)				February 29, 2016
	ASSETS
	Cash	$	17,398			$	15,923
	Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $227
	and $377 as of November 30, 2016 and February 29, 2016, respectively		41,068				39,491
	Inventories		42,173				42,797
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,596				2,234
	Current assets		104,235				100,445
	Property and equipment, net		18,455				19,538
	Deferred income taxes, net		5,276				5,288
	Intangibles, net		14,594				15,717
	Other assets		336				550
	Total Assets	$	142,896			$	141,538
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Trade accounts payable	$	20,055			$	18,432
	Accrued liabilities		17,440				17,854
	Income taxes payable (prepaid)		(438	)			383
	Lines of credit		19,762				23,093
	Current maturities of notes payable		1,827				2,032
	Current liabilities		58,646				61,794
	Notes payable		9,495				10,899
	Other long term liabilities		605				589
	Total Liabilities		68,746				73,282
	Preferred stock, 2,500 shares authorized, $1.00 par value; 337 shares
	issued and outstanding at November 30, 2016 and February 29, 2016		337				337
	Common stock, 20,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value; 3,821 and
	3,802 shares issued, and 3,198 and 3,198 shares outstanding at
	November 30, 2016 and February 29, 2016, respectively		4				4
	Additional paid-in capital		10,781				10,737
	Retained earnings		74,460				67,952
	Treasury stock, 622 and 604 shares held at cost at November 30, 2016
	and February 29, 2016, respectively		(7,195	)			(6,884	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income		(4,237	)			(3,890	)
	Shareholders' Equity		74,150				68,256
	Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	142,896			$	141,538

Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
	For the Nine Months Ended November 30,
		2016				2015
Operating activities:
Net income	$	6,517			$	4,338
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		2,973				3,299
Gain from sale of business		(184	)			-
Other non-cash adjustments		31				132
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Accounts receivable		(2,352	)			(1,185	)
Inventories		391				(2,158	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(1,012	)			482
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities		809				5,595
Net cash provided by operating activities		7,173				10,503
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property		61				348
Proceeds from sale of business		1,000				-
Capital expenditures		(1,349	)			(881	)
Acquisition		(1,702	)			-
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,990	)			(533	)
Financing activities:
Net repayments under lines of credit		(1,599	)			(469	)
Net repayments of notes payable		(1,562	)			(7,139	)
Purchase of treasury stock		(269	)			(90	)
Dividends		(8	)			(7	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(3,438	)			(7,705	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		(270	)			(14	)
Net increase in cash		1,475				2,251
Cash at beginning of period		15,923				10,576
Cash at end of period	$	17,398			$	12,827

CONTACT:
Q.E.P. Co., Inc.
Mark S. Walter
Senior Vice President Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
561-994-5550

Source: Q.E.P. Co., Inc.

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