Scotts Miracle-Gro (SMG) Announces Preliminary Sales Results for Q2

The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) today announced preliminary results for its second fiscal quarter and said demand for products in both its U.S. Consumer and Hawthorne segments surged in recent weeks, especially in categories focused on edible gardening, professional growing and pest control.

For its fiscal second quarter, which ends March 28, 2020, ScottsMiracle-Gro expects to report an increase in company-wide sales of approximately 16 to 17 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Sales in the U.S. Consumer segment are expected to increase approximately 12 percent while Hawthorne sales are expected to increase at least 55 percent for the quarter.

In the U.S. Consumer segment, demand increased sharply in March, resulting in an increase in consumer purchases approaching 25 percent for the second quarter. During the month, soil and insect control purchases increased nearly 35 percent and 45 percent respectively. Bonnie Plants, in which the Company maintains a 25 percent interest, said consumer purchases increased nearly 60 percent in March, with many markets in the southern U.S. up more than 100 percent.

“Demand in nearly all areas of the business has surged in recent weeks and we have benefited as a result,” said Randy Coleman, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “However, we have been more focused on understanding the potential challenges that may accompany a dramatic slowing of the economy in the weeks ahead and ensuring we are well-positioned to manage those issues. I am confident, based on our current scenario planning, that we will continue to manage within our existing debt covenants, have no liquidity concerns, and should be well-positioned to resume a normal business cadence once this crisis passes.”

Coleman said share repurchase activity is being suspended and that certain capital expenditures may be delayed until next year.

“Based solely on our expected first half results, we currently are making no changes to our guidance,” Coleman said. “We recognize the potential risk to consumer purchases in the months ahead, and while we cannot accurately predict what will occur, we have significant cost savings tools available to us if needed. We also have a history of open communications with the investment community and will share more when we know more.”

The Company, which has maintained a pandemic crisis plan for nearly a decade, began planning to manage COVID-19 issues in January and continues to be fully operational. The Company’s manufacturing and distribution operations are viewed as essential services and continue to operate normally. There have been no significant disruptions thus far of incoming supplies and raw materials nor a delay in shipments to retailers and other customers. All of the Company’s major retail partners also have been designated as essential services and remain open.

“While we are coordinating closely with our partners to meet the current market demand, our main priority has been taking the steps necessary to protect our associates in the face of the COVID-19 crisis,” said Jim Hagedorn, chairman and CEO. Hagedorn, who previously served on the board of the CDC Foundation, continued, “we have been aggressive in protecting the safety of our associates, their families and our communities. That commitment will not change.”

Hagedorn said the Company has implemented a premium pay allowance for associates in its field sales force as well as those still working in manufacturing or distribution centers. The Company also continues to honor the contracts of third-party vendors that manage functions such as wellness, food, mail and janitorial services in office facilities that are currently closed.

“In addition to the safety protocols we’ve put in place I want to ensure that our people don’t suffer economic harm from a crisis that, for most of them, came out of nowhere,” Hagedorn said. “This is a family business and that fact is key to why we have thrived for more than 150 years. Our ScottsMiracle-Gro family remains our top priority.

“In these unprecedented times I am proud of the efforts of our team in all parts of the company around the world. We know we have a difficult comparison in April that would likely have chipped away at our strong year-to-date growth regardless of the current market realities. But we’re encouraged for the time being that consumers and professionals are continuing to focus on their gardens and greenhouses.”

The Company said it plans to announce its full second quarter results on May 6, 2020.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Everpure raises FY28 revenue outlook, targets four growth areas
• TORM raises share capital by 97,089 shares via RSU exercise
• Cintas Corp. (CTAS) Tops Q1 EPS by 1c, Offers Guidance