FARMINGTON, Utah, Aug. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO) today reported operating results for the first quarter of its Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18), which ended on July 2, 2017.

"We delivered a solid start to Fiscal Year 2018 in the face of a challenging retail environment," said Vista Outdoor Interim Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Callahan. "The company continues its focus on new product development, improved operational performance, and cost savings."

For the first quarter ended July 2, 2017:

• Sales were $569 million, down 10 percent from the prior-year quarter, including $21 million of additional sales from the acquisition of Camp Chef. Sales were down 13 percent on an organic basis.
• Gross profit was $147 million, down 14 percent from the prior-year quarter. This includes $7 million of gross profit from the Camp Chef acquisition, offset by an 18 percent decrease in organic gross profit.
• Operating expenses were $107 million, compared to $112 million in the prior-year quarter.
• Fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.29, compared to $0.48 in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EPS was $0.24, compared to $0.48 in the prior-year quarter.
• Cash flow provided by operating activities was $39 million, compared to a use of $22 million for operating activities in the prior-year period. Year-to-date free cash flow generation was $23 million, compared to free cash flow use of $41 million in the prior-year period.

Please see the tables in the press release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted gross profit, operating profit, tax rate, fully diluted earnings per share, and free cash flow to the comparable GAAP measures.

Outlook for Fiscal Year 2018

"We are pleased with our performance in the quarter," said Vista Outdoor Chief Financial Officer Stephen Nolan. "Our working capital reduction efforts are delivering results, with strong cash performance in a quarter when traditionally the company has had a net cash use. Margins were helped by the timing of some general overhead spending and by a late introduction in the quarter of ammunition promotional programs. This late introduction pushed the impact of those programs into later quarters. Our sales programs also resulted in the company pulling ahead some revenue from the second quarter into the latter part of our first quarter. Nonetheless, we are reaffirming previously issued guidance for the full year."

Vista Outdoor reaffirmed its FY18 financial guidance. The company expects:

• Sales in a range of $2.36 billion to $2.42 billion.
• Interest expense of approximately $50 million.
• Adjusted tax rate of approximately 37 percent.
• Adjusted EPS in a range of $1.10 to $1.30.
• Capital expenditures of approximately $70 million.
• Free cash flow in a range of $175 million to $200 million.

The guidance above does not include the impact of any future strategic acquisitions, divestitures, investments, business combinations or other significant transactions, nor the impact of transition expenses for already-completed acquisitions.

Earnings Conference Call Webcast Information

Vista Outdoor will hold an investor conference call to discuss its first quarter FY18 financial results on August 10, 2017, at 9 a.m. ET. The conference call will be accessible through live webcast. Interested investors and other individuals can access the webcast and view and/or download the earnings press release, including a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, and the related earnings release presentation slides, which will also include detailed segment information, via Vista Outdoor's website (www.vistaoutdoor.com). Choose "Investors" then "Events and Presentations." For those who cannot participate in the live webcast, a telephone recording of the conference call will be available for one month after the call. The telephone number for the recorded call is 719-457-0820, and the confirmation code is 1265259.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Gross Profit, Operating Profit, and Earnings Per Share

The adjusted gross profit, operating expenses, operating profit (adjusted EBIT), adjusted tax rate, and adjusted earnings per share (adjusted EPS) presented below are non-GAAP financial measures. Vista Outdoor defines these measures as gross profit, operating profit (EBIT), tax rate, and EPS excluding, where applicable, the impact of costs incurred for current and possible transactions, pension curtailment, change in value of future payments of contingent consideration, transition costs for the Action Sports acquisition, and acquisition inventory step-up. Vista Outdoor management is presenting these measures so a reader may compare gross profit, EBIT, tax rate, and EPS excluding these items, as the measures provide investors with an important perspective on the operating results of the company. Vista Outdoor management uses this measurement internally to assess business performance, and Vista Outdoor's definition may differ from those used by other companies.

*NOTE: Adjustments to "as reported" results are items that are excluded to arrive at the "as adjusted" results for the quarters ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016.

During the quarter ended July 2, 2017, we announced changes to our qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans that resulted in a one-time pension curtailment gain of $6 million. The curtailment is effective July 31, 2017, with employees receiving a pro-rated pay credit for 2017 and no future pay credits beginning in 2018. Given the nature of this item, we believe the gain is not indicative of the ongoing operations of the company. The tax effect of the pension curtailment was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 37 percent.

During the quarter ended July 2, 2017, Vista Outdoor incurred transaction costs associated with possible transactions, including advisory, legal, and accounting service fees. Given the nature of transaction costs, and differences in these amounts from one acquisition to another, we feel these costs are not indicative of operations of the company. The tax effect of the transaction costs was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 37 percent.

During the quarter ended July 2, 2017, Vista Outdoor recorded a portion of the $10 million of compensation for Camp Chef earn-out, which will be paid over the next three years, subject to continued Camp Chef leadership employment and the achievement of certain incremental profitability growth milestones. Given this balance is related to the purchase price of the company and is not normal compensation of the employees and will not be a continuing cost, we do not believe these costs are indicative of operations of the company. The tax effect of the contingent consideration cost was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 37 percent.

During the quarter ended July 3, 2016, Vista Outdoor incurred transaction and transition costs associated with the completed transaction of Action Sports as well as other possible transactions, including advisory, legal, and accounting service fees, a portion of which were non-deductible for tax purposes. Transition costs for the Action Sports business include one-time costs related to the integration of the business into the company including vendor change fees, insurance policy start up fees, and severance costs. The tax effect of the deductible transaction and transition costs was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 38 percent.

For the quarter ended July 3, 2016, as result of not attaining the level of growth required to achieve the first-year growth milestone earnout for the Jimmy Styks acquisition, the company revalued the contingent consideration based on expected incremental profitability growth milestones and reduced the liability. The tax effect of the contingent consideration revaluation was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 38 percent.

For the quarter ended July 3, 2016, as a result of the acquisitions of Action Sports, Vista Outdoor recorded a step-up in the inventory balances, which is the purchase accounting fair value adjustment. The inventory step-up will be expensed to the income statement over the first inventory cycle. The tax effect of the inventory step-up was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 38 percent.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by (used for) operating activities less capital expenditures and excluding transaction and transition costs net of taxes incurred to date. Vista Outdoor management believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available for debt repayment, share repurchases and acquisitions after making the capital investments required to support ongoing business operations. Vista Outdoor management uses free cash flow internally to assess both business performance and overall liquidity.

Adjusted Earnings Per Share - Guidance Reconciliation Table

The projected adjusted earnings per share (EPS), excluding the impact of costs incurred for current and possible transactions, changes in value of future payments of pension curtailment and contingent consideration, is a non-GAAP financial measure that Vista Outdoor defines as EPS excluding the impact of these items. Vista Outdoor management is presenting this measure so a reader may compare EPS, excluding these items, as this measure provides investors with an important perspective on the operating results of the company. Vista Outdoor management uses this measurement internally to assess business performance, and Vista Outdoor's definition may differ from those used by other companies.

Vista Outdoor is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer products in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, Outdoor Products and Shooting Sports, and has a portfolio of well-recognized brands that provides consumers with a wide range of performance-driven, high-quality, and innovative products for individual outdoor recreational pursuits. Vista Outdoor products are sold at leading retailers and distributors across North America and worldwide. Vista Outdoor is headquartered in Utah and has manufacturing operations and facilities in 13 U.S. States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico along with international customer service, sales, and sourcing operations in Asia, Australia, Canada, and Europe.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release and other oral and written statements made by Vista Outdoor from time to time are forward-looking statements, including those that discuss, among other things: Vista Outdoor's plans, objectives, expectations, intentions, strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; projections with respect to future revenues, income, earnings per share or other financial measures for Vista Outdoor; and the assumptions that underlie these matters. The words 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'aim', 'should' and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. To the extent that any such information is forward-looking, it is intended to fit within the safe harbor for forward-looking information provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause Vista Outdoor's actual results to differ materially from expectations described in such forward-looking statements, including the following: general economic and business conditions in the U.S. and Vista Outdoor's other markets, including conditions affecting employment levels, consumer confidence and spending, the conditions in the retail environment, and other economic conditions affecting demand for our products and the financial health of our customers; Vista Outdoor's ability to attract and retain key personnel and maintain and grow its relationships with customers, suppliers and other business partners, including Vista Outdoor's ability to obtain acceptable third party licenses; Vista Outdoor's ability to adapt its products to changes in technology, the marketplace and customer preferences, including our ability to respond to shifting preferences of the end consumer from brick and mortar retail to online retail; Vista Outdoor's ability to maintain and enhance brand recognition and reputation; reductions, unexpected changes in or our inability to accurately forecast demand for ammunition, firearms or accessories or other outdoor sports and recreation products; risks associated with Vista Outdoor's sales to significant customers, including unexpected cancellations, delays and other changes to purchase orders; supplier capacity constraints, production disruptions or quality or price issues affecting Vista Outdoor's operating costs; Vista Outdoor's competitive environment; risks associated with compliance and diversification into international and commercial markets; the supply, availability and costs of raw materials and components; increases in commodity, energy and production costs; changes in laws, rules and regulations relating to Vista Outdoor's business, such as federal and state firearms and ammunition regulations; Vista Outdoor's ability to execute its long-term growth strategy, including our ability to complete and realize expected benefits from acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses; Vista Outdoor's ability to take advantage of growth opportunities in international and commercial markets; foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; the outcome of contingencies, including with respect to litigation and other proceedings relating to intellectual property, product liability, warranty liability, personal injury and environmental remediation; risks associated with cybersecurity and other industrial and physical security threats; capital market volatility and the availability of financing; changes to accounting standards or policies; and changes in tax rules or pronouncements. Vista Outdoor undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact Vista Outdoor, and statements contained herein, please refer to Vista Outdoor's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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SOURCE Vista Outdoor Inc.