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ScottsMiracle-Gro Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2018 Results; Full-Year Sales and Earnings in Line with Guidance

November 7, 2018 7:00 AM

MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Nov. 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG), the world’s leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products, today announced fiscal year 2018 financial results in line with the Company’s guidance and highlighted by strong operating cash flow.

For the year ended September 30, 2018, company-wide reported net sales increased 1 percent to $2.66 billion. GAAP income from continuing operations was $2.23 per share compared with $3.29 per share in the prior year. Non-GAAP adjusted earnings, which exclude impairment, restructuring and other one-time charges, were $3.71 per share compared with $3.94 per share a year ago. The non-GAAP adjusted results are the basis of the Company’s earnings guidance. Operating cash flow for the year was $343 million compared with $363 million a year earlier.

“There is little doubt that fiscal 2018 was one of our most challenging years in recent memory,” said Jim Hagedorn, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our U.S. Consumer business, however, had a strong second half following unfavorable early season weather. The Hawthorne team also made substantial progress in recent months, integrating the Sunlight acquisition to enable strong benefits for 2019.”

“Across the entire organization we have been building toward a solid recovery in 2019. Our goal for 2019 is to deliver sales growth in a range of 10 to 11 percent resulting in non-GAAP adjusted earnings in the range of $4.10 to $4.30. We expect that growth to be driven by the full-year impact of the Sunlight Supply acquisition as well as pricing in our U.S. Consumer segment of roughly 3 percent. We will remain focused on continued working capital improvement as operating cash flow remains a critical performance metric for our team.”

Fourth quarter detailsCompany-wide sales increased 15 percent to $433.9 million. Sales in the U.S. Consumer segment decreased 2 percent in the quarter to $252.6 million due primarily to focused inventory productivity efforts with certain key retail accounts. The segment delivered segment profit of $5.3 million compared with a loss of $0.3 million a year earlier.

Hawthorne reported sales of $152.2 million, a 65 percent increase from the same period a year ago, driven by acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions, sales decreased 15 percent due to declines in the North American hydroponic business partially offset by growth in the European professional greenhouse market and AeroGrow. Hawthorne reported a segment profit of $0.5 million in the quarter compared with $9.0 million a year earlier.

For the quarter, the Company-wide GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted gross margin rates were 17.0 percent and 19.2 percent, respectively, compared with 23.4 percent a year ago. SG&A increased 6 percent to $121.5 million primarily due to increased expense related to acquisitions.

The Company reported a seasonal loss from continuing operations on a GAAP basis of $130.6 million, or $2.36 per share, compared with $42.3 million, or $0.72 per share. The loss on a non-GAAP adjusted basis was $41.6 million, or $0.75 per share, compared with a loss of $14.9 million, or $0.26 per share. During the quarter the Company recorded a non-cash impairment of $94.6 million related to goodwill in the Hawthorne segment. Additionally, the company recorded a charge of $20.0 million in discontinued operations for a litigation matter related to its previously divested wild bird food business.

Full Year DetailsCompany-wide sales increased 1 percent to $2.66 billion compared to $2.64 billion a year ago. Sales in the U.S. Consumer segment decreased 2 percent, to $2.11 billion, due largely to lower-than-expected sales in mass retail and focused inventory productivity efforts by key customers. U.S. Consumer segment profit was $496.6 million, a decrease of 5 percent, principally driven by lower sales and increased distribution and input costs.

Consumer purchases of the Company’s products at its largest four retail partners were flat from previous year’s levels, although branded fertilizer, grass seed, growing media, mulch and rodenticide products all were higher compared with 2017.

“We were especially pleased with our branded Lawns business this year, which was supported by significant new innovation like our Turf Builder Triple Action products as well as Turf Builder Thick’R Lawn,” Hagedorn said. “While we saw a record slow start in the first half of our season across the category, we also saw a record recovery in the second half. As we prepare for next year, we remain extremely confident in the strength of our brands, as well as the level of consumer engagement and retailer support.”

Hawthorne sales increased 20 percent, to $344.9 million, driven by acquisitions. Excluding acquisitions, the business declined 27 percent on the year. Hawthorne reported an operating loss of $6.1 million, which included the dilution associated with the acquisition of Sunlight Supply.

“The integration of Sunlight Supply remains on track and we continue to expect at least $35 million in synergies from this transaction,” said Randy Coleman, chief financial officer. “While we are obviously disappointed by the performance of Hawthorne in 2018, we expect to return to growth in 2019 and remain bullish on the long-term prospects for this business.”

The GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted gross margin rates for the full year were 32.5 percent and 33.2 percent, respectively, compared with 36.8 percent a year ago. The decline was due primarily to higher-than-expected distribution costs, negative fixed cost absorption in both the U.S. Consumer and Hawthorne segments, and planned increased customer promotion and trade expense.

SG&A declined 2 percent to $540.1 million as increased expense from acquisitions was offset by other reductions including variable compensation and advertising expense.

GAAP income from continuing operations was $127.6, or $2.23 per share, compared with $198.3 million, or $3.29 per share. Non-GAAP adjusted earnings were $211.6, or $3.71 per share, compared with $236.9 million, or $3.94 per share. The full-year diluted share count was 57.1 million, compared with 60.2 million, reflecting share repurchase activity of $327.7 million for the year.

2019 OutlookThe Company also provided guidance for fiscal 2019 that includes projected sales growth of 10 to 11 percent. The guidance assumes the U.S. Consumer segment will grow 1 to 2 percent with the balance, approximately 9 percent, from Hawthorne. Within the Hawthorne segment, acquisitions are expected to contribute 8 percent on a company-wide basis.

“We expect pricing will add 3 percent to the U.S. Consumer segment on a full-year basis, but also anticipate some unit decline from retailer merchandising decisions and continued inventory productivity initiatives,” Coleman said. “Additionally, the contractual changes in our Roundup marketing agreement will result in an approximate 100 basis point decline to sales in this segment on a full-year basis.”

The gross margin rate is expected to be relatively flat. SG&A is expected to grow 5 to 6 percent. Non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share are expected between $4.10 and $4.30. Operating cash flow is targeted at $290 to $300 million, which includes anticipated payments related to the conclusion of certain litigation matters.

“While we expect to see solid gross margin rate improvement in the U.S. Consumer segment, the full-year impact of the lower-margin Sunlight transaction will offset most of those gains,” Coleman said. “Throughout the organization we have also taken strong steps to overcome other expense headwinds while increasing our investment in our people and brands.”

Conference Call and Webcast Scheduled for 9:00 a.m. ET Today, November 7The Company will discuss results during a webcast and conference call today at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Conference call participants should call 866-288-0540 (Conference Code: 8347308). A live webcast of the call will be available on the investor relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.scotts.com. An archive of the webcast, as well as any accompanying financial information regarding any non-GAAP financial measures discussed by the Company during the call, will remain available for at least 12 months. In addition, a replay of the call can be heard by calling 888-203-1112. The replay will be available for 30 days.

About ScottsMiracle-Gro The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company's brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company's Scotts®, Miracle-Gro® and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup® brand, which is marketed in the U.S. and certain other countries by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. We maintain a minority interest in TruGreen®, the largest residential lawn care service business, and in Bonnie Plants®, the largest marketer of edible gardening plants in retail channels. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting and other materials used in the hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com.

Forward Looking Non-GAAP Measures In this release, the Company provides an outlook for fiscal 2019 non-GAAP adjusted EPS. The Company does not provide a GAAP EPS outlook, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to non-GAAP adjusted EPS, because changes in the items that the Company excludes from GAAP EPS to calculate non-GAAP adjusted EPS, described above, can be dependent on future events that are less capable of being controlled or reliably predicted by management and are not part of the Company’s routine operating activities. Additionally, due to their unpredictability, management does not forecast the excluded items for internal use and therefore cannot create or rely on a GAAP EPS outlook without unreasonable efforts. The timing and amount of any of the excluded items could significantly impact the Company’s GAAP EPS. As a result, the Company does not provide a reconciliation of guidance for non-GAAP adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS, in reliance on the unreasonable efforts exception provided under Item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, which address activities, events and developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, information regarding the future economic performance and financial condition of the Company, the plans and objectives of the Company’s management, and the Company’s assumptions regarding such performance and plans are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified as statements that include phrases such as “guidance,” “outlook,” “projected,” “believe,” “target,” “predict,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “may,” “goal,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “should” or other similar words or phrases. Actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking information in this release due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:

Additional detailed information concerning a number of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information contained in this release is readily available in the Company’s publicly filed quarterly, annual and other reports. The Company disclaims any obligation to update developments of these risk factors or to announce publicly any revision to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments.

Contact:Jim KingSenior Vice PresidentInvestor Relations & Corporate Affairs(937) 578-5622

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANYCondensed Consolidated Statements of Operations(In millions, except for per common share data)(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
Footnotes September 30,2018 September 30,2017 % Change September 30,2018 September 30,2017 % Change
Net sales $433.9 $376.7 15 % $2,663.4 $2,642.1 1 %
Cost of sales 350.7 288.6 1,778.3 1,669.5
Cost of sales—impairment, restructuring and other 9.5 20.5
Gross profit 73.7 88.1 (16)% 864.6 972.6 (11)%
% of sales 17.0% 23.4% 32.5% 36.8%
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 121.5 114.5 6 % 540.1 550.9 (2)%
Impairment, restructuring and other 102.9 3.7 132.3 4.9
Other income, net (3.6) (4.0) (6.7) (16.6)
Income (loss) from operations (147.1) (26.1) (464)% 198.9 433.4 (54)%
% of sales (33.9)% (6.9)% 7.5% 16.4%
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates (3) (1.6) (1.2) (4.9) 29.0
Interest expense 22.9 17.7 86.4 76.1
Other non-operating (income) expense, net (6) (2.5) 13.4 1.7 13.4
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (165.9) (56.0) (196)% 115.7 314.9 (63)%
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (35.3) (13.7) (11.9) 116.6
Income (loss) from continuing operations (130.6) (42.3) (209)% 127.6 198.3 (36)%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (3) (4) (16.3) 8.9 (63.9) 20.5
Net income (loss) $(146.9) $(33.4) $63.7 $218.8
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest (0.1) (0.5)
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest $(147.0) $(33.4) $63.7 $218.3
Basic income (loss) per common share: (1)
Income (loss) from continuing operations $(2.36) $(0.72) (228)% $2.27 $3.33 (32)%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (0.29) 0.15 (1.14) 0.35
Net income (loss) $(2.65) $(0.57) $1.13 $3.68
Diluted income (loss) per common share: (2)
Income (loss) from continuing operations $(2.36) $(0.72) (228)% $2.23 $3.29 (32)%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (0.29) 0.15 (1.11) 0.34
Net income (loss) $(2.65) $(0.57) $1.12 $3.63
Common shares used in basic income (loss) per share calculation 55.4 58.4 (5)% 56.2 59.4 (5)%
Common shares and potential common shares used in diluted income (loss) per share calculation 55.4 58.4 (5)% 57.1 60.2 (5)%
Non-GAAP results:
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest from continuing operations (5) $(41.6) $(14.9) (179)% $211.6 $236.9 (11)%
Adjusted diluted income (loss) per common share from continuing operations (2) (5) $(0.75) $(0.26) (188)% $3.71 $3.94 (6)%
Adjusted EBITDA (5) $0.4 $5.5 (93)% $482.0 $560.5 (14)%
Note: See accompanying footnotes on page 12.

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANYSegment Results(In millions)(Unaudited)

The Company divides its business into three reportable segments: U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other. U.S. Consumer consists of the Company’s consumer lawn and garden business located in the geographic United States. Hawthorne consists of the Company’s indoor, urban and hydroponic gardening business. Other consists of the Company’s consumer lawn and garden business in geographies other than the U.S. and the Company’s product sales to commercial nurseries, greenhouses and other professional customers. Corporate consists of general and administrative expenses and certain other income/expense items not allocated to the business segments. This identification of reportable segments is consistent with how the segments report to and are managed by the chief operating decision maker of the Company. These segments differ from those used in prior periods due to the change in the Company’s internal organizational structure resulting from the Company’s divestiture of its consumer lawn and garden business in certain international jurisdictions (the “International Business”), which closed on August 31, 2017. As a result, effective in its fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company classified its results of operations for all periods presented to reflect the International Business as a discontinued operation and classified the assets and liabilities of the International Business as held for sale. The prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the new segments.

Segment performance is evaluated based on several factors, including income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, amortization, impairment, restructuring and other charges (“Segment Profit (Loss)”), which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Senior management uses this measure of profit (loss) to evaluate segment performance because the Company believes this measure is indicative of performance trends and the overall earnings potential of each segment.

The following tables present financial information for the Company’s reportable segments for the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 % Change September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 % Change
Net Sales:
U.S. Consumer$252.6 $258.1 (2)% $2,109.6 $2,160.5 (2)%
Hawthorne152.2 92.0 65 % 344.9 287.2 20 %
Other29.1 26.6 9 % 208.9 194.4 7 %
Consolidated$433.9 $376.7 15 % $2,663.4 $2,642.1 1 %
Segment Profit (Loss) (Non-GAAP):
U.S. Consumer$5.3 $(0.3) 1,867 % $496.6 $521.5 (5)%
Hawthorne0.5 9.0 (94)% (6.1) 35.5 (117)%
Other0.7 (0.9) 178 % 11.2 13.4 (16)%
Total Segment Profit (Non-GAAP)6.5 7.8 (17)% 501.7 570.4 (12)%
Corporate(32.9) (24.1) (120.8) (109.6)
Intangible asset amortization(8.3) (6.1) (29.2) (22.5)
Impairment, restructuring and other(112.4) (3.7) (152.8) (4.9)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates1.6 1.2 4.9 (29.0)
Interest expense(22.9) (17.7) (86.4) (76.1)
Other non-operating income (expense), net2.5 (13.4) (1.7) (13.4)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (GAAP)$(165.9) $(56.0) (196)% $115.7 $314.9 (63)%

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANYCondensed Consolidated Balance Sheets(In millions)(Unaudited)

September 30,2018 September 30,2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$33.9 $120.5
Accounts receivable, net310.5 286.6
Inventories481.4 407.5
Prepaid and other current assets59.9 67.1
Total current assets885.7 881.7
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates36.1 31.1
Property, plant and equipment, net530.8 467.7
Goodwill543.0 441.6
Intangible assets, net857.3 748.9
Other assets201.6 176.0
Total assets$3,054.5 $2,747.0
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt$132.6 $143.1
Accounts payable150.5 153.1
Other current liabilities329.6 248.3
Total current liabilities612.7 544.5
Long-term debt1,883.8 1,258.0
Distributions in excess of investment in unconsolidated affiliate21.9 21.9
Other liabilities176.5 260.9
Total liabilities2,694.9 2,085.3
Equity359.6 661.7
Total liabilities and equity$3,054.5 $2,747.0

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANYCondensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(In millions) (Unaudited)

Year Ended September 30,
2018 2017 (7)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income$63.7 $218.8
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Impairment, restructuring and other121.5 1.2
Share-based compensation expense40.4 25.2
Depreciation53.4 55.1
Amortization30.0 25.0
Deferred taxes(87.6) (17.4)
Gain on long-lived assets(0.6) (3.3)
(Gain) loss on sale / contribution of business0.7 (31.7)
Equity in (income) loss and distributions from unconsolidated affiliates(4.9) 32.6
Recognition of accumulated foreign currency translation loss11.7
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired businesses:
Accounts receivable(2.7) 48.6
Inventories14.3 3.6
Prepaid and other assets18.0 (12.2)
Accounts payable(3.9) 9.0
Other current liabilities4.5 26.9
Restructuring and other100.1 (8.7)
Other non-current items(13.6) (10.4)
Other, net(2.5) 0.9
Net cash provided by operating activities342.5 363.2
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of long-lived assets5.1 5.7
Post-closing working capital payment related to sale of International Business(35.3)
Proceeds from sale of business, net of cash disposed of 180.3
Investments in property, plant and equipment(68.2) (69.6)
Investments in loans receivable(17.1) (29.7)
Proceeds from loans receivable14.3
Net distributions from unconsolidated affiliates(0.1) 57.4
Investments in acquired businesses, net of cash acquired(492.9) (121.7)
Other investing, net13.5
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(580.7) 22.4
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings under revolving and bank lines of credit and term loans2,987.0 1,449.3
Repayments under revolving and bank lines of credit and term loans(2,312.9) (1,618.3)
Proceeds from issuance of 5.250% Senior Notes 250.0
Financing and issuance fees(6.1) (4.4)
Dividends paid(120.0) (120.3)
Distribution paid by AeroGrow to noncontrolling interest (8.1)
Purchase of Common Shares(327.7) (255.2)
Payments on sellers notes(8.9) (28.7)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements 7.9
Cash received from exercise of stock options10.5 11.0
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests(70.7)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities151.2 (316.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash0.4 1.6
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(86.6) 70.4
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year excluding cash classified within assets held for sale120.5 28.6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year classified within assets held for sale 21.5
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year120.5 50.1
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year$33.9 $120.5

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANYReconciliation of Non-GAAP Disclosure Items (5)(In millions, except per common share data)(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
Footnotes AsReported (GAAP)DiscontinuedOperationsImpairment,Restructuringand OtherAdjusted (Non-GAAP) AsReported (GAAP)DiscontinuedOperationsImpairment,Restructuringand OtherOtherNon-OperatingExpenseAdjusted (Non-GAAP)
Gross profit $73.7 $ $(9.5)$83.2 $88.1 $ $ $ $88.1
Gross profit as a % of sales 17.0 % 19.2 % 23.4 % 23.4 %
Loss from operations (147.1) (112.4)(34.7) (26.1) (3.7) (22.4)
Loss from operations as a % of sales (33.9)% (8.0)% (6.9)% (5.9)%
Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates(3) (1.6) (1.6) (1.2) 8.4 (9.6)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (165.9) (112.4)(53.5) (56.0) (12.1)(13.4)(30.5)
Income tax benefit from continuing operations (35.3) (23.3)(12.0) (13.7) 0.9 1.0 (15.6)
Loss from continuing operations (130.6) (89.1)(41.5) (42.3) (13.0)(14.4)(14.9)
Net loss attributable to controlling interest (147.0)(16.3)(89.1)(41.6) (33.4)8.9 (13.0)(14.4)(14.9)
Diluted loss per common share from continuing operations (2.36) (1.61)(0.75) (0.72) (0.22)(0.25)(0.26)

Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA (5): Three Months EndedSeptember 30, 2018 Three Months EndedSeptember 30, 2017
Net loss (GAAP) $(146.9) $(33.4)
Income tax benefit from continuing operations (35.3) (13.7)
Income tax expense (benefit) from discontinued operations (2.1) 8.0
Gain on sale / contribution of business (2.1) (32.0)
Interest expense 22.9 17.7
Depreciation 14.2 13.7
Amortization 8.5 6.6
Impairment, restructuring and other from continuing operations 112.4 12.1
Impairment, restructuring and other from discontinued operations 20.1 7.5
Other non-operating expense 13.4
Interest income (2.5)
Expense on certain leases 0.9 0.9
Share-based compensation expense 10.3 4.7
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $0.4 $5.5
Note: See accompanying footnotes on page 12.
The sum of the components may not equal due to rounding.

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANYReconciliation of Non-GAAP Disclosure Items (5)(In millions, except per common share data)(Unaudited)

Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2018 Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2017
Footnotes AsReported (GAAP)Discontinued OperationsImpairment, Restructuring and OtherOtherNon-OperatingExpenseAdjusted (Non-GAAP) AsReported (GAAP)Discontinued OperationsImpairment, Restructuring and OtherOtherNon-OperatingExpenseAdjusted (Non-GAAP)
Gross profit $864.6 $ $(20.5)$ $885.1 $972.6 $ $ $ $972.6
Gross profit as a % of sales 32.5% 33.2% 36.8% 36.8%
Income from operations 198.9 (152.8) 351.7 433.4 (4.9) 438.3
Income from operations as a % of sales 7.5% 13.2% 16.4% 16.6%
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates(3) (4.9) (4.9) 29.0 25.2 3.8
Income from continuing operations before income taxes 115.7 (152.8)(11.7)280.2 314.9 (30.1)(13.4)358.4
Income tax expense from continuing operations (11.9) (77.4)(3.1)68.6 116.6 (3.1)(1.3)121.0
Income from continuing operations 127.6 (75.4)(8.6)211.6 198.3 (27.0)(12.1)237.4
Net income attributable to controlling interest 63.7 (63.9)(75.4)(8.6)211.6 218.3 20.5 (27.0)(12.1)236.9
Diluted income per common share from continuing operations 2.23 (1.32)(0.15)3.71 3.29 (0.45)(0.20)3.94

Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA (5): Twelve Months EndedSeptember 30, 2018 Twelve Months EndedSeptember 30, 2017
Net income (GAAP) $63.7 $218.8
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (11.9) 116.6
Income tax expense (benefit) from discontinued operations (25.5) 11.9
(Gain) loss on sale / contribution of business 0.7 (31.7)
Interest expense 86.4 76.6
Depreciation 53.4 55.1
Amortization 30.0 25.0
Impairment, restructuring and other from continuing operations 152.8 30.1
Impairment, restructuring and other from discontinued operations 86.8 15.9
Other non-operating expense 11.7 13.4
Interest income (10.0)
Expense on certain leases 3.5 3.6
Share-based compensation expense 40.4 25.2
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP) $482.0 $560.5
Note: See accompanying footnotes on page 12.
The sum of the components may not equal due to rounding.

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANYReconciliation of Non-GAAP Disclosure Items (5)(In millions, except per common share data)(Unaudited)

Year Ended September 30,
2018 2017
Calculation of free cash flow (5):
Net cash provided by operating activities (GAAP) $342.5 $363.2
Investments in property, plant and equipment (68.2) (69.6)
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) $274.3 $293.6
Calculation of free cash flow productivity (5):
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP) $274.3 $293.6
Net income (GAAP) 63.7 218.8
Free cash flow productivity (Non-GAAP) 430.6% 134.2%
Note: See accompanying footnotes on page 12.
The sum of the components may not equal due to rounding.

THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANYFootnotes to Preceding Financial Statements

  1. Basic income (loss) per common share amounts are calculated by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations, income (loss) from discontinued operations and net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
  2. Diluted income (loss) per common share amounts are calculated by dividing income (loss) from continuing operations, income (loss) from discontinued operations and net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest by the weighted average number of common shares, plus all potential dilutive securities (common stock options, performance shares, performance units, restricted stock and restricted stock units) outstanding during the period.
  3. On April 13, 2016, pursuant to the terms of the Contribution and Distribution Agreement, by and among the Company and TruGreen Holding Corporation (“TruGreen Holdings”), the Company completed the contribution of the Scotts LawnService® business (the “SLS Business”) to a newly formed subsidiary of TruGreen Holdings (the “TruGreen Joint Venture”) in exchange for a minority equity interest of 30% in the TruGreen Joint Venture. As a result, effective in its second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company classified its results of operations for all periods presented to reflect the SLS Business as a discontinued operation and classified the assets and liabilities of the SLS Business as held for sale. In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company’s net investment and advances were reduced to a liability and the Company will no longer record its proportionate share of the TruGreen Joint Venture earnings in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations until the Company’s net investment and advances are no longer a liability. The Company does not have any contractual obligations to fund losses of the TruGreen Joint Venture.
  4. On April 29, 2017, the Company received a binding and irrevocable conditional offer (the “Offer”) from Exponent Private Equity LLP (“Exponent”) to purchase its consumer lawn and garden business in certain international jurisdictions (the “International Business”). On July 5, 2017, the Company accepted the Offer and entered into the Share and Business Sale Agreement (the “Agreement”) contemplated by the Offer. The transaction closed on August 31, 2017. Pursuant to the Agreement, Scotts-Sierra Investments LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Sierra”) and certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, entered into separate stock or asset sale transactions with respect to the consumer lawn and garden businesses located in Australia, Austria, Benelux, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom. As a result, effective in its fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company classified its results of operations for all periods presented to reflect the International Business as a discontinued operation and classified the assets and liabilities of the International Business as held for sale.
  5. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP MeasuresUse of Non-GAAP MeasuresTo supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures. The reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are shown in the tables above. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures reported in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the items associated with the operations of the business as determined in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures differently than the Company, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.In addition to GAAP measures, management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company’s performance, engage in financial and operational planning and determine incentive compensation because it believes that these measures provide additional perspective on and, in some circumstances are more closely correlated to, the performance of the Company’s underlying, ongoing business.Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in their assessment of operating performance and the valuation of the Company. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures address questions routinely received from analysts and investors and, in order to ensure that all investors have access to the same data, management has determined that it is appropriate to make this data available to all investors. Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of certain items (as further described below) and provide supplemental information regarding operating performance. By disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures, management intends to provide investors with a supplemental comparison of operating results and trends for the periods presented. Management believes these measures are also useful to investors as such measures allow investors to evaluate performance using the same metrics that management uses to evaluate past performance and prospects for future performance. Management views free cash flow as an important measure because it is one factor used in determining the amount of cash available for dividends and discretionary investment. Management views free cash flow productivity as a useful measure to help investors understand the Company’s ability to generate cash.Exclusions from Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresNon-GAAP financial measures reflect adjustments based on the following items:

Adjusted gross profit: Gross profit excluding impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries.Adjusted income (loss) from operations: Income (loss) from operations excluding impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries.Adjusted equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates: Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates excluding TruGreen Joint Venture non-GAAP adjustments.Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes: Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes excluding impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries, costs related to refinancing and TruGreen Joint Venture non-GAAP adjustments.Adjusted income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations: Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations excluding the tax effect of impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries, costs related to refinancing and TruGreen Joint Venture non-GAAP adjustments.Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations: Income (loss) from continuing operations excluding impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries, costs related to refinancing and TruGreen Joint Venture non-GAAP adjustments, each net of tax.Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest from continuing operations: Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest excluding impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries, costs related to refinancing, TruGreen Joint Venture non-GAAP adjustments and discontinued operations, each net of tax.Adjusted diluted income (loss) per common share from continuing operations: Diluted income (loss) per common share from continuing operations excluding impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries, costs related to refinancing and TruGreen Joint Venture non-GAAP adjustments, each net of tax.Adjusted EBITDA: Net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as well as certain other items such as the impact of the cumulative effect of changes in accounting, costs associated with debt refinancing and other non-recurring or non-cash items affecting net income (loss). The presentation of adjusted EBITDA is intended to be consistent with the calculation of that measure as required by the Company’s borrowing arrangements, and used to calculate a leverage ratio (maximum of 5.25 at September 30, 2018) and an interest coverage ratio (minimum of 3.00 for the twelve months ended September 30, 2018).Free cash flow: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities reduced by investments in property, plant and equipment.Free cash flow productivity: Ratio of free cash flow to net income (loss).

For the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2018, the following items were adjusted, in accordance with the definitions above, to arrive at the non-GAAP financial measures:

For the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2017, the following items were adjusted, in accordance with the definitions above, to arrive at the non-GAAP financial measures:

Forward Looking Non-GAAP Measures

In this earnings release, the Company presents its outlook for fiscal 2019 non-GAAP adjusted EPS. The Company does not provide a GAAP EPS outlook, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to non-GAAP adjusted EPS, because changes in the items that the Company excludes from GAAP EPS to calculate non-GAAP adjusted EPS, described above, can be dependent on future events that are less capable of being controlled or reliably predicted by management and are not part of the Company’s routine operating activities. Additionally, due to their unpredictability, management does not forecast the excluded items for internal use and therefore cannot create or rely on a GAAP EPS outlook without unreasonable efforts. The timing and amount of any of the excluded items could significantly impact the Company’s GAAP EPS. As a result, the Company does not provide a reconciliation of guidance for non-GAAP adjusted EPS to GAAP EPS, in reliance on the unreasonable efforts exception provided under Item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K.

  1. For the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2018, the Company has classified interest income on loans receivable of $2.5 million and $10.0 million, respectively, in the “Other non-operating (income) expense, net” line in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the three and twelve months ended September 30, 2017, interest income on loans receivable of $2.2 million and $10.0 million, respectively, is classified in the “Other income, net” line in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
  2. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard update that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance effective October 1, 2017. The amended accounting guidance requires cash paid to a tax authority when shares are withheld to satisfy statutory income tax withholding obligations to be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. The Company’s retrospective adoption of this provision of the amended accounting guidance resulted in the classification of payments of $3.0 million and $9.2 million as cash outflows from financing activities for fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.

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Source: Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (The)

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