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Turning Point Brands Announces Second Quarter 2020 Results, Increases 2020 Guidance

July 28, 2020 7:30 AM

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Turning Point Brands, Inc. (“TPB”) (NYSE: TPB), a leading provider of Other Tobacco Products (“OTP”) and adult consumer alternatives, today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Results at a Glance

Second Quarter 2020

(Comparisons vs. same period year-ago)

“Our Smokeless segment saw high-teens growth driven by same store sales growth of Stoker’s MST along with accelerated secular consumer trade-down trends across the entire Smokeless category. Smoking grew despite the headwind of a COVID-related plant shutdown in MYO cigar wraps, which was more than offset by the ramp of our growth initiatives. Our NewGen segment delivered an extraordinary quarter as our B2C platform saw elevated sales levels from a consumer shift to online purchasing and our B2B platform gained share in the marketplace from internal initiatives and COVID-related marketplace disruptions,” said Larry Wexler, President and CEO. “This quarter saw favorable financial results even absent any temporary benefits, the acquisition of important strategic assets from Durfort Holdings, the completion of the SDI merger (closed July 16), and progress toward the filing of our premarket tobacco applications. Looking forward, TPB is well-positioned to further advance growth initiatives and new product introductions.”

Recent Events

On June 10, 2020, TPB announced the acquisition of certain tobacco assets and distribution rights from Durfort Holdings S.R.L. (“Durfort”) and Blunt Wrap USA for a total consideration of $46 million. Durfort was the long-time supplier of TPB’s Make-Your-Own (“MYO”) cigar wrap products. Through this transaction, TPB acquired co-ownership in the intellectual property rights of all Durfort’s and Blunt Wrap’s Homogenized Tobacco Leaf (“HTL”) cigar wraps and cones. The acquisition eliminated royalty related expenses on HTL cigar wraps and cones, providing for expanded margins. TPB also entered into an exclusive Master Distribution Agreement to market and sell the original Blunt Wrap® cigar wraps brand in the USA, adding direct access to untapped alternative channels. The purchase price was satisfied through $36 million in cash at closing and a $10 million promissory note.

On July 16, 2020, TPB completed its merger (“Merger”) with Standard Diversified Inc. (“SDI”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each share of SDI’s Common Stock received 0.52095 shares of TPB’s Voting Common Stock. As a result of the transaction, TPB no longer has a controlling shareholder, and approximately 245,000 shares of TPB Common Stock were retired. The transaction significantly improved the public float of shares outstanding and eliminated the overhang of a controlling holding company structure.

COVID Commentary

During the quarter, TPB tackled several challenges and adapted to an environment that was continually re-shaped by the COVID pandemic. Our supply chain has remained operational other than a brief shutdown at our third-party manufacturer for MYO cigar wraps. Given the ongoing situation, we continue to monitor for additional disruptions. Overall, as an organization, we have made a relatively seamless adjustment to the “new normal” with demonstrated success in our tele-selling initiatives and a shift to video conference communications, among other changes. We did experience higher operational costs related to maintaining a safer work environment and fulfilling orders as a result of COVID.

Smokeless Products Segment (29% of total net sales in the quarter)

For the second quarter, Smokeless products net sales increased 17.7% to $30.8 million on continued double-digit growth of Stoker’s MST. Sales of chewing tobacco were up mid-single-digits as compared to the year-ago quarter. MST represented 58% of Smokeless revenues in the quarter, up from 53% a year earlier. In the quarter, total Smokeless segment volume increased 13.9% and price/mix advanced 3.8%.

“Stoker’s MST market share continued its trajectory upwards as its value proposition resonated with consumers trading-down in the current environment. With a long runway for distribution gains, Stoker’s MST is poised to deliver continued growth with further market penetration and same store sales growth,” said Graham Purdy, Chief Operating Officer. “Separately, leading into the quarter, we had planned a selling initiative for the loose leaf chewing tobacco line that benefited from market conditions impacted by COVID. While some of the gains in loose leaf chewing tobacco during the quarter were COVID-related, the brand is now much better positioned for the future.”

For the quarter, Smokeless segment gross profit increased 18.5% to $16.7 million. Segment gross margin expanded 30 basis points to 54.1%.

Smoking Products Segment (26% of total net sales in the quarter)

For the second quarter, net sales of Smoking products increased 8.0% to $27.4 million. Growth was driven by double-digit advances in US rolling papers and growth in our Canadian papers business due to comparing against last year’s inventory depletions and the ramp-up of our partnership with ReCreation Marketing. This growth was partially offset by the previously announced COVID-related disruption in MYO cigar wraps. Non-focus cigars and MYO pipe declined $0.4 million. In the quarter, total Smoking segment volume increased 7.5% while price/mix increased 0.5%.

“Our US rolling papers business experienced strong growth aided by increased levels of consumption and market share gains from our growth initiatives. An increased focus on Zig-Zag’s potential in a broader set of channels, such as e-commerce and dispensaries, is demonstrating new growth opportunities, while recent product introductions are expanding distribution and gaining share,” said Purdy. “The impact of the disruption in our MYO Cigar Wraps business was approximately $4 million, better than expectations of $5 million. We assume some disruption may continue into the third quarter.”

For the quarter, Smoking products gross profit increased 14.1% to $15.7 million. Segment gross margin expanded 300 basis points to 57.2% as a result of increased US rolling paper sales and a continued decline in the low margin cigar business. The financial impact of the Durfort acquisition will begin in mid-July as pre-acquisition inventory is sold through.

NewGen (New Generation) Products Segment (45% of total net sales in the quarter)

For the second quarter, NewGen segment net sales increased 11.8% to a record $46.7 million as a result of market share gains in our vape distribution businesses in addition to positive contributions from Solace and other Nu-X products.

“While we experienced some temporary benefits during the second quarter in the NewGen segment, the improvements from consolidating our vape distribution business continued to flow through. VaporBeast, our B2B business, saw its customer count grow through the first half of the year while also benefitting from a competitor disruption during the second quarter. IVG, which sells mostly through its B2C e-commerce platforms, saw heightened sales levels during the quarter as consumers shifted to purchasing online, especially during stay-at-home provisions. In addition, Solace had its best quarter since its acquisition,” said Purdy. “With the PMTA deadline approaching this September, we expect volatility around our vape distribution business in the second half of the year as the market navigates the near-term uncertainty around the regulatory process. Longer-term, we expect to be favorably positioned as the market consolidates and our mix of proprietary products accelerates.”

For the quarter, NewGen gross profit increased 17.7% to $15.8 million. Segment gross margin increased 170 basis points to 33.7% primarily due to an increase in mix of proprietary products and faster growth from our higher-gross margin B2C business. Second quarter 2020 included $3.6 million of tariff expense compared to $2.0 million a year-ago.

Other Events and Performance Measures in the Second Quarter

Second quarter consolidated selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $30.8 million compared to $21.2 million in 2019. Absent the net proceeds received from the settlement associated with the V2 shut-down, SG&A was $26.8 million in 2019.

The second quarter had notable non-recurring impacts:

Total gross debt as of June 30, 2020, was $331.0 million. The corresponding net debt (total gross debt less cash) at June 30, 2020 was $266.8 million. The company ended the quarter with total liquidity of $110.6 million comprising $64.2 million of cash and $46.4 million of revolving credit facility capacity.

2020 Outlook Update

We are encouraged by our results thus far this year but are also balancing our optimism for the business with the uncertainty in the current environment and on-going government support for the consumer. With this framework, along with taking into account the temporary benefits during the second quarter and expected near-term volatility within our NewGen segment, we revise our guidance provided on April 28, 2020 as follows:

Absent any further acquisitions, the company projects 2020 net sales to be $370 to $382 million (up from previous guidance of $338 to $353 million). We project 2020 Adjusted EBITDA of $78 million to $83 million (up from previous guidance of $69 to $75 million). Our projections assume no upside from the PMTA process in 2020.

Stock compensation and non-cash incentive expense in 2020 is projected to be $2.8 million.

The company now expects to spend a total of $16 to $18 million (up from previous guidance of $15 to $18 million) on the PMTA process. This is inclusive of $2.2 million spent in 2019 and $9.5 million in the first half of 2020.

Cash interest expense is projected to be $12 million and GAAP interest expense includes $7 million of debt discount amortization equal to the fair value of the equity components over the expected life of the 2024 convertible notes.

The company expects the 2020 effective income tax rate to be 23% to 24% (up from previous guidance of 22% to 24%).

Capital expenditures for 2020 are anticipated to be approximately $4 to $6 million as we are currently evaluating accelerating certain capital expenditure projects due to temporary tax code incentives.

Net Sales for the third quarter 2020 are expected to be $90 to $95 million.

Earnings Conference Call

As previously disclosed, a conference call with the investment community to review TPB’s financial results has been scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2020. Investment community participants should dial in ten minutes ahead of time using the toll-free number 844-889-4324 (International participants should call 412-317-9262). A live listen-only webcast of the call is available from the Events and Presentations section of the investor relations portion of the company website (www.turningpointbrands.com). A replay of the webcast will be available on the site three hours following the call.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), this press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS and Adjusted Operating Income. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures accompanies this release.

About Turning Point Brands, Inc.

Louisville, Kentucky-based Turning Point Brands, Inc. (NYSE: TPB) is a leading U.S. provider of Other Tobacco Products and adult consumer alternatives. TPB, through its focus brands generates solid cash flow which it uses to finance acquisitions, increase brand support and strengthen its capital structure. TPB does not sell cigarettes. More information about the company is available at its corporate website, www.turningpointbrands.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan" and "will" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. As a result, actual events may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by TPB in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for TPB to predict these events or how they may affect it. TPB has no obligation, and does not intend, to update any forward-looking statements after the date hereof, except as required by federal securities laws. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to:

Financial Statements Follow:

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Income
(dollars in thousands except share data)
Three Months Ended June 30,

2020

2019

Net sales

$

104,963

$

93,339

Cost of sales

56,871

52,156

Gross profit

48,092

41,183

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

30,756

21,242

Operating income

17,336

19,941

Interest expense, net

4,980

3,736

Investment income

(34

)

(118

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

-

150

Net periodic income, excluding service cost

(104

)

(11

)

Income before income taxes

12,494

16,184

Income tax expense

3,267

2,979

Consolidated net income

9,227

13,205

Basic income per common share:
Consolidated net income

$

0.47

$

0.67

Diluted income per common share:
Consolidated net income

$

0.47

$

0.66

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic

19,507,874

19,621,695

Diluted

19,834,345

20,131,980

Supplemental disclosures of statement of income information:
Excise tax expense

$

4,678

$

5,105

FDA fees

$

134

$

155

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(dollars in thousands except share data)
(unaudited)
June 30, December 31,
ASSETS

2020

2019

Current assets:
Cash

$

64,192

$

95,250

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $271 in 2020 and $280 in 2019

5,112

6,906

Inventories

75,556

70,979

Other current assets

16,701

16,115

Total current assets

161,561

189,250

Property, plant, and equipment, net

13,343

13,816

Right of use assets

13,243

12,130

Deferred financing costs, net

789

890

Goodwill

154,282

154,282

Other intangible assets, net

80,414

33,469

Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) escrow deposits

32,074

32,074

Other assets

11,512

10,673

Total assets

$

467,218

$

446,584

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable

$

14,361

$

14,126

Accrued liabilities

25,593

26,520

Current portion of long-term debt

12,000

15,240

Total current liabilities

51,954

55,886

Notes payable and long-term debt

284,624

268,951

Deferred income taxes

2,422

1,572

Lease liabilities

11,813

11,067

Other long-term liabilities

4,663

2,523

Total liabilities

355,476

339,999

Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; authorized shares 40,000,000; issued and outstanding shares

-

-

Common stock, voting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 190,000,000; 19,724,027 issued shares, 19,467,164 outstanding shares at June 30, 2020, and 19,680,673 issued and outstanding shares at December 31, 2019

197

197

Common stock, nonvoting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 10,000,000; issued and outstanding shares -0-

-

-

Additional paid-in capital

126,928

125,469

Cost of repurchased common stock (256,863 shares at June 30, 2020 and 0 shares at December 31, 2019)

(5,289

)

-

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(5,299

)

(3,773

)

Accumulated deficit

(4,795

)

(15,308

)

Total stockholders' equity

111,742

106,585

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

467,218

$

446,584

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30,

2020

2019

Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income

$

12,502

$

19,765

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on extinguishment of debt

-

150

Impairment loss

149

-

Loss on sale of property, plant, and equipment

12

22

Depreciation expense

1,673

1,163

Amortization of other intangible assets

827

723

Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs

4,483

478

Deferred income taxes

1,445

(109

)

Stock compensation expense

1,213

1,412

Noncash lease expense

18

-

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable

1,794

(3,663

)

Inventories

(4,577

)

(3,346

)

Other current assets

(253

)

(3,534

)

Other assets

(766

)

(359

)

Accounts payable

235

12,927

Accrued postretirement liabilities

(54

)

(83

)

Accrued liabilities and other

(1,167

)

(3,848

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

17,534

$

21,698

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures

$

(1,956

)

$

(1,964

)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(37,772

)

-

Restricted cash, MSA escrow deposits

-

1,677

Net cash used in investing activities

$

(39,728

)

$

(287

)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of 2018 first lien term loan

$

(5,000

)

$

(4,000

)

Payments of 2018 second lien term loan

-

(4,489

)

Payments of 2018 revolving credit facility

-

(11,000

)

Payment of IVG note

(4,240

)

-

Proceeds from unsecured loan

7,485

Payment of dividends

(1,872

)

(1,762

)

Payments of financing costs

(194

)

(179

)

Exercise of options

246

610

Surrender of restricted stock

-

(81

)

Redemption of options

-

(12

)

Common stock repurchased

(5,289

)

-

Net cash used in financing activities

$

(8,864

)

$

(20,913

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash

$

(31,058

)

$

498

Cash, beginning of period:
Unrestricted

95,250

3,306

Restricted

32,074

2,361

Total cash at beginning of period

127,324

5,667

Cash, end of period:
Unrestricted

64,192

2,127

Restricted

32,074

4,038

Total cash at end of period

$

96,266

$

6,165

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, we use non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, and Adjusted Operating Income. We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS, and Adjusted Operating Income are used by management to compare our performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses and planning purposes and are presented to our board of directors. We believe that EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted diluted EPS and Adjusted Operating Income are appropriate measures of operating performance because they eliminate the impact of expenses that do not relate to business performance.

We define “EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income before interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items and other items that we do not consider ordinary course in our evaluation of ongoing operating performance. We define “Adjusted diluted EPS” as diluted earnings per share excluding items that we do not consider ordinary course in our evaluation of ongoing operating performance. We define “Adjusted Operating Income” as operating income excluding depreciation, amortization, LIFO, other non-cash items and other items that we do not consider ordinary course in our evaluation of ongoing operating performance.

Non-U.S. GAAP measures should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted diluted EPS and Adjusted Operating Income exclude significant expenses that are required by U.S. GAAP to be recorded in our financial statements and is subject to inherent limitations. In addition, other companies in our industry may calculate this non-U.S. GAAP measure differently than we do or may not calculate it at all, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

In accordance with SEC rules, we have provided, in the supplemental information attached, a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures to the next directly comparable GAAP measures.

Schedule A
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
(dollars in thousands)

Three Months Ended

June 30,

2020

2019

Consolidated net income

$

9,227

$

13,205

Add:
Interest expense, net

4,980

3,736

Loss on extinguishment of debt

-

150

Income tax expense

3,267

2,979

Depreciation expense

822

632

Amortization expense

402

364

EBITDA

$

18,698

$

21,066

Components of Adjusted EBITDA
Other (a)

(260

)

(97

)

Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense (b)

760

1,198

Transaction expenses (c)

290

187

New product launch costs (d)

-

1,270

Corporate and vapor restructuring (e)

-

150

FDA PMTA (f)

3,290

-

Vendor settlement (g)

-

(5,522

)

Adjusted EBITDA

$

22,778

$

18,252

(a) Represents LIFO adjustment, non-cash pension/postretirement expense (income) and foreign exchange hedging.
(b) Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock, incentives expense and Solace PRSUs.
(c) Represents the fees incurred for transaction expenses.
(d) Represents product launch costs of our new product lines.
(e) Represents costs associated with corporate and vapor restructuring including severance and inventory reserves.
(f) Represents costs associated with applications related to FDA PMTA.
(g) Represents net gain associated with the settlement of a vendor contract.
Schedule B
Turning Point Brands
Reconciliation of GAAP diluted EPS to Adjusted diluted EPS
(dollars in thousands except share data) Three Months Ended
June 30,

2020

2019

GAAP EPS

$

0.47

$

0.66

Other (a)

(0.01

)

0.00

Stock options, restricted stock, and incentives expense (b)

$

0.03

0.05

Transaction expenses (c)

$

0.01

0.01

New product launch costs (d)

$

-

0.05

Corporate and vapor restructuring (e)

$

-

0.01

FDA PMTA (f)

$

0.12

-

Amortization of debt discount (g)

$

0.07

-

Vendor settlement (h)

$

-

(0.22

)

Tax benefit (i)

$

0.03

(0.02

)

Adjusted diluted EPS

$

0.71

$

0.52

Totals may not foot due to rounding
(a) Represents LIFO adjustment, non-cash pension/ postretirement expense (income), foreign exchange hedging reporting tax effected and Loss on Extinguishment of Debt at the quarterly tax rate.
(b) Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock, incentives expense and Solace PRSUs tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(c) Represents the fees incurred for transaction expenses tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(d) Represents product launch costs of our new product lines tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(e) Represents costs associated with corporate and vapor restructuring including severance and inventory reserves tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(f) Represents costs associated with applications related to the FDA PMTA tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(g) Represents non-cash amortization of debt discount tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(h) Represents net gain associated with the settlement of a vendor contract tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(i) Represents adjustment from quarterly tax rate to annual projected tax rate of 23% in 2020 and 22% in 2019.
Schedule C
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Gross Profit to Adjusted Gross Profit and GAAP Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income
(dollars in thousands)
Consolidated Smokeless Smoking NewGen
2nd Quarter 2nd Quarter 2nd Quarter 2nd Quarter 2nd Quarter 2nd Quarter 2nd Quarter 2nd Quarter

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

Net sales

$

104,963

$

93,339

$

30,822

$

26,176

$

27,403

$

25,363

$

46,738

$

41,800

Gross profit

$

48,092

$

41,183

$

16,664

$

14,063

$

15,671

$

13,738

$

15,757

$

13,382

Adjustments:
LIFO adjustment

(156

)

(112

)

(156

)

(112

)

-

-

-

-

Adjusted gross profit

$

47,936

$

41,071

$

16,508

$

13,951

$

15,671

$

13,738

$

15,757

$

13,382

Operating income

$

17,336

$

19,941

$

12,240

$

9,731

$

12,227

$

10,374

$

3,271

$

7,451

Adjustments:
LIFO adjustment

(156

)

(112

)

(156

)

(112

)

-

-

-

-

Transaction expenses

290

187

-

-

-

-

-

-

New product launch costs

-

1,270

-

-

-

-

-

1,270

Corporate and vapor restructuring

-

150

-

-

-

-

-

-

FDA PMTA

3,290

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Supplier contract settlement

-

(5,522

)

-

-

-

-

-

(5,522

)

Adjusted operating income

$

20,760

$

15,914

$

12,084

$

9,619

$

12,227

$

10,374

$

3,271

$

3,199

Robert Lavan, Senior Vice President, CFO

[email protected] (502) 774-9238

Source: Turning Point Brands, Inc.

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