WD-40 Company Reports Third Quarter 2019 Financial Results

SAN DIEGO, July 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- WD-40 Company WDFC, a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world, today reported financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2019.

Financial Highlights and Summary

• Total net sales for the third quarter were $114.0 million, an increase of 7 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date total net sales were $316.6 million, an increase of 4 percent compared to the prior year fiscal period.
• Translation of the Company's foreign subsidiary results to U.S. dollars had an unfavorable impact on sales for the current quarter and year-to-date. On a constant currency basis, total net sales would have been $117.5 million for the third quarter and $324.6 million year to date.
• Net income for the third quarter was $18.1 million, an increase of 12 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date net income was $47.3 million, an increase of 9 percent from the prior year fiscal period.
• Diluted earnings per share were $1.30 in the third quarter, compared to $1.15 per share for the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date diluted earnings per share were $3.39 compared to $3.10 in the prior year fiscal period.
• Gross margin was 54.5 percent in the third quarter compared to 54.8 percent in the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date gross margin was 55.0 percent compared to 55.1 percent in the prior year fiscal period.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses were up 6 percent in the third quarter to $32.0 million when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date selling, general and administrative expenses were up 4 percent to $95.3 million compared to the prior year fiscal period.
• Advertising and sales promotion expenses were up 14 percent in the third quarter to $6.3 million when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date advertising and sales promotion expenses were up 10 percent to $17.4 million compared to the prior year fiscal period.

"We had a solid quarter with consolidated net sales up 7 percent from last year and in-line with our targeted compound annual growth rate," said Garry Ridge, WD-40 Company's chief executive officer.  "The Americas segment came in under our targeted growth rate for the segment because they had a particularly strong comparable period last year.  This is because in the third quarter of last year many of our customers in the Americas were buying high volumes of product in advance of our planned price increases in the region."

"Overall, we are pleased with the solid progress we have made for the year and remain confident that our strategic initiatives are well positioned to carry us into the future. While we continue to see fluctuations in certain markets from time to time, our long-term growth plans remain stable and we expect we will continue to deliver on our expectations," concluded Ridge. 

• Net sales by segment as a percent of total net sales for the third quarter were as follows: for the Americas, 47 percent; for EMEA, 39 percent; and for Asia-Pacific, 14 percent.
• Net sales in the Americas remained constant in the third quarter primarily due to lower sales of maintenance products in Latin America and Canada, which decreased 16 and 18 percent, respectively, compared to the prior year fiscal period. The significant decrease in sales was because in the comparable period last year customers were buying high volumes of product in advance of our planned price increases. This decline in sales was entirely offset by higher sales of WD-40 Specialist and WD-40 Multi-use Product in the United States, which increased 30 and 3 percent, respectively.
• Net sales in EMEA increased 13 percent in the third quarter primarily due to higher sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product as a result of a higher level of promotional activities and increased distribution of WD-40 EZ-REACH Flexible product. EMEA also experienced strong sales of homecare and cleaning products which increased 155 percent compared to the prior year fiscal period. This sales increase was primarily due to higher sales of 1001 Carpet Fresh due to the favorable impacts of some digital marketing windfalls associated with this brand. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on sales for EMEA from period to period. On a constant currency basis, EMEA sales for the third quarter would have increased to $47.3 million or 20 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter.
• Net sales in Asia-Pacific increased 14 percent in the third quarter primarily due to a 66 percent increase in sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in the Asia distributor markets. The significant increase in sales was because, in the comparable period of last year, sales in the Asia distributer markets were negatively impacted by the transitioning of three distributor partners in the region. Sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product were also positively impacted during the third quarter because of successful promotional activities in the region. Foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on sales in Asia-Pacific from period to period. On a constant currency basis, Asia-Pacific sales for the third quarter would have increased to $17.1 million or 18 percent compared to the prior year fiscal period.

• Net sales of maintenance products, which are considered the primary growth focus for the Company, increased 6 percent in the third quarter when compared to the prior year fiscal period. This was primarily attributable to increased sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product within the EMEA and Asia-Pacific segments as well as increased sales of WD-40 Specialist in the Americas segment. These increases were partially offset by lower sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product within the Americas segment.
• Net sales of homecare and cleaning products increased 16 percent in the third quarter when compared to the prior year fiscal period. This increase was entirely attributable to higher sales of 1001 Carpet Fresh in the United Kingdom. The homecare and cleaning products, particularly those in the United States, are considered harvest brands providing healthy profit returns to the Company and are becoming a smaller part of the business as net sales of multi-purpose maintenance products grow per the execution of the Company's strategic initiatives.

Dividend and Share Repurchase
As previously announced, WD-40 Company's board of directors declared on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 a quarterly dividend of $0.61 per share payable July 31, 2019 to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 19, 2019.

On June 19, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share buy-back plan. Under the plan, which became effective on September 1, 2018, the Company is authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares through August 31, 2020. The timing and amount of repurchases are based on terms and conditions as may be acceptable to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and in compliance with all laws and regulations applicable thereto. During the period from September 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 132,184 shares at a total cost of $22.4 million under this $75.0 million plan. 

Updated Fiscal Year 2019 Guidance
The Company updated its guidance for fiscal year 2019 as follows:

• Net sales growth is projected to be between 4 and 7 percent with net sales expected to be between $425 million and $437 million.
• Gross margin percentage for the full year is expected to be near 55 percent. 
• Advertising and promotion investments are projected to be between 5.5 and 6.0 percent of net sales. 
• The provision for income tax is expected to be between 19 and 20 percent.
• Net income is projected to be between $63.3 million and $64.4 million.
• Diluted earnings per share is expected to be between $4.58 and $4.65 based on an estimated 13.8 million weighted average shares outstanding.

This guidance does not include any future acquisitions or divestitures.

"We expect net sales may come in at the lower end of the range we've shared with investors due to the impacts of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates," said Jay Rembolt, WD-40 Company's vice president and chief financial officer. "However, we have adjusted the provision for income tax to be between 19 and 20 percent due to favorable impacts from the US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  This adjustment enabled us to strengthen our net income and EPS guidance for the full fiscal year."

Webcast Information
As previously announced, WD-40 Company management will host a live webcast at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT today to discuss these results. Other forward-looking and material information may also be discussed during this call.  Please visit http://investor.wd40company.com for more information and to view supporting materials.

About WD-40 Company
WD-40 Company is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world. The Company markets its maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products under the following well-known brands: WD-40®, 3-IN-ONE®, GT85®, X-14®, 2000 Flushes®, Carpet Fresh®, no vac®, Spot Shot®, 1001®, Lava® and Solvol®.  

Headquartered in San Diego, WD-40 Company recorded net sales of $408.5 million in fiscal year 2018 and its products are currently available in more than 176 countries and territories worldwide. WD-40 Company is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select market under the ticker symbol "WDFC." For additional information about WD-40 Company please visit http://www.wd40company.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements reflect the Company's current expectations with respect to currently available operating, financial and economic information. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, discussions about future financial and operating results, including:  growth expectations for maintenance products; expected levels of promotional and advertising spending; plans for and success of product innovation, the impact of new product introductions on the growth of sales; anticipated results from product line extension sales; the impact of the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act"; and forecasted foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. Our forward-looking statements are generally identified with words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "could," "may," "aim," "anticipate," "target," "estimate" and similar expressions. 

The Company's expectations, beliefs and forecasts are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the Company's expectations, beliefs or forecasts will be achieved or accomplished. 

Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified in Part I―Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018, and in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 31, 2019 which the Company expects to file with the SEC on July 9, 2019.

All forward-looking statements included in this press release should be considered in the context of these risks. All forward-looking statements speak only as of July 9, 2019, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.

SOURCE WD-40 Company