Turning Point Brands Announces First Quarter 2021 Results, Increases 2021 Guidance

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-Q1 2021 Net Sales Increased 18.7% Year-Over-Year

-Q1 2021 Adjusted EBITDA Increased 57.4% Year-Over-Year

Turning Point Brands, Inc. ("TPB" or "the Company") TPB, a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded consumer products including alternative smoking accessories and consumables with active ingredients, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021.

First Quarter 2021
(Comparisons vs. same period a year-ago)

  • Net sales increased 18.7% to $107.6 million
  • Gross profit increased 28.6% to $53.3 million
  • Net income increased $7.3 million to $11.8 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 57.4% to $28.0 million (see Schedule A for a reconciliation to net income)
  • Diluted EPS of $0.57 and Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.80 as compared to $0.22 and $0.51 in the year-ago period, respectively (see Schedule B for a reconciliation to Diluted EPS)

"Our first quarter results demonstrated solid execution with year-over-year growth significantly outpacing our end markets," said Larry Wexler, President and CEO, Turning Point Brands. "Zig-Zag led the way with a second consecutive quarter with over 40 percent growth, and Stoker's delivered another double-digit growth quarter led by our MST business. As such, our core segments are continuing to perform well despite the tough comparables from the previous year period. NewGen had a solid growth quarter as it maintains optionality for long-term upside through its PMTA submissions. We are also excited about our recent investment in Docklight Brands, which increases our exposure in the cannabis space and boosts our portfolio through the addition of the Marleyâ„¢ CBD products line."

Zig-Zag Products Segment (38% of total net sales in the quarter)

For the first quarter, Zig-Zag Products segment net sales increased 41.8% to $41.0 million. Growth was driven by double-digit advances across U.S. rolling papers, Make-Your-Own ("MYO") cigar wraps and Canadian papers which also benefitted from a shipment delayed from the fourth quarter. In the quarter, total Zig-Zag Products segment volume increased 36.9% while price/mix increased 4.9%.

For the quarter, Zig-Zag Products segment gross profit increased 54.3% to $24.9 million. Segment gross margin expanded 490 basis points to 60.7% driven by increased margin in MYO cigar wraps sales as a result of the Durfort transaction in June 2020.

"Each of Zig-Zag's product categories experienced robust growth," added Graham Purdy, Chief Operating Officer, Turning Point Brands. "Our U.S. papers business experienced meaningful year-over-year share gains, with our paper cones and e-commerce businesses becoming bigger contributors to our growth. Our wraps business continues to bounce back from last year's inventory disruption and had a very strong quarter boosted by adding the Blunt Wrap brand to our portfolio. Canada also saw growth above our expectations with ReCreation Marketing results now consolidated as part of the segment."

Continued Purdy, "With more states advancing legalization efforts during the quarter, the segment's outlook continues to improve as a result of the secular industry growth trends that we are seeing across the board."

Stoker's Products Segment (27% of total net sales in the quarter)

For the first quarter, Stoker's Products segment net sales increased 10.4% to $29.3 million on double-digit growth of MST and low-single-digit growth of loose-leaf chewing tobacco. MST represented 63% of Stoker's Products revenues in the quarter, up from 59% a year earlier. In the quarter, total Stoker's Products segment volume increased 5.1% and price/mix advanced 5.3%.

For the quarter, Stoker's Products segment gross profit increased 14.5% to $15.9 million. Segment gross margin expanded 190 basis points to 54.3%.

"Stoker's MST remains well-positioned with its value proposition as it continues to outpace the category as the fastest-growing brand with a long runway for growth," said Purdy. "We are pleased with our same store sales growth as Stokers continues to expand its consumer base."

NewGen Products Segment (35% of total net sales in the quarter)

For the first quarter, NewGen Products segment net sales increased 6.0% to $37.4 million. The segment benefitted from advanced customer buying in anticipation of stricter shipping regulations around vaping as a result of the implementation of the PACT Act in the second quarter.

For the quarter, NewGen Products gross profit increased 9.2% to $12.5 million. Segment gross margin expanded 100 basis points to 33.4%.

"NewGen saw healthy year-over-year growth, as well as gross margin improvement, during the quarter despite continued disruption around the PMTA," said Purdy. "While we expect heightened short-term volatility in the vape distribution business, we are optimistic about the optionality in the segment as the market begins to consolidate and smaller competitors have difficulty complying with recent regulations on transporting vape products."

Recent Events

Docklight Brands Investment

On April 20, 2021, TPB announced a $8.7 million strategic investment in Docklight Brands, Inc., a pioneering consumer products company with celebrated brands including Marley Natural® cannabis and Marley™ CBD. In addition, TPB has obtained exclusive U.S. distribution rights for Docklight's Marley™ CBD topical products. The investment into Docklight Brands' Series A offering comes with certain follow-on investment rights.

Performance Measures in the First Quarter

First quarter consolidated selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $28.9 million compared to $32.4 million in 2020. The reduction in expense was principally driven by reduced PMTA spending.

The first quarter had notable non-recurring impacts:

  • $0.6 million of transaction expenses principally related to M&A activity as compared to $1.0 million in the year-ago period

Total gross debt as of March 31, 2021, was $440.0 million. The corresponding net debt (total gross debt less cash) at March 31, 2021 was $272.6 million. The Company ended the quarter with total liquidity of $188.9 million comprising $167.4 million of cash and $21.4 million of revolving credit facility capacity.

During the quarter, the Company repurchased 119,031 shares at an average price of $48.16.

2021 Outlook

With the strength of the first quarter results, the Company is revising its guidance provided on February 10, 2021 as follows:

Absent any further acquisitions, TPB projects the following for 2021:

  • Net Sales of $422 to $440 million (up from previous guidance of $412 to $432 million) which assumes:
    • Strong double-digit sales growth for Zig-Zag Products (up from previous guidance of double-digit sales growth)
    • High-single-digit sales growth for Stoker's Products (unchanged)
    • Mid-to-low-single digit declines for NewGen Products (up from previous guidance of mid-single-digit sales declines), which includes single-digit declines for vape distribution (up from previous guidance of double-digit declines) offset by growth in Nu-X
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $103 to $108 million (up from previous guidance of $99 to $105 million)
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Other projections for 2021 include:

  • Stock compensation and non-cash incentive expense of $7 million
  • Cash interest expense of $19 million and GAAP interest expense of $22 million which no longer includes debt discount amortization related to the 2024 convertible notes and reflects the recently priced senior secured notes
  • Effective income tax rate of 23% to 24%
  • Capital expenditures of $5 to $6 million

For the second quarter of 2021, TPB projects:

  • Net Sales of $103 to $109 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, April 27, 2021. Investment community participants should dial in 10 minutes ahead of time using the toll-free number 833-350-1456 (International participants should call 647-689-6664) and follow the audio prompts after typing in the Event ID: 4087133. 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 two 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.

Turning Point Brands TPB is a manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded consumer products including alternative smoking accessories and consumables with active ingredients through its iconic core brands Zig-Zag® and Stoker's®, and its emerging brands within the NewGen segment. TPB's products are available in more than 210,000 retail outlets in North America in addition to sites such as www.zigzag.com, www.nu-x.com and www.solacevapor.com. For the latest news and information about TPB and its brands, please visit 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, these statements are not guarantees of future performance and 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, its reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and other public statements made from time-to-time speak only as of the date made. New risks and uncertainties come up from time to time, and it is impossible for TPB to predict or identify all such 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 those included it the company's Annual reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed by the Company with the SEC. These statements constitute the Company's cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Financial Statements Follow:

Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Income
(dollars in thousands except share data)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,

2021

2020

 
Net sales

$ 107,641

$ 90,689

Cost of sales

54,380

49,258

Gross profit

53,261

41,431

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

28,912

32,394

Operating income

24,349

9,037

Interest expense, net

4,486

3,309

Investment income

(25)

(91)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

5,706

-

Net periodic income, excluding service cost

-

(87)

Income before income taxes

14,182

5,906

Income tax expense

2,654

1,407

Consolidated net income

11,528

4,499

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

(255)

-

Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.

$ 11,783

$ 4,499

 
Basic income per common share:
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.

$ 0.62

$ 0.23

Diluted income per common share:
Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.

$ 0.57

$ 0.22

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic

19,093,961

19,689,446

Diluted

22,665,067

20,106,800

 
Supplemental disclosures of statement of income information:
Excise tax expense

$ 8,789

$ 5,041

FDA fees

$ 170

$ 129

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

2021

2020

Current assets:
Cash

$ 167,361

$ 41,765

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $148 in 2021 and $150 in 2020

6,606

9,331

Inventories

98,351

85,856

Other current assets

24,866

26,451

Total current assets

297,184

163,403

Property, plant, and equipment, net

15,648

15,524

Deferred income taxes

-

610

Right of use assets

17,406

17,918

Deferred financing costs, net

464

641

Goodwill

159,808

159,621

Other intangible assets, net

78,945

79,422

Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) escrow deposits

31,477

32,074

Other assets

26,373

26,836

Total assets

$ 627,305

$ 496,049

 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable

$ 24,166

$ 9,201

Accrued liabilities

31,845

35,225

Current portion of long-term debt

5,000

12,000

Other current liabilities

205

203

Total current liabilities

61,216

56,629

Notes payable and long-term debt

424,802

302,112

Deferred income taxes

735

-

Lease liabilities

15,570

16,117

Other long-term liabilities

-

3,704

Total liabilities

502,323

378,562

 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; authorized shares 40,000,000; issued and outstanding shares -0-

-

-

Common stock, voting, $0.01 par value; authorized shares, 190,000,000; 19,576,821 issued shares
and 19,059,120 outstanding shares at March 31, 2021, and 19,532,464 issued shares and
19,133,794 outstanding shares at December 31, 2020

196

195

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

-

-

Additional paid-in capital

102,879

102,423

Cost of repurchased common stock
(517,701 shares at March 31, 2021 and 398,670 shares at December 31, 2020)

(15,924)

(10,191)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(480)

(2,635)

Accumulated earnings

34,357

23,645

Non-controlling interest

3,954

4,050

Total stockholders' equity

124,982

117,487

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 627,305

$ 496,049

 
 
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March,

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Cash flows from operating activities:
Consolidated net income

$

11,528

 

$

4,499

 

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

 

5,706

 

 

-

 

Gain on sale of property, plant, and equipment

 

(2

)

 

-

 

Depreciation expense

 

788

 

 

851

 

Amortization of other intangible assets

 

477

 

 

425

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

604

 

 

552

 

Deferred income taxes

 

552

 

 

1,006

 

Stock compensation expense

 

1,498

 

 

455

 

Noncash lease expense

 

6

 

 

13

 

Gain on investments

 

(13

)

 

-

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable

 

2,735

 

 

2,596

 

Inventories

 

(12,461

)

 

1,784

 

Other current assets

 

1,283

 

 

(2,420

)

Other assets

 

464

 

 

(130

)

Accounts payable

 

14,882

 

 

3,210

 

Accrued postretirement liabilities

 

-

 

 

(27

)

Accrued liabilities and other

 

(3,806

)

 

1,913

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

24,241

 

$

14,727

 

 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures

$

(842

)

$

(877

)

Restricted cash, MSA escrow deposits

 

(14,920

)

 

-

 

Proceeds on the sale of property, plant and equipment

 

2

 

 

-

 

Net cash used in investing activities

$

(15,760

)

$

(877

)

 
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Senior Secured Notes

$

250,000

 

$

-

 

Payments of 2018 first lien term loan

$

(130,000

)

$

(2,000

)

Settlement of interest rate swaps

 

(3,573

)

 

-

 

Payment of IVG note

 

-

 

 

(4,240

)

Payment of dividends

 

(958

)

 

(886

)

Payments of financing costs

 

(6,614

)

 

(168

)

Exercise of options

 

425

 

 

227

 

Redemption of options

 

(1,466

)

 

-

 

Common stock repurchased

 

(5,733

)

 

(2,627

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

$

102,081

 

$

(9,694

)

 
Net increase in cash

$

110,562

 

$

4,156

 

Effect of foreign currency translation on cash

$

101

 

$

-

 

 
Cash, beginning of period:
Unrestricted

 

41,765

 

 

95,250

 

Restricted

 

35,074

 

 

32,074

 

Total cash at beginning of period

 

76,839

 

 

127,324

 

 
Cash, end of period:
Unrestricted

 

167,361

 

 

99,406

 

Restricted

 

20,141

 

 

32,074

 

Total cash at end of period

$

187,502

 

$

131,480

 

 

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)
(unaudited)
Three Months Ended

March 31,

2021

2020

Net income attributable to Turning Point Brands, Inc.

$ 11,783

$ 4,499

Add:
Interest expense, net

4,486

3,309

Loss on extinguishment of debt

5,706

-

Income tax expense

2,654

1,407

Depreciation expense

788

851

Amortization expense

477

425

EBITDA

$ 25,894

$ 10,491

Components of Adjusted EBITDA
Other (a)

-

(87)

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

1,498

455

Transactional expenses (c)

607

1,049

FDA PMTA (d)

-

5,874

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 27,999

$ 17,782

 
 
(a) Represents non-cash pension expense (income) and foreign exchange hedging.
(b) Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock, incentives expense and Solace performance stock units.
(c) Represents the fees incurred for transaction expenses.
(d) Represents costs associated with applications related to FDA premarket tobacco product application ("PMTA").
Schedule B
 
Turning Point Brands
Reconciliation of GAAP diluted EPS to Adjusted diluted EPS
(dollars in thousands except share data)
(unaudited) Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

GAAP EPS

$

0.57

 

$

0.22

 

Other (a)

 

-

 

 

(0.00

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt (b)

 

0.20

 

 

-

 

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

 

0.05

 

 

0.02

 

Transactional expenses (d)

 

0.02

 

 

0.04

 

FDA PMTA (e)

 

-

 

 

0.22

 

Tax (expense) benefit (f)

 

(0.05

)

 

0.01

 

Adjusted diluted EPS

$

0.80

 

$

0.51

 

 
 
Totals may not foot due to rounding
 
(a) Represents non-cash pension expense (income) and foreign exchange hedging reporting tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(b) Represents Loss on Extinguishment of Debt tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(c) Represents non-cash stock options, restricted stock, incentives expense and Solace PRSUs tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(d) Represents the fees incurred for transaction expenses tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(e) Represents costs associated with applications related to the FDA PMTA tax effected at the quarterly tax rate.
(f) Represents adjustment from quarterly tax rate to annual projected tax rate of 23% in 2021 and 2020.
Schedule C
 
Turning Point Brands, Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
Consolidated Zig-Zag Products Stoker's Products NewGen Products
1st Quarter 1st Quarter 1st Quarter 1st Quarter 1st Quarter 1st Quarter 1st Quarter 1st Quarter

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

2021

2020

 
Net sales

$ 107,641

$ 90,689

$ 41,004

$ 28,914

$ 29,255

$ 26,495

$ 37,382

$ 35,280

 
Gross profit

$ 53,261

$ 41,431

$ 24,896

$ 16,132

$ 15,892

$ 13,874

$ 12,473

$ 11,425

 
Operating income

$ 24,349

$ 9,037

$ 19,437

$ 12,417

$ 12,255

$ 9,746

$ 2,006

$ 477

Adjustments:
Transactional expenses

607

1,049

-

-

-

-

-

-

FDA PMTA

-

5,874

-

-

-

-

-

-

Adjusted operating income

$ 24,956

$ 15,960

$ 19,437

$ 12,417

$ 12,255

$ 9,746

$ 2,006

$ 477

 

 

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