Q.E.P. Co., Inc. Reports Fiscal 2018 First Quarter Sales and Earnings - Q.E.P. (OTC:QEPC)

FIRST QUARTER SALES – $82.0 MILLION
FIRST QUARTER NET INCOME – $2.3 MILLION
FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS PER SHARE (DILUTED) - $0.71

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 06, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Q.E.P. CO., INC. QEPC (the "Company") today reported its consolidated results of operations for the first quarter of its fiscal year ending February 28, 2018.

The Company reported net sales of $82.0 million for the quarter ended May 31, 2017, an increase of $1.8 million or 2.3% from the $80.2 million reported in the same period of fiscal 2017. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 28.6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to 28.2% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

Lewis Gould, Chairman of the Board of Directors, commented on Q.E.P.'s three month results, "I am very pleased with the progress Q.E.P. is making. We successfully absorbed the acquisition of the Halex tack strip business and started the rollout of our new products in Europe. Despite the fact that we still have headwinds in top line comparisons with foreign currency and our discontinued carpet installation business in Australia we continue to make solid progress. I am also pleased with the increase in our book value, continuing progress of consolidation and customer acquisitions and the strengthening of our balance sheet and increase in EBITDA."

Net sales growth for the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year reflect net growth across a range of product categories and the impact of acquired businesses during the quarter, net of the impact of the negative effects of foreign currency rate changes in our European operations as well as the exit of carpet-related product lines in Australia.

The Company's gross margin as a percentage of net sales for first quarter of fiscal year 2018 increased compared to the prior fiscal year period. The Company benefited from changes in the product mix, which were partially offset by the negative impact of changes in foreign currency rates compared to first quarter in the prior year in our European operations.

Operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 were $19.5 million and $18.8 million, respectively, or 23.8% and 23.5% of net sales in those periods. The increase in operating expenses was due to higher shipping expenses as a result of our increase in net sales, as well as sales mix changes and increased personnel costs, partially offset by decreases in North America marketing programs and the impact of foreign currency movements.

The decrease in interest expense during fiscal 2018 as compared to fiscal 2017 is due to repayment of outstanding debt.

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes was 37.5% for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017. The effective tax rate in both fiscal years reflects the relative contribution of the Company's earnings sourced from its international operations.

Net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2017 was $2.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively, or $0.71 and $0.68, respectively, per diluted share.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2018, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was $4.9 million, compared to $4.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017.


		For the Three Months
		Ended May 31,
			2017		2016
Net income		$	2,292	$	2,185
Add:	Interest expense, net		241		281
	Provision for income taxes		1,377		1,311
	Depreciation and amortization		959		1,016
EBITDA		$	4,869	$	4,793

Cash provided by operations during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was $1.2 million as compared to $0.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, reflecting an increase in operating income and a reduction of net investments in working capital. During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company acquired businesses for approximately $3.8 million and also made capital expenditures of approximately $1.5 million related to one of those acquisitions. In the current quarter, these investments as well as additional capital expenditures and treasury stock purchases were funded through cash on-hand and cash from operations. Borrowings under our credit lines were used to fund seasonal inventory growth, mainly in Europe. In the prior year our capital expenditures, investments and treasury stock purchases were funded from cash from operations with any additional funds used to reduce debt.

Working capital at the end of the Company's fiscal 2018 first quarter was $45.7 million compared to $45.0 million at the end of the 2017 fiscal year. During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, certain of the Company's property and equipment were reclassified into working capital because they are not being actively utilized in the business and they are now classified as held for sale. Aggregate debt, net of available cash balances at the end of the Company's fiscal 2018 first quarter was $15.4 million or 20.0% of equity, an increase of $5.0 million compared to $10.4 million or 13.9% of equity at the end of the 2017 fiscal year, reflecting our use of cash to make strategic investments in the business.

The Company will be hosting a conference call to discuss these results and to answer your questions at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, July 11, 2017. If you would like to join the conference call, dial 1-877-675-4757 toll free from the US or 1-719-325-4833 internationally approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time and ask for the Q.E.P. Co., Inc. First Quarter Conference Call / Conference ID 8907627. A replay of the conference call will be available until midnight July 18, 2017 by calling 1-844-512-2921 toll free from the US and entering pin number 8907627; internationally, please call 1-412-317-6671 using the same pin number.

Q.E.P. Co., Inc., founded in 1979, is a world class, worldwide provider of innovative, quality and value-driven flooring and industrial solutions. As a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor, QEP delivers a comprehensive line of hardwood and laminate flooring, flooring installation tools, adhesives and flooring related products targeted for the professional installer as well as the do-it-yourselfer. In addition, the Company provides industrial tools with cutting edge technology to the industrial trades. Under brand names including QEP®, ROBERTS®, Capitol®, Harris®Wood, Fausfloor®, Vitrex®, Homelux®, TileRite®, PRCI®, Nupla®, HISCO®, Plasplugs®, Ludell®, Porta-Nails®, Tomecanic®, Bénètiere®, Elastiment®, X-TREME Board™ and AppleCreek™, the Company sells its products to home improvement retail centers, specialty distribution outlets, municipalities and industrial solution providers in 50 states and throughout the world.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding economic conditions, sales growth, profit improvements, product development and marketing, operating expenses, cost savings, acquisition integration, cash flow, debt and currency exchange rates. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results could differ materially from our current expectations. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current presentation.

-Financial Information Follows-


Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)


	For the Three Months Ended
	Ended May 31,
		2017			2016

Net sales	$	81,984		$	80,178
Cost of goods sold		58,555			57,569
Gross profit		23,429			22,609

Operating expenses:
Shipping		7,129			6,657
General and administrative		6,793			6,418
Selling and marketing		5,759			5,921
Other income, net		(162	)		(164	)
Total operating expenses		19,519			18,832

Operating income		3,910			3,777

Interest expense, net		(241	)		(281	)

Income before provision for income taxes		3,669			3,496

Provision for income taxes		1,377			1,311

Net income	$	2,292		$	2,185

Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.72		$	0.68
Diluted	$	0.71		$	0.68

Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding:
Basic		3,197			3,195
Diluted		3,208			3,219


Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

	For the Three Months Ended
	Ended May 31,
		2017		2016

Net income	$	2,292	$	2,185

Unrealized currency translation adjustments		9		504

Comprehensive income	$	2,301	$	2,689


Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands except per share values)

	May 31, 2017 (Unaudited)			February 28, 2017 (Audited)

ASSETS
Cash	$	15,440		$	19,152
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $299
and $274 as of May 31, 2017 and February 28, 2017, respectively		41,383			38,493
Inventories		44,735			40,826
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		3,617			2,858
Assets held for sale		1,510			-
Current assets		106,685			101,329

Property and equipment, net		19,451			19,072
Deferred income taxes		5,711			5,726
Intangibles, net		11,142			10,997
Goodwill		3,426			2,745
Other assets		376			372

Total Assets	$	146,791		$	140,241

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Trade accounts payable	$	20,477		$	18,106
Accrued liabilities		16,862			17,819
Income taxes payable (prepaid)		640			(845	)
Lines of credit		20,479			18,683
Current maturities of notes payable		2,547			2,573
Current liabilities		61,005			56,336

Notes payable		7,851			8,284
Deferred income taxes		294			294
Other long term liabilities		553			555
Total Liabilities		69,703			65,469

Preferred stock, 2,500 shares authorized, $1.00 par value; 18 shares
issued and outstanding at May 31, 2017 and February 28, 2017		18			18
Common stock, 20,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value;
3,821 shares issued, and 3,189 shares outstanding at
May 31, 2017 and February 28, 2017		4			4
Additional paid-in capital		10,811			10,796
Retained earnings		77,600			75,308
Treasury stock, 632 shares held at cost at May 31, 2017
and February 28, 2017		(7,406	)		(7,406	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(3,939	)		(3,948	)
Shareholders' Equity		77,088			74,772

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$	146,791		$	140,241


Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

	For the Three Months
	Ended May 31,
		2017			2016

Operating activities:
Net income	$	2,292		$	2,185
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		959			1,016
Other non-cash adjustments		(6	)		35
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		(2,509	)		(907	)
Inventories		(1,177	)		(836	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(726	)		(438	)
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities		2,398			(140	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		1,231			915

Investing activities:
Acquisitions		(3,836	)		-
Capital expenditures		(2,156	)		(243	)
Proceeds from insurance settlements		252			-
Proceeds from sale of property		39			-
Net cash used in investing activities		(5,701	)		(243	)

Financing activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) under lines of credit		1,243			(463	)
Net repayments of notes payable		(464	)		(470	)
Purchase of treasury stock		(30	)		(30	)
Dividends		-			(4	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		749			(967	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		9			149

Net decrease in cash		(3,712	)		(146	)
Cash at beginning of period		19,152			15,923
Cash at end of period	$	15,440		$	15,777

CONTACT: 	
Q.E.P. Co., Inc.						
Mark S. Walter
Senior Vice President Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
561-994-5550

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