OREANDA-NEWS. Q.E.P. CO., INC. (OTC:QEPC.PK) (the “Company”) today reported its consolidated results of operations for the first six months and second quarter of its fiscal year ending February 28, 2017.

The Company reported net sales of $160.2 million for the six months ended August 31, 2016, an increase of $0.2 million or 0.1% from the $160.0 million reported in the same period of fiscal 2016.  As a percentage of net sales, gross margin was 28.2% in the first six months of fiscal 2017 compared to 27.1% in the first six months of fiscal 2016.

Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 were $80.1 million and reflected a gross margin of 28.1% compared to net sales of $81.7 million and a gross margin of 27.1% for the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

Lewis Gould, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, commented, "In spite of the numerous headwinds and pressure on our worldwide companies, I am pleased to report additional profit and a decrease in our debt balance this year to date."

Net sales for both the six and three month periods ended August 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year reflects mixed growth across product categories, net of the impact of changes in inventory purchasing patterns of certain retail customers and the negative effects of foreign currency rate changes, particularly in the UK during the second quarter. 

The Company’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales for both year-to-date and the second quarter increased compared to the prior fiscal year periods. The Company benefited from changes in the product mix and management of costs, which were offset by the negative impact of changes in foreign currency rates.

Operating expenses for the first six months and second quarter of fiscal 2017 were $37.5 million and $18.7 million, respectively, or 23.4% and 23.3% of net sales in those periods, compared to $37.4 million and $18.4 million, respectively, or 23.4% and 22.5% of net sales in the comparable fiscal 2016 periods. The relatively unchanged Operating expense trend was driven by targeted increases in US marketing programs, offset by decreased shipping costs related to customer and product mix and the favorable translation impact of foreign currency movements.

Non-operating income for the first six months and the second quarter of fiscal 2017 represents a gain on the sale of certain non-core assets of the Company.

The decrease in interest expense during fiscal 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016 is principally the result of the repayment of $5.6 million outstanding under a term loan facility in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes for the first six months and second quarter of fiscal 2017 was 37.5% in each period, compared to 35.0% in each period for the comparable periods of fiscal 2016. 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 six months and second quarter of fiscal 2017 was $4.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively, or $1.41 and $0.73, respectively, per diluted share. For the comparable periods of fiscal 2016, net income was $3.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively, or $1.08 and $0.69, respectively, per diluted share.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and non-operating income for the first six months and second quarter of fiscal 2017 was $9.6 million and $4.8 million, respectively, as compared to $8.2 million and $4.8 million, respectively, for the comparable periods of fiscal 2016.

                           
      For the Three Months   For the Six Months        
      Ended August 31,    Ended August 31,         
        2016       2015       2016       2015          
  Net income $   2,343     $   2,220     $   4,528     $   3,488          
  Add: Interest expense, net     291         287         572         607          
    Provision for income taxes     1,407         1,195         2,718         1,878          
    Depreciation and amortization     977         1,115         1,993         2,185          
    Gain on sale of business     (184 )       -          (184 )       -          .
  EBITDA before non-operating income $   4,834     $   4,817     $   9,627     $   8,158          
                           

Cash provided by operations during the first six months of fiscal 2017 was $3.0 million as compared to $3.5 million in the first six months of fiscal 2016, reflecting both the increase in operating income and additional net investments in working capital. In both the current and prior year six month fiscal periods, the Company’s capital expenditures, investments and treasury stock purchases were funded through cash from operations as additional funds from operations were used, along with cash balances, to reduce debt.

Working capital at the end of the Company’s fiscal 2017 second quarter was $43.5 million compared to $38.7 million at the end of the 2016 fiscal year.  Aggregate debt, net of available cash balances, at the end of the Company’s fiscal 2017 second quarter was $18.0 million or 24.7% of equity, a decrease of $2.1 million compared to $20.1 million or 29.4% of equity at the end of the 2016 fiscal year.

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, October 11, 2016. If you would like to join the conference call, dial 1-888-455-2311 toll free from the US or 1-719-325-2364 internationally approximately 10 minutes prior to the start time and ask for the Q.E.P. Co., Inc. Second-Quarter Conference Call / Conference ID 9856218. A replay of the conference call will be available until midnight October 18, 2016 by calling 1-844-512-2921 toll free from the US and entering pin number 9856218; 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® and Elastiment®, 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, 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.

-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 August 31, 		    For the Six Months 
Ended August 31, 		  
      2016       2015       2016       2015    
                   
  Net sales $   80,080     $   81,706     $   160,258     $   159,973    
  Cost of goods sold     57,548         59,594         115,117         116,619    
  Gross profit     22,532         22,112         45,141         43,354    
                   
  Operating expenses:                
    Shipping     7,025         7,106         13,682         14,416    
    General and administrative     6,504         6,329         12,904         12,585    
    Selling and marketing     5,291         5,087         11,212         10,578    
    Other income, net     (145 )       (112 )       (291 )       (198 )  
    Total operating expenses     18,675         18,410         37,507         37,381    
                   
  Operating income     3,857         3,702         7,634         5,973    
                   
  Non-operating expense     184         -          184         -     
  Interest expense, net     (291 )       (287 )       (572 )       (607 )  
                   
  Income before provision for income taxes     3,750         3,415         7,246         5,366    
                   
  Provision for income taxes     1,407         1,195         2,718         1,878    
                   
  Net income  $   2,343     $   2,220     $   4,528     $   3,488    
                   
  Net income per share:                
    Basic $   0.73     $   0.69     $   1.41     $   1.09    
    Diluted $   0.73     $   0.69     $   1.41     $   1.08    
                   
  Weighted average number of common                
    shares outstanding:                
    Basic     3,202         3,206         3,199         3,209    
    Diluted     3,215         3,228         3,217         3,231    
                   

 

                   
  Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
  (In thousands)  
  (Unaudited)  
                   
    For the Three Months 
Ended August 31,		   For the Six Months 
Ended August 31,		  
      2016       2015       2016       2015    
                   
  Net income $   2,343     $   2,220     $   4,528     $   3,488    
                   
  Unrealized currency translation adjustments     (361 )       (363 )       143         (481 )  
                   
  Comprehensive income $   1,982     $   1,857     $   4,671     $   3,007    
                   

 

                       
  Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES              
  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS              
  (In thousands except per share values)              
                       
    August 31, 
2016
(Unaudited)		   February 29,
2016		              
                       
  ASSETS                    
  Cash $   13,647     $   15,923                
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $406                    
    and $377 as of August 31, 2016 and February 29, 2016, respectively     40,990         39,491                
  Inventories     43,125         42,797                
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets     3,013         2,234                
  Current assets     100,775         100,445                
                       
  Property and equipment, net     18,669         19,538                
  Deferred income taxes, net     5,276         5,288                
  Intangibles, net     15,491         15,717                
  Other assets     371         550                
                       
  Total Assets $   140,582     $   141,538                
                       
  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                    
                       
  Trade accounts payable  $   18,616     $   18,432                
  Accrued liabilities     16,611         17,854                
  Income taxes payable     271         383                
  Lines of credit     19,737         23,093                
  Current maturities of notes payable     1,992         2,032                
  Current liabilities     57,227         61,794                
                       
  Notes payable     9,945         10,899                
  Other long term liabilities     589         589                
  Total Liabilities     67,761         73,282                
                       
  Preferred stock, 2,500 shares authorized, $1.00 par value; 337 shares                    
    issued and outstanding at August 31, 2016 and February 29, 2016     337         337                
  Common stock, 20,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value; 3,821 and                    
    3,802 shares issued, and 3,208 and 3,198 shares outstanding at                    
    August 31, 2016 and February 29, 2016, respectively     4         4                
  Additional paid-in capital     10,766         10,737                 - 
  Retained earnings     72,477         67,952                
  Treasury stock, 612 and 604 shares held at cost at August 31, 2016                    
    and February 29, 2016, respectively     (7,016 )       (6,884 )              
  Accumulated other comprehensive income     (3,747 )       (3,890 )              
  Shareholders' Equity     72,821         68,256                
                       
  Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $   140,582     $   141,538                
                       

 

           
  Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES  
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  
  (In thousands)  
  (Unaudited)  
           
     For the Six Months
Ended August 31, 		  
      2016       2015    
           
  Operating activities:        
  Net income $   4,528     $   3,488    
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash        
    provided by operating activities:        
    Depreciation and amortization     1,993         2,185    
    (Gain)/Loss on sale of business     (184 )       -     
    Other non-cash adjustments     4         117    
  Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:        
    Accounts receivable     (1,182 )       (5,093 )  
    Inventories     (94 )       (1,763 )  
    Prepaid expenses and other assets     (514 )       591    
    Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities     (1,506 )       3,934    
  Net cash provided by operating activities     3,045         3,459    
           
  Investing activities:        
    Proceeds from sale of property     48         344    
    Capital expenditures     (802 )       (592 )  
    Acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (1,702 )       -     
    Proceeds from sale of business     850         -     
    Net cash used in investing activities     (1,606 )       (248 )  
           
  Financing activities:        
    Net (repayments) under lines of credit     (2,515 )       (667 )  
    Net (repayments) of notes payable     (994 )       (6,568 )  
    Purchase of treasury stock     (60 )       (60 )  
    Dividends     (4 )       (4 )  
    Net cash (used in) financing activities     (3,573 )       (7,299 )  
           
  Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     (142 )       (4 )  
           
  Net (decrease) increase in cash     (2,276 )       (4,092 )  
    Cash at beginning of period     15,923         10,576    
  Cash at end of period $   13,647     $   6,484