Energizer Holdings, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2016 Third Quarter Results

OREANDA-NEWS. Energizer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ENR) today announced results for the third fiscal quarter, which ended June 30, 2016.  For the third fiscal quarter, net earnings were $24.2 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $19.6 million, or a loss of $0.32 per diluted share, in the prior year third quarter. Adjusted net earnings in the third quarter were $20.1 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, compared to adjusted net earnings of $40.1 million, or $0.64 per diluted share, in the prior year third quarter.

"Fiscal 2016 is shaping up to be a strong year as we build on the momentum from the first half of the year," said Alan Hoskins, Chief Executive Officer. "The battery category remains stable, and the underlying fundamentals of our business remain solid as we continue to achieve organic net sales growth in the current quarter.  In addition, we closed our acquisition of HandStands on July 1. As a result, we are increasing our full year Fiscal 2016 outlook to $2.20 to $2.30 to reflect approximately $0.04 to $0.05 of accretion from the acquisition.  With the strength of our existing business along with the HandStands acquisition, we are building a foundation to drive long-term shareholder value and deliver top-tier free cash flow performance."

Third Quarter Financial Highlights (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of key third fiscal quarter results.  All comparisons are with the third quarter of fiscal 2015 unless otherwise stated. 

Net sales were $361.0 million, a decrease of 3.6%: (a)

• Organic net sales increased 1.2% due primarily to the net impact of distribution and space gains in North America and distribution gains and pricing actions in Latin America.  These items were partially offset by the anticipated reduction in retail inventory levels and continued heightened competitive activity in certain Asia Pacific Developed markets.
• The following items were offsetting amounts to the organic net sales increase:
  • Unfavorable currency impacts were $12.6 million, or 3.4%; and
  • International go-to-market changes, including the exit from certain markets and shift to distributors,  resulted in a decline of $5.2 million, or 1.4%.
• Gross Margin percentage was 42.6%, down 300 basis points driven in part by an unfavorable movement in currencies.  Excluding the impact from currency movements, gross margin percentage declined 150 basis points driven by increased costs in the quarter as a result of costs related to a planned productivity initiative ($5.0 million or 130 basis points) and increased costs in support of innovation launched across our portfolios partially offset by favorable commodity costs and other productivity savings. (a)
• A&P spending was 6.3% of net sales, a decrease of 310 basis points, or $12.3 million, due to higher prior year spending related to the EcoAdvanced product launch and the timing of current year advertising and promotional activities.
• SG&A spending, excluding acquisition and spin costs, was approximately $81 million on an absolute dollar basis, consistent with prior quarter levels.  SG&A, excluding acquisition and spin costs, was 22.4% of net sales compared to 18.6% in the prior year.  The higher percentage comparison versus the prior year quarter reflects the impact of a low prior year comparative (based on carve out financial data) and incremental investment spending and higher compensation related costs in the current year. (a)
• Spin-off and spin restructuring related charges were $2.8 million in the third fiscal quarter. (a)
• Pre-tax income was negatively impacted by the movement in foreign currencies by approximately $11 million in the third fiscal quarter and $45 million through the first nine months of the fiscal year.
• Income tax rate on a year to date basis was 23.8% due to the favorable impacts of certain return to provision adjustments related to prior year provision estimates and certain spin related adjustments of approximately $9 million.  These favorable adjustments are included in the current quarter's results and were the primary driver of the $0.5 million tax benefit.  Excluding the impact of all of our Non-GAAP adjustments, the effective tax rate on a year to date basis was 30.6%. (a)
• Adjusted EBITDA was $56.2 million. (a)
• Net cash from operating activities on a year to date basis was $141.9 million and Free Cash Flow on a year to date basis was $125.6 million, or 10.5% of net sales. (a)
• Dividend payments in the quarter were approximately $15.5 million, or $0.25 per share, and $46.4 million on a year to date basis, or $0.75 per share.
• Repurchased 600,000 shares of common stock on a year to date basis for $21.8 million.  There were no shares repurchased during the current quarter.

(a) See Press Release attachments for additional information as well as the GAAP to Non-GAAP reconciliations.

Results for the third quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2015 are based on carve out financial data.  Net sales, Gross profit, Advertising & promotion (A&P) and Research & development (R&D) spending are directly attributable to our business.  However, certain Selling, general, and administrative expense (SG&A), Interest expense, Other financing items and Spin-off and Restructuring related charges were allocated from our former parent company, Edgewell, and not necessarily representative of Energizer's stand-alone results or expected future results as an independent company.

Results for the HandStands business are not included in the current quarter results as the acquisition occurred subsequent to the quarter end on July 1, 2016.

Total net sales decreased 3.6%, or $13.3 million, driven by the unfavorable movement in foreign currencies of 3.4% and the unfavorable impact of international go-to-market changes of 1.4%, including the exits and shifts to distributors in certain markets. 

Organic net sales increased 1.2% in the quarter due primarily to the net impact of distribution and space gains in North America and distribution gains and pricing actions in Latin America.  These items were partially offset by the anticipated reduction in retail inventory levels and continued heightened competitive activity in certain Asia Developed markets

Total Segment Profit in the third fiscal quarter declined 9.6%, or $7.9 million.  Excluding the unfavorable movement in foreign currencies of $8.7 million and the unfavorable impact from go-to-market changes of $0.9 million, organic segment profit increased 2.1%, or $1.7 million, in the current fiscal quarter.  The 2.1% increase was driven by the organic net sales growth, lower A&P spending due to the prior year EcoAdvanced product launch and the timing of current year advertising and promotional activities and favorable commodity and other products costs.  These increases were slightly offset by higher costs in the quarter as a result of a planned productivity initiative ($5.0 million or 130 basis points) and increased costs in support of innovation across our portfolios, as well as higher SG&A driven by a low prior year comparative (based on carve out financial data) and incremental investment spending and higher compensation related costs incurred in the current year.

Financial Outlook for Fiscal Year 2016
The company expects Adjusted EPS for the full fiscal year to be in the range of $2.20 to $2.30, which includes a contribution from the recently acquired HandStands.  We expect HandStands to contribute Adjusted EPS in the range of $0.04 to $0.05 during the fourth quarter.  The Company is also providing the following assumptions related to the full year financial outlook for fiscal year 2016 associated with the existing base Energizer business unless noted otherwise:

Base Energizer business (exclusive of HandStands acquisition impact):

• Net Sales are expected to be down low single digits, consistent with the prior outlook:
  • Organic net sales are expected to be up low-single digits, consistent with the prior outlook;
  • The negative impact of foreign currency movement is expected to reduce net sales by $60 to $70 million, consistent with the prior outlook;
  • International go-to-market changes are expected to reduce net sales in the low single digits, consistent with the prior outlook; and
  • Change in Venezuela results, due to the previously announced deconsolidation, will reduce net sales by $8.5 million, or 0.5%, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Gross Margin rates are expected to decline up to 250 basis points, consistent with the prior outlook, driven in part by unfavorable currency impacts, the impact from the Venezuela deconsolidation and costs of planned productivity initiatives and increased costs in support of innovation across our portfolios.
• SG&A as a percent of net sales, excluding integration and acquisition costs, spin related costs and restructuring costs, is expected to be in the low 20's, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Pre-tax income is expected to be negatively impacted due to the movement in foreign currencies by $50 to $60 million, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Income Tax Rate, excluding our Non-GAAP adjustments, is expected to be in the range of 29 to 30 percent, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $280 million to $300 million, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Free Cash Flow is expected to exceed $150 million, consistent with the prior outlook.
• Spin and restructuring costs are now expected to be in the range of $17 to $20 million in fiscal year 2016.

HandStands acquisition outlook:

• Accretive to Adjusted EPS in the range of $0.04 to $0.05 for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2016.
• Total acquisition and integration related costs associated with the HandStands acquisition are expected to be in the range of $30 million to $35 million.  We expect to incur these costs over the next 12 to 15 months.  We expect to incur approximately $17 million to $19 million in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2016.
  • Total acquisition related costs are estimated to be in the range of $8 million to $10 million;
  • Total integration related costs are estimated to be in the range of $14 million to $16 million; and
  • Non-cash inventory step-up accounting adjustment is estimated to be in the range of $8 million to $9 million.

All comparisons above are with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 (which are on a carve out basis through the first three quarters), unless otherwise stated.  We will provide our outlook for fiscal year 2017 in conjunction with our fourth quarter earnings release.

 

Forward-Looking Statements. This document contains both historical and forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but instead reflect our expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events, including, without limitation, the future sales, gross margins, costs, earnings, cash flows, tax rates and performance of the Company. These statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "expectation," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "estimate," "plan," "target," "predict," "likely," "will," "should," "forecast," "outlook," or other similar words or phrases. These statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or projections will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this document are only made as of the date of this document and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Numerous factors could cause our actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation:

• market and economic conditions, including the impact of the United Kingdom's referendum vote and announced intention to exit the European Union at some future date;
• the ability to integrate the HandStands business successfully and to achieve the anticipated cost savings and other synergies;
• the possibility that other anticipated benefits of the HandStands acquisition will not be realized, including without limitation, anticipated revenues, expenses, margins, cash flows, earnings and other financial results, and growth and expansion of our operations;
• market trends in the categories in which we compete;
• the success of new products and the ability to continually develop and market new products;
• our ability to attract, retain and improve distribution with key customers;
• our ability to continue planned advertising and other promotional spending;
• our ability to timely execute strategic initiatives, including restructurings, and international go-to-market changes in a manner that will positively impact our financial condition and results of operations and does not disrupt our business operations;
• the impact of strategic initiatives, including restructurings, on our relationships with employees, customers and vendors;
• our ability to maintain and improve market share in the categories in which we operate despite heightened competitive pressure;
• our ability to improve operations and realize cost savings;
• the impact of foreign currency exchange rates and currency controls, as well as offsetting hedges;
• the impact of raw materials and other commodity costs;
• costs and reputational damage associated with cyber-attacks or information security breaches or other events;
• our ability to acquire and integrate businesses, and to realize the projected results of acquisitions;
• the impact of advertising and product liability claims and other litigation;
• compliance with debt covenants and maintenance of credit ratings as well as the impact of interest and principal repayment of our existing and any future debt; and
• the impact of legislative or regulatory determinations or changes by federal, state and local, and foreign authorities, including taxing authorities.

In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we consider immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. The list of factors above is illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. Additional risks and uncertainties include those detailed from time to time in our publicly filed documents, including those described under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 20, 2015.

ENERGIZER HOLDINGS, INC.
Supplemental Schedules
Introduction to the Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures
For the Quarter and Nine Months ended June 30, 2016

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP").  However, management believes that certain non-GAAP financial measures provide users with additional meaningful comparisons to the corresponding historical or future period and assist investors in performing analysis consistent with financial models developed by research analysts. Investors should consider non-GAAP measures in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, the comparable GAAP measures. Additionally, we are unable to provide a reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP measures due to uncertainty regarding future acquisition and integration costs, restructuring related charges, spin-off related charges, the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency movements and the cost of raw materials.

We provide the following non-GAAP measures and calculations, as well as the corresponding reconciliation to the closest GAAP measure in the following supplemental schedules:

Segment Profit.  This amount represents the operations of our four geographic segments including allocations for shared IT and finance functions.  General corporate and other expenses, Global marketing expenses, R&D expenses, interest expense and charges related to the spin-off, restructuring, acquisition and integration have all been excluded from segment profit.

Adjusted Earnings Before Taxes, Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Diluted EPS.  These measures exclude the impact of the costs related to the Venezuela deconsolidation, spin-off, restructurings, acquisition and integration, cost of early debt retirement and adjustments to prior year tax accruals.

Organic.  This is the non-GAAP financial measurement of the change in revenue, segment profit or other margins that excludes or otherwise adjusts for the impact of our go-to-market initiatives, the change in our Venezuela results from the deconsolidation of those operations, and the impact of currency from the changes in foreign currency exchange rates as defined below:

International Go-to-market initiatives. To compete more effectively as an independent company, we increased our use of exclusive and non-exclusive third-party distributors and wholesalers, and decreased or eliminated our business operations in certain countries, consistent with our international go-to-market strategy.  In order to capture the impact of these international go-to-market changes and exits, we have separately identified the impact of these changes, which represents the year over year change in those markets since the date of exit.  The impact from these changes was fully realized during the current quarter.

Change in Venezuela Results. As previously announced, we deconsolidated our Venezuelan subsidiaries on March 31, 2015 and began accounting for our investment in our Venezuelan operations using the cost method of accounting.  Subsequent to March 31, 2015, our financial results do not include the operating results of our Venezuelan operations.  As a result of the deconsolidation, we have taken the year over year change in Venezuela results and separately identified the impact in our change in sales and segment profit.

Impact of currency. The Company evaluates the operating performance of our Company on a currency neutral basis.  The impact of currency is the difference between the value of current year foreign operations at the current period ending USD exchange rate, compared to the value of the current year foreign operations at the prior period ending USD exchange rate.

Adjusted Comparisons.  Detail for adjusted gross margin, adjusted A&P as a percent of sales, adjusted R&D as a percent of sales and adjusted SG&A as a percent of sales are also supplemental non-GAAP measure disclosures. These measures exclude the impact of costs related to spin-off, restructuring and integration.

EBITDA and ADJUSTED EBITDA.  EBITDA is defined as earnings/loss from continuing operations before income tax expense/benefit, interest and depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA further excludes the impact of the costs related to the spin-off, restructurings, acquisition and integration costs, Venezuela deconsolidation and share-based payments.

Free Cash Flow.  Free Cash Flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities reduced by capital expenditures, net of the proceeds from asset sales.  Given our extensive international operations, a significant portion of our cash is generated outside of the U.S.  The repatriation of cash balances from certain of our subsidiaries could have adverse tax consequences or be subject to regulatory capital requirements.

Energizer Holdings, Inc.
Supplemental Schedules - Segment Information and Supplemental Sales Data
For the Quarter and Nine Months ended June 30, 2016
(In millions, except per share data - Unaudited)

Operations for Energizer are managed via four major geographic reportable segments: North America (the United States and Canada), Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"), and Asia Pacific.

Energizer's operating model includes a combination of standalone and shared business functions between the geographic segments, varying by country and region of the world. Shared functions include IT and finance shared service costs. Energizer applies a fully allocated cost basis, in which shared business functions are allocated between segments. Such allocations are estimates, and also do not represent the costs of such services if performed on a standalone basis.

Segment sales and profitability, as well as the reconciliation to earnings before tax, for the quarter and nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, are presented below.

Supplemental product information is presented below for revenues from external customers:

Energizer Holdings, Inc.
Supplemental Schedules - GAAP EPS to Adjusted EPS Reconciliation
For the Quarter and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016
(In millions, except per share data - Unaudited)

The following tables provide a reconciliation of net earnings/(loss) and net earnings/(loss) per diluted share to adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per diluted share, which are non-GAAP measures.