WD-40 Company Reports Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results

SAN DIEGO, April 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WD-40 Company (NASDAQ: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 second fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2017.

Financial Highlights and Summary

• Total net sales for the second quarter were $96.5 million, an increase of 2 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date total net sales were $185.8 million, a decrease of 1 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 $102.9 million for the second quarter and $198.1 million year-to-date.
• Net income for the second quarter was $12.4 million, a decrease of 10 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date net income was $24.1 million, a decrease of 6 percent from the prior year fiscal period.
• Diluted earnings per share were $0.87 in the second quarter, compared to $0.94 per share for the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date diluted earnings per share were $1.69 compared to $1.77 in the prior year fiscal period.
• Gross margin was 56.4 percent in the second quarter compared to 55.4 percent in the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date gross margin was 56.8 percent compared to 55.5 percent in the prior year fiscal period.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses were up 4 percent in the second quarter to $29.8 million when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date selling, general and administrative expenses were up 4 percent to $58.8 million compared to the prior year fiscal period.
• Advertising and sales promotion expenses remained relatively constant at $5.0 million in the second quarter compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date advertising and sales promotion expenses were down 8 percent to $9.9 million compared to the prior year fiscal period.

"Fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates continue to obscure the true strength of our business and they negatively impacted both our top-line and bottom line results in the second quarter," said Garry Ridge, WD-40 Company's president and chief executive officer.  "Even with the impacts of foreign currency headwinds included, we had 4 percent growth in sales of our maintenance products, which continue to be our core strategic focus, and a 5 percent increase in operating income.  Our net income was negatively impacted as a result of fluctuations in some non-operating currency related items period over period, as well as an adjustment that we recorded to our income tax expense in the second quarter of this year.  As we look to the remainder of fiscal year 2017, we've updated our fiscal year guidance and we remain confident in our strategy and are staying the course."

Net Sales by Segment (in thousands):

• Net sales by segment as a percent of total net sales for the second quarter were as follows: for the Americas, 47 percent; for EMEA, 37 percent; and for Asia-Pacific, 16 percent.
• Net sales in the Americas were down 1 percent in the second quarter primarily due to a 10 percent decrease in homecare and cleaning product sales. Sales of maintenance products increased slightly during the period primarily due to a 25 percent increase in sales of maintenance products in Canada driven by successful promotional programs and improving market and economic conditions, particularly in Western Canada.
• Net sales in EMEA increased 2 percent in the second quarter primarily due to a 10 percent increase in sales in the EMEA distributor markets compared to the prior year fiscal period primarily due to increased sales in Russia driven by improving market conditions in the region. On a constant currency basis EMEA sales for the second quarter would have increased by $7.0 million or 20 percent compared to the prior fiscal year period.
• Net sales in Asia-Pacific increased 14 percent in the second quarter primarily due to a 21 percent increase in sales in the Asia-Pacific distributor markets and a 17 percent increase in sales in China. The sales growth in the distributor markets was primarily attributable to the timing of customer orders for WD-40 Multi-Use Product and the growth in China was due to new distribution and increased promotional activities. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates did not have a material impact on sales in the Asia-Pacific segment.

Net Sales by Product Group (in thousands):

• Net sales of maintenance products, which are considered the primary growth focus for the Company, increased 4 percent in the second fiscal quarter when compared to the prior fiscal year period. This growth was driven primarily by increased sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product within all three of the Company's segments, but primarily in its Asia-Pacific segment. This sales growth was also attributable to increased sales of WD-40 Specialist throughout most of the Company's EMEA segment.
• Net sales of homecare and cleaning products decreased 12 percent in the second quarter when compared to the prior fiscal year period. The homecare and cleaning products, particularly those in the U.S., 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, March 21, 2017 a quarterly dividend of $0.49 per share payable April 28, 2017 to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 14, 2017.

On June 21, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share buy-back plan. Under the plan, which became effective on September 1, 2016, the Company is authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares through August 31, 2018. 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, 2016 through February 28, 2017, the Company has repurchased 174,337 shares at a total cost of $18.7 million under this $75.0 million plan.

Updated Fiscal Year 2017 Guidance
The Company updated its guidance for fiscal year 2017 as follows:

• Net sales growth is projected to be between 2 and 4 percent with net sales expected to be between $390 million and $395 million.
• Gross margin percentage for the full year is expected to be above 56 percent. 
• Advertising and promotion investments are projected to be below 6.0 percent of net sales. 
• Net income is projected to be between $51.3 million and $52.3 million.
• Diluted earnings per share is expected to be between $3.64 and $3.71 based on an estimated 14.1 million weighted average shares outstanding.

This guidance does not include any future acquisitions or divestitures and assumes that foreign currency exchange rates and crude oil prices will remain close to current levels for the remainder of fiscal year 2017.

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 $381 million in fiscal year 2016 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; 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," "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, 2016, and in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended February 28, 2017 which the Company expects to file with the SEC on April 6, 2017.

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 April 6, 2017, 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