Lumber Liquidators Announces Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

TOANO, Va., Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL), a leading specialty retailer of hard-surface flooring in North America, today announced financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Third Quarter Results

Net sales for the third quarter of 2018 increased $13.3 million, or 5.2%, to $270.5 million from $257.2 million in the third quarter of 2017.  Net sales in comparable stores increased $5.3 million, or 2.1%, driven by the expansion of installation services, whose sale in comparable stores was up 39%, which more than offset a 1.3% decline in merchandise sales.  The comparable store growth reflected a 5.5% increase in average sale, driven by both higher attachment of installation to the sale, and increased mix of pro customers that have larger purchases, and was partially offset by a 3.4% decrease in the number of transactions.  Net sales in non-comparable stores increased $8.0 million.  The Company opened three new stores during the third quarter of 2018, bringing the total store count to 409 as of September 30, 2018.

Gross profit increased $8 million, or 8.6%, in the third quarter of 2018 to $100.7 million from $92.7 million in the comparable period in 2017.  Gross margin increased to 37.2% in the third quarter of 2018 from 36.0% in the third quarter of 2017. Gross margin was favorably impacted by revisions to antidumping rates during the third quarter of 2018.  Excluding the items shown in the attached supplemental schedule, Adjusted Gross Margin (a non-GAAP measure) was 36.2% and 36.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  This increase of 20 basis points from 2017 was due to a higher mix of manufactured products, particularly engineered vinyl plank, which carry above-average gross margins and reduced promotional activity, both of which were partially offset by increased transportation costs as well as an increased mix of installation and delivery services, which carry lower gross margins than merchandise. 

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses decreased $16 million, or 14.5%, in the third quarter of 2018 to $94 million from $110 million in the comparable period in 2017.  The decrease in SG&A was attributable to the absence of the $18 million accrual in the third quarter of 2017 in connection with the MDL and Abrasion MDL and other legacy legal expenses.  These items are shown in the table below.  Excluding the items shown in the attached supplemental schedule, Adjusted SG&A (a non-GAAP measure) increased $1.7 million, or 1.9%, primarily as a result of a $1 million increase in occupancy costs reflecting 22 more stores than a year ago, and modest increases in promotional financing and legal fees, offset by a $0.7 million reduction in advertising.

Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $6.7 million compared to an operating loss of $17.3 million in the comparable period in 2017.  Excluding the items shown in the attached supplemental schedule, Adjusted Operating Income (a non-GAAP measure) was $8.6 million, or 3.3% of sales in 2018, compared to $5.1 million, or 2.0% of sales, in 2017.

Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $5.9 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $18.9 million, or $0.66 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017.  Excluding unusual items, Adjusted Net Income (a non-GAAP measure) for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $7.9 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted Net Income of $3.5 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

At September 30, 2018, the Company had approximately $114 million in liquidity, comprised of cash and cash equivalents and availability under its revolving credit facility.  The Company had $43 million outstanding on its revolving credit facility at September 30, 2018, compared to $15 million at December 31, 2017.

Dennis Knowles, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "During the third quarter, we grew revenue and were pleased with gross margin expansion and SG&A leverage, all of which contributed to our fifth consecutive quarter of Adjusted Net Income.  We continued our growth in installation sales and, after opening three new stores in the third quarter, we are on target to open 22 new stores in 2018.  We are pleased with the development of our management team and recent additions to both our digital and sourcing capabilities.  We are confident that our team is well-positioned to drive our business and digital strategy going forward."

2018 Outlook

The Company updated its full-year 2018 expectations as follows:

Tariffs

The Company sources approximately 45% of its products from China.  Virtually all of these products had a 10% tariff imposed upon them effective September 24, 2018 and many of these products are at risk to have tariffs increased to 25% as of January 1, 2019.  The Company has several approaches to address this situation including adjusting its pricing, partnering with current vendors to lower costs, and altering its supply chain to source the same or similar products from other countries at lower costs.  The Company continues to monitor market pricing and promotional strategies to inform and guide its decisions.  As the Company examines each product, it employs one or more of the above approaches in an effort to mitigate the impacts of these tariffs. 

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company plans to host a conference call and audio webcast on October 30, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time.  The conference may be accessed by dialing (877) 407-9039 or (201) 689-8470.  A replay will be available approximately two hours after the call ends through November 6, 2018 and may be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 or (412) 317-6671 and entering pin number 13683365.  The live conference call and replay can also be accessed via audio webcast at the Investor Relations section of the Company's website, www.LumberLiquidators.com.

About Lumber Liquidators

With over 400 locations, Lumber Liquidators is one of North America's leading specialty retailers of hard-surface flooring.  The Company features more than 400 top quality flooring varieties, including solid and engineered hardwood, bamboo, cork, laminate, resilient vinyl and porcelain tile.  Additionally, Lumber Liquidators provides a wide selection of flooring enhancements and accessories to complement, install and maintain your new floor.  Every location is staffed with flooring experts who can provide advice and useful information about Lumber Liquidators' low-priced product, much of which is in stock and ready for delivery.

With premier brands including Bellawood and Morning Star Bamboo, Lumber Liquidators' flooring is often featured on popular television shows such as HGTV's Dream Home and This Old House.  For more information, please visit www.LumberLiquidators.com or call 1.800.HARDWOOD.

Lumber Liquidators aims to be the industry leader in sustainability.  For more information, please visit www.LumberLiquidators.com/Sustainability.  Learn more about our corporate giving program at LayItForward.LumberLiquidators.com.  You can also follow the Company on Facebook and Twitter.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes "forward-looking" statements (rather than historical facts) that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described.  Although we believe that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot promise that our expectations will turn out to be correct.  Our actual results could be materially different from and worse than our expectations.  With respect to such forward-looking statements, we seek the protections afforded by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These risks include, without limitation, the impact on us of any of the following:

• government investigations and related legal proceedings;
• other current and former legal proceedings;
• obligations under various settlement agreements and other compliance matters;
• impact of liquidity in the settlement of legal proceedings;
• new laws and regulations, including tariffs;
• maintenance of valuation allowances on deferred tax assets and the impacts thereof;
• the inability to open new stores;
• capital expenditures;
• anticipating consumer trends;
• competition;
• internal controls;
• funding of the remaining portion of the MDL obligation;
• increased transportation costs;
• damage to our assets;
• disruption in our ability to finish and distribute our products;
• disruptions related to our corporate headquarters relocation;
• operating stores in Canada and an office in China;
• managing third-party installers and product delivery companies;
• renewing store or warehouse leases;
• having sufficient suppliers;
• disruption in our ability to obtain products from our suppliers;
• our, and our suppliers', compliance with complex and evolving rules, regulations, and laws at the federal, state, and local level;
• impact of the Tax Act;
• product liability claims;
• obtaining products from abroad, including the effects of tariffs, as well as the effects of antidumping and countervailing duties;
• disruption in our ability to operate our business due to the impacts from severe weather;
• availability of suitable hardwood;
• changes in economic conditions, both domestic and abroad;
• sufficient insurance coverage;
• access to capital;
• managing growth;
• disruption due to cybersecurity threats;
• handling of confidential customer information;
• management information systems disruptions;
• alternative e-commerce offerings;
• our advertising strategy;
• impact of changes in accounting guidance;
• impact of installation revenue growth on net sales;
• stock price volatility; and
• anti-takeover provisions.

The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these statements, which speak only as of the dates on which such statements are made, except as may be required under the federal securities laws.  Information regarding these and other additional risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Item 1A, "Risk Factors," section of the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, and Item 1A, "Risk Factors," section of the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. 

Non-GAAP and Other Information

To supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: (i) Adjusted Gross Profit; (ii) Adjusted Gross Margin as a percentage of sales; (iii) Adjusted SG&A; (iv) Adjusted SG&A as a percentage of sales; (v) Adjusted Operating Income; (vi) Adjusted Operating Income as a percentage of sales; (vii) Adjusted Net Income and (viii) Adjusted Net Income per Share.  These non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition to, and not in lieu of, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.  These supplemental measures may vary from, and may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures by other companies.  The Adjusted Operating Profit margin items guidance cannot be reconciled to GAAP guidance without unreasonable effort because we are unable to accurately forecast the impact of legacy legal and unusual items on operating profit.

The non-GAAP financial measures are presented because management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the Company's operating performance and to determine incentive compensation.  Therefore, the Company believes that the presentation of non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplementary information to, and facilitates additional analysis by, investors.  The presented non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that management does not believe reflect the Company's core operating performance, which include regulatory and legal settlements and associated legal and operating costs, changes in antidumping and countervailing duties, as such items are outside the control of the Company or are due to their inherent unusual, non-operating, unpredictable, non-recurring, or non-cash nature.

For further information contact:

Lumber Liquidators Investor Relations
Steve Calk or Jackie Marcus
Tel: 757.566.7512

(Tables Follow)

Items impacting net income (loss) and net income (loss) per diluted share with comparisons to the prior-year periods include:

SOURCE Lumber Liquidators

Related Links

http://www.lumberliquidators.com