Helen of Troy, which owns Hydro Flask and Osprey, reported that results for its fiscal first quarter ended May 31 exceeded expectations but the company lowered its outlook for the year due to deteriorating macroeconomic conditions.

The company’s brands also include OXO, Vicks, Braun, Honeywell, PUR, Hot Tools and Drybar.

Executive Summary
(first quarter fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2020 to 2023)

  • Consolidated net sales revenue was $508.1 million, a decrease of 6.1 percent from fiscal 2022, an increase of 20.7 percent from fiscal 2021, and an increase of 35.0 percent from fiscal 2020
  • Core business net sales decrease of 2.5 percent from fiscal 2022, an increase of 27.2 percent from fiscal 2021, and an increase of 43.7 percent from fiscal 2020
  • GAAP diluted EPS of $1.02, compared to $2.31 for the same period last year, $2.37 for fiscal 2021, and $1.61 for fiscal 2020
  • Non-GAAP Core adjusted diluted EPS of $2.41, a decrease of 27.2 percent from fiscal 2022, a decrease of 0.8 percent from fiscal 2021, and an increase of 23.6 percent from fiscal 2020
  • Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS of $2.41, a decrease of 30.7 percent from fiscal 2022, a decrease of 4.7 percent from fiscal 2021, and an increase of 23.6 percent from fiscal 2020

Adjusted earnings of $2.41 beat Wall Street’s consensus estimate of $1.86. Sales of $508.08 million topped Wall Street’s consensus estimate of  $474.2 million.

Julien R. Mininberg, Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Our first-quarter results were stronger than expected, with consolidated sales and adjusted EPS both ahead of our outlook. The sales comparison is our toughest quarterly compare of the year and represents strong growth over our pre-covid base of fiscal 2020. Osprey and Curlsmith performed well and in line with our expectations. As noted in our April earnings call, we did see consumer buying patterns begin to change in the quarter, resulting in a slowdown in demand in some categories, partially offset by retailer orders intended to replenish prior consumption and/or raise holdings in anticipation of price increases.”

“Since our April earnings release, the macroeconomic outlook has changed significantly as consumers shift their buying patterns and adapt to a number of factors including the impact of inflation and interest rates rising more rapidly than expected. In response, many of our major retail customers announced actions to rebalance their inventory stemming from rapid revisions to their sales forecasts. We have lowered our sales and EPS outlooks for fiscal 2023, reflecting our current assessment of the impact of these new headwinds on our business. The midpoint of our outlook implies approximately 50 percent core revenue growth and approximately 40 percent core adjusted diluted EPS growth since the beginning of Phase II.”

Mininberg continued: “Consistent with our track record of adapting quickly to changing consumer preferences and highly dynamic operating environments, we are planning several new initiatives designed to reduce the total cost structure of the Company and unlock new efficiencies. While we are taking immediate action, we expect the majority of the benefits of these plans to fall into fiscal 2024 and are working hard to finish Phase II with momentum. We expect our efficiency initiatives to feed our flywheel and set us up to capitalize on long-term growth opportunities for further value creation in Phase III.”

Non-Recurring Items
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the company committed to a plan to divest certain assets within its Beauty segment’s mass channel personal care business (“Personal Care”). On June 7, 2021, the company completed the sale of its North America Personal Care business and on March 25, 2022, the company completed the sale of the Latin America and the Caribbean Personal Care business. The company defines Core business as strategic business that it expects to be an ongoing part of its operations, and Non-Core business as business or net assets (including net assets held for sale) that it expects to divest within a year of its designation as Non-Core. Accordingly, sales from the Personal Care business were included in Non-Core business for all historical periods presented. Subsequent to these dispositions, the company no longer has any results of operations from Non-Core business or any assets or liabilities classified as held for sale as of the end of its first quarter of fiscal 2023.

Consolidated Results
(first quarter fiscal 2023 compared to first quarter fiscal 2022)

  • Consolidated net sales revenue decreased $33.1 million, or 6.1 percent, to $508.1 million compared to $541.2 million. The decline was driven by a decrease in Organic business of $84.1 million, or 15.5 percent. The Organic business decrease primarily reflects a net sales revenue decline of $20.1 million in Non-Core business due to the sale of the Personal Care business, and the unfavorable comparative impacts of approximately $20 million from retailers that accelerated orders into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and approximately $15 million from orders that were not able to be shipped at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 due to the impact of the late-February winter storm in the U.S. (“Winter Storm Uri”) that were shipped in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. Additionally, sales decreased in the Health & Wellness segment as a result of stronger COVID-19-driven demand for healthcare and healthy living products, primarily in thermometry and air filtration, in the comparative prior-year period, and in the Beauty segment hair appliances category and home-related categories in the Home & Outdoor segment due to lower consumer demand and shifts in consumer spending patterns. These factors were partially offset by stronger consumer demand for outdoor-related products in the Home & Outdoor segment, higher seasonal category sales in the Health & Wellness segment, higher prestige market personal care category sales in the Beauty segment, and the impact of customer price increases related to rising freight and product costs. The Organic business decline was partially offset by growth from the acquisitions of Osprey Packs, Inc. (Osprey) and Recipe Products Ltd.(Curlsmith) which contributed $51.2 million and $3.2 million, respectively, or 10.1 percent, to consolidated net sales revenue.
  • Consolidated gross profit margin increased 0.8 percentage points to 41.6 percent, compared to 40.8 percent. The increase in consolidated gross profit margin was primarily due to a favorable mix of more Home & Outdoor sales within consolidated net sales revenue, lower inventory obsolescence expense, a decrease in EPA compliance costs recognized in the cost of goods sold in the Health & Wellness segment, and a more favorable product mix within the Beauty segment. These factors were partially offset by the net dilutive impact of inflationary costs and related customer price increases, and the unfavorable impact of less Beauty segment sales within consolidated net sales revenue.
  • Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense (SG&A) ratio increased 6.1 percentage points to 34.9 percent, compared to 28.8 percent. The increase in the consolidated SG&A ratio was primarily due to higher personnel expense, increased marketing expense, higher distribution expense, an increase in share-based compensation expense, higher acquisition-related expense in connection with the Osprey and Curlsmith transactions, EPA compliance costs, increased amortization expense, and the unfavorable leverage impact of the decrease in net sales. These factors were partially offset by the favorable leverage impact of customer price increases related to inflationary costs, reduced annual incentive compensation expense, a decrease in outbound freight costs, and the gain on the sale of the Latin America and the Caribbean Personal Care business.
  • Consolidated operating income was $33.9 million, or 6.7 percent of net sales revenue, compared to $64.8 million, or 12.0 percent of net sales revenue. The 5.3 percentage point decrease in consolidated operating margin was primarily due to the increase in the SG&A ratio.
  • Interest expense was $4.4 million, compared to $3.0 million. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to higher average levels of debt outstanding, including borrowings to fund the acquisitions of Osprey and Curlsmith as well as the construction of a new distribution center, and higher average interest rates.
  • Income tax expense as a percentage of income before income tax was 17.0 percent compared to 8.0 percent, primarily due to lower forecasted annual income before income taxes, shifts in the mix of income in various tax jurisdictions, and an increase in tax expense for discrete items.
  • Net income was $24.6 million, compared to $57.0 million. Diluted EPS was $1.02 compared to $2.31. Diluted EPS decreased primarily due to an operating loss in the Health & Wellness segment, lower operating income in the Beauty segment, and higher interest expense. These factors were partially offset by higher operating income in the Home & Outdoor segment and lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding.
  • Adjusted EBITDA decreased 25.1 percent to $75.5 million compared to $100.8 million.

On an adjusted basis for the first quarters of fiscal 2023 and 2022, excluding acquisition-related expenses, EPA compliance costs, restructuring charges, amortization of intangible assets, and non-cash share-based compensation, as applicable.

  • Adjusted operating income decreased $25.6 million, or 27.0 percent, to $69.3 million, or 13.6 percent of net sales revenue, compared to $95.0 million, or 17.5 percent of net sales revenue. The 3.9 percentage point decrease in adjusted operating margin is primarily driven by increased personnel expense, higher marketing expense, higher distribution expense, a less favorable product mix within the Home & Outdoor segment due to the acquisition of Osprey, the unfavorable impact of less Beauty segment sales within consolidated net sales revenue, the net dilutive impact of inflationary costs and related customer price increases, and unfavorable operating leverage. These factors were partially offset by a favorable mix of more Home & Outdoor sales within consolidated net sales revenue, lower inventory obsolescence expense, reduced annual incentive compensation expense, a decrease in outbound freight costs, and a more favorable product mix within the Beauty segment.
  • Adjusted income decreased $27.6 million, or 32.2 percent, to $58.2 million, compared to $85.8 million for the same period last year. Adjusted diluted EPS decreased 30.7 percent to $2.41 compared to $3.48. The decrease in adjusted diluted EPS was primarily due to an operating loss in the Health & Wellness segment, lower operating income in the Beauty segment, and higher interest expense. These factors were partially offset by higher operating income in the Home & Outdoor segment and lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding.

Segment Results
(first quarter fiscal 2023 compared to first quarter fiscal 2022)

Home & Outdoor net sales revenue increased $40.6 million, or 21.0 percent, to $234.3 million, compared to $193.6 million, primarily due to contribution from the acquisition of Osprey of $51.2 million, or 26.5 percent, to segment net sales revenue growth. This growth comes on top of a 37.7 percent increase in the prior year. Growth in the quarter was partially offset by a decrease from Organic business of $8.6 million, or 4.4 percent, primarily due to declines in home-related category sales primarily due to lower consumer demand driven by shifts in consumer spending patterns and the unfavorable comparative impacts of retailers that accelerated orders into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and orders that were not able to be shipped at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 due to the impact of Winter Storm Uri that were shipped in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. These factors were partially offset by stronger consumer demand for outdoor-related products, higher sales in the closeout channel, and the impact of customer price increases related to rising freight and product costs. Operating income was $29.8 million, or 12.7 percent of segment net sales revenue, compared to $27.1 million, or 14.0 percent of segment net sales revenue. The 1.3 percentage point decrease in segment operating margin was primarily due to the impact of the acquisition of Osprey, which has a lower operating margin than the rest of the Home & Outdoor segment, increased personnel expense, an increase in share-based compensation expense and the net dilutive impact of inflationary costs and related customer price increases. These factors were partially offset by favorable operating leverage, lower royalty expense, and reduced annual incentive compensation expense. Adjusted operating income increased 13.3 percent to $37.6 million, or 16.1 percent of segment net sales revenue, compared to $33.2 million, or 17.2 percent of segment net sales revenue.

Health & Wellness net sales revenue decreased $35.2 million, or 17.2 percent, to $168.9 million, compared to $204.1 million. The decline was driven by a decrease in Organic business of $34.4 million, or 16.8 percent, primarily due to a decrease in sales due to stronger COVID-19-driven demand for healthcare and healthy living products, primarily in thermometry and air filtration, in the comparative prior-year period, and the unfavorable comparative impact of orders that were not able to be shipped at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 due to the impact of Winter Storm Uri that were shipped in the first quarter of fiscal 2022. These factors were partially offset by an increase in seasonal category sales and the impact of customer price increases related to rising freight and product costs. Operating loss was $6.1 million, or (3.6) percent of segment net sales revenue, compared to operating income of $11.2 million, or 5.5 percent of segment net sales revenue. The 9.1 percentage point decrease in segment operating margin was primarily due to unfavorable operating leverage, higher distribution expense, a less favorable product mix, higher marketing expense, an increase in share-based compensation expense, the unfavorable comparative impact of tariff exclusion refunds received in the prior-year period, and an increase in legal fees. These factors were partially offset by the net impact of inflationary costs and related customer price increases, a decrease in EPA compliance costs, reduced outbound freight costs, lower inventory obsolescence expense, and decreased annual incentive compensation expense. Adjusted operating income decreased 60.1 percent to $11.9 million, or 7.0 percent of segment net sales revenue, compared to $29.8 million, or 14.6 percent of segment net sales revenue.

Beauty net sales revenue decreased $38.6 million, or 26.9 percent, to $104.9 million, compared to $143.5 million. This decline compares to 78.8 percent growth in the prior year. The decline was driven by a decrease in Organic business of $41.1 million, or 28.7 percent. The Organic business decrease primarily reflects a decline in Non-Core business net sales revenue due to the sale of the Personal Care business, the unfavorable comparative impacts of retailers that accelerated orders into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and orders that were not able to be shipped at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 due to the impact of Winter Storm Uri that were shipped in the first quarter of fiscal 2022, reduced hair appliances category sales due to lower consumer demand and shifts in consumer spending patterns, and the unfavorable impact of not being able to ship certain products on a timely basis related to damage to a third party storage facility caused by a severe weather event in March 2022. These factors were partially offset by higher prestige market personal care category sales. The Organic business decline was partially offset by growth from the acquisition of Curlsmith of $3.2 million, or 2.3 percent, to segment net sales revenue. Operating income was $10.3 million, or 9.8 percent of segment net sales revenue, compared to $26.4 million, or 18.4 percent of segment net sales revenue. The 8.6 percentage point decrease in segment operating margin was primarily due to unfavorable operating leverage, increased personnel expense, an increase in marketing expense, higher acquisition-related expense, higher share-based compensation expense, and the net dilutive impact of inflationary costs and related customer price increases. These factors were partially offset by lower inventory obsolescence expense, decreased annual incentive compensation expense, lower outbound freight costs, a more favorable product mix, and reduced royalty expense. Adjusted operating income decreased 38.0 percent to $19.8 million, or 18.9 percent of segment net sales revenue, compared to $31.9 million, or 22.3 percent of segment net sales revenue.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights
(first quarter fiscal 2023 compared to first quarter fiscal 2022)

  • Cash and cash equivalents totaled $49.3 million, compared to $37.4 million.
  • Accounts receivable turnover was 67.6 days, compared to 63.5 days.
  • Inventory was $613.6 million, compared to $540.1 million. Trailing twelve-month inventory turnover was 2.1 times, compared to 3.0 times.
  • Total short- and long-term debt was $1,105.6 million, compared to $511.0 million, primarily due to the acquisitions of Osprey and Curlsmith as well as investments in the construction of a new distribution center.
  • Net cash used by operating activities for the first three months of the fiscal year was $38.4 million, compared to $63.4 million for the same period last year.
  • Net cash used by investing activities of $222.5 million included investments to acquire Curlsmith for $149.7 million and capital asset expenditures of $70.2 million for the construction of a new distribution center for the Home & Outdoor segment.

Updated Fiscal 2023 Annual Outlook
Due to the sale of the Personal Care business, the company is not currently expecting any material activity related to the Non-Core business in fiscal 2023. Therefore, the amounts included in its updated outlook for fiscal 2023 will be shown on a consolidated basis. However, due to the fact that the fiscal 2022 results include material activity related to Non-Core business, the year-over-year growth rates on a consolidated and Core business basis will be different. Where appropriate, the information provided in the outlook will reflect growth rates on both a consolidated and Core business basis. The company believes that Core business growth is the most relevant basis as it provides the best comparability between historical and future periods.

The company now expects consolidated net sales revenue in the range of $2.15 billion to $2.20 billion, which implies a decline of 3.3 percent to 1.0 percent and a Core business decline of 1.8 percent to a growth of 0.5 percent. The company’s updated fiscal year net sales outlook reflects the following expectations by segment:

  • Home & Outdoor net sales growth of 9.0 percent to 11.0 percent; including net sales from Osprey of $180 million to $185 million;
  • Health & Wellness net sales to decline 10.0 percent to 8.0 percent; and
  • Beauty Core business net sales to decline 7.0 percent to 5.0 percent, including net sales from Curlsmith of $30 million to $35 million.

Previously, sales were expected in the range of $2.38 billion to $2.42 billion, which implied consolidated growth of 6.8 percent to 8.8 percent and Core business growth of 8.5 percent to 10.5 percent. The forecast had called for Home & Outdoor net sales growth of 19.0 percent to 21.0 percent, Health & Wellness net sales decline of 1.0 percent to growth of 1.0 percent and Health & Wellness net sales decline of 1.0 percent to growth of 1.0 percent.

The company now expects consolidated GAAP diluted EPS of $6.51 to $7.11 and consolidated non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $9.85 to $10.35, which implies a decrease in consolidated adjusted diluted EPS in the range of 20.3 percent to 16.3 percent, and a decrease in Core adjusted diluted EPS in the range of 19.2 percent to 15.1 percent. This includes adjusted diluted EPS contribution from Osprey of approximately $0.40 to $0.45, and $0.15 to $0.20 from Curlsmith.

Previously, Helen of Troy expected consolidated GAAP diluted EPS of $9.92 to $10.38 and consolidated non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $12.73 to $13.03, which implies consolidated adjusted diluted EPS growth of 3.0 percent to 5.4 percent and Core adjusted diluted EPS growth of 4.5 percent to 7.0 percent.

The company’s updated consolidated net sales and EPS outlook reflects the following assumptions:

  • severity of the cough/cold/flu season will be in line with pre-COVID historical averages;
  • June 2022 foreign currency exchange rates will remain constant for the remainder of the fiscal year;
  • estimated net favorable impact to net sales of approximately $10 million and adjusted diluted EPS of approximately $0.10 related to the EPA matter;
  • estimated incremental after-tax inflationary cost pressures in the range of $60 million to $65 million, or approximately $2.50 to $2.70 of adjusted diluted EPS;
  • expected interest expense in the range of $45 million to $47 million due to the current assumption that the Federal Open Market Committee will increase interest rates by 350 basis points during the calendar year 2022;
  • a reported consolidated GAAP effective tax rate range of 15.5 percent to 16.5 percent for the full fiscal year 2023 and a consolidated adjusted effective tax rate range of 12.6 percent to 13.6 percent;
  • estimated weighted average diluted shares outstanding of 24.2 million; and
  • it now expects capital and intangible asset expenditures of $180 million to $200 million for the full fiscal year 2023, including expected expenditures of $155 million to $170 million related to the construction of a previously announced new distribution facility that is expected to be completed by the end of fiscal 2023.

Due to the current dynamic market conditions and factors affecting the comparability to the prior year base, the company has provided additional quarterly context for its current expectation of the net sales revenue and adjusted diluted EPS outlook. With regard to the quarterly cadence of the consolidated net sales outlook for the fiscal year, the company now expects:

  • low double-digit growth in the second quarter due to the second quarter of fiscal 2022 having the largest adverse impact from the EPA matter;
  • approximately flat sales growth in the third quarter; and
  • a low double-digit sales decline in the fourth quarter due to the high base of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, which includes approximately two months of sales from the Osprey acquisition.

With regard to the quarterly cadence of the consolidated adjusted diluted EPS outlook for the fiscal year, the company now expects:

  • a mid-teen decline in the second quarter primarily due to lower adjusted operating margin and higher interest expense;
  • a low double-digit decline in the third quarter primarily due to higher interest expense and a higher adjusted effective tax rate; and
  • a mid-single-digit decline in the fourth quarter primarily due to lower net sales, higher interest expense, and a higher adjusted effective tax rate.

Graphic courtesy Helen of Troy