K2 Inc. reported record sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004, an increase of 76.6% to $277.4 million from $157.1 million in the 2003 first quarter. Diluted earnings per share in the first quarter increased to $0.27, as compared to $0.01 in the year earlier period, and higher than guidance estimates of $0.25 previously provided by the Company. Basic earnings per share was $0.31 for the 2004 first quarter as compared to $0.01 in the year earlier period. Details on earnings per share calculations are provided in Table A below.
Richard Heckmann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are extremely pleased with the results of the first quarter which were driven by strength across all our divisions and product lines. Our record performance is a reflection of our premier stable of sporting goods brands, continued successful integration of our recent acquisitions and the achievement of operating efficiencies across our businesses. Consistent with our strategic plan, we recently completed two acquisitions that fit perfectly with K2's other paintball brands, and our Stearns Marine division. We continue to believe that we are well positioned to benefit from the consolidation of sporting goods retailers worldwide and to see additional opportunities that will drive consolidation on the equipment side of the business.”
Recent Acquisitions
K2 announced that, in two separate transactions, it has acquired the assets of Worr Game Products and Innovative Products, both privately-held companies. Worr Game Products is a leader in the manufacture of premium paintball markers incorporating its proprietary Autococker(R) technology. K2 anticipates that Worr will provide a platform for further growth in the premium marker segment, and will be highly complementary to K2's other paintball businesses including its existing premium JT(R) brand. Worr and JT will also benefit from common distribution channels.
Innovative Products is a market leader in accessories for all-terrain vehicles (“ATV”), including gun, bow and luggage racks. There are over 10 million ATVs in use in the U.S. today, and approximately 50% of sales in the ATV sector are accessories. Innovative Products will integrate with K2's Stearns division, and will benefit from common manufacturing and distribution channels.
The purchase price for the two transactions consisted of a combination of K2 stock, cash, and the pay-off of certain debt. On an annualized run-rate, total sales for the two acquired companies are estimated at approximately $25 million in the next 12 months. The transactions are expected to be earnings per share neutral in 2004 and accretive to earnings in fiscal year 2005.
Review of 2004 First Quarter Sales and Profit Results
Comparable Sales Trends
In the first quarter of 2004, K2 sales were $161.1 million excluding material acquisitions in 2003 which included Rawlings, Worth, Atlas and Tubbs, and Brass Eagle. In the first quarter of 2003, K2 sales were $149.7 million net of divestitures (as described in the table below), which reflects sales growth of 8% on a comparable basis in the first quarter of 2004 versus the same period in 2003.
Profit Trends
Gross profit in the first quarter of 2004 increased to 31.2%, as compared to 30.0% of sales in the comparable 2003 period. Higher gross profits reflect a continuation of trends in previous quarters, including a more favorable product mix driven in the first quarter by team sports, winter sports, paintball products, improved manufacturing efficiencies, and fewer close-out sales. Selling, general and administrative expenses of 24.2% of sales in the first quarter of 2004 were slightly less as a percentage over the comparable 2003 quarter, despite an increase in dollar amounts, due to the higher sales volume during the 2004 quarter. Operating margins improved from 5.6% in first quarter 2003 to 7.0% of sales for the same period in 2004, driven by enhanced leveraging of selling, general and administrative expenses over higher sales volume and an increase in gross profits.
First Quarter Division Review
As a result of recent acquisitions, K2 has reclassified its business into the following three segments based on similar product types and distribution channels: Marine and Outdoor, Team Sports, and Action Sports.
Marine and Outdoor
Shakespeare fishing tackle and monofilament, and Stearns marine and outdoor products, generated sales of $98.8 million in the first quarter of 2004, up 9% from the comparable quarter in 2003, net of divestitures. Sales increases were driven by strong growth in Pflueger(R) reels, Ugly Stik(R) combos, marine antennas, and children's flotation devices.
Team Sports
Rawlings, Worth, and K2 Licensing & Promotions had total sales of $94.1 million in the quarter. Comparative data is not provided for this segment, as Rawlings was acquired at the end of the first quarter of 2003, and previously reported earnings based on a February quarter-end, Worth was acquired at the end of the third quarter of 2003, and K2 Licensing & Promotions was acquired in January 2004. In the first quarter of 2004 as compared to 2003, Team Sports generated mid single digit unit growth in several key product areas including balls, bats and gloves.
Action Sports
Sales of skis, snowboards, in-line skates, bikes, skateboard shoes and paintball products totaled $84.5 million in the first quarter of 2004, an increase of 55.2% over the 2003 period. Growth was driven by double digit increases in skis and snowboards, a 72% increase in sales of skateboard shoes, and by acquisitions made in the fourth quarter of 2003 consisting of Atlas(R) and Tubbs(R) snowshoes, and Brass Eagle(R) paintball products. In a seasonally slow quarter, Brass Eagle generated a significant sales increase of 59% to total sales of $21.3 million compared to the first quarter of 2003 due to strong demand in all major distribution channels.
Sales to
Unaffiliated
Customers Operating
Profit (Loss)
---------------- ---------------
2004 2003 (a) 2004 2003 (a)
------- -------- ------ --------
(Millions)
Marine and Outdoor (b) $98.8 $98.4 $15.3 $15.4
Team Sports 94.1 4.3 11.0 (0.5)
Action Sports 84.5 54.4 (4.1) (4.7)
------- -------- ------ --------
Total segment data $277.4 $157.1 22.2 10.2
======= ======== ------ --------
Corporate expenses, net (2.6) (1.5)
Debt extinguishment costs - (6.7)
Interest expense (3.3) (1.8)
------ --------
Income before provision for income taxes $16.3 $0.2
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Balance Sheet
K2's balance sheet debt at March 31, 2004 reflects acquisitions and the seasonal working capital debt associated with the Team Sports and Marine and Outdoor first quarter activity. At March 31, 2004, cash and receivables totaled $263.9 million as compared to $225.7 million at March 31, 2003. Inventories at March 31, 2004 increased to $215.8 million from $184.2 million at March 31, 2003.
Compared with the 2003 first quarter, the Company's total debt increased to $209.2 million at March 31, 2004 from $166.8 million. The increase in debt as of March 31, 2004 is primarily caused by the Company's acquisitions during 2003 and seasonal working capital requirements of these acquired businesses. Debt, net of cash, was $189.4 million as of March 31, 2004.
As a result of the acquisitions of Worth in the 2003 third quarter, Brass Eagle in the 2003 fourth quarter and K2 Licensing & Promotions in the 2004 first quarter, the Company increased its number of shares of common stock outstanding by 0.9 million shares, 4.5 million shares and 1.0 million shares, respectively, to 34.9 million shares outstanding at March 31, 2004 as compared to 26.7 million shares outstanding at March 31, 2003.
Outlook for 2004
The Company today also reconfirmed guidance for fiscal 2004, and provided guidance for the second quarter ended June 30, 2004. On a full year basis for fiscal 2004, the Company expects sales of approximately $960 million, and basic earnings per share of approximately $0.94, assuming 34.8 million basis shares outstanding, and diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.82 on projected average diluted shares of 44.4 million as if the convertible debt were converted into shares. For the quarter ended June 30, 2004, the Company expects sales in the range of $230 to $240 million and basic earnings per share of approximately $0.18 assuming 34.9 million basic shares outstanding, and diluted earnings per share of approximately $0.16 assuming outstanding shares of 44.4 million as if the convertible debt were converted into shares.
K2 INC.
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(unaudited)
(thousands, except for per share figures)
FIRST QUARTER
ended March 31
--------------------
2004 2003
--------- ---------
Net sales $277,364 $157,120
Cost of products sold 190,731 109,976
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Gross profit 86,633 47,144
Selling expenses 42,047 23,170
General and administrative expenses 25,064 15,220
--------- ---------
Operating income 19,522 8,754
Interest expense (a) 3,302 8,539
Other (income) expense, net (53) 4
--------- ---------
Income before provision for income taxes 16,273 211
Provision for income taxes 5,533 74
--------- ---------
Net income $10,740 $137
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Basic earnings per share:
Net income 0.31 0.01
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Diluted earnings per share:
Net income $0.27 $0.01
========= =========
Shares:
Basic 34,353 18,262
Diluted 43,099 18,471
