Financial News Release

06/19/18

La-Z-Boy Reports Fiscal 2018 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Results

MONROE, Mich., June 19, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE:LZB) today reported its operating results for the fiscal 2018 full year and fourth quarter ended April 28, 2018.

Fiscal 2018 fourth quarter:

  • Consolidated sales for the fourth quarter increased 1.8% to $420.0 million;
  • Earnings per diluted share attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated increased 26.3% to $0.72 and included a $0.06 per share benefit related to tax reform;
  • Consolidated operating margin increased to 10.9% from 10.5% in last year’s fourth quarter;
  • The company generated cash from operating activities of $24.6 million during the quarter;
  • The company returned $16.3 million to shareholders through share purchases and dividends; and
  • Same-store written sales for the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® network increased 3.9%.

Fiscal 2018 full year:

  • Consolidated sales for the full fiscal 2018 year increased 4.2% to $1.58 billion;
  • Earnings per diluted share attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated were $1.67 versus $1.73 in the prior year. The reduction in the current year was primarily due to tax reform charges;
  • Consolidated operating margin was 8.2% versus 8.8% in the prior-year period, with the reduction in the current year primarily the result of inflationary pressures, including raw materials and transportation;
  • The company generated cash from operating activities of $115.8 million for the year;
  • The company returned $78.7 million to shareholders through share purchases and an increased dividend; and
  • Same-store written sales for the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® network for the full fiscal 2018 year increased 2.3%.

Kurt L. Darrow, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of La-Z-Boy, said, “For fiscal 2018, we increased sales 4.2% and delivered an 8.2% consolidated operating margin, driven by solid performance in all three business segments. We generated $116 million in cash from operating activities and returned a combined total of almost $79 million to shareholders through share purchases and an increased dividend. Strong cash generation also funded $36 million in capital expenditures which included four large capital projects across the company, primarily designed to strengthen our operations and competitive positioning. With the most recognized brand in the industry, a solid balance sheet and world-class supply chain, we are executing a dual growth strategy focused on growing our core La‑Z‑Boy brand through existing channels, while leveraging our supply chain to develop a greater presence in online channels as we look to attract a new and younger consumer.”

Sales in the company’s upholstery segment increased 0.6% to $327.2 million and the operating margin was 12.8% compared with 13.7% in last year’s fourth quarter.  In the casegoods segment, sales increased 17.5% to $30.6 million and the operating margin increased to 9.2% from 7.8%. Sales in the retail segment increased 3.0% to $121.5 million and the operating margin increased to 6.6% from 6.5%. On the core base of 138 stores included in last year’s fourth quarter, delivered sales declined 1.1% versus the prior year.

Darrow commented, “For the quarter, we posted a 12.8% operating margin in our upholstery segment.  Throughout this inflationary period, we continue to modify our business plan and make necessary price adjustments in the face of increased raw materials and transportation cost pressures. At the same time, we are mindful of achieving a proper balance between raw material costs and selling prices and believe we are offering consumers innovative products with a compelling value proposition. Against that backdrop, we are pleased with our operating margin performance for the quarter. On the product side, the power category remains popular and is growing while our new duo™ collection continues to outpace expectations. With strong appeal, it has quickly become a significant collection within our assortment.  Supply chain initiatives put into place throughout our manufacturing operations have greatly increased productivity and improved our already excellent quality. As our team works to drive volume, we expect to further leverage the efficiencies of our operations.” 

Darrow added, “The casegoods group continues to deliver exceptional sales and operating margin performance driven by on-trend product collections, which are resonating with consumers. At the same time, the business is providing excellent service to dealers through a reliable in-stock position on best sellers and quick shipping which is allowing us to expand our floor space with existing accounts and open new accounts across the country. We are pleased with the segment’s performance and believe it is well positioned for ongoing growth and market share gains.”

Darrow said, “In the retail segment, we opened one new La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store during the quarter and closed two. The segment’s operating margin for the fourth quarter was the highest of all four quarters in the fiscal year, and above last year’s fourth quarter. As consumers visit our stores, we are able to provide them with a differentiated and compelling La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store experience, including our complimentary design services which, along with custom orders, drove the improved average ticket and operating margin for the period.”

La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® Store Network

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, same-store written sales increased 3.9% versus last year’s fourth quarter for the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store system, which includes both company-owned and independent-licensed stores. For the full fiscal 2018 year, same store written sales for the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store network increased 2.3%.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, total written sales from new and closed stores increased 5.4% compared with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. For the full fiscal 2018 period, total written sales from new and closed stores increased 4.2% versus fiscal 2017.

Darrow commented, “The La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store network posted its fifth consecutive quarterly written same-store sales increase. Across the network, 20 projects were completed in fiscal 2018, including new stores, relocations and remodels. Throughout the year, we significantly upgraded the quality of the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® network and ended the year with a total of 350 stand-alone stores, with 132 in the new concept design format. For fiscal 2019, we are planning for approximately 24 projects to be completed and we expect to end the year with about 154 stores in the new concept design format and 355 in total.”

The tables below summarize the store projects for the network in fiscal 2018 and provide a projection for activity during fiscal 2019.

FISCAL 2018 STORE ACTIVITY

  Total FY17 New Closed Acquired Total FY18 Remodel Relocation
Company-owned 143 6 (4 ) 1   146 - -
Dealer-owned 204 4 (3 ) (1 ) 204 7 3
Total 347 10 (7 ) -   350 7 3

FISCAL 2019 PROJECTED* STORE ACTIVITY

  Total FY18 New Closed Total FY19 Remodel Relocation
Company-owned 146 2 (2 ) 146 3 -
Dealer-owned 204 6 (1 ) 209 9 3
Total 350 8 (3 ) 355 12 3

*Projects anticipated to be completed.

Darrow continued, “The future for La-Z-Boy Incorporated is promising as we execute strategic initiatives to drive growth, deliver top-quartile profitability performance within the industry, and provide increasing returns to shareholders. We are making strategic investments across the company to ensure we remain a leader in the dynamic marketplace while delivering an enhanced customer experience through a combination of investments in online, in-store and in-home design options and services. Our consistent cash flow enables us to continue to invest in our brand and world-class global supply chain which we believe is a key to long-term success and meaningful financial returns for investors while providing the ability to pursue a multi-faceted e-commerce strategy to capture a new and younger consumer.  During the summer months, the furniture industry typically experiences weaker demand, and the majority of our plants shut down for one week of vacation and maintenance in July, during the first quarter.  Accordingly, the first quarter is usually the company’s weakest in terms of sales and earnings.”

2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 included a $0.06 per share benefit related to tax reform, or $2.8 million. This primarily related to adjustments of income tax expense recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2018 for the estimated effects of the transition tax on the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings and to adjust the company’s re-measurement of certain deferred taxes and related amounts. Based on the company’s current interpretation of the tax reform legislation, it made reasonable estimates to record provisional adjustments during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. Since the company is still accumulating and processing data to finalize the underlying calculations and expects regulators to issue further guidance, among other things, it believes its estimates may change. The company will continue to refine such amounts within the measurement period allowed, which is not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

During the quarter, the company generated $24.6 million in cash from operating activities. La-Z-Boy ended the year with $134.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, $34.4 million in investments to enhance returns on cash, and $2.4 million in restricted cash. During fiscal year 2018, the company had $36.3 million in capital expenditures, invested $16.5 million to fund our prior-year acquisition of the La‑Z‑Boy wholesale business in the U.K. and Ireland and to acquire an independent La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® organization, paid $22.0 million in dividends, and spent $56.7 million purchasing 2.0 million shares of stock, including 0.4 million in the fourth quarter, in the open market under its existing authorized share purchase program, leaving 6.7 million shares of purchase availability in the program.

Conference Call

La-Z-Boy will hold a conference call with the investment community on Wednesday, June 20, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. eastern time. The toll-free dial-in number is 877.407.0778; international callers may use 201.689.8565. 

The call will be webcast live, with corresponding slides, and archived on the Internet.  It will be available at https://lazboy.gcs-web.com/. A telephone replay will be available for a week following the call. This replay will be accessible to callers from the U.S. and Canada at 877.481.4010 and to international callers at 919.882.2331. Enter Conference ID #10453.

Forward-looking Information

This news release contains, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of La‑Z‑Boy may contain, “forward-looking statements.” With respect to all forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 

Actual results could differ materially from those we anticipate or project due to a number of factors, including: (a) changes in consumer confidence and demographics; (b) the possibility of a recession; (c) changes in the real estate and credit markets and their effects on our customers, consumers and suppliers; (d) international political unrest, terrorism or war; (e) volatility in energy and other commodities prices; (f) the impact of logistics on imports and exports; (g) tax rate, interest rate, and currency exchange rate changes; (h) changes in the stock market impacting our profitability and our effective tax rate; (i) operating factors, such as supply, labor or distribution disruptions (e.g. port strikes); (j) changes in legislation, including the tax code, or changes in the domestic or international regulatory environment or trade policies, including new or increased duties, tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, trade limitations and termination or renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement; (k) adoption of new accounting principles; (l) fires, severe weather or other natural events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, tornadoes and tsunamis; (m) our ability to procure, transport or import, or material increases to the cost of transporting or importing, fabric rolls, leather hides or cut-and-sewn fabric and leather sets domestically or abroad; (n) information technology conversions or system failures and our ability to recover from a system failure; (o) effects of our brand awareness and marketing programs; (p) the discovery of defects in our products resulting in delays in manufacturing, recall campaigns, reputational damage, or increased warranty costs; (q) litigation arising out of alleged defects in our products; (r) unusual or significant litigation; (s) our ability to locate new La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores (or store owners) and negotiate favorable lease terms for new or existing locations; (t) the ability to increase volume through our e-commerce initiatives; (u) the impact of potential goodwill or intangible asset impairments; and (v) those matters discussed in Item 1A of our fiscal 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and other factors identified from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information or new developments or for any other reason.

Additional Information

This news release is just one part of La-Z-Boy’s financial disclosures and should be read in conjunction with other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is available at: https://lazboy.gcs-web.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Investors and others wishing to be notified of future La-Z-Boy news releases, SEC filings and quarterly investor conference calls may sign up at:  https://lazboy.gcs-web.com/.

Background Information

La-Z-Boy Incorporated is one of the world’s leading residential furniture producers, marketing furniture for every room of the home. The La-Z-Boy upholstery segment companies are England and La-Z-Boy. The casegoods segment consists of three brands: American Drew, Hammary, and Kincaid. The company-owned retail segment includes 146 of the 350 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores.

The corporation’s branded distribution network is dedicated to selling La-Z-Boy Incorporated products and brands, and includes 350 stand-alone La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores and 535 independent Comfort Studio® locations, in addition to in-store gallery programs for the company’s Kincaid and England operating units. Additional information is available at http://www.la-z-boy.com/.

   
LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
   
    Unaudited For the Fiscal
Quarter Ended
  Unaudited For the Fiscal
Year Ended
 
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)   4/28/2018   4/29/2017   4/28/2018   4/29/2017  
Sales   $420,025   $412,706   $1,583,947   $1,520,060  
Cost of sales     253,831     243,815     961,200     910,757  
Gross profit     166,194     168,891     622,747     609,303  
Selling, general and administrative expense     120,487     125,437     493,378     475,961  
Operating income     45,707     43,454     129,369     133,342  
Interest expense     108     279     538     1,073  
Interest income     546     302     1,709     981  
Other income (expense), net     (1,379 )   (1,000 )   (1,650 )   (2,510 )
Income before income taxes     44,766     42,477     128,890     130,740  
Income tax expense     10,406     14,248     47,295     43,756  
Net income     34,360     28,229     81,595     86,984  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests     (150 )   (232 )   (729 )   (1,062 )
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated   $34,210   $27,997   $80,866   $85,922  
                   
Diluted weighted average common shares     47,472     49,181     48,135     49,470  
                   
Diluted net income attributable to La-Z-Boy
  Incorporated per share
  $0.72   $0.57   $1.67   $1.73  
                   
Dividends declared per share   $0.12   $0.11   $0.46   $0.42  


LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
   
    Unaudited  
 (Amounts in thousands, except par value)   4/28/2018   4/29/2017  
Current assets          
Cash and equivalents   $134,515   $141,860  
Restricted cash     2,356     8,999  
Receivables, net of allowance of $1,956 at 4/28/18 and $2,563 at 4/29/17     154,055     150,846  
Inventories, net     184,841     175,114  
Other current assets     42,451     40,603  
Total current assets     518,218     517,422  
Property, plant and equipment, net     180,882     169,132  
Goodwill     75,254     74,245  
Other intangible assets, net     18,190     18,489  
Deferred income taxes – long-term     21,265     40,131  
Other long-term assets, net     79,158     69,436  
Total assets   $892,967   $888,855  
           
Current liabilities          
Current portion of long-term debt   $223   $219  
Accounts payable     62,403     51,282  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities     118,721     147,175  
Total current liabilities     181,347     198,676  
Long-term debt     199     296  
Other long-term liabilities     86,205     88,778  
Contingencies and commitments          
Shareholders' equity          
Preferred shares – 5,000 authorized; none issued          
Common shares, $1 par value – 150,000 authorized; 46,788 outstanding at 4/28/18 and 48,472 outstanding at 4/29/17     46,788     48,472  
Capital in excess of par value     298,948     289,632  
Retained earnings     291,644     284,698  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (25,199 )   (32,883 )
Total La-Z-Boy Incorporated shareholders’ equity     612,181     589,919  
Noncontrolling interests     13,035     11,186  
Total equity     625,216     601,105  
Total liabilities and equity   $892,967   $888,855  
           


LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
    Unaudited For the Fiscal
Year Ended
 
(Amounts in thousands)   4/28/2018   4/29/2017  
Cash flows from operating activities          
Net income   $81,595   $86,984  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities          
Gain on disposal of assets     (2,108 )   (224 )
Gain on conversion of investment     (2,204 )    
Gain on sale of investments     (770 )   (471 )
Change in deferred taxes     17,261     569  
Change in provision for doubtful accounts     276     (291 )
Depreciation and amortization     31,767     29,131  
Stock-based compensation expense     9,474     8,864  
Pension plan contributions     (2,000 )   (2,300 )
Change in receivables     (2,801 )   (7,850 )
Change in inventories     (8,009 )   12,517  
Change in other assets     (3,245 )   (1,211 )
Change in accounts payable     6,602     4,541  
Change in other liabilities     (10,088 )   17,731  
Net cash provided by operating activities     115,750     147,990  
Cash flows from investing activities            
Proceeds from disposals of assets     1,440     761  
Proceeds from property insurance     2,087      
Capital expenditures     (36,337 )   (20,304 )
Purchases of investments     (28,593 )   (29,763 )
Proceeds from sales of investments     22,674     19,954  
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (16,495 )   (35,878 )
Net cash used for investing activities     (55,224 )   (65,230 )
Cash flows from financing activities            
Payments on debt     (262 )   (288 )
Payments for debt issuance costs     (231 )    
Stock issued for stock and employee benefit plans, net of shares withheld for taxes     2,977     1,749  
Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises         1,737  
Purchases of common stock     (56,730 )   (35,957 )
Dividends paid     (22,009 )   (20,655 )
Net cash used for financing activities     (76,255 )   (53,414 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents     1,741     178  
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     (13,988 )   29,524  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
  at beginning of period
    150,859     121,335  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
  at end of period
  $136,871   $150,859  
           
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities          
  Capital expenditures included in accounts payable   $5,667   $1,795  


LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
   
    Unaudited For the Fiscal
Quarter Ended
  Unaudited For the Fiscal
Year Ended
 
 (Unaudited, amounts in thousands)   4/28/2018   4/29/2017   4/28/2018   4/29/2017  
Sales                  
Upholstery segment:                  
Sales to external customers   $270,668   $271,560   $1,010,097   $986,917  
Intersegment sales     56,569     53,755     217,266     204,526  
Upholstery segment sales     327,237     325,315     1,227,363     1,191,443  
                   
Casegoods segment:                  
Sales to external customers     27,098     22,530     95,919     87,181  
Intersegment sales     3,505     3,513     15,474     13,047  
Casegoods segment sales     30,603     26,043     111,393     100,228  
                   
Retail segment sales     121,545     118,032     474,613     443,238  
                   
Corporate and Other:                  
Sales to external customers     714     584     3,318     2,724  
Intersegment sales     2,582     1,686     9,421     6,437  
Corporate and Other sales     3,296     2,270     12,739     9,161  
                   
Eliminations     (62,656 )   (58,954 )   (242,161 )   (224,010 )
Consolidated sales   $420,025   $412,706   $1,583,947   $1,520,060  
                   
Operating Income (Loss)                  
Upholstery segment   $41,927   $44,608   $130,349   $148,996  
Casegoods segment     2,808     2,036     11,641     8,623  
Retail segment     7,963     7,690     20,709     19,205  
Corporate and Other     (6,991 )   (10,880 )   (33,330 )   (43,482 )
Consolidated operating income   $45,707   $43,454   $129,369   $133,342  
                   


LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
 
   
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)   (13 weeks)   (13 weeks)   (13 weeks)   (13 weeks)  
Fiscal Quarter Ended   7/29/2017   10/28/2017   1/27/2018   4/28/2018  
Sales   $357,079   $393,205   $413,638   $420,025  
Cost of sales     217,976     238,253     251,140     253,831  
Gross profit     139,103     154,952     162,498     166,194  
Selling, general and administrative expense     122,805     120,683     129,403     120,487  
Operating income     16,298     34,269     33,095     45,707  
Interest expense     157     160     113     108  
Interest income     343     376     444     546  
Other income (expense), net     1,749     (926 )   (1,094 )   (1,379 )
Income before income taxes     18,233     33,559     32,332     44,766  
Income tax expense     6,489     10,353     20,047     10,406  
Net income     11,744     23,206     12,285     34,360  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests     (93 )   (310 )   (176 )   (150 )
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated   $11,651   $22,896   $12,109   $34,210  
                   
Diluted weighted average common shares     48,846     48,297     47,757     47,472  
                   
Diluted net income attributable to
  La-Z-Boy Incorporated per share
  $0.24   $0.47   $0.25   $0.72  
                   
Dividends declared per share   $0.11   $0.11   $0.12   $0.12  


LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
 
   
(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)   (13 weeks)   (13 weeks)   (13 weeks)   (13 weeks)  
Fiscal Quarter Ended   7/30/2016   10/29/2016   1/28/2017   4/29/2017  
Sales   $340,783   $376,579   $389,992   $412,706  
Cost of sales     206,562     227,195     233,185     243,815  
Gross profit     134,221     149,384     156,807     168,891  
Selling, general and administrative expense     111,763     115,526     123,235     125,437  
Operating income     22,458     33,858     33,572     43,454  
Interest expense     115     117     562     279  
Interest income     204     234     241     302  
Other income (expense), net     (762 )   (969 )   221     (1,000 )
Income before income taxes     21,785     33,006     33,472     42,477  
Income tax expense     7,777     11,901     9,830     14,248  
Net income     14,008     21,105     23,642     28,229  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests     (202 )   (272 )   (356 )   (232 )
Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated   $13,806   $20,833   $23,286   $27,997  
                   
Diluted weighted average common shares     49,594     49,511     49,384     49,181  
                   
Diluted net income attributable to
  La-Z-Boy Incorporated per share
  $0.28   $0.42   $0.47   $0.57  
                   
Dividends declared per share   $0.10   $0.10   $0.11   $0.11  

 

Contact:
Kathy Liebmann
(734) 241-2438
kathy.liebmann@la-z-boy.com

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Source: La-Z-Boy Incorporated