La-Z-Boy Reports Fiscal 2014 Second-Quarter Results

MONROE, Mich. - La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB) today reported its operating results for the fiscal 2014 second quarter ended October 26, 2013.

Fiscal 2014 second-quarter highlights:

•Consolidated sales for the second quarter increased 13.7% compared with the fiscal 2013 second quarter;

•Same-store written sales for the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store network increased 9.8% for the second quarter, on top of a 13.3% increase in last year's second quarter;

•Consolidated operating income increased 141% to $25.4 million from $10.6 million, including $2.7 million of restructuring charges in the fiscal 2013 second quarter;

•The upholstery segment posted an 11% operating margin versus 8.4% in last year's second quarter;

•The retail segment posted operating income of $3.3 million, with a 4.4% operating margin, compared with an operating loss of $0.6 million, or a (0.9%) operating margin, in last year's second quarter;

•The company generated cash from operating activities of $19.4 million during the quarter; and

•The company increased its quarterly dividend by 50% to $0.06 per share.

Sales for the fiscal 2014 second quarter were $366.4 million, up 13.7% compared with the prior year's second quarter. The company reported net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated of $16.7 million, or $0.31 per diluted share, of which $0.01 per share was attributable to the reduction of certain valuation reserves against the company's state deferred tax assets, compared with last year's second-quarter results of $6.6 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, after $0.03 in restructuring charges relating to the company's casegoods segment.

Kurt L. Darrow, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of La-Z-Boy, said, "Our performance for the quarter reflects the successful execution of our sales, merchandising and integrated retail strategies as well as the efficiencies with which we are running our operations. We believe our positive sales trajectory is indicative of continued market share gains, and with the strength of the La‑Z‑Boy brand, our vast distribution network and our lean manufacturing structure, we are well positioned for future profitable growth."

Wholesale Segments

For the fiscal 2014 second quarter, sales in the company's upholstery segment increased 14.2% to $296.2 million from $259.5 million in the prior year's second quarter. The operating margin for the quarter increased to 11.0% compared with 8.4% in last year's second quarter. Sales in the casegoods segment for the fiscal 2014 second quarter were $33.9 million, down 1.7% from $34.5 million in the fiscal 2013 second quarter, and the operating margin for the segment declined to 1.9% from 2.6% in last year's second quarter.

Darrow commented, "Our upholstery business continues to exhibit momentum and we are approaching three years of double-digit written same-store sales growth for the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® network of stores. Our marketing and merchandising initiatives are delivering results with our Live life comfortably advertising campaign driving an expanded base of consumers to our brand with awareness of our broad product line growing among a wider demographic. At the October Furniture Market in High Point, we introduced Urban Attitudes, the most significant collection we have launched in 10 years in terms of styling and product relevance. The furniture makes a bold modern statement for our brand and is targeted at both younger, urban and style-conscious customers and those who may live in a condominium or apartment and desire smaller-scale furniture. The collection was well received across our entire dealer base, and we look forward to it making its way onto retail floors over the course of the next several months. On the operating side of the business, we continue to be diligent in managing our cost structure and are benefitting from incremental volume and the ability to leverage the fixed-cost base in place throughout our manufacturing facilities."

Darrow added, "Although the casegoods business continues to face challenges, it is encouraging to see that sales have somewhat stabilized compared with the declines we experienced in recent quarters. During the period, we delivered several new groups from the prior furniture markets and we are beginning to develop traction with them. At the High Point Market last month, we launched a direct container program which will allow customers to mix various Kincaid, American Drew and Lea product in one container. This program gives us the ability to better service smaller dealers with reduced delivery times, which we believe will help to grow our business in the western region of North America. Additionally, we continued to introduce several transitional and lifestyle collections as we work to refresh our product line, shifting the style mix of our various casegoods companies to appeal to a broader consumer base."

Retail Segment

For the fiscal 2014 second quarter, retail delivered sales were $73.4 million, up 19.9% compared with the second quarter of last year. The southern Ohio stores contributed 7.3 percentage points of the 19.9% sales increase during the quarter. The retail segment posted an operating profit of $3.3 million, or an operating margin of 4.4% for the quarter. This compares with an operating loss of $0.6 million, or an operating margin of (0.9%) in last year's second quarter.

Darrow stated, "Our retail segment continues to improve its performance, with this quarter marking the 19th consecutive quarterly improvement over prior-year results. Our increased operating margin was primarily driven by the ability to leverage fixed SG&A expenses with more volume. This volume was attributable to a higher-priced mix driven by differentiated product merchandising. Although traffic for the period was flat, we experienced an increase in average ticket, as well as other key metrics. During the quarter, we closed on the acquisition of three stores in the Las Vegas market and announced we would acquire two stores in the Youngstown, Ohio market. Later this week, we will open a store in the Buffalo market, where previously, an independent dealer operated a store that closed. These six stores, which we believe will be accretive to our business, are strategically located close to existing company-owned markets, where management teams and distribution center capabilities are already in place."

La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® Stores Network

System-wide, for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, including company-owned and independent-licensed stores, same-store written sales, which the company tracks as an indicator of retail activity, were up 9.8% versus last year's second quarter.

Total written sales, which include new and closed stores, were up 10.1% for the second quarter. At the end of the second quarter, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store system was composed of 314 stand-alone stores.

Darrow stated, "We are working diligently on our "4-4-5" strategy, where we aim to have 400 La‑Z‑Boy Furniture Galleries® stores, averaging $4 million in revenue per store, in five years, as we believe maximizing the model we have built through the store system is the best means to provide growth and profitability for the enterprise. This will be a joint initiative between the company and our independent dealers as we work to secure locations and negotiate appropriate lease rates. We are ramping up our project backlog and expect 20 to 25 projects, including new stores, remodels and relocations, throughout each of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, with new stores representing approximately 30% of the total."

In the fiscal 2014 second quarter, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store network, including company-owned and independent-licensed stores, opened three new stores and closed one. At the end of the quarter, 23 of the total 314 stores were in the new concept design format introduced in 2011.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

During the quarter, the company generated $19.4 million in cash from operating activities and ended the quarter with $136.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, $30.1 million in investments to enhance returns on cash and $12.6 million in restricted cash. During the quarter, the company purchased approximately 300,000 shares of stock in the open market under its existing authorized share purchase program, leaving approximately 3.5 million shares remaining in the program.

Dividend

The Board of Directors increased the company's regular quarterly dividend to shareholders by 50% to $0.06 per share. The dividend will be paid on December 10, 2013, to shareholders of record as of November 29, 2013.

Business Outlook

Darrow stated, "We continue to be optimistic about our business model and future opportunities. Over the past five years, we have proactively transformed our company against the backdrop of a challenging macroeconomic environment. We have built a strong foundation across our business in terms of operating efficiencies with creative and fresh marketing and merchandising initiatives. Our brand remains the strongest in the industry and we have excellent retail distribution through approximately 900 branded outlets in addition to numerous other retail outlets. Although there is uncertainty in Washington with respect to the debt ceiling and how that may impact the consumer, we are moving forward with plans to drive growth through our "4-4-5" strategy and believe we will continue to deliver profitable growth and return value to shareholders."


LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME




Second Quarter Ended

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data)


10/26/13


10/27/12

Sales


$366,403


$322,341

Cost of sales


242,643


222,032

   Gross profit


123,760


100,309

Selling, general and administrative expense


98,342


89,746

   Operating income


25,418


10,563

Interest expense


133


191

Interest income


176


116

Other income (expense), net


(279)


212

   Income before income taxes


25,182


10,700

Income tax expense


8,165


3,868

   Net income


17,017


6,832

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests


(273)


(213)

   Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated


$16,744


$6,619






Basic weighted average shares outstanding


52,537


52,356

Basic net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated per share


$0.32


$0.13






Diluted weighted average shares outstanding


53,261


53,268

Diluted net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated per share


$0.31


$0.12






Dividends declared per share


$0.04


 

LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME




Six Months Ended

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except per share data)


10/26/13


10/27/12

Sales


$685,316


$623,842

Cost of sales


458,270


433,921

   Gross profit


227,046


189,921

Selling, general and administrative expense


186,806


171,732

   Operating income


40,240


18,189

Interest expense


269


364

Interest income


356


237

Other income, net


257


91

   Income before income taxes


40,584


18,153

Income tax expense


13,632


6,626

   Net income


26,952


11,527

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests


(618)


(510)

   Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated


$26,334


$11,017






Basic average shares


52,440


52,274

Basic net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated per share


$0.50


$0.21






Diluted average shares


53,176


53,169

Diluted net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated per share


$0.49


$0.20






Dividends declared per share


$0.08


 

LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET






(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)


10/26/13


4/27/13

Current assets





   Cash and equivalents


$136,245


$131,085

   Restricted cash


12,566


12,686

   Receivables, net of allowance of $13,764 at 10/26/13 and $21,607 at 4/27/13


159,509


160,005

   Inventories, net


158,582


146,343

   Deferred income taxes – current


18,317


20,640

   Other current assets


31,778


30,121

      Total current assets


516,997


500,880

Property, plant and equipment, net


121,924


118,060

Goodwill


12,837


12,837

Other intangible assets


5,627


4,838

Deferred income taxes – long-term


32,423


30,572

Other long-term assets, net


59,692


53,184

         Total assets


$749,500


$720,371






Current liabilities





   Current portion of long-term debt


$7,604


$513

   Accounts payable


56,463


50,542

   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities


97,193


99,108

      Total current liabilities


161,260


150,163

Long-term debt


486


7,576

Other long-term liabilities


77,420


70,664

Contingencies and commitments



Shareholders' equity





   Preferred shares – 5,000 authorized; none issued



   Common shares, $1 par value – 150,000 authorized; 52,567 outstanding

      at 10/26/13 and 52,392 outstanding at 4/27/13


52,567


52,392

   Capital in excess of par value


252,127


241,888

   Retained earnings


233,210


226,044

   Accumulated other comprehensive loss


(34,977)


(35,496)

      Total La-Z-Boy Incorporated shareholders' equity


502,927


484,828

Noncontrolling interests


7,407


7,140

      Total equity


510,334


491,968

         Total liabilities and equity


$749,500


$720,371

 

LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS




Six Months Ended

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)


10/26/13


10/27/12

Cash flows from operating activities





   Net income


$26,952


$11,527

   Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by

      (used for) operating activities





      Deferred income tax benefit


(391)


(457)

      Restructuring


(54)


2,686

      Provision for doubtful accounts


(1,994)


654

      Depreciation and amortization


11,661


11,239

      Stock-based compensation expense


5,671


6,959

      Pension plan contributions



(2,320)

      Change in receivables


1,298


11,689

      Change in inventories


(10,561)


(22,290)

      Change in other assets


(1,920)


(6,043)

      Change in payables


3,772


(4,619)

      Change in other liabilities


(2,021)


(11,484)

        Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities


32,413


(2,459)






Cash flows from investing activities





   Proceeds from disposal of assets


2,241


985

   Capital expenditures


(14,323)


(11,637)

   Purchases of investments


(23,180)


(31,514)

   Proceeds from sales of investments


18,196


5,684

   Acquisitions, net of cash acquired



(15,863)

   Change in restricted cash


120


(6,931)

      Net cash used for investing activities


(16,946)


(59,276)






Cash flows from financing activities





   Payments on debt


(263)


(2,255)

   Stock issued for stock and employee benefit plans


2,983


1,236

   Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises


5,228


1,025

   Purchases of common stock


(13,681)


(4,012)

   Dividends paid


(4,214)


      Net cash used for financing activities


(9,947)


(4,006)






Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents


(360)


(21)

Change in cash and equivalents


5,160


(65,762)

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period


131,085


152,370

Cash and equivalents at end of period


$136,245


$86,608

 

LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED
SEGMENT INFORMATION




Second Quarter Ended


Six Months Ended

 (Unaudited, amounts in thousands)


10/26/13


10/27/12


10/26/13


10/27/12

Sales









Upholstery segment:









          Sales to external customers


$261,317


$228,487


$485,669


$438,850

          Intersegment sales


34,881


30,975


65,403


58,779

Upholstery segment sales


296,198


259,462


551,072


497,629

Casegoods segment:









          Sales to external customers


31,190


32,028


58,466


65,345

          Intersegment sales


2,742


2,500


4,902


3,792

Casegoods segment sales


33,932


34,528


63,368


69,137










Retail segment sales


73,359


61,198


139,633


118,317

Corporate and Other


537


628


1,548


1,330

Eliminations


(37,623)


(33,475)


(70,305)


(62,571)

    Consolidated sales


$366,403


$322,341


$685,316


$623,842










Operating Income (Loss)









Upholstery segment


$32,525


$21,790


$54,762


$37,368

Casegoods segment


645


902


1,202


2,181

Retail segment


3,251


(575)


5,177


(2,563)

Restructuring


142


(2,654)


55


(2,686)

Corporate and Other


(11,145)


(8,900)


(20,956)


(16,111)

    Consolidated operating income


$25,418


$10,563


$40,240


$18,189

 

Source: La-Z-Boy Incorporated

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