ATLANTA, Feb. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HAVERTYS (NYSE:HVT) (NYSE:HVT.A) reports earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 of $0.13 per share compared to $0.51 per share for the same period of 2016. The earnings per share for the full year 2017 were $0.98 compared to $1.30 per share for 2016. The enactment of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act) resulted in a reduction in diluted earnings per share of $0.27 for both the fourth quarter and full year 2017.
Clarence H. Smith, chairman, president and CEO, said, “Our earnings for the fourth quarter reflect the impact of below plan sales and the Tax Act. Our sales and in-home designer teams have increased our average ticket for the 13th straight quarter, however generating store traffic remains challenging.
We believe the beneficial effects of the Tax Act will begin to be realized by individuals and companies during the next few months. The reduction in corporate tax rates will mean our estimated effective tax rate for 2018 will be 25% compared to 38%. We will be using some of these tax savings to increase Havertys’ match of employee contributions to our 401(k) Plan, enhance employees’ medical flexible reimbursement accounts, and increase starting hourly wages.
We ended the year with a strong cash position which allows us flexibility in our capital deployment. The data from recently completed research on our customer is being reviewed and guiding marketing and merchandising plans in key markets. Our teams feel a renewed sense of accountability and energy as we work to drive sales, increase margins, improve execution, and satisfy our customers.”
Financial Highlights
Fourth Quarter 2017 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2016
- As previously reported, net sales decreased 2.6%. On a comparable store basis, sales were down 3.5%. Total written sales were up 0.3% and written comparable store sales decreased 0.7% over the same period last year.
- Average written ticket increased 2.2% over last year’s quarter and custom upholstery written business rose 11.5%.
- Gross profit margin decreased 80 basis points to 54.1%. There was a $0.7 million increase in the LIFO reserve in 2017 versus a $0.8 million decrease in 2016, a negative change of $1.5 million or 69 basis points.
- Selling, general and administrative costs fell $0.9 million and as a percent of sales increased 90 basis points to 48.2% from 47.3%. Fixed and discretionary expenses decreased $0.6 million. The components of this change include: a $0.9 million increase in advertising and marketing expenses; a $0.7 million increase in depreciation, rent and other occupancy costs; and a $2.0 million decrease in administrative costs primarily from reduced medical benefit costs and incentive compensation. Variable expenses were 18.6% as a percent of sales in 2017 compared to 18.2% in 2016 as delivery costs rose and sales from our in-home design program increased.
- Other income in 2017 includes $1.9 million in gains from insurance recoveries related to a damaged store in Wichita, KS and claims related to Hurricane Irma.
- Tax expense was increased by $5.9 million for the enactment of the Tax Act which increased our effective tax rate to 79.2% and reduced diluted earnings per share $0.27.
Twelve Months ended December 31, 2017 Compared to Same Period of 2016
- As previously reported, net sales totaled $819.9 million, compared with $821.6 million in 2016, representing a decrease of 0.2%. Comparable store sales decreased 1.3%.
- Average written ticket was up 2.1 % and custom upholstery written business increased 5.5%.
- Gross profit margin increased 30 basis points to 54.3% from 54.0%. Our LIFO inventory valuation method generated a $2.7 million or 33 basis points negative impact in 2017.
- Selling, general and administrative costs as a percent of sales increased 50 basis points to 49.1% from 48.6% as expenses were well controlled but with the decline in sales not as leveraged. Fixed and discretionary expenses increased $3.3 million to $253.2 million. This increase was driven by greater depreciation, rent, and other occupancy costs totaling $3.7 million and greater advertising and marketing expenses of $2.9 million. These were partially offset by $3.0 million lower administrative costs resulting in part from lower medical benefit costs.
- Other income in 2017 includes $2.9 million in gains from insurance recoveries related to damaged store locations in Lubbock, TX and Wichita, KS and claims related to Hurricane Irma.
- Tax expense was increased $5.9 million for the enactment of the Tax Act which increased our effective tax rate to 51.2% and reduced diluted earnings per share $0.27.
- We increased our quarterly cash dividend 25% in the third quarter to $0.15 per common share.
- Our retail store count remained at 124 as we opened one store in a new market, opened two replacement stores, and closed an underperforming store.
Expectations and Other
- Total written sales for the first quarter to date are up approximately 1.7% over the same period last year and written comparable store sales are up 0.9%. Total delivered sales for the first quarter to date are down 1.7% and comparable store sales decreased 2.4% over the same period last year.
- Our gross profit margin for the full year of 2018 is expected to be 54.7% compared to 54.3% in 2017. First half gross profit margin is projected to be 20 basis points lower than the average for 2018, with the second half running approximately 20 basis points higher.
- Fixed and discretionary type expenses within SG&A are expected to be in the $258 to $260 million range for 2018, up approximately 2.3% over those same costs in 2017. The increase is largely due to increased marketing expenses, higher occupancy costs from new and relocated stores, increases in employee group medical costs, higher employee compensation and benefits expense, and inflation. Fixed and discretionary type expenses in total should average $65.3 million per quarter, excluding the second quarter which is expected to be $2.0 million lower. For 2017 these expenses averaged $64.0 million per quarter in all but the second quarter which was $60.9 million. Variable SG&A expenses for 2018 are anticipated to be 18.5% as a percent of sales, somewhat higher than in 2017 due to increases in personnel costs.
- Our effective tax rate for 2018 is expected to be 25% excluding any changes in our 2017 provision related to the Tax Act and the impact from the vesting of stock-based compensation awards.
- Planned capital expenditures for 2018 are $20.0 million which include opening a store in a new market in the fourth quarter. We also have store closures planned in the first and second half of the year. Retail square footage is expected to decline 1.4% in 2018. The 150,000 square-foot expansion of our Western Distribution Center is expected to be completed in the second quarter.
| HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC. | ||||||||||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data – Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 214,962 | $ | 220,595 | $ | 819,866 | $ | 821,571 | ||||||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 98,769 | 99,575 | 374,943 | 378,234 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 116,193 | 121,020 | 444,923 | 443,337 | ||||||||||||||
| Credit service charges | 35 | 56 | 161 | 229 | ||||||||||||||
| Gross profit and other revenue | 116,228 | 121,076 | 445,084 | 443.566 | ||||||||||||||
| Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 103,573 | 104,427 | 402,884 | 399,236 | ||||||||||||||
| Provision for doubtful accounts | 43 | 97 | 224 | 383 | ||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | (1,927 | ) | (1,308 | ) | (3,358 | ) | (4,107 | ) | ||||||||||
| Total expenses | 101,689 | 103,216 | 399,750 | 395,512 | ||||||||||||||
| Income before interest and income taxes | 14,539 | 17,860 | 45,334 | 48,054 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 469 | 513 | 2,111 | 2,233 | ||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 14,070 | 17,347 | 43,223 | 45,821 | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (1) | 11,149 | 6,400 | 22,148 | 17,465 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income (1) | $ | 2,921 | $ | 10,947 | $ | 21,075 | $ | 28,356 | ||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock (1) | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.98 | $ | 1.30 | ||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.51 | $ | 0.94 | $ | 1.27 | ||||||||||
| Diluted weighted average shares outstanding: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | 21,647 | 21,476 | 21,599 | 21,847 | ||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock | 1,790 | 1,977 | 1,801 | 2,014 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash dividends per share: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | $ | 0.1500 | $ | 1.1200 | $ | 0.5400 | $ | 1.4400 | ||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock | $ | 0.1425 | $ | 1.0625 | $ | 0.5100 | $ | 1.3650 | ||||||||||
(1) In December 2017, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act was enacted and significantly impacted U.S. tax law. As a result of this legislation, our fourth quarter and full year 2017 income tax expense increased $5.9 million, which impacted net income and earnings per share. Our diluted earnings per common share decreased $0.27 for both the fourth quarter and full year 2017.
| HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC. | |||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||||
| (In thousands - Unaudited) | |||||||||
| December 31, | |||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 79,491 | $ | 63,481 | |||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 8,115 | 8,034 | |||||||
| Accounts receivable | 2,408 | 4,244 | |||||||
| Inventories | 103,437 | 102,020 | |||||||
| Prepaid expenses | 11,314 | 8,836 | |||||||
| Other current assets | 5,922 | 7,500 | |||||||
| Total current assets | 210,687 | 194,115 | |||||||
| Accounts receivable, long-term | 254 | 462 | |||||||
| Property and equipment | 229,215 | 233,667 | |||||||
| Deferred income tax | 12,375 | 18,376 | |||||||
| Other assets | 8,798 | 7,885 | |||||||
| Total assets | $ | 461,329 | $ | 454,505 | |||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 20,501 | $ | 25,662 | |||||
| Customer deposits | 27,813 | 24,923 | |||||||
| Accrued liabilities | 37,582 | 41,904 | |||||||
| Current portion of lease obligations | 3,788 | 3,461 | |||||||
| Total current liabilities | 89,684 | 95,950 | |||||||
| Lease obligations, less current portion | 50,803 | 52,013 | |||||||
| Other liabilities | 26,700 | 24,671 | |||||||
| Total liabilities | 167,187 | 172,634 | |||||||
| Stockholders’ equity | 294,142 | 281,871 | |||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 461,329 | $ | 454,505 | |||||
| HAVERTY FURNITURE COMPANIES, INC. | ||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||||||||
| (In thousands – Unaudited) | ||||||||||
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
| 2017 | 2016 | |||||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 21,075 | $ | 28,356 | ||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 30,516 | 29,045 | ||||||||
| Gain on insurance recovery | (2,848 | ) | (3,338 | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from insurance recovery received for business interruption and destroyed inventory | 2,867 | 2,599 | ||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 3,818 | 3,872 | ||||||||
| Excess tax benefit from stock-based plans | - | (80 | ) | |||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 5,559 | (1,120 | ) | |||||||
| Provision for doubtful accounts | 224 | 383 | ||||||||
| Other | 82 | (400 | ) | |||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 1,818 | 1,514 | ||||||||
| Inventories | (2,112 | ) | 6,876 | |||||||
| Customer deposits | 2,890 | 3,887 | ||||||||
| Other assets and liabilities | (930 | ) | (9,508 | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (10,502 | ) | (2,032 | ) | ||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 52,457 | 60,054 | ||||||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | ||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | (24,465 | ) | (29,838 | ) | ||||||
| Maturities of investments | - | 12,725 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from insurance for destroyed property and equipment | 1,987 | 3,011 | ||||||||
| Other investing activities | 870 | 915 | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (21,608 | ) | (13,187 | ) | ||||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | ||||||||||
| Construction allowance receipts | 1,590 | 1,574 | ||||||||
| Payments on lease obligations | (3,482 | ) | (3,125 | ) | ||||||
| Excess tax benefit from stock-based plans | - | 80 | ||||||||
| Dividend paid | (11,392 | ) | (30,409 | ) | ||||||
| Common stock repurchased and retired | - | (21,282 | ) | |||||||
| Taxes on vested restricted shares | (1,555 | ) | (883 | ) | ||||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (14,839 | ) | (54,045 | ) | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 16,010 | (7,178 | ) | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 63,481 | 70,659 | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | $ | 79,491 | $ | 63,481 | ||||||
2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
On December 22, 2017, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act) was enacted into law, The Tax Act contains significant changes to corporate taxes, including a permanent reduction of the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The Tax Act’s other major changes applicable to Havertys include the elimination of certain deductions and an enhanced and extended option to claim accelerated depreciation deductions on qualified property.
In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (SAB 118), which allows us to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date.
We re-measured our deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 25%. However, we are still analyzing certain aspects of the Tax Act and refining our calculations, which could potentially affect the measurement of some of these balances or potentially give rise to new deferred tax amounts. At December 31, 2017, we have made a reasonable estimate of the effects on our existing deferred tax balances and recorded additional tax expense of $10.6 million. This provisional amount is primarily related to depreciation deductions and as we complete our analysis of the Tax Act, collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret any additional guidance issued by the IRS and other standard-setting bodies, the provisional amount may be adjusted. We expect to complete our analysis no later than the fourth quarter of 2018 which is within the measurement period in accordance with SAB 118. We also recognized a tax benefit of $4.7 million for the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities for which our accounting is complete. The total of these adjustments was additional deferred tax expense of $5.9 million and is what we believe is the impact of the Tax Act.
SG&A Expense Classification
We classify our SG&A expenses as either variable or fixed and discretionary. Our variable expenses are comprised of selling and delivery costs. Selling expenses are primarily compensation and related benefits for our commission based sales associates, the discount we pay for third party financing of customer sales and transaction fees for credit card usage. We do not outsource delivery so these costs include personnel, fuel, and other expenses related to this function. Fixed and discretionary expenses are comprised of rent, depreciation and amortization and other occupancy costs for stores, warehouses and offices, and all advertising and administrative costs.
Conference Call Information
The company invites interested parties to listen to the live audiocast of the conference call on February 21 at 10:00 a.m. ET at its website, havertys.com under the investor relations section. If you can not listen live, a replay will be available on the day of the conference call at the website or via telephone at approximately 1:00 p.m. ET through February 28. The number to access the telephone playback is 1-888-203-1112 (access code: 2730867).
About Havertys
Havertys (NYSE:HVT) (NYSE:HVT.A), established in 1885, is a full-service home furnishings retailer with 124 showrooms in 16 states in the Southern and Midwestern regions providing its customers with a wide selection of quality merchandise in middle to upper-middle price ranges. Additional information is available on the company’s website, havertys.com.
Safe Harbor
This press release includes statements that constitute forward-looking statement within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Generally, the words "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are not historical in nature. We intend for all forward-looking statements contained herein or on our website, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf, to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Forward-looking statements may relate to, for example, future operations, financial condition, economic performance (including gross profit margins and expenses), capital expenditures, and demand for our products. The Company cautions that its forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and while we believe that our expectations for the future are reasonable in view of currently available information, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events may differ materially from those indicated as a result of various important factors. Such factors may include, among other things, the state of the economy; state of the residential construction and housing markets; the consumer spending environment for big ticket items; effects of competition; management of relationships with our suppliers and vendors and disruptions in their operations; new regulations or taxation plans, as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC.
Contact:
Havertys 404-443-2900
Richard B. Hare
EVP & CFO
Jenny Hill Parker
SVP, Finance, Secretary and Treasurer
SOURCE: Havertys