Financial News Release

08/23/16

La-Z-Boy Reports Fiscal 2017 First-Quarter Results

MONROE, Mich., Aug. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB) today reported its operating results for the fiscal 2017 first quarter ended July 30, 2016.

Fiscal 2017 first-quarter highlights:

  • Consolidated operating income for the fiscal 2017 first quarter increased 9.0% to $21.8 million, with consolidated operating margin increasing 60 basis points to 6.4% from 5.8% in the fiscal 2016 first quarter;
  • Operating margin for the upholstery and casegoods segments increased versus the prior-year period;
  • The company reported earnings per share of $0.28 attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated versus $0.27 in last year's first quarter;
  • Cash flow from operations was $34.1 million versus $1.5 million in the fiscal 2016 first quarter;
  • Same-store sales for the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® network declined 1.9% versus  an increase of 5.3% in last year's first quarter; and
  • The company purchased more than 500,000 shares of stock in the open market.

Sales for the fiscal 2017 first quarter were $340.8 million, compared with $341.4 million in the prior year's first quarter.  The company reported net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated of $13.8 million, or $0.28 per share, versus $13.7 million, or $0.27 per share, in last year's first quarter. 

Kurt L. Darrow, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, of La-Z-Boy, said, "Our manufacturing operations are running  efficiently and when combined with other supply chain initiatives, we drove improved profitability for the fiscal 2017 first quarter, increasing consolidated operating margin to 6.4%.  While we experienced flat sales for the quarter due to weaker demand at wholesale and inconsistent traffic throughout the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store system, we are in an excellent service position for both our dealers and the consumer as we approach the traditionally stronger fall selling season."

Wholesale Segments

For the fiscal 2017 first quarter, sales in the company's upholstery segment decreased 1.9% to $267.4 million versus the prior year's first quarter.  In the casegoods segment, sales for the fiscal 2017 first quarter were $25.0 million, up 7.0% over last year's first quarter.

Darrow commented, "During the quarter, we achieved an 11.1% operating margin in the upholstery segment, some 200 basis points higher than in last year's comparable quarter.   The main performance drivers were improvements in procurement, plant efficiency and productivity, and we also benefitted from a slight shift in product mix.  In our casegoods segment, the operating margin for the quarter was 8.6%, versus 7.2% in last year's comparable quarter, reflecting both improved volume, particularly as we gain traction with our newer more transitional collections, and operating efficiencies."

Darrow said, "As we move into the early fall, we are optimistic about the prospects for upholstery and casegoods collections introduced at the April Furniture Market in High Point, NC.  In particular, the iCleanfabric collection introduced for our La-Z-Boy product line and the AD Modern group from American Drew were received enthusiastically by our dealer base.  These products will arrive on retail floors in September."

Retail Segment

For the fiscal 2017 first quarter, sales in the company's retail segment increased 10.5% to $95.7 million versus the prior year's first quarter.  On the core base of 108 stores included in last year's comparable quarter, delivered sales for the segment decreased 4.4%.

Darrow continued, "We continue to grow the company-owned base of La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores® through new stores associated with our 4-4-5 store build-out strategy and acquisitions of stores owned by independent dealers.  With a larger company-owned retail business, we will further benefit from the combined margin associated with our integrated retail strategy, where we earn an operating profit on both the wholesale and retail sides of the business with every piece of furniture sold through a company-owned store.  In the first quarter, the company opened two stores, one in Midlothian, Virginia, and one in Canton, Ohio.  Additionally, subsequent to quarter end, we bought four stores from an independent licensee – three in Calgary and one in Winnipeg – with the acquisitions representing the retail segment's first foray into Canada.   Historically, in terms of sales, these four stores have been among the highest-performing throughout the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® network and we expect them to contribute approximately $25 million in sales on an annual basis to the company's retail segment." 

Darrow stated, "Our operating margin declined from 5.5% to 2.3% for the quarter, due to lower delivered sales for our core stores and increased investments in our overall marketing spend, including a number of targeted test markets.   While we did experience an up-lift in those markets, the remainder of the business did not meet our expectations for the quarter, given the additional spend.  We will continue, as appropriate, to make long-term marketing investments in the segment and believe this will translate into increased sales and operating profit over time." 

La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® Store Network

System-wide, for the first quarter of fiscal 2017, including company-owned and independent-licensed stores, same-store written sales, which the company tracks as an indicator of retail activity, were down 1.9% versus last year's first quarter, which experienced a 5.3% increase.

For the first quarter, total written sales, which include new and closed stores, increased 2.1% compared with the fiscal 2016 comparable period.  At the end of the first quarter, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store system was composed of 342 stand-alone stores, with 98 in the new concept design format.

Darrow commented, "For fiscal 2017, we are planning for approximately 30 projects, including 12 net new stores, as well as remodels and relocations that include changing out old-format stores into the new concept design format, which is performing at the highest level of our three store formats. During the first quarter, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® network opened five new stores, remodeled four, relocated one and closed one.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we are planning for three new stores and two remodels throughout the network."

FISCAL 2017 PROJECTED* STORE ACTIVITY










Total FY16

New

Closed

Acquired

Total FY17

Remodel

Relocation

Company-owned

124

8

(2)

5

135

3

-

Dealer-owned

214

9

(3)

(5)

215

6

3

Total

338

17

(5)

-

350

9

3









*Projects anticipated to be completed.

 

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

During the quarter, the company generated $34.1 million in cash from operating activities.  La-Z-Boy ended the quarter with $117.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, $32.7 million in investments to enhance returns on cash, and $9.0 million in restricted cash.  During the quarter, the company had $5.2 million in capital expenditures, paid $4.9 million in dividends, and spent $13.6 million purchasing 0.5 million shares of stock in the open market under its existing authorized share purchase program, with remaining authorization to purchase 3.5 million shares.

Business Outlook

Darrow concluded, "We are optimistic about our business for the long term and believe we are making the correct strategic investments to drive sales growth, profitability and returns to shareholders.  In addition to the execution of our 4-4-5 store build-out strategy, we are working to increase other distribution channels, expand our share of the stationary upholstery category and capitalize on our integrated retail strategy through growing the number of stores owned by the company.  At the same time, we are developing a number of new growth strategies to take us well into the future as we capitalize on our brand strength and efficient operating platform."

Conference Call

La-Z-Boy will hold a conference call with the investment community on Wednesday, August 24, 2016, 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 http://investors.la-z-boy.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=92596&p=irol-calendar.  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 877.660.6853 and to international callers at 201.612.7415. Enter Conference ID #13643410.

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) interest rate and currency exchange rate changes; (h) operating factors, such as supply, labor or distribution disruptions (e.g., port strikes); (i) changes in the domestic or international regulatory environment; (j) adoption of new accounting principles; (k) severe weather or other natural events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, tornadoes and tsunamis; (l) our ability to procure fabric rolls and leather hides or cut-and-sewn fabric and leather sets domestically or abroad; (m) information technology conversions or system failures and our ability to recover from a system failure; (n) effects of our brand awareness and marketing programs; (o) the discovery of defects in our products resulting in delays in manufacturing, recall campaigns, reputational damage, or increased warranty costs; (p) litigation arising out of alleged defects in our products; (q) unusual or significant litigation; (r) our ability to locate new La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores (or store owners) and negotiate favorable lease terms for new or existing locations; (s) the results of our restructuring actions; (t) the impact of potential goodwill or intangible asset impairments; and (u) those matters discussed in Item 1A of our fiscal 2016 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: http://investors.la-z-boy.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=92596&p=irol-sec.   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:  http://investors.la-z-boy.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=92596&p=irol-alerts&t=&id=&.

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 127 of the 342 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 342 stand-alone La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores and 551 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




Quarter Ended

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


7/30/16


7/25/15

Sales

$340,783


$341,423

Cost of sales

207,252


217,191

  Gross profit

133,531


124,232

Selling, general and administrative expense

111,763


104,266

  Operating income

21,768


19,966

Interest expense

115


112

Interest income

204


205

Other income (expense), net

(72)


1,968

  Income before income taxes

21,785


22,027

Income tax expense

7,777


7,904

  Net income

14,008


14,123

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(202)


(447)

  Net income attributable to La-Z-Boy Incorporated

$13,806


$13,676





Basic weighted average common shares

49,105


50,583

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

$0.28


$0.27





Diluted weighted average common shares

49,594


51,043

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

$0.28


$0.27





Dividends declared per share            

$0.10


$0.08

 


LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET





(Unaudited, amounts in thousands, except par value)


7/30/16


4/30/16

Current assets





  Cash and equivalents

$117,159


$112,358

  Restricted cash

8,983


8,977

  Receivables, net of allowance of $3,070 at 7/30/16 and $3,145 at 4/30/16

128,959


146,545

  Inventories, net

176,190


175,589

  Other current assets

39,082


38,503

    Total current assets

470,373


481,972

Property, plant and equipment, net

170,835


171,590

Goodwill

41,152


37,193

Other intangible assets

9,008


8,558

Deferred income taxes – long-term

42,612


41,683

Other long-term assets, net

64,089


59,033

      Total assets

$798,069


$800,029





Current liabilities




  Current portion of long-term debt

$266


$290

  Accounts payable

45,064


44,661

  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

106,513


112,476

    Total current liabilities

151,843


157,427

Long-term debt

448


513

Other long-term liabilities

87,550


84,877

Contingencies and commitments


Shareholders' equity




  Preferred shares – 5,000 authorized; none issued


  Common shares, $1 par value – 150,000 authorized; 49,169 outstanding

    at 7/30/16 and 49,331 outstanding at 4/30/16

49,169


49,331

  Capital in excess of par value

283,980


279,339

  Retained earnings

248,636


252,472

  Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(33,801)


(34,000)

    Total La-Z-Boy Incorporated shareholders' equity

547,984


547,142

Noncontrolling interests

10,244


10,070

    Total equity

558,228


557,212

      Total liabilities and equity

$798,069


$800,029

 

LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS




Quarter Ended

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)


7/30/16


7/25/15

Cash flows from operating activities




  Net income

$14,008


$14,123

  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by 

      (used for) operating activities




    Deferred income tax expense

(1,076)


148

    Provision for doubtful accounts

(77)


(340)

    Depreciation and amortization

6,800


6,271

    Equity-based compensation expense

3,329


3,012

    Change in receivables

17,664


24,610

    Change in inventories

510


(22,159)

    Change in other assets

(1,467)


(6,933)

    Change in payables

403


2,021

    Change in other liabilities

(6,044)


(19,223)

      Net cash provided by operating activities

34,050


1,530





Cash flows from investing activities




  Proceeds from disposal of assets

35


279

  Capital expenditures

(5,209)


(6,506)

  Purchases of investments

(7,695)


(5,422)

  Proceeds from sales of investments

3,670


12,983

  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(5,281)


  Change in restricted cash

(7)


    Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities

(14,487)


1,334





Cash flows from financing activities




  Payments on debt

(89)


(122)

  Stock issued for stock and employee benefit plans

2,564


145

  Excess tax benefit on stock option exercises

1,137


363

  Purchases of common stock

(13,567)


(9,171)

  Dividends paid

(4,923)


(4,055)

    Net cash used for financing activities

(14,878)


(12,840)





Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents

116


(807)

Change in cash and equivalents

4,801


(10,783)

Cash and equivalents at beginning of period

112,358


98,302

Cash and equivalents at end of period

$117,159


$87,519





Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities




  Capital expenditures included in payables

$—


$500

 

LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED

SEGMENT INFORMATION




Quarter Ended

 (Unaudited, amounts in thousands)


7/30/16


7/25/15

Sales




Upholstery segment:




     Sales to external customers

$223,809


$232,484

     Intersegment sales

43,607


40,192

Upholstery segment sales

267,416


272,676





Casegoods segment:




     Sales to external customers

20,585


21,202

     Intersegment sales

4,453


2,191

Casegoods segment sales

25,038


23,393





Retail segment sales

95,720


86,651





Corporate and Other:




     Sales to external customers

669


1,086

     Intersegment sales

1,210


516

Corporate and Other sales

1,879


1,602





Eliminations

(49,270)


(42,899)

  Consolidated sales

$340,783


$341,423





Operating Income (Loss)




Upholstery segment

$29,809


$24,594

Casegoods segment

2,147


1,690

Retail segment

2,183


4,729

Corporate and Other

(12,371)


(11,047)

  Consolidated operating income

$21,768


$19,966

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/la-z-boy-reports-fiscal-2017-first-quarter-results-300317202.html

SOURCE La-Z-Boy Incorporated

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