Black Diamond Parent Clarus Reports Record Third Quarter 2018 Results, Increases Full-Year Outlook

Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ: CLAR) (“Clarus” and/or the “Company”), a company focused on the outdoor and consumer industries, seeking opportunities to acquire and grow businesses that can generate attractive shareholder returns, reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights vs. Same Year-Ago Quarter

• Sales up 22% to a record $55.7 million.
• Gross margin up 230 basis points to 35.7%.
• Net income improved significantly to $4.1 million or $0.14 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.6 million or $(0.05) per share.
• Adjusted net income before non-cash items increased significantly to a record $7.0 million or $0.23 per share, compared to $2.9 million or $0.10 per share.
• Adjusted EBITDA improved significantly to a record of $7.1 million compared to $3.0 million.
• Repurchased 417,237 shares of the Company’s common stock for approximately $3.3 million, excluding fees and expenses, in connection with Clarus’ modified Dutch auction tender offer.
• Continued quarterly cash dividend of $0.025 per share ($0.10 per share on an annualized basis).             

Management Commentary

“The record results of our third quarter continued to prove the momentum in our brands and reinforce that our strategy is gaining strength,” said John Walbrecht, president of Clarus. “We realized 12% growth from Black Diamond, driven by 17% growth in mountain, 14% growth in climb and a 40% increase in apparel, as well as 35% pro forma growth in Sierra. These results were due to our continued focus on product innovation and an accelerated go-to-market strategy, supported by strong order fulfillment.

“We leveraged these strong top-line results into even higher profitability growth and increased adjusted EBITDA by more than two-fold. In addition, we improved free cash flow for the nine months ended September 2018 by $24 million compared to the same period in 2017.

“We expect the momentum of our business to continue through 2018, supported by key product innovations across all of Black Diamond’s primary product categories, particularly within climb and apparel, and executing a go-to-market strategy at Sierra focused on new product introductions and consumer engagement.”

Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

Sales in the third quarter of 2018 increased 22% to $55.7 million compared to $45.8 million in the same year-ago quarter. The increase was driven by an incremental $4.9 million in sales generated by Sierra, which was acquired on August 21, 2017, and continued strong growth across the Black Diamond® brand. On a constant currency basis, total sales were up 21%.

On a pro forma basis, as if Clarus owned Sierra during the entire third quarter of 2017, consolidated sales in the third quarter of 2018 increased 15%, comprised of 12% growth from Black Diamond and 35% growth from Sierra.

Gross margin increased 230 basis points to 35.7% compared to 33.4% in the year-ago quarter. The increase was primarily due to a favorable mix of higher margin products and distribution channels, the continued optimization of the Company’s sourcing strategy, and more normalized levels of discontinued merchandise.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the third quarter increased to $15.8 million compared to $14.4 million in the year-ago quarter. The increase was due to strategic investments that seek to drive innovation and growth, as well as higher stock-based compensation and purchase accounting amortization expense associated with Sierra. Overall, the Company continued to prudently manage expenses given its revenue growth.

Net income in the third quarter improved significantly to $4.1 million or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.6 million or $(0.05) per diluted share in the year-ago quarter. Net income in the third quarter of 2018 included $2.8 million of non-cash items and minimal transaction and restructuring costs, compared to $2.7 million of non-cash items, $1.9 million in transaction costs and minimal restructuring costs in the third quarter of 2017.

Adjusted net income, which excludes the non-cash items, as well as transaction and restructuring costs, increased significantly to a record $7.0 million or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $2.9 million or $0.10 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA also increased significantly to a record $7.1 million compared to $3.0 million in the third quarter of 2017. As a percentage of sales, adjusted EBITDA increased approximately 500 basis points to 13% compared to 7% in the year-ago period.

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for the nine months ending September 30, 2018, and 2017 were $7.6 million and $(16.6) million, respectively. Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2018 was $1.8 million compared to $1.9 million in the same period in 2017. Free cash flow, defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, during the first nine months of 2018 was $5.8 million compared to $(18.5) million in the same period in 2017.

At September 30, 2018, cash and cash equivalents totaled $3.0 million compared to $1.9 million at December 31, 2017. After multiple extensions and increasing the maximum price from $7.20 to $8.00, on July 12th, Clarus announced the results of its $7.5 million modified Dutch auction tender offer. Clarus accepted for purchase 417,237 shares of the Company’s common stock for an aggregate cost of approximately $3.3 million, excluding fees and expenses.

On August 6, 2018, the Company announced that its board of directors approved the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend program of $0.025 per share, or $0.10 per share on an annualized basis. On October 26, 2018, Clarus announced its quarterly dividend will be paid on November 16, 2018, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 2, 2018.

The Company’s debt balance at September 30, 2018, was $22.7 million compared to $20.8 million at December 31, 2017.

Increased 2018 Outlook

Clarus now expects fiscal year 2018 sales to come in at the upper end of its previously stated $205-$210 million range ($202-$207 million on a constant currency basis) compared to $170.7 million in 2017.

The Company also now expects adjusted EBITDA margin to be approximately 9.5% (8.5% in prior outlook), which includes $5 million of cash corporate overhead expenditures, compared to 3.6% in 2017.

Net Operating Loss (NOL)

The Company estimates that it has available NOL carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $157 million. The Company’s common stock is subject to a rights agreement dated February 7, 2008 that is intended to limit the number of 5% or more owners and therefore reduce the risk of a possible change of ownership under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any such change of ownership under these rules would limit or eliminate the ability of the Company to use its existing NOLs for federal income tax purposes. However, there is no guaranty that the rights agreement will achieve the objective of preserving the value of the NOLs.