Lifeway Foods (LWAY) – A Healthy Food Alternative

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Lifeway Foods (LWAY)
A Healthy Food Alternative

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Initiating Coverage. We are initiating research coverage on Lifeway Foods, Inc. with a Market Perform rating. Lifeway is the largest producer and marketer of kefir in the U.S. and an important player in the broader probiotic-based products and natural “better for you” foods. We believe Lifeway is well positioned to leverage its dominant kefir position into ancillary products and distribution channels. We should note, given an accounting error from 2009, Lifeway has yet to release operating results for the first and second quarters of 2022. We believe the issue to be satisfactorily resolved and expect the quarterly results to be released shortly. 

What Is Kefir? Originating in the North Caucasus 
region
kefir is a fermented milk drink similar to a thin yogurt or ayran that is made from kefir grains, a specific type of mesophilic symbiotic culture. Lifeway Kefir is tart and tangy as well as high in protein, calcium and vitamin D. As a result of the Company’s exclusive blend of kefir cultures, each cup of Lifeway kefir contains 12 live and active cultures and 25 to 30 billion beneficial CFU (Colony Forming Units) at the time of manufacture.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Stem Holdings, Inc. (STMH) – Terminating Research Coverage

Friday, August 19, 2022

Stem Holdings, Inc. (STMH)
Terminating Research Coverage

Stem is a multi-state, vertically integrated, cannabis company that, through its subsidiaries and its investments, is engaged in the cultivation, processing, packaging, distribution and branding of cannabis, hemp and their derivatives, including oils, edibles, concentrates. Additionally, the Company purchases, improves, leases, operates, and invests in properties for use in the production, distribution and sales of cannabis and cannabis-infused products licensed under the laws of the states of Oregon, Nevada, California, Massachusetts, and New York. As of December 31, 2021, Stem had ownership interests in 24 state-issued cannabis licenses including nine (9) licenses for cannabis cultivation, three (3) licenses for cannabis processing, two (2) licenses for cannabis wholesale distribution, three (3) licenses for hemp production and seven (7) cannabis dispensary licenses.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Termination of Research Coverage. We are terminating research coverage of Stem Holdings, Inc. due to a reallocation of resources. Effective upon termination of coverage, investors should no longer rely on any of our prior research, financial estimates, or ratings for the Company.

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Item 9 Labs (INLB) – Challenging Market Conditions, Reducing to Market Perform

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Item 9 Labs (INLB)
Challenging Market Conditions, Reducing to Market Perform

Item 9 Labs Corp. (OTCQX: INLB) is a vertically integrated cannabis operator and dispensary franchisor delivering premium products from its large-scale cultivation and production facilities in the United States. The award-winning Item 9 Labs brand specializes in best-in-class products and user experience across several cannabis categories. The company also offers a unique dispensary franchise model through the national Unity Rd. retail brand. Easing barriers to entry, the franchise provides an opportunity for both new and existing dispensary owners to leverage the knowledge, resources, and ongoing support needed to thrive in their state compliantly and successfully. Item 9 Labs brings the best industry practices to markets nationwide through distinctive retail experience, cultivation capabilities, and product innovation. The veteran management team combines a diverse skill set with deep experience in the cannabis sector, franchising, and the capital markets to lead a new generation of public cannabis companies that provide transparency, consistency, and well-being. Headquartered in Arizona, the company is currently expanding its operations space by up to 640,000-plus square feet on its 50-acre site, one of the largest properties in Arizona zoned to grow and cultivate flower. For additional information, visit https://investors.item9labscorp.com/.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

3Q Results. Item 9 Labs reported disappointing 3Q results. Revenue was $4.9 million, down 26.3% y-o-y and down 26% sequentially. We had projected $7 million. Gross profit margin declined to 32.2% from 43.2% a year ago. Net loss for the quarter was $5.5 million, or $0.06 per share, versus a net loss of $833,905, or $0.01 per share, in 3Q21. Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $1.9 million to a loss of $1.8 million from a positive $217,995 last year.

Inching Forward. Item 9 is making progress on both the Arizona and Nevada expansions, but at a much slower pace than we had expected. The same with the acquisition of Sessions in Canada and the Herbal Cure location in Colorado. We believe these investments will occur, but timing is uncertain….

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Release – Vera Bradley Makes Move Into Metaverse With Utility-Driven NFTs To Celebrate 40th Anniversary



Vera Bradley Makes Move Into Metaverse With Utility-Driven NFTs To Celebrate 40th Anniversary

Research, News, and Market Data on Vera Bradley

Genesis NFT Drop Comes With Limited-Edition Jilly Bag, Plus 100% Of Vera Bradley’s Primary Net Proceeds From 2nd NFT Drop To Benefit The Vera Bradley Foundation For Breast Cancer

FORT WAYNE, Ind., Aug. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Vera Bradley, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRA), the parent company of iconic lifestyle brand and leading American bag and luggage brand Vera Bradley, announced the World of Vera Bradley via Discord and Twitter. This new digital concept will take customers on a journey into the metaverse, bringing together the brand’s past, present, and future through its upcoming NFT (non-fungible token) collections.

Pioneering colorful and beautiful travel solutions for women since 1982, Vera Bradley now aims to create an experience that bridges the physical and digital worlds and provides a space for women to explore and learn about Web3 through the World of Vera Bradley. Easy to access through worldofverabradley.com, the World of Vera Bradley will also be the point-of-purchase for Vera Bradley’s NFT collections, the first of which is slated to launch in September during New York Fashion Week.

Aptly named the Heritage Pass, Vera Bradley’s genesis NFT will celebrate the brand’s 40th anniversary and feature one animated image of Vera Bradley’s coveted throwback Jilly Bag in four archived prints. Available for purchase on September 14, 2022, and priced to sell at $82.00 USD*, each of the 440 Heritage Pass NFT tokens will function as a Mint Pass and come with a physical, limited-edition Jilly Bag in one of the four heritage prints featured in the NFT. Anticipation of the unknown will add to the excitement of the Heritage Pass, as buyers will receive a Jilly Bag in one of four surprise patterns. Additionally, first-adopters will be rewarded with early access to purchase the second Vera Bradley NFT, launching in October.

Available for presale on October 1 and 2 and for public sale on October 3, 2022, Vera Bradley’s second NFT drop, the 1982 Collection, will be comprised of 1,982 generative backgrounds derived from 40 archived prints to commemorate the year the company was founded. Priced at $19.82 USD*, the 1982 Collection will attract both crypto lovers and breast cancer awareness supporters alike with 100% of Vera Bradley’s primary net proceeds benefiting the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, focusing its unique utility on advocacy and fundraising.

“The World of Vera Bradley brings Vera Bradley’s brand vision for an interconnected future and Web3 world to life,” states Daren Hull, Brand President, Vera Bradley, “Beyond technology, Web3 will continue to evolve and shape ownership in the next generation. We believe NFT projects like ours, rooted in strong fundamentals and a commitment to maximizing the fundraising impact to the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, will be the future of Web3.”

Jennifer Bova, VP of Marketing, Vera Bradley continues, “With the launch of the World of Vera Bradley and our first NFT collections, we will create an authentic and connected community of digital asset holders through innovation, vision, and a consumer-first approach. This is another experience to strengthen Vera Bradley’s sisterhood, utilizing Web3 and fundraising for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.”

Both Vera Bradley NFT Collections will be available for purchase through the World of Vera Bradley’s digital destination (www.worldofverabradley.com) using a credit card, or via Open Sea using ETH.

ABOUT VERA BRADLEY:
Vera Bradley, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is a leading designer of women’s handbags, luggage and other travel items, fashion and home accessories, and unique gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand is known for its innovative designs, iconic patterns, and brilliant colors that inspire and connect women unlike any other brand in the global marketplace. Visit www.verabradley.com and follow @verabradley to learn more.

ABOUT VERA BRADLEY FOUNDATION FOR BREAST CANCER:
The 
Vera Bradley Foundation
for Breast Cancer
 raises funds for breast cancer research to find a cure and to improve the lives of the many affected by this disease. The Foundation has contributed $37.5 million to the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine. The Center is focused on developing and dramatically improving therapies for some of the most difficult-to-treat types of breast cancer. Funds are raised through special events, partner events, and individual donations.

CONTACTS:
Email: mediacontact@verabradley.com
Phone: 877-708-VERA (8372)
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d47a7824-51ff-42a7-9006-b437d3802e4b and https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90dccc59-03b9-467a-9f01-8b1889c967a5.
*Please Note: The exact USD retail price will depend on gas prices at time of purchase.

 


Schwazze (SHWZ) – A Record Quarter, But What’s Next?

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Schwazze (SHWZ)
A Record Quarter, But What’s Next?

Schwazze (OTCQX:SHWZ, NEO:SHWZ) is building a premier vertically integrated regional cannabis company with assets in Colorado and New Mexico and will continue to take its operating system to other states where it can develop a differentiated regional leadership position. Schwazze is the parent company of a portfolio of leading cannabis businesses and brands spanning seed to sale. The Company is committed to unlocking the full potential of the cannabis plant to improve the human condition. Schwazze is anchored by a high-performance culture that combines customer-centric thinking and data science to test, measure, and drive decisions and outcomes. The Company’s leadership team has deep expertise in retailing, wholesaling, and building consumer brands at Fortune 500 companies as well as in the cannabis sector. Schwazze is passionate about making a difference in our communities, promoting diversity and inclusion, and doing our part to incorporate climate-conscious best practices.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

2Q22 Results. Revenue for the quarter totaled $44.3 million, up from $31.8 million in the first quarter and $30.7 million a year ago. The increase was mostly due to acquisitions as the Colorado market continued to experience softness from the 2021 COVID highs. Adjusted EBITDA was $15.0 million in the quarter, up from $10.0 million a year ago. Schwazze reported operating income of $9 million and net income of $32.1 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, versus $4.4 million and $0.08 last year. We had forecast revenue of $39 million and a net loss of $1.6 million, or $0.03 per share.

Metrics. For the sixth consecutive quarter, Schwazze outpaced the Colorado industry, this time by 11%, but ongoing weakness in the Colorado market resulted in declines in key performance metrics. Colorado two year stacked IDs for same store sales in the second quarter were up 1.8%, although one year were down 12.7%. The same measurements for New Mexico were up 41% and 30.4%, respectively. Average basket size fell in both markets….

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Release – ACCO Brands Corporation Announces Appointment of Joe Burton to Board of Directors



ACCO Brands Corporation Announces Appointment of Joe Burton to Board of Directors

Research, News, and Market Data on ACCO Brands

08/15/2022

LAKE ZURICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) today announced that Joe Burton has been appointed to its Board of Directors.

In his current role as Chief Executive Officer for Telesign Corp., Mr. Burton leads an organization that services global enterprises by connecting, protecting and defending their digital identities. Prior to his current role, he served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Poly (formerly Plantronics), a company that provides premium audio, video and conferencing products for businesses and consumers. Previously, Mr. Burton held various executive management, engineering leadership, strategy and architecture-level positions at Polycom, Cisco Systems, Inc. and Active Voice Corporation.

Boris Elisman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ACCO Brands, commented, “We are excited to have Joe join our Board of Directors. Technology is becoming a more significant part of our product portfolio. Joe’s extensive expertise in technology and product development, as well as success driving digital transformation, growth acceleration and corporate/go-to-market strategies, will help guide us in our transformation journey to transition to a global consumer and brand-driven products company.”

About
ACCO Brands

ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, designs, manufactures and markets consumer and end-user products that help people work, learn, play and thrive. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Five Star®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Swingline®, Tilibra® and many others. More information about ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) can be found at www.accobrands.com.

Christopher McGinnis
Investor Relations
(847) 796-4320

Julie McEwan
Media Relations
(937) 974-8162

Source: ACCO Brands Corporation


RCI Hospitality Holdings (RICK) – Another Solid Quarter

Thursday, August 11, 2022

RCI Hospitality Holdings (RICK)
Another Solid Quarter

With more than 60 units, RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the country’s leading company in adult nightclubs and sports bars/restaurants. Clubs in New York City, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Denver, St. Louis, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Louisville, and other markets operate under brand names such as Rick’s Cabaret, XTC, Club Onyx, Vivid Cabaret, Jaguars Club, Tootsie’s Cabaret, Scarlett’s Cabaret, Diamond Cabaret, and PT’s Showclub. Sports bars/restaurants operate under the brand name Bombshells Restaurant & Bar.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

3Q22 Results. Revenue hit a record $70.7 million, up 11% sequentially and up 22.2% y-o-y.  We had projected $72 million of revenue. Net income was $13.9 million, or $1.48 per share, compared to $12.3 million, or $1.37 per share last year. Adjusted EPS was $1.60 compared to $1.36. We were at $12.5 million of net income, or $1.33 per share.

Quarterly Drivers. Quarterly results benefited from higher sales, partially due to the acquired clubs, a continued rebound in Nightclubs service revenue, and sequential improvement in Bombshells….

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

ACCO Brands (ACCO) – Post Call Commentary

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

ACCO Brands (ACCO)
Post Call Commentary

ACCO Brands Corporation is one of the world’s largest designers, marketers and manufacturers of branded academic, consumer and business products. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Esselte®, Five Star®, GBC®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Quartet®, Rapid®, Rexel®, Swingline®, Tilibra®, and many others. Our products are sold in more than 100 countries around the world. More information about ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, can be found at www.accobrands.com.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Hit the Reset Button. The major drag on 2Q results and full year guidance is PowerA. After a fantastic 2021, a lack of chips for consoles and a more normalized level of demand post-COVID resulted in PowerA sales declining in 2Q. ACCO’s management also gave an updated full year projection for PowerA, for which sales are estimated to be down 10-15%, or about $25-$40 million, for all of 2022.

Forex No Friend. The other major contributor to reduced guidance is forex headwinds. Forex is now expected to have a negative 4.5% impact on revenue for the year, up 200 bp from management’s previous expectation. Outside of PowerA and forex, the rest of ACCO’s business looks solid, although a significant economic downturn could change that view….

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. (KNDI) – The shift towards off-road vehicles accelerates

Tuesday, August 09, 2022

Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. (KNDI)
The shift towards off-road vehicles accelerates

Kandi Technologies Group, Inc. (KNDI), headquartered in Jinhua Economic Development Zone, Zhejiang Province, is engaged in the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of various vehicular products. Kandi conducts its primary business operations through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Zhejiang Kandi Technologies Group Co., Ltd. (“Zhejiang Kandi Technologies”), formerly, Zhejiang Kandi Vehicles Co., Ltd.) and its subsidiaries including Zhejiang Kandi Smart Battery Swap Technology Co., Ltd, and SC Autosports, LLC (d/b/a Kandi America), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Kandi in the United States, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Kandi America Investment, LLC. Zhejiang Kandi Technologies has established itself as one of China’s leading manufacturers of pure electric vehicle parts and off-road vehicles.

Michael Heim, CFA, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Off-road vehicle sales rose 80% as the company continues to shift towards golf carts, go-karts, and ATVS. Off-road vehicle sales carry higher gross margins (10-15%) than other businesses. Management indicates that crossover golf carts delivered from the factory have increased from dozens in March 2022 to more than 2,000/month. Management believes the off-road market could be a $2.2 billion market by 2028, demonstrating 19% annual growth. Kandi plans on introducing new models this fall to stay ahead of demand. Battery sales (following an acquisition earlier this year) were also strong and contributing to profitability. 

Kandi is deemphasizing the electric vehicle market and seeing a slow down in scooters/bikes. Management continues to believe the EV market is currently too competitive stating that competitors are losing up to $10,000/vehicle to gain market share. Scooters/bikes sales, which were especially strong during COVID, declined 90% year over year as demand for the product drops….

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

ACCO Brands (ACCO) – First Look: 2Q22

Tuesday, August 09, 2022

ACCO Brands (ACCO)
First Look: 2Q22

ACCO Brands Corporation is one of the world’s largest designers, marketers and manufacturers of branded academic, consumer and business products. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Esselte®, Five Star®, GBC®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Quartet®, Rapid®, Rexel®, Swingline®, Tilibra®, and many others. Our products are sold in more than 100 countries around the world. More information about ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, can be found at www.accobrands.com.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

2Q22 Operating Results. ACCO reported 2Q22 revenue of $521 million, up 0.6% year-over-year and up 5.2% on a comparable basis, with all segments posting growth. ACCO has now recorded five consecutive quarters of comparable sales growth. We had forecast revenue of $545 million. Adjusted EPS was $0.37, compared to $0.43 last year. We had forecast adjusted EPS of $0.44.

Forex, Economic Conditions Restrain Growth. Slower economic growth, increased inflation, and unfavorable foreign currency impacts resulted in a more challenging quarter than anticipated. Adverse foreign exchange reduced sales by $23.6 million in the quarter, while a lack of computer chips resulted in lower sales of gaming accessories. Operating income benefited from $9.4 million of contingent earnout income related to the PowerA acquisition….

This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Release – Comstock Announces Second Quarter 2022 Results



Comstock Announces Second Quarter 2022 Results

Research, News, and Market Data on Comstock Mining

Cellulosic
Breakthrough Unlocks Massive New Feedstock Model for Net Zero Energy
Independence

VIRGINIA
CITY, NEVADA, AUGUST 9, 2022
 – Comstock Inc. (NYSE: LODE) (“Comstock” and the “Company”) today announced its recent business development highlights, second quarter 2022 results, and updated outlook.  

Selected Strategic Highlights – Cellulosic Fuels

  • Expanded our leading cellulosic fuels technology portfolio by filing for a new patent covering breakthrough pathways to produce Bioleum a renewable offset for petroleum and multiple drop-in renewable fuels from woody biomass.
  • Filed a preliminary application for a U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) grant opportunity for a pilot scale system to validate enhanced production metrics of purified bio-intermediaries and renewable fuels from woody biomass.
  • Received a notification of “encouragement” from the U.S. Department of Energy for this same grant opportunity.
  • Established strategic collaborations with leading industry partners, including feedstock and offtake relationships, for the development of renewable fuels, from woody biomass, at dramatically improved yield, efficiency, and cost.
  • Advanced the engineering and development of our cellulosic fuel demonstration facility.

Selected Strategic Highlights – Lithium Extraction
and Electrification Products

  • Commissioned our proprietarylithium-ion battery (“LIB”) pilot crushing, separation, and conditioning system.
  • Enhanced the design and commenced upgrades on our proprietary LIB pilot crushing and separation system.
  • Completed construction of our prototype lithium extraction system in our R&D facility and commenced testing.
  • Advanced permitting for our state-of-the-art battery metal recycling facility in Nevada.
  • Production of high-purity black mass to commence in our battery metal recycling facility by Q2 2023.
  • Production of battery grade lithium carbonate to commence in our battery metal recycling facility by Q3 2023.

Selected Financial Highlights

  • Total assets were $117,826,063 as of June 30, 2022, as compared to $115,119,393 at March 31, 2022.
  • Operating expenses were $5,896,617 for the second quarter 2022, including selling, general and administrative expenses of $2,508,573 and research and development expenses of $2,579,150, and depreciation of $808,894.
  • Second quarter 2022 net loss was $13,766,846 or $(0.20) per share, as compared to second quarter 2021 net loss of $6,320,992 or $(0.15) per share. The 2022 results were primarily driven by increases in research and development expenditures and changes in fair values of derivatives.
  • Advanced non-strategic asset monetization efforts with asset sales proceeds expected at $20 million. 
  • Debt was $4,572,356 on June 30, 2022, net of discount, representing an unsecured promissory note.
  • Cash and cash equivalents were $4,345,315 on June 30, 2022.
  • Outstanding common shares were 76,822,049 at June 30, 2022, and 78,737,632 at August 8, 2022.

“Our financial results reflect the impact of our continued investment in the research, development and commercialization of our renewable energy businesses,” said Corrado De Gasperis, Comstock’s executive chairman and chief executive officer. “The building and operating of these proprietary demonstration systems are critical prerequisites for full scale commercialization.”

Cellulosic Fuels

The Company recently announced a significant expansion of its leading cellulosic technology portfolio by filing for a new patent covering breakthrough pathways to produce renewable diesel, sustainable aviation fuel (“SAF”) gasoline and marine fuel from woody biomass, at dramatically improved yield, efficiency, and cost in comparison to all known methods.

Renewable fuels provide a critical opportunity for decarbonization, however, most of the existing U.S. renewable fuel refineries draw from the same limited pool of constrained feedstocks. Comstock’s plans to decarbonize with renewable fuels involves abundant feedstocks that are not used today, enabling a vast untapped energy source with superior benefits. 

“Our new patent covers processes and compositions that have been validated at our existing two ton per day cellulosic fuels pilot facility, verifying that we can simultaneously produce multiple purified biointermediates that are uniquely isolated and free of the contaminants that have frustrated prior attempts at commercializing cellulosic fuel technologies,” added De Gasperis.

Based on current data, Comstock projects best-in-class renewable yields exceeding 80 gallons per dry ton of woody biomass (on a gasoline gallon equivalent basis), with lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions exceeding 80% over petroleum.

The Company is currently expanding its existing cellulosic demonstration systems to include the production of Bioleum™ and expects these demonstration systems to add to our existing capabilities for producing carbon-neutral pulps, cellulosic sugar and cellulosic ethanol.  The expansion into Bioleum™ will demonstrate the full capability of producing these bio-intermediaries suitable for the production of renewable diesel, marine, SAF and gasoline from woody biomass.

The Company recently submitted a preliminary grant application to the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) entitled “Production of Renewable Diesel,
Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Gasoline, and Marine Fuel from Lignocellulosic
Biomass at Dramatically Improved Yield, Efficiency, and Cost” 
and received a DOE notification of encouragement to apply for this funding opportunity, reflecting positively on the Company technology readiness and the strength of its collaboration partners.

De Gasperis continued, “The existing U.S. biorefining capacity is far greater than current feedstocks can support, and the DOE clearly recognizes the need for expanded feedstocks. We believe that our expanded technology solutions, and the magnitude of feedstocks that they enable, unblock one of the most critical supply chain constraints across the U.S. and global markets.”

Electrification Products

The Company completed construction and initial commissioning of its breakthrough LIB crushing, separating, and conditioning process during the second quarter, successfully confirming the production of highly concentrated “black mass.”

“We have successfully developed a proprietary system that produces a novel and pure black mass, further positioning us for high efficiency metals extraction, starting with lithium,” said Mr. De Gasperis. “Our team is enhancing the pilot system for deployment in Nevada where we will ultimately integrate our black mass production and lithium extraction process in 2023.”  

The Company expects to receive its main operating permit during the fourth quarter of 2022 and complete the submission of its modified air quality permits for our LIB processes at our state-of-the-art, battery metal recycling facility in the third quarter.

“The cleaning and repairs of our facility in Nevada are near complete and truly look outstanding.  The facility can now be readied for the receipt and installations of pilot and demonstration units for crushing, separating and conditioning of our novel black mass and subsequently, our lithium extraction, while the permitting process continues” concluded Mr. De Gasperis.

Corporate

Cash and cash equivalents were $4,345,315 on June 30, 2022. The Company expects over $20 million in proceeds over the next two quarters from the sale of its non-mining properties, non-strategic investments, and collection of advances receivable, including the Daney Ranch for $2.5 million, net, and proceeds from Sierra Springs Opportunity Fund totaling over $18 million.

Conference Call Details

Comstock will host the conference call on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at 1:15 p.m. PDT  (4:15 p.m. EDT) and the webcast will include a moderated question and answer session following the Company’s prepared remarks.  Please click the link below to register in advance and please join the event at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webcast. Please 
click here to register in advance.

About
Comstock

Comstock (NYSE: LODE) innovates technologies that contribute to global decarbonization and circularity by efficiently converting under-utilized natural resources into renewable fuels and electrification products that contribute to balancing global uses and emissions of carbon. The Company intends to achieve exponential growth and extraordinary financial, natural, and social gains by building, owning, and operating a fleet of advanced carbon neutral extraction and refining facilities, by selling an array of complimentary process solutions and related services, and by licensing selected technologies to qualified strategic partners. To learn more, please visit www.comstock.inc.

Forward-Looking
Statements 

This press release and any related calls or discussions may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “should,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: future industry market conditions; future explorations or acquisitions; future changes in our exploration activities; future changes in our research and development; and future prices and sales of, and demand for, our products and services. Except as may be required by securities or other law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Neither this press release nor any related call or discussion constitutes an offer to sell, the solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation with respect to any securities of the Company, the fund or any other issuer.

  Contact
information:

 

 

Comstock Mining Inc.
P.O. Box 1118
Virginia City, NV 89440
www.comstock.inc

Corrado De Gasperis
Executive Chairman & CEO
Tel (775) 847-4755
degasperis@comstockmining.com

Zach Spencer
Director of External Relations
Tel (775) 847-5272 Ext.151
questions@comstockmining.com

 


Release – 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. to Release Results for its Fiscal 2022 Fourth Quarter and Full Year on Thursday, September 1, 2022



1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. to Release Results for its Fiscal 2022 Fourth Quarter and Full Year on Thursday, September 1, 2022

Research, News, and Market Data on 1-800-FLOWERS.COM

Aug 08, 2022

JERICHO, N.Y.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLWS),a leading provider of gifts designed to help inspire customers to give more, connect more, and build more and better relationships, today announced that the Company will release financial results for its fiscal 2022 fourth quarter and full year (ended 7/3/22) on Thursday, September 1, 2022. The press release will be issued prior to market opening and will be followed by a conference call with members of senior management at 8:00 a.m. (ET).

 

The conference call will be available via live webcast from the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at 1800flowersinc.com. A recording of the call will be posted on the website within two hours of the call’s completion. A telephonic replay of the call can be accessed beginning at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on September 1, 2022, through September 8, 2022, at: (US) 1-877-344-7529; (
Canada) 855-669-9658; (International) 1-412-317-0088; enter conference ID: #4688547. If you have any questions regarding the above information, please call the Investor Relations office at (516) 237-6131.

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
Some of the statements contained in the Company’s scheduled Thursday, September 1, 2022, press release and conference call regarding its results for its fiscal 2022 fourth quarter and full year (ended 7/3/22), other than statements of historical fact, may be forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the applicable statements. For a more detailed description of these and other risk factors, please refer to the Company’s SEC filings including its Annual Reports and Forms 10K and 10Q available at the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at 1800flowersinc.com. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements made in the scheduled conference call and any recordings thereof, or in any of its SEC filings, except as may be otherwise stated by the Company.

 

About 1-800-FLOWERS.COM,
Inc.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. is a leading provider of gifts designed to help inspire customers to give more, connect more, and build more and better relationships. The Company’s e-commerce business platform features an all-star family of brands, including: 1-800-Flowers.com®, 1-800-Baskets.com®, Cheryl’s Cookies®, Harry & David®, PersonalizationMall.com®, Shari’s Berries®, FruitBouquets.com®, Moose Munch®, The Popcorn Factory®, Wolferman’s Bakery®, Vital Choice®, Stock Yards® and Simply Chocolate®. Through the Celebrations Passport® loyalty program, which provides members with free standard shipping and no service charge across our portfolio of brands, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. strives to deepen relationships with customers. The Company also operates BloomNet®, an international floral and gift industry service provider offering a broad-range of products and services designed to help members grow their businesses profitably; Napco?, a resource for floral gifts and seasonal décor; DesignPac Gifts, LLC, a manufacturer of gift baskets and towers; and Alice’s Table®, a lifestyle business offering fully digital livestreaming floral, culinary and other experiences to guests across the country. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. was recognized among the top 5 on the National Retail Federation’s 2021 Hot 25 Retailers list, which ranks the nation’s fastest-growing retail companies, and was named to the Fortune 1000 list in 2022. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS. For more information, visit 1800flowersinc.com or follow @1800FLOWERSInc on Twitter.

 

FLWS-COMP
FLWS-FN

Investor Contact:

Joseph D. Pititto

(516) 237-6131

invest@1800flowers.com

Media Contact:

Kathleen Waugh

(516) 237-6028

kwaugh@1800flowers.com

Source: 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc

 


Release – ACCO Brands Posts Solid Quarterly Results in Challenging Operating Environment



ACCO Brands Posts Solid Quarterly Results in Challenging Operating Environment

Research, News, and Market Data on ACCO Brands

LAKE ZURICH, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) today announced its second quarter results for the period ended June 30, 2022.

  • Net sales were $521.0 million, up 0.6 percent; comparable sales were up 5.2 percent
  • EPS was $0.40 versus $0.50 in 2021; adjusted EPS was $0.37 versus $0.43 in 2021
  • Continued sales momentum in North America driven by strong back-to-school sell-in
  • Continued recovery in International segment, led by growth in Brazil and Mexico
  • Updated guidance reflecting a more conservative view of the macroeconomic environment

“We posted impressive comparable sales with growth across all operating segments and multiple product categories, led by our Five Star® and Kensington® brands, and in our Latin American business. We have achieved five consecutive quarters of sustained comparable sales growth and remain confident in our strategy of transforming our Company towards more consumer-oriented products. Our performance continues to demonstrate the benefits of our geographic diversity and balance and skillful execution by our employees. Our second quarter proved to be more challenging than originally anticipated mainly due to slower economic growth, increased inflation and unfavorable foreign currency impacts, but additional price increases to counter inflation leave us well-positioned for second half margin expansion, with rates greater than the prior year,” said Boris Elisman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ACCO Brands.

Second Quarter Results

Net sales increased 0.6 percent to $521.0 million from $517.8 million in 2021. Comparable sales increased 5.2 percent. Both reported and comparable sales were driven by higher prices, as strong volume of school products, computer accessories, and business products was offset by lower sales of gaming accessories. Adverse foreign exchange reduced sales $23.6 million, or 4.6 percent.

Operating income increased to $55.4 million versus $49.9 million in 2021 due to a favorable change related to the contingent earnout partially offset by higher restructuring expense of $1.9 million. Operating income this year included contingent earnout income of $9.4 million compared with contingent earnout expense of $4.9 million in the prior year. Adjusted operating income decreased to $58.1 million compared with $67.2 million in the prior year, due to higher inflation that was not fully mitigated with price increases, lower volume and adverse foreign exchange of $1.0 million, partially offset by lower incentive compensation expense.

The Company reported net income of $39.4 million, or $0.40 per share, compared with net income of $48.6 million, or $0.50 per share, last year. Net income declined in 2022 from lower discrete tax benefits as well as reduced Brazil operating tax credits. This decline was partially offset by improved operating income as noted above. Adjusted net income was $36.0 million compared with $42.0 million in 2021, aligned with the adjusted operating income decline. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.37 compared with $0.43 in 2021.

Business Segment
Results

ACCO Brands North America – Sales of $306.6 million increased 3.9 percent from $295.1 million in 2021 and comparable sales increased 4.4 percent to $308.0 million. The increases in both were primarily due to higher prices and volume increases in school products, computer accessories, and business products, partially offset by lower sales of gaming accessories.

Operating income was $50.7 million versus $53.8 million in 2021. Adjusted operating income of $57.2 million decreased from $59.9 million in 2021. The decreases in operating income and adjusted operating income were primarily due to lower gross margins as inflation more than offset the benefit of price increases and lower SG&A. The current period included $0.8 million of higher restructuring costs.

ACCO Brands EMEA – Sales of $137.9 million decreased 12.2 percent from $157.0 million in 2021, due to adverse foreign exchange of $19.8 million, or 12.6 percent. Comparable sales of $157.7 million increased 0.4 percent as price increases offset lower volume in a difficult economic environment that included accelerated inflation.

The segment posted an operating loss of $1.5 million compared with operating income of $9.9 million in 2021 due to inflation that exceeded the benefit of price increases and lower volume. Adjusted operating income was $2.1 million, down from $13.8 million in 2021 for the same reasons. Cost increases in EMEA have been higher than in other segments due to significant increases in locally sourced raw materials related to the war in Ukraine, as well as high energy costs.

ACCO Brands International – Sales of $76.5 million increased 16.4 percent from $65.7 million in 2021 due to higher prices and increased volume, primarily in Latin America from a return to in-person education. Adverse foreign exchange was $2.4 million. Comparable sales were $78.9 million, up 20.1 percent, for the same reasons.

Operating income of $6.3 million increased from $2.8 million in 2021 due to higher sales and good expense management, partially offset by inflation. Adjusted operating income of $8.6 million increased from $4.8 million due to those same factors.

Six Month Results

Net sales increased 3.7 percent to $962.6 million from $928.3 million in 2021 as higher prices more than offset the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange which reduced sales by $38.5 million, or 4.1 percent. Comparable sales increased 7.8 percent due to higher prices and volume as offices and schools began reopening for in-person activity, partially offset by lower sales of gaming accessories.

Operating income increased to $62.2 million from $48.8 million in 2021, due to a favorable change of $18.4 million related to the contingent earnout, partially offset by the reduction of other adjusting items. Adjusted operating income was $80.7 million compared with $91.8 million last year primarily due to inflation that exceeded the benefit of price increases, partially offset by reduced incentive compensation expense. Unfavorable foreign exchange reduced operating income $2.2 million.

Net income was $36.7 million, or $0.37 per share, compared with $28.2 million, or $0.29 per share, in 2021, aligned with the operating income increase. Prior year net income included two significant discrete tax items, as well as expenses related to debt refinancing which did not repeat in 2022. Adjusted net income was $46.4 million, compared with $52.0 million in 2021, primarily reflecting the adjusted operating income decline, partially offset by lower interest expense. Adjusted earnings per share were $0.47 compared with $0.54 in 2021.

Capital Allocation and
Dividend

Year to date, the Company had $97.9 million of net cash outflow from operating activities. Free cash flow of $95.5 million represents cash used from operating activities of $97.9 million, excluding cash payments made for the PowerA contingent earnout of $9.2 million, less cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment of $7.0 million, plus cash proceeds from the disposition of assets of $0.2 million. The Company paid $14.4 million in dividends and repurchased 2.7 million shares for $19.4 million.

ACCO Brands today announced that its board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share. The dividend will be paid on September 20, 2022, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 26, 2022.

Full Year 2022 Outlook

The Company is providing an updated full year outlook to reflect a more conservative view for the remainder of the year, including a moderating demand environment, continuing cost inflation, and more adverse foreign exchange. However, the Company anticipates second half gross margin improvement with rates higher than the prior year, as its pricing actions should begin to mitigate the impact of cumulative cost increases.

“Our company has a proven track record of managing well in periods of economic uncertainty and increasing our competitive advantage. We believe we have the right strategy and are well positioned to continue to deliver organic sales growth, compelling market performance, and improved financial results in the second half of this year and beyond,” Elisman added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

Mid-Point

Prior

Mid-Point

Comparable Net Sales Growth

 

4.0% to 6.0%

5.0 %

3.5% to 8.5%

6.0%

FX Impact on Net Sales (1)

 

(4.5)%

 

(2.5)%

 

Reported Net Sales Growth

 

(0.5)% to 1.5%

0.5 %

1.0% to 6.0%

3.5%

Comparable Adjusted EPS

 

$1.45 to $1.50

$1.48

$1.52 to $1.62

$1.57

FX impact on Adjusted EPS (1)

 

$(0.06)

 

$(0.04)

 

Adjusted EPS

 

$1.39 to $1.44

$1.42

$1.48 to $1.58

$1.53

Free Cash Flow

 

$135M to $150M

$142.5

$165M

 

Adjusted Tax Rate

 

Approximately 29%

 

Approximately 29%

 

Bank Net Leverage

 

Approximately 3.0x

 

Less than 3.0x

 

(1) Based on spot rates as of 7/19/2022

Webcast

At 8:30 a.m. EDT on August 9, 2022, ACCO Brands Corporation will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s second quarter 2022 results. The call will be broadcast live via webcast. The webcast can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of www.accobrands.com. The webcast will be in listen-only mode and will be available for replay following the event.

About ACCO Brands
Corporation

ACCO Brands, the Home of Great Brands Built by Great People, designs, manufactures and markets consumer and end-user products that help people work, learn, play and thrive. Our widely recognized brands include AT-A-GLANCE®, Five Star®, Kensington®, Leitz®, Mead®, PowerA®, Swingline®, Tilibra® and many others. More information about ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE: ACCO) can be found at www.accobrands.com.

Non-GAAP Financial
Measures

In addition to financial results reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), we have provided certain non-GAAP financial information in this earnings release to aid investors in understanding the Company’s performance. Each non-GAAP financial measure is defined and reconciled to its most closely related GAAP financial measure in the “About Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this earnings release.

Forward-Looking
Statements

Statements contained in this earnings release, other than statements of historical fact, particularly those anticipating future financial performance, business prospects, growth, strategies, business operations and similar matters, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management based on information available to us at the time such statements are made. These statements, which are generally identifiable by the use of the words “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” and similar expressions, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, are made as of the date hereof, and we undertake no duty or obligation to update them. Because actual results may differ materially from those suggested or implied by such forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on them when deciding whether to buy, sell or hold the Company’s securities.

Our outlook is based on certain assumptions, which we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These include, without limitation, assumptions regarding both the near-term and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; inflation and the impact on demand of global economic uncertainties; changes in the competitive landscape, including ongoing uncertainties in the traditional office products channels; as well as the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency and acquisitions and the other factors described below.

Among the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements are: the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; a relatively limited number of large customers account for a significant percentage of our sales; issues that influence customer and consumer discretionary spending during periods of economic uncertainty or weakness; risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations; challenges related to the highly competitive business environment in which we operate; our ability to develop and market innovative products that meet consumer demands and to expand into new and adjacent product categories that are experiencing higher growth rates; our ability to successfully expand our business in emerging markets and the exposure to greater financial, operational, regulatory, compliance and other risks in such markets; the continued decline in the use of certain of our products; risks associated with seasonality; the sufficiency of investment returns on pension assets, risks related to actuarial assumptions, changes in government regulations and changes in the unfunded liabilities of a multi-employer pension plan; any impairment of our intangible assets; our ability to secure, protect and maintain our intellectual property rights, and our ability to license rights from major gaming console makers and video game publishers to support our gaming business; continued disruptions in the global supply chain; risks associated with changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, transportation, labor, and other necessary supplies and services and the cost of finished goods; the continued global shortage of microchips which are needed in our gaming and computer accessories businesses; risks associated with outsourcing production of certain of our products, information technology systems and other administrative functions; the failure, inadequacy or interruption of our information technology systems or its supporting infrastructure; risks associated with a cybersecurity incident or information security breach, including that related to a disclosure of personally identifiable information; our ability to grow profitably through acquisitions; our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions and achieve the financial and other results anticipated at the time of acquisition, including planned synergies; risks associated with our indebtedness, including limitations imposed by restrictive covenants, our debt service obligations, and our ability to comply with financial ratios and tests; a change in or discontinuance of our stock repurchase program or the payment of dividends; product liability claims, recalls or regulatory actions; the impact of litigation or other legal proceedings; our failure to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations and self-regulatory requirements, the costs of compliance and the impact of changes in such laws; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; the volatility of our stock price; risks associated with circumstances outside our control, including those caused by public health crises, such as the occurrence of contagious diseases like COVID-19, severe weather events, war, terrorism and other geopolitical incidents; and other risks and uncertainties described in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and in other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

ACCO Brands Corporation and
Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance
Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,

2022

 

 

December 31,

2021

 

(in millions)

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

 

91.7

 

$

 

41.2

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

423.9

 

 

 

416.1

 

Inventories

 

 

471.5

 

 

 

428.0

 

Other current assets

 

 

56.2

 

 

 

39.6

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,043.3

 

 

 

924.9

 

Total property, plant and equipment

 

 

594.7

 

 

 

656.4

 

Less: accumulated depreciation

 

 

(398.7

)

 

 

(441.8

)

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

196.0

 

 

 

214.6

 

Right of use asset, leases

 

 

96.8

 

 

 

105.2

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

105.0

 

 

 

115.9

 

Goodwill

 

 

779.2

 

 

 

802.5

 

Identifiable intangibles, net

 

 

864.6

 

 

 

902.2

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

26.0

 

Total assets

$

 

3,090.9

 

$

 

3,091.3

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

$

 

20.2

 

$

 

9.4

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

33.9

 

 

 

33.6

 

Accounts payable

 

 

254.4

 

 

 

308.2

 

Accrued compensation

 

 

36.1

 

 

 

56.9

 

Accrued customer program liabilities

 

 

98.0

 

 

 

101.4

 

Lease liabilities

 

 

22.4

 

 

 

24.4

 

Current portion of contingent consideration

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

24.8

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

122.8

 

 

 

149.9

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

590.5

 

 

 

708.6

 

Long-term debt, net

 

 

1,124.5

 

 

 

954.1

 

Long-term lease liabilities

 

 

81.9

 

 

 

89.0

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

147.7

 

 

 

145.2

 

Pension and post-retirement benefit obligations

 

 

194.2

 

 

 

222.3

 

Contingent consideration

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

12.0

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

78.9

 

 

 

95.3

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,218.0

 

 

 

2,226.5

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

1.0

 

Treasury stock

 

 

(43.4

)

 

 

(40.9

)

Paid-in capital

 

 

1,894.7

 

 

 

1,902.2

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(539.3

)

 

 

(535.5

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(440.1

)

 

 

(462.0

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

872.9

 

 

 

864.8

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

 

3,090.9

 

$

 

3,091.3

 

 

ACCO Brands Corporation and
Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)

(In millions, except per share
data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

% Change

 

2022

 

2021

 

% Change

Net sales

$

521.0

 

$

517.8

 

 

0.6%

$

962.6

 

$

928.3

 

 

3.7%

Cost of products sold

 

371.0

 

 

353.7

 

 

4.9%

 

693.0

 

 

648.7

 

 

6.8%

Gross profit

 

150.0

 

 

164.1

 

 

(8.6)%

 

269.6

 

 

279.6

 

 

(3.6)%

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

91.6

 

 

97.7

 

 

(6.2)%

 

190.4

 

 

191.7

 

 

(0.7)%

Amortization of intangibles

 

10.5

 

 

11.6

 

 

(9.5)%

 

21.6

 

 

23.6

 

 

(8.5)%

Restructuring charges

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

NM

 

2.2

 

 

3.9

 

 

(43.6)%

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

 

(9.4

)

 

4.9

 

 

NM

 

(6.8

)

 

11.6

 

 

NM

Total operating costs and expenses

 

94.6

 

 

114.2

 

 

(17.2)%

 

207.4

 

 

230.8

 

 

(10.1)%

Operating income

 

55.4

 

 

49.9

 

 

11.0%

 

62.2

 

 

48.8

 

 

27.5%

Non-operating expense (income):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

10.8

 

 

11.6

 

 

(6.9)%

 

20.5

 

 

24.8

 

 

(17.3)%

Interest income

 

(2.2

)

 

(0.5

)

 

NM

 

(3.6

)

 

(0.6

)

 

NM

Non-operating pension income

 

(1.3

)

 

(2.5

)

 

(48.0)%

 

(2.7

)

 

(3.3

)

 

(18.2)%

Other (income) expense, net

 

(3.7

)

 

(9.0

)

 

(58.9)%

 

(2.8

)

 

3.9

 

 

NM

Income before income tax

 

51.8

 

 

50.3

 

 

3.0%

 

50.8

 

 

24.0

 

 

111.7%

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

12.4

 

 

1.7

 

 

NM

 

14.1

 

 

(4.2

)

 

NM

Net income

$

39.4

 

$

48.6

 

 

(18.9)%

$

36.7

 

$

28.2

 

 

30.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income per share

$

0.41

 

$

0.51

 

 

(19.6)%

$

0.38

 

$

0.30

 

 

26.7%

Diluted income per share

$

0.40

 

$

0.50

 

 

(20.0)%

$

0.37

 

$

0.29

 

 

27.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

96.2

 

 

95.5

 

 

 

 

96.2

 

 

95.3

 

 

 

Diluted

 

97.4

 

 

97.2

 

 

 

 

98.0

 

 

96.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

$

0.075

 

$

0.065

 

 

 

$

0.150

 

$

0.130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statistics (as a % of Net sales, except Income tax rate)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

 

Gross profit (Net sales, less Cost of products sold)

 

28.8

%

 

31.7

%

 

 

 

28.0

%

 

30.1

%

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

17.6

%

 

18.9

%

 

 

 

19.8

%

 

20.7

%

 

 

Operating income

 

10.6

%

 

9.6

%

 

 

 

6.5

%

 

5.3

%

 

 

Income before income tax

 

9.9

%

 

9.7

%

 

 

 

5.3

%

 

2.6

%

 

 

Net income

 

7.6

%

 

9.4

%

 

 

 

3.8

%

 

3.0

%

 

 

Income tax rate

 

23.9

%

 

3.4

%

 

 

 

27.8

%

 

(17.5

)%

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands Corporation and
Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

(in millions)

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

 

36.7

 

$

 

28.2

 

Amortization of inventory step-up

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

Payments of contingent consideration

 

 

(9.2

)

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

Change in fair value of contingent liability

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

11.6

 

Depreciation

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

19.6

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.5

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

23.6

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

9.0

 

Loss on debt extinguishment

 

 

 

 

 

3.7

 

Changes in balance sheet items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(12.4

)

 

 

(54.5

)

Inventories

 

 

(51.4

)

 

 

(77.9

)

Other assets

 

 

(18.7

)

 

 

(32.2

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(47.2

)

 

 

42.3

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

(34.8

)

 

 

(12.3

)

Accrued income taxes

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(20.1

)

Net cash used by operating activities

 

 

(97.9

)

 

 

(55.1

)

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(7.0

)

 

 

(9.3

)

Proceeds from the disposition of assets

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

 

 

15.4

 

Net cash (used) provided by investing activities

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

6.1

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

 

 

218.0

 

 

 

648.8

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

 

(25.6

)

 

 

(529.2

)

Proceeds of notes payable, net

 

 

11.3

 

 

 

2.2

 

Payment for debt premium

 

 

 

 

 

(9.8

)

Payments for debt issuance costs

 

 

 

 

 

(10.5

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(14.4

)

 

 

(12.4

)

Payments of contingent consideration

 

 

(17.8

)

 

 

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

(19.4

)

 

 

 

Payments related to tax withholding for stock-based compensation

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(0.9

)

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

2.0

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

153.9

 

 

 

90.2

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

50.5

 

 

 

41.3

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of the period

 

 

41.2

 

 

 

36.6

 

End of the period

$

91.7

 

$

 

77.9

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release contains non-GAAP financial measures. We explain below how we calculate and use each of these non-GAAP financial measures and a reconciliation of our current period and historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures follows.

We use our non-GAAP financial measures both to explain our results to stockholders and the investment community and in the internal evaluation and management of our business. We believe our non-GAAP financial measures provide management and investors with a more complete understanding of our underlying operational results and trends, facilitate meaningful period-to-period comparisons and enhance an overall understanding of our past and future financial performance.

Our non-GAAP financial measures exclude certain items that may have a material impact upon our reported financial results such as restructuring charges, transaction and integration expenses associated with material acquisitions, the impact of foreign currency fluctuation and acquisitions, unusual tax items and other non-recurring items that we consider to be outside of our core operations. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the directly comparable GAAP financial measures and should be read in connection with the Company’s financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.

Our non-GAAP financial measures include the following:

Comparable Net Sales : Represents net sales excluding the impact of material acquisitions with current-period foreign operation sales translated at prior-year currency rates. We believe comparable net sales are useful to investors and management because they reflect underlying sales and sales trends without the effect of acquisitions and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and facilitate meaningful period-to-period comparisons. We sometimes refer to comparable net sales as comparable sales.

Adjusted Gross Profit : Represents gross profit excluding the effect of the amortization of the step-up in inventory from material acquisitions. We believe adjusted gross profit is useful to investors and management because it reflects underlying gross profit without the effect of inventory adjustments resulting from acquisitions that we consider to be outside our core operations and facilitates meaningful period-to-period comparisons.

Adjusted Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses : Represents selling, general and administrative expenses excluding transaction and integration expenses related to our material acquisitions. We believe adjusted SG&A expenses are useful to investors and management because they reflect underlying SG&A expenses without the effect of expenses related to acquiring and integrating acquisitions that we consider to be outside our core operations and facilitate meaningful period-to-period comparisons.

Adjusted Operating Income/Adjusted Income Before Taxes/Adjusted
Net Income/Adjusted Net Income Per Diluted Share
 : Represents operating income, income before taxes, net income, and net income per diluted share excluding restructuring charges, the amortization of intangibles, the amortization of the step-up in value of inventory, the change in fair value of contingent consideration, transaction and integration expenses associated with material acquisitions, non-recurring items in interest expense or other income/expense such as expenses associated with debt refinancing, a bond redemption, or a pension curtailment, and other non-recurring items as well as all unusual and discrete income tax adjustments, including income tax related to the foregoing. We believe these adjusted non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors and management because they reflect our underlying operating performance before items that we consider to be outside our core operations and facilitate meaningful period-to-period comparisons. Senior management’s incentive compensation is derived, in part, using adjusted operating income and adjusted net income per diluted share, which is derived from adjusted net income. We sometimes refer to adjusted net income per diluted share as adjusted earnings per share.

Comparable Adjusted Net Income Per Diluted Share: Represents adjusted net income per diluted share excluding the incremental current year impact of foreign exchange. We sometimes refer to comparable adjusted net income per diluted share as comparable adjusted earnings per share.

Adjusted Income Tax Expense/Rate : Represents income tax expense/rate excluding the tax effect of the items that have been excluded from adjusted income before taxes, unusual income tax items such as the impact of tax audits and changes in laws, significant reserves for cash repatriation, excess tax benefits/losses, and other discrete tax items. We believe our adjusted income tax expense/rate is useful to investors because it reflects our baseline income tax expense/rate before benefits/losses and other discrete items that we consider to be outside our core operations and facilitates meaningful period-to-period comparisons.

Adjusted EBITDA: Represents net income excluding the effects of depreciation, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangibles, the change in fair value of contingent consideration, interest expense, net, other (income) expense, net, and income tax expense, the amortization of the step-up in value of inventory, transaction and integration expenses associated with material acquisitions, restructuring charges, non-recurring items in interest expense or other income/expense such as expenses associated with debt refinancing, a bond redemption, or a pension curtailment and other non-recurring items. We believe adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it reflects our underlying cash profitability and adjusts for certain non-cash charges, and items that we consider to be outside our core operations and facilitates meaningful period-to-period comparisons.

Free Cash Flow: Represents cash flow from operating activities, excluding cash payments made for contingent earnouts, less cash used for additions to property, plant and equipment, plus cash proceeds from the disposition of assets. We believe free cash flow is useful to investors because it measures our available cash flow for paying dividends, funding strategic material acquisitions, reducing debt, and repurchasing shares.

Net Leverage Ratio: Represents balance sheet debt, plus debt origination costs and less any cash and cash equivalents divided by adjusted EBITDA. We believe that net leverage ratio is useful to investors since the company has the ability to, and may decide to use a portion of its cash and cash equivalents to retire debt.

This earnings release also provides forward-looking non-GAAP comparable net sales, adjusted earnings per share, comparable adjusted earnings per share, free cash flow, adjusted EBITDA, net leverage ratio and adjusted tax rate. We do not provide a reconciliation of forward-looking comparable net sales, adjusted earnings per share, comparable adjusted earnings per share, free cash flow, adjusted EBITDA, net leverage ratio or adjusted tax rate to GAAP because the GAAP financial measure is not accessible on a forward-looking basis and reconciling information is not available without unreasonable effort due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such a reconciliation, including adjustments that could be made for restructuring, integration and acquisition-related expenses, the variability of our tax rate and the impact of foreign currency fluctuation and material acquisitions, and other charges reflected in our historical numbers. The probable significance of each of these items is high and, based on historical experience, could be material.

ACCO Brands Corporation and
Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted
Non-GAAP Information (Unaudited)

(In millions, except per share
data)

 

 

 

The following tables set forth a reconciliation of certain Consolidated Statements of Income information reported in accordance with GAAP to adjusted Non-GAAP Information for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

SG&A

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

Operating

Income

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

Income before Tax

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

Income Tax

Expense (E)

 

 

Tax
Rate

 

 

 

Net Income

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported GAAP

 

$

 

91.6

 

 

 

17.6

%

 

$

 

55.4

 

 

 

10.6

%

 

$

 

51.8

 

 

 

9.9

%

 

$

 

12.4

 

 

 

23.9

%

 

$

 

39.4

 

 

 

7.6

%

 

Reported GAAP diluted income per share (EPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

0.40

 

 

 

 

 

Release of charge for Russia business

(A)

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

(B)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.0

)

 

 

 

 

Brazil tax credits

(I)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

 

 

Other discrete tax items

(J)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

 

 

Adjusted Non-GAAP

 

$

 

91.9

 

 

 

17.6

%

 

$

 

58.1

 

 

 

11.2

%

 

$

 

50.7

 

 

 

9.7

%

 

$

 

14.7

 

 

 

29.0

%

 

$

 

36.0

 

 

 

6.9

%

 

Adjusted diluted income per share (Adjusted EPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

0.37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

SG&A

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

Income before Tax

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense (E)

 

 

Tax
Rate

 

 

 

Net Income

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported GAAP

 

$

 

97.7

 

 

 

18.9

%

 

$

 

49.9

 

 

 

9.6

%

 

$

 

50.3

 

 

 

9.7

%

 

$

 

1.7

 

 

 

3.4

%

 

$

 

48.6

 

 

 

9.4

%

Reported GAAP diluted income per share (EPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

0.50

 

 

 

 

Transaction and integration expenses

(D)

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

(B)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

 

Brazil tax credits

(I)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.0

)

 

 

 

Other discrete tax items

(J)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.0

)

 

 

 

Adjusted Non-GAAP

 

$

 

96.9

 

 

 

18.7

%

 

$

 

67.2

 

 

 

13.0

%

 

$

 

58.5

 

 

 

11.3

%

 

$

 

16.5

 

 

 

28.2

%

 

$

 

42.0

 

 

 

8.1

%

Adjusted diluted income per share (Adjusted EPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

0.43

 

 

 

 

See “Notes to Reconciliations of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Information and Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)” for further information regarding adjusted items.

 

ACCO Brands Corporation and
Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted
Non-GAAP Information (Unaudited)

(In millions, except per share
data)

 

The following tables set forth a reconciliation of certain Consolidated Statements of Income information reported in accordance with GAAP to adjusted Non-GAAP Information for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2022

 

 

 

 

SG&A

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

Operating

Income

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

Income before Tax

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

Income Tax Expense (E)

 

 

Tax
Rate

 

 

 

Net Income

 

 

%
of Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported GAAP

 

$

 

190.4

 

 

 

19.8

%

 

$

 

62.2

 

 

 

6.5

%

 

$

 

50.8

 

 

 

5.3

%

 

$

 

14.1

 

 

 

27.8

%

 

$

 

36.7

 

 

 

3.8

%

Reported GAAP diluted income per share (EPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

0.37

 

 

 

 

Charge for Russia business

(A)

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.9

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

(B)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5.1

)

 

 

 

Operating tax gains

(H)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Brazil tax credits

(I)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

 

Other discrete tax items

(J)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

 

Adjusted Non-GAAP

 

$

 

188.9

 

 

 

19.6

%

 

$

 

80.7

 

 

 

8.4

%

 

$

 

65.4

 

 

 

6.8

%

 

$

 

19.0

 

 

 

29.0

%

 

$

 

46.4

 

 

 

4.8

%

Adjusted diluted income per share (Adjusted EPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

0.47

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

Gross Profit

 

 

%
of

Sales

 

 

SG&A

 

 

%
of

Sales

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

 

%
of

Sales

 

 

 

Income before Tax

 

 

%
of

Sales

 

 

 

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense (E)

 

 

Tax

Rate

 

 

 

Net Income

 

%
of Sales

 

Reported GAAP

 

$

 

279.6

 

 

 

30.1

%

 

$

 

191.7

 

 

 

20.7

%

 

$

 

48.8

 

 

 

5.3

%

 

$

 

24.0

 

 

 

2.6

%

 

$

 

(4.2

)

 

 

(17.5

)%

 

$

 

28.2

 

 

 

3.0

%

Reported GAAP diluted income per share (EPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

0.29

 

 

 

 

Inventory step-up amortization

(C)

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

 

Transaction and integration expenses

(D)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17.2

 

 

 

 

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

(B)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

 

Refinancing costs

(E)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

 

Operating tax gain

(H)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

Brazil tax credits

(I)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6.0

)

 

 

 

Bond redemption

(F)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

 

Pension curtailment

(G)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

Other discrete tax items

(J)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12.3

)

 

 

 

Adjusted Non-GAAP

 

$

 

282.0

 

 

 

30.4

%

 

$

 

190.2

 

 

 

20.5

%

 

$

 

91.8

 

 

 

9.9

%

 

$

 

72.6

 

 

 

7.8

%

 

$

 

20.6

 

 

 

28.4

%

 

$

 

52.0

 

 

 

5.6

%

Adjusted diluted income per share (Adjusted EPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

0.54

 

 

 

 

See “Notes to Reconciliations of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Information and Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)” for further information regarding adjusted items.

 

ACCO Brands Corporation and
Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of Net Income to
Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income reported in accordance with GAAP to Adjusted EBITDA.

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

% Change

 

 

2022

 

 

2021

 

 

% Change

 

Net income

 

$

 

39.4

 

$

 

48.6

 

 

 

(18.9

)%

$

 

36.7

 

$

 

28.2

 

 

 

30.1

%

Inventory step-up amortization

(C)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

(100.0

)%

Transaction and integration expenses

(D)

 

 

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

(100.0

)%

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

(100.0

)%

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

(45.2

)%

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

(20.0

)%

Depreciation

 

 

 

9.7

 

 

 

10.0

 

 

 

(3.0

)%

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

%

(Release) charge for Russia business

(A)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

NM

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

NM

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

(9.5

)%

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

(8.5

)%

Restructuring charges

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

NM

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

(43.6

)%

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

(B)

 

 

(9.4

)

 

 

4.9

 

 

NM

 

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

11.6

 

 

NM

 

Pension curtailment

(G)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

(100.0

)%

Interest expense, net

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

(22.5

)%

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

24.2

 

 

 

(30.2

)%

Other (income) expense, net

 

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(9.0

)

 

 

(58.9

)%

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

3.9

 

 

NM

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

 

12.4

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

NM

 

 

 

14.1

 

 

 

(4.2

)

 

NM

 

Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)

 

$

 

71.4

 

$

 

83.9

 

 

 

(14.9

)%

$

 

110.2

 

$

 

125.1

 

 

 

(11.9

)%

Adjusted EBITDA as
a % of Net Sales

 

 

 

13.7

%

 

 

16.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

11.4

%

 

 

13.5

%

 

 

 

 

See “Notes to Reconciliations of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Information and Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)” for further information regarding adjusted items.

Reconciliation of Net Cash Used by
Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow (Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities reported in accordance with GAAP to Free Cash Flow.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2022

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2021

 

 

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2022

 

 

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2021

 

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

$

 

6.3

 

$

 

(12.7

)

$

 

(97.9

)

$

 

(55.1

)

Net cash (used) provided by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(5.5

)

 

 

(7.0

)

 

 

(9.3

)

Proceeds from the disposition of assets

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

Payments of contingent consideration

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

 

Free cash flow (non-GAAP)

$

 

12.1

 

$

 

(18.2

)

$

 

(95.5

)

$

 

(64.4

)

 

Notes to Reconciliations of GAAP
to Adjusted Non-GAAP Information and Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited)

 

A.

Represents a net charge to operating expense related to our Russia business.

B.

Represents the change in fair value of the contingent consideration for the PowerA acquisition. The change in fair value of the contingent consideration is assessed every quarter and is included as expense/income in the consolidated statements of income.

C.

Represents the amortization of step-up in the value of inventory associated with the PowerA acquisition.

D.

Represents transaction and integration expenses associated with our acquisitions.

E.

Represents the write-off of debt issuance costs and other costs associated with the Company’s 2021 debt refinancing and discharge of its obligations on the senior unsecured notes due in 2024.

F.

Represents a call premium on the 2021 redemption of the senior unsecured notes due in 2024.

G.

Represents a pension curtailment related to restructuring projects.

H.

Represents gains related to the release of unneeded reserves for certain operating taxes.

I.

Represents certain indirect tax credits related to Brazil.

J.

The adjustments to income tax expense include the effects of the adjustments outlined above and discrete tax adjustments.

ACCO Brands Corporation and
Subsidiaries

Supplemental Business Segment
Information and Reconciliation (Unaudited)

(In millions)

 

 

 

2022

 

2021

 

Changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Operating

 

 

 

 

Reported

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Operating

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

 

Income

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

 

Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating

 

 

Operating

 

 

 

 

 

Reported

 

 

Income

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Income

 

 

(Loss)

 

Reported

 

 

Income

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Income

 

 

(Loss)

 

Net Sales

 

 

Net Sales

 

Income

 

 

Income

 

Margin

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Items

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Margin

 

Net Sales

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Items

 

 

(Loss)

 

 

Margin

 

$

 

 

%

 

(Loss) $

 

 

(Loss) %

 

Points

 

Q1:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands North America

$

 

208.5

 

$

 

13.9

 

$

 

5.9

 

$

 

19.8

 

 

9.5%

$

 

188.8

 

$

 

(0.7

)

$

 

11.9

 

$

 

11.2

 

 

5.9%

$

 

19.7

 

 

10.4%

$

 

8.6

 

 

76.8%

 

 

360

 

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

 

156.1

 

 

 

5.6

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

9.1

 

 

5.8%

 

 

156.9

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

21.2

 

 

13.5%

 

 

(0.8

)

 

(0.5)%

 

 

(12.1

)

 

(57.1)%

 

 

(770

)

ACCO Brands International

 

 

77.0

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

6.2

 

 

8.1%

 

 

64.8

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

4.8%

 

 

12.2

 

 

18.8%

 

 

3.1

 

 

100.0%

 

 

330

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

(16.9

)

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

(12.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17.8

)

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

(10.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

 

441.6

 

$

 

6.8

 

$

 

15.8

 

$

 

22.6

 

 

5.1%

$

 

410.5

 

$

 

(1.1

)

$

 

25.7

 

$

 

24.6

 

 

6.0%

$

 

31.1

 

 

7.6%

$

 

(2.0

)

 

(8.1)%

 

 

(90

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands North America

$

 

306.6

 

$

 

50.7

 

$

 

6.5

 

$

 

57.2

 

 

18.7 %

$

 

295.1

 

$

 

53.8

 

$

 

6.1

 

$

 

59.9

 

 

20.3%

$

 

11.5

 

 

3.9%

$

 

(2.7

)

 

(4.5)%

 

 

(160

)

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

 

137.9

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

1.5 %

 

 

157.0

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

8.8%

 

 

(19.1

)

 

(12.2)%

 

 

(11.7

)

 

(84.8)%

 

 

(730

)

ACCO Brands International

 

 

76.5

 

 

 

6.3

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

11.2 %

 

 

65.7

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

4.8

 

 

7.3%

 

 

10.8

 

 

16.4%

 

 

3.8

 

 

79.2%

 

 

390

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(9.7

)

 

 

(9.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16.6

)

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

(11.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

 

521.0

 

$

 

55.4

 

$

 

2.7

 

$

 

58.1

 

 

11.2 %

$

 

517.8

 

$

 

49.9

 

$

 

17.3

 

$

 

67.2

 

 

13.0%

$

 

3.2

 

 

0.6%

$

 

(9.1

)

 

(13.5)%

 

 

(180

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q3:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

287.5

 

$

 

34.6

 

$

 

7.0

 

$

 

41.6

 

 

14.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

161.1

 

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

17.3

 

 

10.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands International

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78.1

 

 

 

7.3

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

9.8

 

 

12.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16.7

)

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

(11.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

526.7

 

$

 

38.6

 

$

 

18.4

 

$

 

57.0

 

 

10.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q4:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands North America

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

271.0

 

$

 

34.2

 

$

 

7.7

 

$

 

41.9

 

 

15.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

187.9

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

24.9

 

 

13.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands International

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

111.4

 

 

 

20.9

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

22.9

 

 

20.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.1

)

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

(10.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

570.3

 

$

 

63.6

 

$

 

15.5

 

$

 

79.1

 

 

13.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YTD:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands North America

$

 

515.1

 

$

 

64.6

 

$

 

12.4

 

$

 

77.0

 

 

14.9%

$

 

1,042.4

 

$

 

121.9

 

$

 

32.7

 

$

 

154.6

 

 

14.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

 

294.0

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

7.1

 

 

 

11.2

 

 

3.8%

 

 

662.9

 

 

 

61.7

 

 

 

15.5

 

 

 

77.2

 

 

11.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands International

 

 

153.5

 

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

14.8

 

 

9.6%

 

 

320.0

 

 

 

31.6

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

40.6

 

 

12.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

(17.0

)

 

 

(5.3

)

 

 

(22.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(64.2

)

 

 

19.7

 

 

 

(44.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

$

 

962.6

 

$

 

62.2

 

$

 

18.5

 

$

 

80.7

 

 

8.4%

$

 

2,025.3

 

$

 

151.0

 

$

 

76.9

 

$

 

227.9

 

 

11.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See “Notes to Reconciliations of GAAP to Adjusted Non-GAAP Information and Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (Unaudited)” for further information regarding adjusted items.

 

ACCO Brands Corporation and
Subsidiaries

Supplemental Net Sales Change
Analysis (Unaudited)

 

 

 

% Change – Net Sales

 

$ Change – Net Sales (in millions)

 

 

 

 

GAAP

Non-GAAP

 

 

GAAP

Non-GAAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comparable

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comparable

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

Currency

 

Net Sales

 

 

Net Sales

 

Currency

 

Net Sales

 

Comparable

 

 

Change

 

Translation

 

Change

 

 

Change

 

Translation

 

Change

 

Net Sales

Q1 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands North America

 

10.4 %

 

— %

 

10.4 %

 

$

19.7

$

$

19.7

$

208.5

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

(0.5)%

 

(7.9)%

 

7.4 %

 

 

(0.8)

 

(12.4)

 

11.6

 

168.5

ACCO Brands International

 

18.8 %

 

(3.9)%

 

22.7 %

 

 

12.2

 

(2.5)

 

14.7

 

79.5

Total

 

7.6 %

 

(3.6)%

 

11.2 %

 

$

31.1

$

(14.9)

$

46.0

$

456.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q2 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands North America

 

3.9 %

 

(0.5)%

 

4.4 %

 

$

11.5

$

(1.4)

$

12.9

$

308.0

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

(12.2)%

 

(12.6)%

 

0.4 %

 

 

(19.1)

 

(19.8)

 

0.7

 

157.7

ACCO Brands International

 

16.4 %

 

(3.7)%

 

20.1 %

 

 

10.8

 

(2.4)

 

13.2

 

78.9

Total

 

0.6 %

 

(4.6)%

 

5.2 %

 

$

3.2

$

(23.6)

$

26.8

$

544.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2022 YTD:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCO Brands North America

 

6.4 %

 

(0.3)%

 

6.7 %

 

$

31.2

$

(1.4)

$

32.6

$

516.5

ACCO Brands EMEA

 

(6.3)%

 

(10.3)%

 

4.0 %

 

 

(19.9)

 

(32.2)

 

12.3

 

326.2

ACCO Brands International

 

17.6 %

 

(3.8)%

 

21.4 %

 

 

23.0

 

(4.9)

 

27.9

 

158.4

Total

 

3.7 %

 

(4.1)%

 

7.8 %

 

$

34.3

$

(38.5)

$

72.8

$

1,001.1

(A) Comparable net sales represents net sales excluding material acquisitions and with current-period foreign operation sales translated at the prior-year currency rates.

 

Christopher McGinnis
Investor Relations
(847) 796-4320

Julie McEwan
Media Relations
(937) 974-8162

Source: ACCO Brands Corporation