The ODP Corporation (ODP) – Accelerating B2B Pivot


Thursday, November 07, 2024

Office Depot, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, supplies a range of office products and services. It offers merchandise, such as general office supplies, computer supplies, business machines and related supplies, and office furniture through its chain of office supply stores under the Office Depot, Foray, Ativa, Break Escapes, Worklife, and Christopher Lowell brand names. The company also provides graphic design, printing, reproduction, mailing, shipping, and other services through design, print, and ship centers. It has operations throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Central America. The company also sells its products and services through direct mail catalogs, contract sales force, Internet sites, and retail stores, through a mix of company-owned operations, joint ventures, licensing and franchise agreements, alliances, and other arrangements. As of December 31, 2008, Office Depot operated 1,267 North American retail division office supply stores and 162 international division retail stores, as well as participated under licensing and merchandise arrangements in 98 stores. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida.

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , 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.

3Q24 Results. Weak macroeconomic and business conditions resulted in challenging performance in the quarter. Third quarter revenue of $1.78 billion declined 11% y-o-y. Adjusted operating income was $41 million, down from $112 million in 3Q23. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $62 million from $138 million. ODP reported adjusted net income from continuing operations of $24 million, or EPS of $0.71, versus $85 million, or EPS of $2.17, in the same period last time.

Accelerating the Pivot. Given the recent operating challenges, ODP is accelerating its B2B pivot. The Company is leveraging its differentiated core strengths to pivot towards higher growth B2B opportunities. Recent contract wins, including a 10-year $1.5 billion contract with a reseller organization and a new contract with one of the world’s largest social media-focused e-commerce companies, are reflective of these efforts.


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Release – The ODP Corporation Embarks on a New 10-Year, $1.5B Transformative Partnership with Nationally Recognized Strategic Reseller

Research News and Market Data on ODP

Leading workplace solutions provider joins forces with strategic reseller partner to enhance procurement efficiency and deliver a curated customer experience

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 6, 2024– The ODP Corporation (NASDAQ:ODP) (“ODP,” or the “Company”), a leading provider of products, services and technology solutions to businesses and consumers, today announced a partnership with a large, growing strategic reseller organization, offering quality office, furniture, print, promotional and facility resource solutions to large multi-site companies. This partnership, worth up to $1.5 billion spanning a 10-year period, will leverage the reseller provider’s expertise in creating custom, results-driven e-commerce solutions and the Company’s extensive fulfillment centers and delivery network.

“This collaboration enables a leader in reseller services to leverage our comprehensive product and service offerings, national distribution and award-winning e-commerce platform to service their customers,” said David Centrella, EVP of The ODP Corporation and President of ODP Business Solutions. “This partnership reflects our commitment to providing solutions that address unique business needs.”

“This partnership underscores ODP’s commitment to providing value-added solutions that will help businesses and vendors thrive in today’s competitive landscape,” said Nisha Brown, VP of Marketing & Product Management at ODP Business Solutions. “We’re excited about the opportunities this brings to our customers and the broader business community.”

To learn more about The ODP Corporation, visit theodpcorp.com.

About The ODP Corporation
The ODP Corporation (NASDAQ:ODP) is a leading provider of products and services through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omnichannel presence, which includes world-class supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, online presence and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores. Through its operating companies Office Depot, LLC; ODP Business Solutions, LLC; and Veyer, LLC, The ODP Corporation empowers every business, professional, and consumer to achieve more every day. For more information, visit theodpcorp.com.

ODP and ODP Business Solutions are trademarks of ODP Business Solutions, LLC. Office Depot is a trademark of The Office Club, LLC. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. Veyer is a trademark of Veyer, LLC. ©2024 Office Depot, LLC. All rights reserved.Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS – THE ODP CORPORATION

This communication may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements or disclosures may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations, cash flow or financial condition, or state other information relating to, among other things, The ODP Corporation (“the Company”), based on current beliefs and assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “expectations”, “outlook,” “intend,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “propose” “aim” or other similar words, phrases or expressions, or other variations of such words. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the Company’s control. There can be no assurances that the Company will realize these expectations or that these beliefs will prove correct, and therefore investors and stakeholders should not place undue reliance on such statements.

Investors and shareholders should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Jennifer Robins
Media Relations
Jennifer.Robins@theodpcorp.com

Tim Perrott
Investor Relations
Tim.Perrott@theodpcorp.com

Source: The ODP Corporation

Release – The ODP Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2024 Results

Research News and Market Data on ODP

Third Quarter Revenue of $1.8 Billion with GAAP EPS of $2.04; Adjusted EPS of $0.71

Significant New Business Wins Improving Future Growth Profile

Progress on B2B Pivot; Pursuing Core Opportunities in New Adjacent Industry Segments

Company Repurchased Approximately $295 Million of Shares Year to Date

Company Completes Varis Sale Subsequent to Quarter End

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nov. 6, 2024– The ODP Corporation (“ODP,” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:ODP), a leading provider of products, services, and technology solutions to businesses and consumers, today announced results for the third quarter ended September 28, 2024.

Third Quarter 2024 Summary(1)(2)(3)

  • Total reported sales of $1.8 billion, down 11% versus the prior year on a reported basis. The decrease in reported sales is largely related to lower sales in its Office Depot Division, primarily due to 53 fewer retail locations in service compared to the previous year and reduced transactions, as well as lower sales in its ODP Business Solutions Division
  • GAAP operating income of $102 million and net income from continuing operations of $68 million, or $2.04 per diluted share, versus $108 million and $82 million, respectively, or $2.09 per diluted share, in the prior year period
  • Adjusted operating income of $41 million, compared to $112 million in the third quarter of 2023; adjusted EBITDA of $62 million, compared to $138 million in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted operating income in the third quarter of 2024 excludes $70 million of income related to legal matter monetization where the Company is engaged in legal proceedings as a plaintiff
  • Adjusted net income from continuing operations of $24 million, or adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.71, versus $85 million or $2.17, respectively, in the prior year period. Adjusted net income from continuing operations in the third quarter of 2024 excludes $70 million of income or $51 million of income, net of tax related to legal matter monetization where the Company is engaged in legal proceedings as a plaintiff
  • Operating cash flow from continuing operations of $81 million and adjusted free cash flow of $68 million, versus $120 million and $102 million, respectively, in the prior year period
  • Repurchased 3 million shares at a cost of $102 million in the third quarter of 2024; Repurchased a total of approximately $141 million of shares when including purchases made in the third quarter and post quarter through the current date
  • $728 million of total available liquidity including $192 million in cash and cash equivalents, of which $11 million is presented in Current assets held for sale related to the Varis Division, at quarter end

“Our results in the quarter were below expectations, primarily driven by our retail division, as challenging macroeconomic conditions impacted our performance,” said Gerry Smith, chief executive officer of The ODP Corporation. “Weaker macroeconomic conditions led to more cautious consumer and business spending, impacting demand in our B2C and B2B divisions during the highly competitive back-to-school season. This was further compounded by major hurricanes negatively affecting our customer base and operations in our largest service areas.

“Despite these challenges, we’re making significant progress on our B2B pivot and initiatives to improve top-line trends. We’re leveraging our differentiated core strengths to pivot towards higher growth B2B opportunities, and we are beginning to see promising traction at both our ODP Business Solutions and Veyer Divisions. At Veyer, we continue to attract new third-party relationships, including launching service for one of the world’s largest social media-focused e-commerce platforms, positioning our supply chain business to pursue growth in a new high value industry segment. At Business Solutions, we secured one of the largest multi-year B2B contracts in our history, potentially generating up to $1.5 billion in revenue over a 10-year period. Additionally, we are making progress and actively pursuing opportunities in new, higher growth, adjacent industry segments where our core strengths also resonate. We’re building key distribution relationships in growing industry segments that spotlight our supply chain proficiency, our ability to supply products beyond office supplies, and our commitment to service excellence,” Smith continued.

“We are excited about our progress and we’re allocating capital to fast-forward investments in our core business to capture these growth opportunities and generate the highest return for shareholders. Considering these core investments, along with our year-to-date performance against the challenging macroeconomic backdrop, we are amending our guidance for 2024. Additionally, we advanced Project Core and streamlined our operations by completing the sale of Varis, while continuing to assess and refine our retail strategy. While the progress we are making will take time to reflect in our results, we are confident that we’re on the right path, and our team is committed and focused on driving operational excellence to create long-term shareholder value,” Smith concluded.

Consolidated Results

Reported (GAAP) Results
Total reported sales for the third quarter of 2024 were $1.8 billion, a decrease of 11% compared with the same period last year, driven primarily by lower sales in both its consumer and business-to-business (B2B) divisions. Lower sales in its consumer division, Office Depot, was primarily due to lower retail and online consumer traffic and transactions, as well as 53 fewer stores in service compared to last year related to planned store closures. Sales at ODP Business Solutions Division were lower compared to last year and generally consistent with the first half of 2024, largely driven by macroeconomic factors causing more cautious spending among business customers and fewer transactions. Meanwhile, Veyer provided strong logistics support for the ODP Business Solutions and Office Depot Divisions, and continued to execute across its growth strategy, delivering supply chain and procurement solutions to new third-party customers and driving increases in external revenue.

The Company reported GAAP operating income of $102 million in the third quarter of 2024, down compared to GAAP operating income of $108 million in the prior year period. Operating results in the third quarter of 2024 included $61 million of credits, primarily due to the Company recognizing $70 million of income in its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations related to legal matter monetization where the Company is engaged in legal proceedings as a plaintiff. This was partially offset by $2 million in net merger and restructuring expenses and $7 million non-cash asset impairment related to the operating lease right-of-use (ROU) assets associated with the Company’s retail store locations. Net income from continuing operations was $68 million, or $2.04 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2024, down compared to net income from continuing operations of $82 million, or $2.09 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2023.

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Results(1)
Adjusted results for the third quarter of 2024 exclude charges and credits totaling $61 million as described above and the associated tax impacts.

  • Third quarter 2024 adjusted EBITDA was $62 million compared to $138 million in the prior year period. This included depreciation and amortization of $24 million in the third quarter of 2024 and 2023
  • Third quarter 2024 adjusted operating income was $41 million, down compared to $112 million in the third quarter of 2023
  • Third quarter 2024 adjusted net income from continuing operations was $24 million, or $0.71 per diluted share, compared to $85 million, or $2.17 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of 67% on a per share basis

Division Results

ODP Business Solutions Division
Leading B2B distribution solutions provider serving small, medium and enterprise level companies with an annual trailing-twelve-month revenue of $3.7 billion.

  • Reported sales were $916 million in the third quarter of 2024, down 8% compared to the same period last year. The decrease in sales was related primarily to weaker macroeconomic conditions, more cautious business spending environment, lower sales conversion, and fewer customers
  • Total adjacency category sales, including cleaning and breakroom, furniture, technology, and copy and print, were 44% of total ODP Business Solutions’ sales, flat with the prior year
  • Executing initiatives to convert strong pipeline of potential new business and implementing several initiatives to regain top-line traction. Recent customer wins include signing one of the largest contracts in Company history, potentially generating up to $1.5 billion in revenue over a 10-year period
  • Making progress on establishing presence in new, adjacent industry segments, where the Company’s core competencies resonate, leveraging its distribution and supply chain proficiency, ability to supply products beyond office supplies, and commitment to service excellence
  • Operating income was $28 million in the third quarter of 2024, down compared to $56 million in the same period last year on a reported basis. As a percentage of sales, operating income margin was 3%, down 250 basis points compared to the same period last year

Office Depot Division
Leading provider of retail consumer and small business products and services distributed via Office Depot and OfficeMax retail locations and an eCommerce presence.

  • Reported sales were $861 million in the third quarter of 2024, down 15% compared to the prior year on a reported basis. Lower sales were partially driven by 53 fewer retail outlets in service associated with planned store closures, as well as lower demand relative to last year in major product categories, lower average order volume, and lower online sales. The Company closed nine retail stores in the quarter and had 885 stores at quarter end. Sales were down 10% on a comparable store basis
  • Store and online traffic were lower year over year due to macroeconomic factors causing sluggish consumer activity and demand during the highly competitive back-to-school season
  • Operating income was $23 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to operating income of $66 million during the same period last year, driven primarily by the flow through impact from lower sales. As a percentage of sales, operating income was 3%, down 380 basis points compared to the same period last year

Veyer Division
Nationwide supply chain, distribution, procurement and global sourcing operation supporting Office Depot and ODP Business Solutions, as well as third-party customers. Veyer’s assets and capabilities include 8 million square feet of infrastructure through a network of distribution centers, cross-docks, and other facilities throughout the United States; a global sourcing presence in Asia; a large private fleet of vehicles; and business next-day delivery to 98.5% of US population.

  • In the third quarter of 2024, Veyer provided support for its internal customers, ODP Business Solutions and Office Depot, as well as its third-party customers, generating sales of $1.2 billion
  • Operating income was $9 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $10 million in the prior year period driven by the flow through impact of lower sales to internal customers partially offset by the contribution related to services to third-party customers
  • Launched supply chain services for one of the world’s largest social media-focused e-commerce companies to deliver warehousing and fulfillment services for their online sales
  • In the third quarter of 2024, sales generated from third-party customers increased by approximately 30% compared to the same period last year, resulting in sales of $14 million. EBITDA of $3 million in the quarter represented a 3% decrease year over year, driven by Veyer’s investment in resources to support the launch of services for new customer additions

Share Repurchases

The Company continued to execute under its previously announced $1 billion share repurchase authorization valid through March 31, 2027. During the third quarter of 2024, the Company repurchased 3 million shares at a cost of $102 million. Since the end of the third quarter of 2024, the Company repurchased additional shares for $38 million.

“We’ve executed on our capital plan throughout the year, both investing in our business and returning approximately $295 million in capital to shareholders through share repurchases thus far in 2024,” said Adam Haggard, senior vice president and interim co-chief financial officer of The ODP Corporation. “As we move forward, we are prioritizing our capital allocation towards investing in the core business to capture high-return B2B growth opportunities that we believe will generate long-term value for shareholders. Considering this focus, while mindful of the ongoing challenging macroeconomic environment and our results year-to-date, we expect to substantially moderate the pace of share repurchases.”

The number of shares to be repurchased under the authorization in the future and the timing of such transactions will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, regulatory requirements, and other corporate considerations. The new share repurchase authorization could be suspended or discontinued at any time as determined by the Board of Directors.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of September 28, 2024, ODP had total available liquidity of approximately $728 million, consisting of $192 million in cash and cash equivalents, including $11 million that is presented in Current assets held for sale related to the Varis Division, and $536 million of available credit under the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement. Total debt was $246 million.

For the third quarter of 2024, cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $81 million, which included $10 million in restructuring spend, compared to cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations of $120 million in the third quarter of the prior year, which included $3 million in restructuring spend. The year-over-year change in operating cash flow is related to lower sales and the timing of certain working capital items.

Capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2024 were $22 million versus $20 million in the prior year period, reflecting continued growth investments in the Company’s digital transformation, distribution network, and eCommerce capabilities. Adjusted Free Cash Flow(3) was $68 million in the third quarter of 2024, compared to $102 million in the prior year period.

Progress on Project Core

As the Company previously announced, Project Core is an enterprise-wide cost improvement plan designed to create further efficiencies throughout its business, focused on driving enhanced operating results and shareholder value. The Company continues to make significant progress under Project Core and is in position to realize in-year savings of approximately $50 million and annualized savings of over $100 million when fully implemented. Restructuring and related charges associated with these actions are now estimated to be in the range of $40 million to $50 million, excluding those related to the Varis Division, and are expected to be substantially incurred throughout 2024.

Varis Division Update

Subsequent to the quarter, the Company sold its Varis Division, while retaining a minority interest of 19.9% after the sale. Under the terms of the related agreement, the Company will fund up to $4 million of expenses that may be incurred by Varis following the transaction date until December 31, 2025, and has no further obligations to contribute capital to Varis. The terms of the sale of Varis did not result in a materially different impact than previously estimated on our financial statements.

“We have completed the sale of Varis that aligns with our stated objectives of finalizing our capital commitment to the business, while providing ODP with a continued invested interest in the opportunities ahead,” added Smith.

2024 Guidance

“Our performance to date in 2024 has clearly been below expectations, impacted by deteriorating macroeconomic conditions, a challenging competitive landscape, and severe weather conditions,” said Smith. “As we look at the balance of the year, we are working to reposition our business and are fast-forwarding investments in resources necessary to pursue the new and exciting opportunities in our B2B and supply chain businesses. As we continue to assess our retail operations, we believe that our investments in our B2B pivot will help position ODP to generate value in the very large and growing market segments where our competitive advantage and customer focus resonates,” he added.

The Company is amending its 2024 full-year guidance as follows:

Updated full-year guidance for 2024

The Company’s full year guidance for 2024 includes non-GAAP measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Operating Income, and Adjusted Earnings per Share (fully diluted). These measures exclude charges or credits not indicative of core operations, which may include but not be limited to restructuring charges, capital expenditures, acquisition-related costs, executive transition costs, asset impairments and other significant items that currently cannot be predicted without unreasonable efforts. The exact amount of these charges or credits are not currently determinable but may be significant. Accordingly, the Company is unable to provide equivalent GAAP measures or reconciliations from GAAP to non-GAAP for these financial measures.

The ODP Corporation will webcast a call with financial analysts and investors on November 6, 2024, at 9:00 am Eastern Time, which will be accessible to the media and the general public. To listen to the conference call via webcast, please visit The ODP Corporation’s Investor Relations website at investor.theodpcorp.com. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours following the event.

About The ODP Corporation

The ODP Corporation (NASDAQ:ODP) is a leading provider of products, services, and technology solutions through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omni-channel presence, which includes supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, online presence, and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores. Through its operating companies ODP Business Solutions, LLC; Office Depot, LLC; and Veyer, LLC, The ODP Corporation empowers every business, professional, and consumer to achieve more every day. For more information, visit theodpcorp.com.

ODP and ODP Business Solutions are trademarks of ODP Business Solutions, LLC. Office Depot is a trademark of The Office Club, LLC. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. Veyer is a trademark of Veyer, LLC. Grand&Toy is a trademark of Grand & Toy, LLC in Canada. ©2024 Office Depot, LLC. All rights reserved. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements or disclosures may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations, cash flow or financial condition, or state other information relating to, among other things, the Company, based on current beliefs and assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “expectations”, “outlook,” “intend,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “propose” or other similar words, phrases or expressions, or other variations of such words. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the Company’s control. There can be no assurances that the Company will realize these expectations or that these beliefs will prove correct, and therefore investors and stakeholders should not place undue reliance on such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other things, highly competitive office products market and failure to differentiate the Company from other office supply resellers or respond to decline in general office supplies sales or to shifting consumer demands; competitive pressures on the Company’s sales and pricing; the risk that the Company is unable to transform the business into a service-driven, B2B platform or that such a strategy will not result in the benefits anticipated; the risk that the Company will not be able to achieve the expected benefits of its strategic plans, including benefits related to Project Core; the risk that the Company may not be able to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions due to unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, expenses, indebtedness and the unanticipated loss of key customers or the inability to achieve expected revenues, synergies, cost savings or financial performance; the risk that the Company is unable to successfully maintain a relevant omni-channel experience for its customers; the risk that the Company is unable to execute the Maximize B2B Restructuring Plan successfully or that such plan will not result in the benefits anticipated; failure to effectively manage the Company’s real estate portfolio; loss of business with government entities, purchasing consortiums, and sole- or limited- source distribution arrangements; failure to attract and retain qualified personnel, including employees in stores, service centers, distribution centers, field and corporate offices and executive management, and the inability to keep supply of skills and resources in balance with customer demand; failure to execute effective advertising efforts and maintain the Company’s reputation and brand at a high level; disruptions in computer systems, including delivery of technology services; breach of information technology systems affecting reputation, business partner and customer relationships and operations and resulting in high costs and lost revenue; unanticipated downturns in business relationships with customers or terms with the suppliers, third-party vendors and business partners; disruption of global sourcing activities, evolving foreign trade policy (including tariffs imposed on certain foreign made goods); exclusive Office Depot branded products are subject to additional product, supply chain and legal risks; product safety and quality concerns of manufacturers’ branded products and services and Office Depot private branded products; covenants in the credit facility; general disruption in the credit markets; incurrence of significant impairment charges; retained responsibility for liabilities of acquired companies; fluctuation in quarterly operating results due to seasonality of the Company’s business; changes in tax laws in jurisdictions where the Company operates; increases in wage and benefit costs and changes in labor regulations; changes in the regulatory environment, legal compliance risks and violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other worldwide anti-bribery laws; volatility in the Company’s common stock price; changes in or the elimination of the payment of cash dividends on Company common stock; macroeconomic conditions such as higher interest rates and future declines in business or consumer spending; increases in fuel and other commodity prices and the cost of material, energy and other production costs, or unexpected costs that cannot be recouped in product pricing; unexpected claims, charges, litigation, dispute resolutions or settlement expenses; catastrophic events, including the impact of weather events on the Company’s business; the discouragement of lawsuits by shareholders against the Company and its directors and officers as a result of the exclusive forum selection of the Court of Chancery, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other Delaware state courts by the Company as the sole and exclusive forum for such lawsuits; and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Investors and shareholders should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

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1·800·Flowers.com, Inc. (FLWS) – A Slow Start, But On Track Toward Growth


Friday, November 01, 2024

For more than 45 years, 1-800-Flowers.com has offered truly original floral arrangements, plants and unique gifts to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, everyday occasions, and seasonal holidays, and to deliver comfort during times of grief. Backed by a caring team obsessed with service, 1-800-Flowers.com provides customers thoughtful ways to express themselves and connect with the most important people in their lives. 1-800-Flowers.com is part of the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. family of brands. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Q1 results. The company reported Q1 revenue of $242.1 million, 3% lower than our estimate of $249.7 million. Adj. EBITDA loss of $27.9 million was below our estimate of negative $23.5 million. The lackluster results were partially attributed to roughly $3 million in wholesale revenue being pushed into Q2. A bright spot in Q1 was the effective management of input costs, which contributed to a gross margin improvement of 20 basis points from the prior year period.

Positioned for revenue growth. In our view, the company is positioned to benefit from several favorable developments, including expanded product offerings, a growing same-day delivery footprint and effective cost management of input prices. We believe that revenue trends should improve in coming quarters as inflation trends moderate and the general economy improves. 


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*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 – The ODP Corporation to Announce Third Quarter 2024 Results Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Research News and Market Data on ODP

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct. 23, 2024– The ODP Corporation (NASDAQ:ODP) (“ODP,” or the “Company”), a leading provider of products, services, and technology solutions to businesses and consumers, will announce third quarter 2024 financial results before the market open on Wednesday, November 6th, 2024. The ODP Corporation will webcast a call with financial analysts and investors that day at 9:00 am Eastern Time which will be accessible to the media and the general public.

To listen to the conference call via webcast, please visit The ODP Corporation’s Investor Relations website at investor.theodpcorp.com. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours following the event. A copy of the earnings press release, supplemental financial disclosures and presentation will also be available on the website.

About The ODP Corporation
The ODP Corporation (NASDAQ:ODP) is a leading provider of products and services through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omnichannel presence, which includes world-class supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, online presence and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores. Through its operating companies Office Depot, LLC; ODP Business Solutions, LLC; and Veyer, LLC, The ODP Corporation empowers every business, professional, and consumer to achieve more every day. For more information, visit theodpcorp.com.

ODP and ODP Business Solutions are trademarks of ODP Business Solutions, LLC. Office Depot is a trademark of The Office Club, LLC. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. Veyer is a trademark of Veyer, LLC. Grand&Toy is a trademark of Grand & Toy, LLC in Canada. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Tim Perrott
Investor Relations
561-438-4629
Tim.Perrott@theodpcorp.com

Source: The ODP Corporation

The ODP Corporation (ODP) – A Varis Sale


Thursday, October 24, 2024

Office Depot, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, supplies a range of office products and services. It offers merchandise, such as general office supplies, computer supplies, business machines and related supplies, and office furniture through its chain of office supply stores under the Office Depot, Foray, Ativa, Break Escapes, Worklife, and Christopher Lowell brand names. The company also provides graphic design, printing, reproduction, mailing, shipping, and other services through design, print, and ship centers. It has operations throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Central America. The company also sells its products and services through direct mail catalogs, contract sales force, Internet sites, and retail stores, through a mix of company-owned operations, joint ventures, licensing and franchise agreements, alliances, and other arrangements. As of December 31, 2008, Office Depot operated 1,267 North American retail division office supply stores and 162 international division retail stores, as well as participated under licensing and merchandise arrangements in 98 stores. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida.

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

A Sale. The ODP Corporation reported that on October 18, 2024, the Company sold its Varis Division to an affiliate of Arising Ventures. The Company did not release the terms of the agreement. We expect to see additional detail on the Company’s third quarter earnings call.

Details. ODP is retaining a minority interest of 19.9% after the sale. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will fund up to $4 million of expenses that Varis may incur following the transaction date until December 31, 2025, and has no further obligations to contribute capital to Varis. The terms of the sale did not result in a materially different impact on the Company’s financial statements than previously estimated.


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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. 

1·800·Flowers.com, Inc. (FLWS) – Why This Company Should Be On Your Radar Screen


Tuesday, September 03, 2024

For more than 45 years, 1-800-Flowers.com has offered truly original floral arrangements, plants and unique gifts to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, everyday occasions, and seasonal holidays, and to deliver comfort during times of grief. Backed by a caring team obsessed with service, 1-800-Flowers.com provides customers thoughtful ways to express themselves and connect with the most important people in their lives. 1-800-Flowers.com is part of the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. family of brands. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Q4 results. The company reported Q4 revenue of $360.9 million, which was modestly below our estimate of $373.5 million by 3.4%. Additionally, Adj. EBITDA loss in the quarter of $8.8 million was below our estimate of negative $5.8 million. While the results were softer than expected, there were some bright spots. Notably, Q4 gross profit margin increased 130 basis points from the prior year period, which was largely attributed to lower freight and commodity costs, as well as cost saving initiatives. 

Increasing revenue investments. Management indicated that it plans to step up marketing, post the upcoming elections, and will introduce new products at price points that may help to offset the lackluster sales particularly for its everyday gifting products. There has been a bifurcation of sales for its products that target its high end consumer and that for consumers that are price sensitive. 


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Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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

1·800·Flowers.com, Inc. (FLWS) – Positioning To Offset Economic Headwinds


Friday, August 30, 2024

For more than 45 years, 1-800-Flowers.com has offered truly original floral arrangements, plants and unique gifts to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, everyday occasions, and seasonal holidays, and to deliver comfort during times of grief. Backed by a caring team obsessed with service, 1-800-Flowers.com provides customers thoughtful ways to express themselves and connect with the most important people in their lives. 1-800-Flowers.com is part of the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. family of brands. Shares in 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, ticker symbol: FLWS.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Equity Research Analyst, Digital, Media & Technology , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

Q4 results. The company reported Q4  revenue of $360.9 million, which was modestly below our estimate of $373.5 million by 3.4%. Additionally, Adj. EBITDA loss in the quarter of $8.8 million was below our estimate of negative $5.8 million. Illustrated in Figure #1 Q4 Results. While the results were softer than expected, there were some bright spots. Notably, Q4 gross profit margin increased 130 basis points from the prior year period, which was largely attributed to lower freight and commodity costs, as well as cost saving initiatives.

Stepping up revenue investments. Management indicated that it plans to step up marketing, post the upcoming elections, and will introduce new products at price points that may help to offset the lackluster sales particularly for its everyday gifting products. There has been a bifurcation of sales for its products that target its high end consumer and that for consumers that are price sensitive. 


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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 – The ODP Corporation Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer

Research News and Market Data on ODP

D. Anthony Scaglione to pursue another career opportunity

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 14, 2024– The ODP Corporation (“ODP,” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:ODP), a leading provider of products, services, and technology solutions to businesses and consumers, today announced that D. Anthony Scaglione, executive vice president and chief financial officer, is stepping down from his role to pursue another career opportunity and that his last day will be September 13, 2024.

“On behalf of ODP, I want to thank Anthony for his significant contributions to ODP over the past four years,” said Gerry Smith, chief executive officer of the Company. “Under his financial leadership, ODP has made great strides in its transformation and has strengthened its foundation to be able to deliver profitable growth in the future. Anthony is supported by a talented finance team that will continue to serve the company and its shareholders. We thank Anthony for all his efforts and wish him well in his new role.”

Anthony Scaglione said, “It has been a privilege to work as part of the ODP team and I’m proud of the progress we have made toward achieving our strategic goals. ODP is well positioned with a strong balance sheet and dedicated team to continue driving forward its strategic transformation to create shareholder value.”

As the Company formulates its plans to fill the chief financial officer role and to ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Scaglione will continue to work closely with Mr. Smith until his departure date, supported by the Company’s experienced financial reporting and accounting team.

About The ODP Corporation

The ODP Corporation is a leading provider of products, services, and technology solutions through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omni-channel presence, which includes supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, a B2B digital procurement solution, online presence, and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores. Through its operating companies ODP Business Solutions, LLC; Office Depot, LLC; and Veyer, LLC, The ODP Corporation empowers every business, professional, and consumer to achieve more every day. For more information, visit theodpcorp.com.

ODP and ODP Business Solutions are trademarks of ODP Business Solutions, LLC. Office Depot is a trademark of The Office Club, LLC. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. Veyer is a trademark of Veyer, LLC. ©2023 Office Depot, LLC. All rights reserved. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS – THE ODP CORPORATION

This communication may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements or disclosures may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations, cash flow or financial condition, or state other information relating to, among other things, The ODP Corporation, based on current beliefs and assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “expectations”, “outlook,” “intend,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “propose” “aim” or other similar words, phrases or expressions, or other variations of such words. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the Company’s control. There can be no assurances that the Company will realize these expectations or that these beliefs will prove correct, and therefore investors and stakeholders should not place undue reliance on such statements.

Investors and shareholders should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Tim Perrott
Investor Relations
561-438-4629
Tim.Perrott@theodpcorp.com

Source: The ODP Corporation

The ODP Corporation (ODP) – An Overreaction To A Difficult Quarter


Thursday, August 08, 2024

Office Depot, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, supplies a range of office products and services. It offers merchandise, such as general office supplies, computer supplies, business machines and related supplies, and office furniture through its chain of office supply stores under the Office Depot, Foray, Ativa, Break Escapes, Worklife, and Christopher Lowell brand names. The company also provides graphic design, printing, reproduction, mailing, shipping, and other services through design, print, and ship centers. It has operations throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Central America. The company also sells its products and services through direct mail catalogs, contract sales force, Internet sites, and retail stores, through a mix of company-owned operations, joint ventures, licensing and franchise agreements, alliances, and other arrangements. As of December 31, 2008, Office Depot operated 1,267 North American retail division office supply stores and 162 international division retail stores, as well as participated under licensing and merchandise arrangements in 98 stores. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida.

Joe Gomes, CFA, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Jacob Mutchler, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

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

2Q24 Results. The Company reported lackluster operating results that were largely driven by a challenging macroeconomic environment. Revenue of $1.72 billion, adj. EBITDA of $57 million, and net income of negative $4 million, or negative $0.12 per share, all experienced y-o-y decreases. Notably, ODP shares were down roughly 35% at market close, which, in our opinion was an overreaction, spurred on by recessionary concerns.

Veyer gains traction. During the earnings call management highlighted that Veyer received a verbal agreement from a large e-commerce company that has the potential to nearly double the segment’s top line. Notably, the agreement pertains to warehousing and the company’s well established supply chain. Importantly, we view the contract as a significant development that has the ability to favorably alter the Company’s trajectory.


Get the Full Report

Equity Research is available at no cost to Registered users of Channelchek. Not a Member? Click ‘Join’ to join the Channelchek Community. There is no cost to register, and we never collect credit card information.

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 – The ODP Corporation Announces Second Quarter 2024 Results

Research News and Market Data on ODP

Second Quarter Revenue of $1.7 Billion with GAAP EPS of $(0.12); Adjusted EPS of $0.56

Progress on Project Core to Drive Future Cost Savings and Implementing Growth Initiatives

Company Repurchased $191 Million of Shares Year to Date

Company Provides Update on Varis Sale Process

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 7, 2024– The ODP Corporation (“ODP,” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:ODP), a leading provider of products, services, and technology solutions to businesses and consumers, today announced results for the second quarter ended June 29, 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 Summary(1)(2)(3)

  • Total reported sales of $1.7 billion, down 10% versus the prior year on a reported basis. The decrease in reported sales is largely related to lower sales in its Office Depot Division, primarily due to 58 fewer retail locations in service compared to the previous year and reduced transactions, as well as lower sales in its ODP Business Solutions Division
  • GAAP operating income of approximately $400 thousand and net income (loss) from continuing operations of $(4) million, or $(0.12) per diluted share, versus $60 million and $43 million, respectively, or $1.09 per diluted share, in the prior year period
  • Adjusted operating income of $33 million, compared to $67 million in the second quarter of 2023; adjusted EBITDA of $57 million, compared to $95 million in the second quarter of 2023
  • Adjusted net income from continuing operations of $20 million, or adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of $0.56, versus $48 million or $1.22, respectively, in the prior year period
  • Operating cash flow from continuing operations of $(1) million and adjusted free cash flow of $5 million, versus $(8) million and $(24) million, respectively, in the prior year period
  • Repurchased nearly 2.4 million shares at a cost of $104 million in the second quarter of 2024; Repurchased a total of approximately $141 million of shares when including purchases made in the second quarter and post quarter through the current date
  • $831 million of total available liquidity including $190 million in cash and cash equivalents, of which $10 million is presented in Current assets held for sale related to the Varis Division, at quarter end

“We are executing Project Core while taking actions to improve top-line trends in both our B2B and B2C businesses,” said Gerry Smith, chief executive officer of The ODP Corporation. “Our performance in the quarter was below our expectations, impacted by more cautious business spending and weaker consumer activity, along with new customer onboarding challenges impacting revenue traction at ODP Business Solutions. Additionally, retail store traffic trends, while improving sequentially, remained sluggish. Although market challenges impacted Office Depot and ODP Business Solutions, we continued to see progress in Veyer, as they executed across their growth strategies, attracting new third-party customers and improving their external EBITDA. Furthermore, we continued to buy back our shares, returning over $100 million of our stock in the quarter and over $190 million year to date,” he added.

“While we are pacing below our prior expectations for the year, we are not standing still. We’re taking actions to improve our top-line trajectory and we remain focused on capturing the long-term opportunities derived by our strong value proposition, solid balance sheet, and flexible foundation. In addition to our efforts under Project Core, which we expect will create over $100 million in annual cost savings when fully implemented, we are executing on initiatives to accelerate sales pipeline conversion, drive additional avenues for growth with existing customers, and leverage our deep customer relationships to solve more of their procurement challenges. This is what we call the Power of 1 – the ability to add value to our customers through offering one more product or suite of products to help them succeed. For example, we recently were awarded a sizeable order for standalone air conditioning units for a government entity — something not top of mind when you think of ODP Business Solutions, but it showcases the trust customers have in our capabilities to source, deliver, and solution during a time of need – all through the Power of 1. Additionally, we are set early for the upcoming back-to-school season and well positioned with our Education 365 approach, connecting customers within the education sector.”

“Although we are disappointed by our first half performance and outlook for the remainder of the year, we are committed to driving growth back into the business, remaining focused on converting the numerous opportunities in our pipeline, strengthening our position in the second half of the year and having impact in 2025 and beyond. We have several prospects at both ODP Business Solutions and Veyer that we expect to close in the second half that will boost revenue growth velocity as we exit this year. With these opportunities, coupled with our full realization of Project Core, we expect to exit 2024 with a stronger profile,” he continued.

“Despite the near term top-line challenges, we remain committed and encouraged about the future and confident in our operational excellence approach. Our team remains focused on executing the necessary steps to position us for long term growth and profitability,” Smith concluded.

Consolidated Results

Reported (GAAP) Results
Total reported sales for the second quarter of 2024 were $1.7 billion, a decrease of 10% compared with the same period last year, driven by lower sales in both its consumer and business-to-business (B2B) divisions. Lower sales in its consumer division, Office Depot, was primarily due to 58 fewer stores in service compared to last year related to planned store closures, as well as lower retail and online consumer traffic and transactions. Sales at ODP Business Solutions Division were lower compared to last year, largely driven by macroeconomic factors causing more cautious spending among business customers, as well as continued challenges related to the onboarding of new customers and fewer transactions. Meanwhile, Veyer provided strong logistics support for the ODP Business Solutions and Office Depot Divisions and continued to execute across its growth strategy, delivering supply chain and procurement solutions to new third-party customers and driving external EBITDA.

The Company reported GAAP operating income of approximately $400 thousand in the second quarter of 2024, down compared to GAAP operating income of $60 million in the prior year period. Operating results in the second quarter of 2024 included $33 million of charges, primarily related to $25 million in net merger and restructuring expenses and $8 million non-cash asset impairment primarily related to the operating lease right-of-use (ROU) assets associated with the Company’s retail store locations. Net loss from continuing operations was $4 million, or $(0.12) per diluted share in the second quarter of 2024, down compared to net income from continuing operations of $43 million, or $1.09 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2023.

Adjusted (non-GAAP) Results(1)
Adjusted results for the second quarter of 2024 exclude charges and credits totaling $33 million as described above and the associated tax impacts.

  • Second quarter 2024 adjusted EBITDA was $57 million compared to $95 million in the prior year period. This included depreciation and amortization of $24 million and $25 million in the second quarter of 2024 and 2023, respectively
  • Second quarter 2024 adjusted operating income was $33 million, down compared to $67 million in the second quarter of 2023
  • Second quarter 2024 adjusted net income from continuing operations was $20 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, compared to $48 million, or $1.22 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2023, a decrease of 54% on a per share basis

Division Results

ODP Business Solutions Division
Leading B2B distribution solutions provider serving small, medium and enterprise level companies with an annual trailing-twelve-month revenue of nearly $4 billion.

  • Reported sales were $917 million in the second quarter of 2024, down 8% compared to the same period last year. The decrease in sales was related primarily to weaker macroeconomic conditions, more cautious business spending, new customer onboarding challenges, and lower sales conversion
  • Total adjacency category sales, including cleaning and breakroom, furniture, technology, and copy and print, were 43% of total ODP Business Solutions’ sales
  • Continued strong pipeline of potential new business and implementing several initiatives to regain top-line traction
  • Operating income was $29 million in the second quarter of 2024, down 36% compared to the same period last year on a reported basis. As a percentage of sales, operating income margin was 3%, down 140 basis points compared to the same period last year

Office Depot Division
Leading provider of retail consumer and small business products and services distributed via Office Depot and OfficeMax retail locations and an eCommerce presence.

  • Reported sales were $799 million in the second quarter of 2024, down 12% compared to the prior year on a reported basis. Lower sales were partially driven by 58 fewer retail outlets in service associated with planned store closures, as well as lower demand relative to last year in major product categories and lower online sales. The Company closed 9 retail stores in the quarter and had 894 stores at quarter end. Sales were down 7% on a comparable store basis
  • Store and online traffic were lower year over year due to macroeconomic factors causing sluggish consumer activity
  • Operating income was $17 million in the second quarter of 2024, compared to operating income of $35 million during the same period last year, driven primarily by the flow through impact from lower sales. As a percentage of sales, operating income was 2%, down 170 basis points compared to the same period last year

Veyer Division
Nationwide supply chain, distribution, procurement and global sourcing operation supporting Office Depot and ODP Business Solutions, as well as third-party customers. Veyer’s assets and capabilities include 8 million square feet of infrastructure through a network of distribution centers, cross-docks, and other facilities throughout the United States; a global sourcing presence in Asia; a large private fleet of vehicles; and next-day delivery to 98.5% of US population.

  • In the second quarter of 2024, Veyer provided support for its internal customers, ODP Business Solutions and Office Depot, as well as its third-party customers, generating sales of $1.2 billion
  • Operating income was $5 million in the second quarter of 2024, compared to $6 million in the prior year period driven by the flow through impact of lower sales to internal customers partially offset by the contribution related to services to external third-party customers
  • In the second quarter of 2024, sales generated from third-party customers were in-line with the same period last year and EBITDA generated from third-party customers increased by 17% year over year, resulting in sales of $10 million and EBITDA of $4 million

Share Repurchases

The Company continued to execute under its previously announced $1 billion share repurchase authorization valid through March 31, 2027. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company repurchased nearly 2.4 million shares at a cost of $104 million. Since the end of the second quarter of 2024, the Company repurchased additional shares for $37 million.

“Our capital allocation strategy balances investing in the future of our business while continuing to enhance value for shareholders through share repurchases under our buyback authorization,” stated Anthony Scaglione, executive vice president and chief financial officer of The ODP Corporation. “We have executed under this approach, investing in our business and repurchasing over $190 million of our stock thus far in 2024. Moving forward, we will continue to balance our capital allocation strategy remaining mindful of market conditions and business performance as we continue to drive our low-cost business model through Project Core.”

The number of shares to be repurchased under the authorization in the future and the timing of such transactions will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, regulatory requirements, and other corporate considerations. The new share repurchase authorization could be suspended or discontinued at any time as determined by the Board of Directors.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of June 29, 2024, ODP had total available liquidity of approximately $831 million, consisting of $190 million in cash and cash equivalents, including $10 million that is presented in Current assets held for sale related to the Varis Division, and $641 million of available credit under the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement. Total debt was $183 million.

For the second quarter of 2024, cash used in operating activities of continuing operations was $1 million, which included $25 million in restructuring spend, compared to cash used in operating activities of continuing operations of $8 million in the second quarter of the prior year, which included $1 million in restructuring spend. The year-over-year change in operating cash flow is largely related to the timing of certain working capital items.

Capital expenditures in the second quarter of 2024 were $19 million versus $17 million in the prior year period, reflecting continued growth investments in the Company’s digital transformation, distribution network, and eCommerce capabilities. Adjusted Free Cash Flow(3) was $5 million in the second quarter of 2024, compared to $(24) million in the prior year period.

Progress on Project Core

As the Company previously announced, Project Core is a plan designed to create further efficiencies throughout its business, focused on driving enhanced operating results and shareholder value. This broad-based plan includes cost improvement actions across the entire enterprise, optimizing its organizational structure to support future growth of the business. The Company continues to make significant progress under Project Core and is in position to realize in-year savings of approximately $50 million and annualized savings of over $100 million when fully implemented. Restructuring and related charges associated with these actions are now estimated to be in the range of $40 million to $50 million, excluding those related to the Varis Division, and are expected to be substantially incurred throughout 2024.

Varis Division Update

The Company has entered into a non-binding term sheet agreement with a third-party for the sale of Varis. Under the proposed terms, the Company would retain an approximately 20% current stake in the entity. However, there can be no assurances regarding the ultimate timing of this proposed transaction or that such transaction will be completed.

“After a thorough process, we have arrived at a path forward for Varis that aligns with our stated objectives of finalizing our capital commitment to the business, while providing ODP with a continued invested interest in the opportunities ahead. We expect to announce further details of the proposed transaction upon close, which we expect to be completed in the third quarter,” added Smith.

2024 Guidance

“Our performance in the first half of the year was clearly below expectations, placing us behind our goals for the year,” said Smith. “The initiatives we are taking to improve our top-line trajectory, along with our low-cost model, high touch service approach, and strong value proposition, give us confidence in our ability to improve our performance and position us for greater stability and growth in the future. Considering our slow start to the first half of the year, as well as the uncertain macroeconomic environment and the potential variability of the timing of our initiatives, we are updating our 2024 guidance as follows”:

Updated full-year guidance for 2024

*Adjusted Earnings per Share (fully diluted) (EPS) guidance for 2024 excludes potential discrete (tax) items that may affect quarter to quarter fluctuations and includes expected impact from share repurchases

The Company’s full year guidance for 2024 includes non-GAAP measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Earnings per Share (fully diluted) and Adjusted Free Cash Flow. These measures exclude charges or credits not indicative of core operations, which may include but not be limited to restructuring charges, capital expenditures, acquisition-related costs, executive transition costs, asset impairments and other significant items that currently cannot be predicted without unreasonable efforts. The exact amount of these charges or credits are not currently determinable but may be significant. Accordingly, the Company is unable to provide equivalent GAAP measures or reconciliations from GAAP to non-GAAP for these financial measures.

“As a result of our first half performance, along with a continuing challenging macro environment and lower than anticipated sales pipeline conversion in ODP Business Solutions, we are lowering our full year outlook. While first half results were below our expectations, our team remains focused on executing upon opportunities in our business to grow our top line, leveraging our low-cost business model, strong balance sheet, and diverse routes to market,” said Scaglione.

The ODP Corporation will webcast a call with financial analysts and investors on August 7, 2024, at 9:00 am Eastern Time, which will be accessible to the media and the general public. To listen to the conference call via webcast, please visit The ODP Corporation’s Investor Relations website at investor.theodpcorp.com. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours following the event.

(1)As presented throughout this release, adjusted results represent non-GAAP financial measures and exclude charges or credits not indicative of core operations and the tax effect of these items, which may include but not be limited to merger integration, restructuring, acquisition costs, and asset impairments. Reconciliations from GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures can be found in this release as well as on the Company’s Investor Relations website at investor.theodpcorp.com.
(2)As used in this release, Free Cash Flow is defined as cash flows from operating activities less capital expenditures. Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliations from GAAP financial measures can be found in this release as well as on the Company’s Investor Relations website at investor.theodpcorp.com.
(3)As used in this release, Adjusted Free Cash Flow is defined as Free Cash Flow excluding cash charges associated with the Company’s Project Core Restructuring, and related expenses. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliations from GAAP financial measures can be found in this release as well as on the Company’s Investor Relations website at investor.theodpcorp.com.

About The ODP Corporation

The ODP Corporation (NASDAQ:ODP) is a leading provider of products, services, and technology solutions through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omni-channel presence, which includes supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, online presence, and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores. Through its operating companies ODP Business Solutions, LLC; Office Depot, LLC; and Veyer, LLC, The ODP Corporation empowers every business, professional, and consumer to achieve more every day. For more information, visit theodpcorp.com.

ODP and ODP Business Solutions are trademarks of ODP Business Solutions, LLC. Office Depot is a trademark of The Office Club, LLC. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. Veyer is a trademark of Veyer, LLC. Varis is a trademark of Varis, Inc. Grand&Toy is a trademark of Grand & Toy, LLC in Canada. ©2023 Office Depot, LLC. All rights reserved. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This communication may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements or disclosures may discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations, cash flow or financial condition, or state other information relating to, among other things, the Company, based on current beliefs and assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “expectations”, “outlook,” “intend,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “propose” or other similar words, phrases or expressions, or other variations of such words. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the Company’s control. There can be no assurances that the Company will realize these expectations or that these beliefs will prove correct, and therefore investors and stakeholders should not place undue reliance on such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other things, highly competitive office products market and failure to differentiate the Company from other office supply resellers or respond to decline in general office supplies sales or to shifting consumer demands; competitive pressures on the Company’s sales and pricing; the risk that the Company is unable to transform the business into a service-driven, B2B platform or that such a strategy will not result in the benefits anticipated; the risk that the Company will not be able to achieve the expected benefits of its strategic plans, including a potential sale of Varis on the terms proposed or at all and benefits related to Project Core; the risk that the Company may not be able to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions due to unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, expenses, indebtedness and the unanticipated loss of key customers or the inability to achieve expected revenues, synergies, cost savings or financial performance; the risk that the Company is unable to successfully maintain a relevant omni-channel experience for its customers; the risk that the Company is unable to execute the Maximize B2B Restructuring Plan successfully or that such plan will not result in the benefits anticipated; failure to effectively manage the Company’s real estate portfolio; loss of business with government entities, purchasing consortiums, and sole- or limited- source distribution arrangements; failure to attract and retain qualified personnel, including employees in stores, service centers, distribution centers, field and corporate offices and executive management, and the inability to keep supply of skills and resources in balance with customer demand; failure to execute effective advertising efforts and maintain the Company’s reputation and brand at a high level; disruptions in computer systems, including delivery of technology services; breach of information technology systems affecting reputation, business partner and customer relationships and operations and resulting in high costs and lost revenue; unanticipated downturns in business relationships with customers or terms with the suppliers, third-party vendors and business partners; disruption of global sourcing activities, evolving foreign trade policy (including tariffs imposed on certain foreign made goods); exclusive Office Depot branded products are subject to additional product, supply chain and legal risks; product safety and quality concerns of manufacturers’ branded products and services and Office Depot private branded products; covenants in the credit facility; general disruption in the credit markets; incurrence of significant impairment charges; retained responsibility for liabilities of acquired companies; fluctuation in quarterly operating results due to seasonality of the Company’s business; changes in tax laws in jurisdictions where the Company operates; increases in wage and benefit costs and changes in labor regulations; changes in the regulatory environment, legal compliance risks and violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other worldwide anti-bribery laws; volatility in the Company’s common stock price; changes in or the elimination of the payment of cash dividends on Company common stock; macroeconomic conditions such as higher interest rates and future declines in business or consumer spending; increases in fuel and other commodity prices and the cost of material, energy and other production costs, or unexpected costs that cannot be recouped in product pricing; unexpected claims, charges, litigation, dispute resolutions or settlement expenses; catastrophic events, including the impact of weather events on the Company’s business; the discouragement of lawsuits by shareholders against the Company and its directors and officers as a result of the exclusive forum selection of the Court of Chancery, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other Delaware state courts by the Company as the sole and exclusive forum for such lawsuits; and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Investors and shareholders should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

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Release – The ODP Corporation to Announce Second Quarter 2024 Results Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Research News and Market Data on ODP

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jul. 24, 2024– The ODP Corporation (NASDAQ:ODP) (“ODP,” or the “Company”), a leading provider of business services, products and digital workplace technology solutions to businesses and consumers, will announce second quarter 2024 financial results before the market open on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024. The ODP Corporation will webcast a call with financial analysts and investors that day at 9:00 am Eastern Time which will be accessible to the media and the general public.

To listen to the conference call via webcast, please visit The ODP Corporation’s Investor Relations website at investor.theodpcorp.com. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours following the event. A copy of the earnings press release, supplemental financial disclosures and presentation will also be available on the website.

About The ODP Corporation

The ODP Corporation (NASDAQ:ODP) is a leading provider of products and services through an integrated business-to-business (B2B) distribution platform and omnichannel presence, which includes world-class supply chain and distribution operations, dedicated sales professionals, a B2B digital procurement solution, online presence and a network of Office Depot and OfficeMax retail stores. Through its operating companies Office Depot, LLC; ODP Business Solutions, LLC; and Veyer, LLC, The ODP Corporation empowers every business, professional, and consumer to achieve more every day. For more information, visit theodpcorp.com.

ODP and ODP Business Solutions are trademarks of ODP Business Solutions, LLC. Office Depot is a trademark of The Office Club, LLC. OfficeMax is a trademark of OMX, Inc. Veyer is a trademark of Veyer, LLC. Varis is a trademark of Varis, Inc. Grand&Toy is a trademark of Grand & Toy, LLC in Canada. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Tim Perrott
Investor Relations
561-438-4629
Tim.Perrott@theodpcorp.com

Source: The ODP Corporation

The ODP Corporation (ODP) – Post Call Commentary and Updated Model


Friday, May 10, 2024

Office Depot, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, supplies a range of office products and services. It offers merchandise, such as general office supplies, computer supplies, business machines and related supplies, and office furniture through its chain of office supply stores under the Office Depot, Foray, Ativa, Break Escapes, Worklife, and Christopher Lowell brand names. The company also provides graphic design, printing, reproduction, mailing, shipping, and other services through design, print, and ship centers. It has operations throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Central America. The company also sells its products and services through direct mail catalogs, contract sales force, Internet sites, and retail stores, through a mix of company-owned operations, joint ventures, licensing and franchise agreements, alliances, and other arrangements. As of December 31, 2008, Office Depot operated 1,267 North American retail division office supply stores and 162 international division retail stores, as well as participated under licensing and merchandise arrangements in 98 stores. The company was founded in 1986 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida.

Joe Gomes, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Generalist , 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.

Varis. The big news for the quarter was the decision to put the Varis unit up for sale. While we believe the long-term business opportunity for Varis is attractive, the business was just taking too long to ramp up for the amount of investment ODP was pumping into the unit. We will see what type of return the sale brings, but in any case, the reduction of costs will be favorable.

Project Core. This cost optimization program is delivering significant benefits to ODP’s overall operating results and with the program upsized to $100 million from $50 million, Project Core should provide solid opportunity to reduce cost, in our view. It will be a key driver for improved bottom line results.


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