Helen of Troy Limited Reports Solid Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

Consolidated Net Sales Growth of 1.0%

GAAP Diluted EPS Growth of 19.3% to $1.79; Adjusted Diluted EPS Growth of 21.9% to $2.45

GAAP Operating Margin Expansion of 240 Basis Points

Adjusted EBITDA Margin Expansion of 410 Basis Points; Growth of 28.4% to $94.3 million

Initiates Fiscal 2025 Outlook:

Consolidated Net Sales of $1.965-$2.025 Billion

GAAP Diluted EPS of $6.68-$7.45; Adjusted Diluted EPS of $8.70-$9.20

Adjusted EBITDA of $324-$331 Million; Free Cash Flow⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ of $255-$275 Million

Further Net Leverage Ratio⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾ Reduction to Between 1.25X and 1.00X by the End of Fiscal 2025  

EL PASO, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ: HELE), designer, developer, and worldwide marketer of branded consumer home, outdoor, beauty, and wellness products, today reported results for the three-month period ended February 29, 2024 and provided its outlook for Fiscal 2025.

Executive Summary – Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023

• Consolidated net sales revenue of $489.2 million, an increase of 1.0%
• Gross profit margin improvement of 570 basis points to 49.0% compared to 43.3%
• Operating margin improvement of 240 basis points to 13.5% compared to 11.1%
• Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin improvement of 320 basis points to 17.0% compared to 13.8%
• GAAP diluted EPS of $1.79 compared to $1.50
• Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS of $2.45 compared to $2.01
• Net cash provided by operating activities of $73.6 million compared to $158.7 million
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin improvement of 410 basis points to 19.3% compared to 15.2%

Executive Summary – Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023

• Consolidated net sales revenue of $2.005 billion, a decrease of 3.3%
• Gross profit margin improvement of 390 basis points to 47.3% compared to 43.4%
• Operating margin improvement of 280 basis points to 13.0% compared to 10.2%
• Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin of 15.0% compared to 14.5%
• GAAP diluted EPS of $7.03 compared to $5.95
• Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS of $8.91 compared to $9.45
• Net cash provided by operating activities of $306.1 million compared to $208.2 million
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.8% compared to 15.8%

Noel M. Geoffroy, Chief Executive Officer, stated: “We ended the year on a positive note, reporting fourth quarter results that exceeded our expectations while making critical progress toward our long-term growth and efficiency goals. The fourth quarter was highlighted by net sales and adjusted EPS ahead of our outlook, expanded gross profit and adjusted EBITDA margins, and strong cash flow generation that further strengthened our durable balance sheet. We are pleased to achieve these results despite an environment where consumers focused their more limited discretionary spending on experiences and services over products. I am proud of how our associates have embraced our new organizational model as a true global operating company designed to enable greater focus and centralized expertise.”

Ms. Geoffroy continued: “Looking ahead to fiscal 2025, we have many reasons to be excited as we begin our Elevate for Growth era, even as we navigate what we anticipate will be an increasingly pressured environment. Our consumers are our number one priority. Our mission is to delight them with quality brands and products with the right message, in the right place, at the right time. I am confident that Elevate for Growth represents an important pivot for the Company, emphasizing relentless consumer obsession in all that we do, a new portfolio management approach to sharpen our resource allocation, incremental growth investment in our brands and our capabilities, and new distribution opportunities. We believe these new choices position us to deliver our objectives in fiscal 2025 and beyond.”

Consolidated Results – Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2023

• Consolidated net sales revenue increased $4.6 million, or 1.0%, to $489.2 million, compared to $484.6 million, primarily driven by an increase from Organic business of $3.2 million, or 0.7%. The Organic business increase was primarily due to growth in the consolidated online channel lead by the travel tumbler in Home & Outdoor and hair appliances in Beauty & Wellness, international gains driven by thermometry, hair appliances, and strong demand for travel packs, an increase in the club and closeout channels in Home & Outdoor, and prestige hair care growth in Beauty & Wellness. These factors were partially offset by declines in air purifiers, fans, and heaters primarily driven by SKU rationalization and softer consumer demand, and a decline in humidification reflecting a cough/cold/flu season illness incidence below the prior year and pre-Covid historical averages.
• Consolidated gross profit margin increased 570 basis points to 49.0%, compared to 43.3%. The increase was primarily due to a decrease in inventory obsolescence expense, lower inbound freight and commodity costs, lower overall customer discount and program expense, and a more favorable product mix within Beauty & Wellness including the favorable impact of SKU rationalization efforts. These factors were partially offset by a less favorable customer and product mix within Home & Outdoor.
• Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) ratio increased 490 basis points to 34.7%, compared to 29.8%. The increase was primarily due to higher share-based compensation expense, increased marketing investment, higher annual incentive compensation expense, and an increase in depreciation and distribution expense primarily due to the scale up of the Company’s new distribution facility in Gallaway, Tennessee. These factors were partially offset by cost savings from Project Pegasus and the favorable comparative impact of EPA compliance costs of $1.5 million incurred in the prior year period.
• Consolidated operating income was $66.2 million, or 13.5% of net sales revenue, compared to $53.7 million, or 11.1% of net sales revenue. The 240 basis point increase in consolidated operating margin was primarily due to a decrease in inventory obsolescence expense, a decrease in restructuring charges of $8.3 million, lower inbound freight and commodity costs, lower trade discount and program expense, a more favorable product mix within Beauty & Wellness including the favorable impact of SKU rationalization efforts, and the favorable comparative impact of EPA compliance costs of $1.5 million incurred in the prior year period. These factors were partially offset by higher share-based compensation expense, increased marketing investment, higher annual incentive compensation expense, an increase in depreciation and distribution expense primarily due to a new distribution facility, and a less favorable customer and product mix within Home & Outdoor.
• Interest expense was $12.5 million, compared to $14.1 million. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to lower average borrowings outstanding, partially offset by a higher average effective interest rate compared to the same period last year.
• Income tax expense as a percentage of income before income tax was 21.9%, compared to 8.9%, primarily due to shifts in the mix of income in various tax jurisdictions and the unfavorable comparative impact of changes in estimated income used to calculate the annual effective tax rate in the same period last year.
• Net income was $42.7 million, compared to $36.2 million. Diluted EPS was $1.79, compared to $1.50. Diluted EPS increased primarily due to higher operating income in both Beauty & Wellness and Home & Outdoor, lower interest expense, an increase in interest income, and lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding, partially offset by an increase in the effective income tax rate.
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) increased 28.4% to $94.3 million, compared to $73.4 million. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 19.3% compared to 15.2%.

On an adjusted basis (non-GAAP) for the fourth quarters of fiscal 2024 and 2023, excluding EPA compliance costs, restructuring charges, amortization of intangible assets, and non-cash share-based compensation, as applicable:

• Adjusted operating income increased $16.6 million, or 24.9%, to $83.3 million, or 17.0% of net sales revenue, compared to $66.7 million, or 13.8% of net sales revenue. The 320 basis point increase in adjusted operating margin was primarily driven by a decrease in inventory obsolescence expense, lower inbound freight and commodity costs, lower overall trade discount and program expense, and a more favorable product mix within Beauty & Wellness including the favorable impact of SKU rationalization efforts. These factors were partially offset by increased marketing investment, higher annual incentive compensation expense, an increase in depreciation and distribution expense primarily due to a new distribution facility, and a less favorable customer and product mix within Home & Outdoor.
• Adjusted income increased $10.1 million, or 20.8%, to $58.6 million, compared to $48.5 million. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 21.9% to $2.45, compared to $2.01. The increase in adjusted diluted EPS was primarily due to higher adjusted operating income in both Beauty & Wellness and Home & Outdoor, lower interest expense, an increase in interest income, and lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding, partially offset by an increase in the adjusted effective income tax rate.

Segment Results – Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2023

Home & Outdoor net sales revenue increased $11.4 million, or 5.4%, to $223.3 million, compared to $211.9 million. The increase was driven by growth from Organic business of $10.8 million, or 5.1%, primarily due to an increase in home category sales in the brick and mortar and club channels, higher insulated beverageware sales, primarily driven by the new travel tumbler, and international growth primarily driven by strong demand for travel packs. These factors were partially offset by the unfavorable impact of the Bed, Bath & Beyond bankruptcy and a decrease in online channel sales in the travel pack and home categories.

Home & Outdoor operating income was $35.0 million, or 15.7% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $31.3 million, or 14.8% of segment net sales revenue. The 90 basis point increase in segment operating margin was primarily due to lower commodity and inbound freight costs, a decrease in restructuring charges of $2.6 million, lower trade discount and program expense, and a decrease in inventory obsolescence expense. These factors were partially offset by an increase in depreciation and distribution expense primarily due to a new distribution facility, higher share-based compensation expense, an increase in annual incentive compensation expense, and a less favorable customer and product mix. Adjusted operating income increased 15.3% to $41.7 million, or 18.7% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $36.2 million, or 17.1% of segment net sales revenue.

Beauty & Wellness net sales revenue decreased $6.8 million, or 2.5%, to $265.9 million, compared to $272.7 million. The decrease was driven by a decrease from Organic business of $7.6 million, or 2.8%, primarily due to lower sales of air purifiers, fans, and heaters, primarily driven by SKU rationalization and softer consumer demand, and a decline in humidification reflecting a cough/cold/flu season illness incidence below the prior year and pre-Covid historical averages. These factors were partially offset by growth in hair appliances and thermometry, which helped drive higher overall international sales, and an increase in sales of prestige hair care products.

Beauty & Wellness operating income was $31.2 million, or 11.7% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $22.4 million, or 8.2% of segment net sales revenue. The 350 basis point increase in segment operating margin was primarily due to a decrease in inventory obsolescence expense, a decrease in restructuring charges of $5.6 million, lower trade discount and program expense, decreased distribution expense, the favorable comparative impact of EPA compliance costs of $1.5 million incurred in the prior year period, reduced inbound freight costs, and a more favorable product mix including the favorable impact of SKU rationalization efforts. These factors were partially offset by higher share-based compensation expense, increased marketing investment, and increased annual incentive compensation expense. Adjusted operating income increased 36.2% to $41.5 million, or 15.6% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $30.5 million, or 11.2% of segment net sales revenue.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow – Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023

• Cash and cash equivalents totaled $18.5 million, compared to $29.1 million.
• Accounts receivable turnover was 66.2 days, compared to 69.4 days.
• Inventory was $396.0 million, compared to $455.5 million. Inventory turnover was 2.5 times, compared to 2.1 times.
• Total short- and long-term debt was $665.7 million, compared to $934.4 million as a result of strong cash flow in fiscal 2024.
• Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2024 was $306.1 million, compared to $208.2 million.
• Free cash flow⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ for fiscal 2024 was $269.4 million, compared to $33.4 million, which includes $19.3 million and $147 million of capital expenditures for the new Tennessee distribution facility, respectively.

Pegasus Restructuring Plan

The Company previously announced a global restructuring plan intended to expand operating margins through initiatives designed to improve efficiency and effectiveness and reduce costs (collectively referred to as “Project Pegasus”). Project Pegasus includes multiple workstreams to further optimize the Company’s brand portfolio, streamline and simplify the organization, accelerate cost of goods savings projects, enhance the efficiency of its supply chain network, optimize its indirect spending and improve its cash flow and working capital, as well as other activities. The Company anticipates these initiatives will create operating efficiencies, as well as provide a platform to fund future growth investments.

The Company has updated its expectations regarding Project Pegasus charges and savings. The Company has lowered its total estimate of one-time pre-tax restructuring charges to approximately $50 million to $55 million, from a previous estimate of $60 million to $65 million, over the duration of the plan. The Company continues to expect these charges to be completed during fiscal 2025. In addition, the Company now has the following expectations regarding Project Pegasus charges:

• Pre-tax restructuring charges to be comprised of approximately $15 million to $19 million of severance and employee related costs, $28 million of professional fees, $3 million to $4 million of contract termination costs, and $4 million of other exit and disposal costs.
• All of the Company’s operating segments and shared services will be impacted by the plan and pre-tax restructuring charges include approximately $16 million to $17 million in Home & Outdoor and $34 million to $38 million in Beauty & Wellness.
• Pre-tax restructuring charges represent primarily cash expenditures, which the Company continues to expect to be substantially paid by the end of fiscal 2025.

The Company has the following expectations regarding Project Pegasus savings:

• The Company continues to expect targeted annualized pre-tax operating profit improvements of approximately $75 million to $85 million, which began in fiscal 2024 and which the Company now expects to be substantially achieved by the end of fiscal 2027.
• The Company has updated its expectations regarding the estimated cadence of the recognition of the savings to be approximately 25% in fiscal 2024, which was achieved, approximately 35% in fiscal 2025, approximately 25% in fiscal 2026, and approximately 15% in fiscal 2027. The Company previously estimated recognition of the savings to be approximately 25% in fiscal 2024, approximately 50% in fiscal 2025 and approximately 25% in 2026.
• The Company continues to expect total profit improvements to be realized approximately 60% through reduced cost of goods sold and 40% through lower SG&A.

Fiscal 2025 Annual Outlook

The Company expects consolidated net sales revenue in the range of $1.965 billion to $2.025 billion, which implies a decline of 2.0% to growth of 1.0%. The sales outlook reflects the Company’s view of lingering inflation and further consumer spending softness, especially in certain discretionary categories. In the aggregate, the Company believes retail inventory on hand is at healthy levels and expects that sell-in will be generally in line with sell-through during fiscal 2025.

The Company’s fiscal year net sales outlook reflects the following expectations by segment:

• Home & Outdoor net sales growth of 1.0% to 4.0%; and
• Beauty & Wellness net sales decline of 4.5% to 1.5%, which includes a year-over-year headwind of approximately 1.0% related to the expiration of an out-license relationship in Wellness.

The Company expects GAAP diluted EPS of $6.68 to $7.45 and non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $8.70 to $9.20, which implies an adjusted diluted EPS decline of 2.4% to growth of 3.3%.

The Company expects adjusted EBITDA of $324 million to $331 million, which implies a decline of 3.6% to 1.6%, as benefits from Project Pegasus and other gross profit improvements are reinvested for growth. The Company’s outlook reflects a year-over-year increase in growth investment spending of approximately 100 basis points, a year-over-year headwind of approximately 50 basis points from the expiration of an out-license relationship in Wellness, and some margin compression from incremental operating expense related to enterprise technology initiatives included in the Elevate for Growth strategic plan that are beginning in fiscal 2025.

The Company expects free cash flow in the range of $255 million to $275 million and its net leverage ratio⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾, as defined in its credit agreement, to end fiscal 2025 at 1.25x to 1.00x.

In terms of the quarterly cadence of sales, the Company expects a decline of approximately 7% to 5% in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, and a range of flat to 3% growth for each of the remaining quarters. The Company expects a slight decline in adjusted diluted EPS for the first half of fiscal 2025, with a decline of approximately 15% to 20% in the first quarter and nearly offsetting growth in the second quarter. The Company expects an adjusted EPS range of flat to 5% growth in the second half of fiscal 2025.

The Company’s consolidated net sales and EPS outlook also reflects the following assumptions:

• the severity of the cough/cold/flu season will be in line with pre-COVID historical averages;
• April 2024 foreign currency exchange rates will remain constant for the remainder of the fiscal year;
• expected interest expense in the range of $34.0 million to $36.0 million;
• a reported GAAP effective tax rate range of 19.0% to 21.0% for the full fiscal year 2025 and an adjusted effective tax rate range of 17.2% to 18.3%; and
• an estimated weighted average diluted shares outstanding of 23.7 million for the full year.

The likelihood, timing and potential impact of a significant or prolonged recession, any fiscal 2025 acquisitions and divestitures, future asset impairment charges, future foreign currency fluctuations, additional interest rate increases, or share repurchases are unknown and cannot be reasonably estimated; therefore, they are not included in the Company’s outlook.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will conduct a teleconference in conjunction with today’s earnings release. The teleconference begins at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time today, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Institutional investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 407-3982 approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be webcast live on the Events & Presentations page at: http://investor.helenoftroy.com/. A telephone replay of this call will be available at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on April 24, 2024, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 8, 2024, and can be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 and entering replay pin number 13745074. A replay of the webcast will remain available on the website for one year.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company reports and discusses its operating results using financial measures consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). To supplement its presentation, the Company discloses certain financial measures that may be considered non-GAAP such as Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, Adjusted Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share (“EPS”), EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow and Net Leverage Ratio, which are presented in accompanying tables to this press release along with a reconciliation of these financial measures to their corresponding GAAP-based financial measures presented in the Company’s consolidated statements of income and cash flows. For additional information see Note 1 to the accompanying tables to this press release.

About Helen of Troy Limited

Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ: HELE) is a leading global consumer products company offering creative products and solutions for its customers through a diversified portfolio of well-recognized and widely-trusted brands, including OXO, Hydro Flask, Osprey, Vicks, Braun, Honeywell, PUR, Hot Tools and Drybar. The Company sometimes refers to these brands as its Leadership Brands.

Contacts

Investor Contact:

Helen of Troy Limited

Anne Rakunas, Director, External Communications

(915) 225-4841

ICR, Inc.

Allison Malkin, Partner

(203) 682-8200

Read full story here