Callaway Golf Company Announces First Quarter 2020 Results and Completion Of Convertible Notes Offering

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Callaway Golf Company (NYSE:ELY) announced today financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 consistent with the preliminary estimates announced on April 27, 2020. The Company also announced the completion on May 4, 2020 of the issuance of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026, raising net proceeds of approximately $250 million after certain transaction costs.  

"We are pleased that during the first quarter of 2020 our golf equipment market shares remained strong in all of our major markets and that we were able to deliver a profitable quarter despite the negative impact of COVID-19," commented Chip Brewer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Callaway Golf Company (the "Company").  "In fact, through early March we were on track for another record sales year, which would have made it our fourth consecutive record year.  While the COVID-19 pandemic will have a significant impact on our results in the short-term, we believe we will be well positioned to emerge from this pandemic.  Our golf and outdoor lifestyle businesses support an active and healthy lifestyle that is compatible with a world of social distancing. We are also pleased that we are beginning to see some signs of recovery, particularly in those regions that were first affected." 

Mr. Brewer continued, "The issuance of our convertible notes was well received by the market, allowing us to obtain favorable pricing and terms. This additional liquidity will provide a comforting backstop in the event that the duration or impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is longer or more severe than anticipated. I want to emphasize, however, that having this additional liquidity will not lessen our resolve for, and we remain committed to, maintaining our disciplined approach to managing capital and expenses.  We believe that this additional liquidity, together with the strength of our brands, our product and geographic diversity, and the operational improvements we have made to date, will enable us to create shareholder value as we emerge from this pandemic."

GAAP and Non-GAAP Results

In addition to the Company's results prepared in accordance with GAAP, the Company provided information on a non-GAAP basis, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses, and non-cash stock compensation expenses ("EBITDAS"). The manner in which this non-GAAP information is derived is discussed further toward the end of this release, and the Company has provided in the tables to this release a reconciliation of the non-GAAP information to the most directly comparable GAAP information.

Summary of First Quarter 2020 Financial Results

The Company announced the following financial results for the first quarter of 2020 (in millions, except EPS):

For the first quarter of 2020, the Company's net sales decreased $74 million (-14%) to $442 million, compared to $516 million for the same period in 2019. This decrease reflects the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both the golf equipment and soft goods operating segments globally. This decrease, however, was partially offset by an increase in net sales in Japan and Korea as well as in our TravisMathew business, for the same period despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Changes in foreign currency rates had a $4 million negative impact on first quarter 2020 net sales.   

For the first quarter of 2020, the Company's gross margin decreased 200 basis points to 44.2% compared to 46.2% for the first quarter of 2019. This decrease is primarily attributable to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the negative impact of changes in foreign currency rates, increased tariffs on imports from China, and non-recurring redundant costs associated with transitioning the Company's North American distribution center to a new facility. The gross margins in 2019 were adversely impacted by non-cash purchase accounting adjustments related to the Jack Wolfskin acquisition as set forth in the tables attached to this release.  

Operating expenses decreased $14 million to $155 million in the first quarter of 2020 compared to $169 million for the same period in 2019.  This decrease was generated by the cost reduction actions the Company began in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, lower variable expenses associated with the reduced sales and by a reduction in non-recurring acquisition and transition costs related to the Jack Wolfskin acquisition.    

First quarter 2020 earnings per share decreased $0.20 to $0.30, compared to $0.50 for the first quarter of 2019.  Earnings per share in 2020 includes $0.02 of non-recurring costs related to the transition to the Company's new distribution facility as well as non-cash amortization expense related to the Company's acquired intangible assets. Earnings per share in 2019 includes $0.13 of non-recurring expenses related to the Jack Wolfskin acquisition as well as non-cash amortization expenses related to the Company's acquired intangible assets. 

Convertible Notes Offering

On May 4, 2020, the Company consummated its issuance of 2.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026.  The offering was oversubscribed, which allowed the Company to increase the size of its $200 million planned offering to $225 million.  As is customary in transactions of this type, the Company also granted the initial purchasers the option to purchase an additional 15% of convertible notes, which has already been exercised.  As a result, the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued was approximately $259 million and the total net proceeds to the Company was approximately $250 million after certain transaction costs. The Company is bullish on its future prospects and therefore used approximately $32 million of the net proceeds to pay the cost of certain capped call transactions, which are generally expected to reduce the potential dilution to shareholders upon any conversion of the notes. The Company intends to use the balance of the proceeds for working capital and other general corporate purposes. 

Full Year 2020

The Company previously reported that due to the uncertain duration or full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company is no longer providing financial guidance at this time.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will be holding a conference call at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time today to discuss the Company's financial results, outlook and business. The call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed at http://ir.callawaygolf.com/. To listen to the call, and to access the Company's presentation materials, please go to the website at least 15 minutes before the call to register and for instructions on how to access the broadcast. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the call ends, and will remain available through 9:00 p.m. Pacific time on May 14, 2019.  The replay may be accessed through the Internet at http://ir.callawaygolf.com/.

Non-GAAP Information

The GAAP results contained in this press release and the financial statement schedules attached to this press release have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP").  To supplement the GAAP results, the Company has provided certain non-GAAP financial information as follows:

Constant Currency Basis. The Company provided certain information regarding the Company's financial results or projected financial results on a "constant currency basis." This information estimates the impact of changes in foreign currency rates on the translation of the Company's current or projected future period financial results as compared to the applicable comparable period.  This impact is derived by taking the current or projected local currency results and translating them into U.S. Dollars based upon the foreign currency exchange rates for the applicable comparable period. It does not include any other effect of changes in foreign currency rates on the Company's results or business.  

EBITDAS.  The Company provides information about its results excluding interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses, and non-cash stock compensation expenses.

Other Adjustments. The Company presents certain of its financial results excluding the non-recurring OGIO, TravisMathew and Jack Wolfskin transaction and transition expenses and non-cash purchase accounting adjustments.

In addition, the Company has included in the schedules to this release a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP information to the most directly comparable GAAP information.  The non-GAAP information presented in this release and related schedules should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any measure derived in accordance with GAAP. The non-GAAP information may also be inconsistent with the manner in which similar measures are derived or used by other companies.  Management uses such non-GAAP information for financial and operational decision-making purposes and as a means to evaluate period-over-period comparisons and in forecasting the Company's business going forward. Management believes that the presentation of such non-GAAP information, when considered in conjunction with the most directly comparable GAAP information, provides additional useful comparative information for investors in their assessment of the underlying performance of the Company's business without regard to these items. The Company has provided reconciling information in the attached schedules.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements used in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, performance, prospects, or growth opportunities, including statements relating to the Company's sales, future industry and market conditions, strength of brand and products, geographic diversity, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition and the impact of any measures taken to mitigate the effect of the pandemic, availability of capital under the Company's credit facilities, the capital markets and other sources, the Company's liquidity, the effects of entering into the capped call transactions, and the Company's cost/expense reduction efforts and operational improvements, are forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "estimate," "could," "should," "intend," "may," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made and are not guarantees of future performance. These statements are based upon current information and expectations. Accurately estimating the forward-looking statements is based upon various risks and unknowns, including disruptions to business operations whether from travel restrictions, mandated quarantines or voluntary "social distancing" that affects employees, customers and suppliers; production delays, closures of manufacturing facilities, retail locations, warehouses and supply and distribution chains; staffing shortages as a result of remote working requirements or otherwise; uncertainty regarding global economic conditions, particularly the uncertainty related to the duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and related decreases in customer demand and spending; our level of indebtedness; continued availability of credit facilities and liquidity and ability to comply with applicable debt covenants; effectiveness of cost/expense reduction efforts and operational improvements; continued brand momentum and product success; growth in the direct-to-consumer and e-commerce channels; consumer acceptance of and demand for the Company's and its subsidiaries' products; competitive pressures; any changes in U.S. trade, tax or other policies, including restrictions on imports or an increase in import tariffs; future consumer discretionary purchasing activity, which can be significantly adversely affected by unfavorable economic or market conditions; future retailer purchasing activity, which can be significantly negatively affected by adverse industry conditions and overall retail inventory levels; and future changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the degree of effectiveness of the Company's hedging programs. Actual results may differ materially from those estimated or anticipated as a result of these risks and unknowns or other risks and uncertainties, including the effect of terrorist activity, armed conflict, natural disasters or pandemic diseases, including expanded outbreak of COVID-19, on the economy generally, on the level of demand for the Company's and its subsidiaries' products or on the Company's ability to manage its operations, supply chain and delivery logistics in such an environment; delays, difficulties or increased costs in the supply of components or commodities needed to manufacture the Company's products or in manufacturing the Company's products; and a decrease in participation levels in golf generally, as well as during or as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties that could affect these statements, the golf industry, and the Company's business, see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K subsequently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to republish revised forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

About Callaway Golf Company
Callaway Golf Company (NYSE: ELY) is a premium golf equipment and active lifestyle company with a portfolio of global brands, including Callaway Golf, Odyssey, OGIO, TravisMathew and Jack Wolfskin. Through an unwavering commitment to innovation, Callaway manufactures and sells premium golf clubs, golf balls, golf and lifestyle bags, golf and lifestyle apparel and other accessories. For more information please visit www.callawaygolf.com, www.odysseygolf.com, www.OGIO.com, www.travismathew.com, and www.jack-wolfskin.com.

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SOURCE Callaway Golf Company