WD-40 Company Reports Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

~ Global net sales of maintenance products grew 11 percent compared to prior year fiscal period ~

~ Board of Directors approves new 75.0 million share buyback plan to replace expiring plan ~

SAN DIEGO, July 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- WD-40 Company (NASDAQ: WDFC), a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world, today reported financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2018.

Financial Highlights and Summary

• Total net sales for the third quarter were $107.0 million, an increase of 9 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date total net sales were $305.9 million, an increase of 8 percent compared to the prior year fiscal period.
• Translation of the Company's foreign subsidiary results to U.S. dollars had a favorable impact on sales for the current quarter and year-to-date. On a constant currency basis, total net sales would have been $102.6 million for the third quarter and $295.8 million year to date.
• Net income for the third quarter was $16.1 million, an increase of 12 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date net income was $43.6 million, an increase of 13 percent from the prior year fiscal period.
• Diluted earnings per share were $1.15 in the third quarter, compared to $1.02 per share for the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date diluted earnings per share were $3.10 compared to $2.71 in the prior year fiscal period.
• Gross margin was 54.8 percent in the third quarter compared to 55.3 percent in the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date gross margin was 55.1 percent compared to 56.3 percent in the prior year fiscal period.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses were up 9 percent in the third quarter to $30.1 million when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date selling, general and administrative expenses were up 6 percent to $91.7 million compared to the prior year fiscal period.
• Advertising and sales promotion expenses were up 2 percent in the third quarter to $5.5 million when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date advertising and sales promotion expenses were up 4 percent to $15.8 million compared to the prior year fiscal period.

"We had a solid quarter and are pleased that we achieved both sales and earnings results which reflect new record highs for the Company," said Garry Ridge, WD-40 Company's president and chief executive officer. "Our maintenance products delivered solid sales increases in the third quarter including 10 percent growth of WD-40 Multi-Use Product and 16 percent growth of WD-40 Specialist.  Though fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates favorably impacted our sales results in the current quarter, we still saw a currency adjusted sales growth rate of 5 percent period-over-period.

"Unfortunately we are continuing to see the impact of higher commodity prices which have begun to deteriorate our gross margins in all three of our operating segments.  To combat this margin pressure we have made some price increases to ensure our gross margin remains in-line with our 55/30/25 business model.

"Finally, we continue to return capital to our investors through regular dividends and share buybacks.  Over the last 2 years alone we have returned over $100 million in capital to our shareholders in this manner. In order to continue returning capital to shareholders through share buybacks, last month our Board of Directors approved a new $75.0 million share buyback plan to replace our expiring plan," concluded Ridge.  

Net Sales by Segment (in thousands):

• Net sales by segment as a percent of total net sales for the third quarter were as follows: for the Americas, 50 percent; for EMEA, 37 percent; and for Asia-Pacific, 13 percent.
• Net sales in the Americas increased 8 percent in the third quarter primarily due to higher sales of maintenance products, which increased 12 percent compared to the prior year fiscal period. This sales increase was primarily driven by the timing of customer orders for WD-40_® Multi-Use Product and higher sales of WD-40 EZ-REACH_™ Flexible Straw product in the United States. The increase in sales was also driven by higher sales of maintenance products in Canada and Latin American driven by successful promotional programs in the regions. In addition, sales in the Americas were higher year over year due to certain customers buying product in advance of a price increase, which went into effect in June 2018.
• Net sales in EMEA increased 15 percent in the third quarter primarily due to higher sales of maintenance products which increased 16 percent compared to the prior year fiscal period. This sales increase was also driven by changes in foreign currency exchange rates which had a favorable impact on sales for EMEA from period to period. On a constant currency basis EMEA sales for the third quarter would have increased by $1.3 million or 4 percent compared to the prior year fiscal period due primarily to a higher level of promotional activities.
• Net sales in Asia-Pacific decreased 2 percent in the third quarter primarily due to a 17 percent decrease in sales in the segment's distributor markets as a result of the Company transitioning to new marketing distributors in certain regions as well as the timing of customer orders period over period. This lower level of sales was partially offset by a 17 percent increase in sales in China and a 5 percent increase in sales in Australia. The sales growth in China was primarily attributable to a successful promotional program in the region. The growth in Australia was primarily due to successful promotional activities and expanded distribution of the WD-40 Specialist product line. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had a favorable impact on sales in Asia-Pacific from period to period. On a constant currency basis Asia-Pacific sales for the third quarter would have decreased $0.7 million or 5 percent compared to the prior year fiscal period.

Net Sales by Product Group (in thousands):

• Net sales of maintenance products, which are considered the primary growth focus for the Company, increased 11 percent in the third quarter when compared to the prior year fiscal period. This sales growth was primarily attributable to increased sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product within the Americas and EMEA segments. This growth was also attributable to increased sales of WD-40 Specialist within the EMEA and Asia-Pacific segments.
• Net sales of homecare and cleaning products decreased 12 percent in the third quarter when compared to the prior year fiscal period. The homecare and cleaning products, particularly those in the U.S., are considered harvest brands providing healthy profit returns to the Company and are becoming a smaller part of the business as net sales of multi-purpose maintenance products grow per the execution of the Company's strategic initiatives.

Dividend and Share Repurchase
As previously announced, WD-40 Company's Board of Directors declared on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 a quarterly dividend of $0.54 per share payable on July 31, 2018 to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 20, 2018.

On June 21, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share buy-back plan. Under the plan, which became effective on September 1, 2016, the Company is authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares through August 31, 2018. During the period from September 1, 2016 through May 31, 2018, the Company has repurchased 435,579 shares at a total cost of $48.9 million under this $75.0 million plan.

On June 21, 2018 the Company's Board of Directors approved a new share buy-back plan. Under the plan, which will become effective on September 1, 2018, the Company is authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares through August 31, 2020.

The timing and the amount of any repurchases of common stock under either plan will be determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. 

Updated Fiscal Year 2018 Guidance
The Company revised its revenue, net income and diluted earnings per share guidance for fiscal year 2018 to reflect recent changes in foreign currency exchange rates:

• Net sales growth is projected to be between 6 and 8 percent with net sales expected to be between $403 million and $411 million.
• Gross margin percentage for the full year is expected to be near 55 percent. 
• Advertising and promotion investments are projected to be near 6 percent of net sales. 
• Net income is projected to be between $56.3 million and $57.0 million.
• Diluted earnings per share is expected to be between $4.05 and $4.10 based on an estimated 13.9 million weighted average shares outstanding.

This guidance does not include any future acquisitions or divestitures and assumes that foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices will remain close to current levels for the remainder of fiscal year 2018.

Webcast Information
As previously announced, WD-40 Company management will host a live webcast at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT today to discuss these results. Other forward-looking and material information may also be discussed during this call.  Please visit http://investor.wd40company.com for more information and to view supporting materials. 

About WD-40 Company
WD-40 Company is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world. The Company markets its maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products under the following well-known brands: WD-40®, 3-IN-ONE®, GT85®, X-14®, 2000 Flushes®, Carpet Fresh®, no vac®, Spot Shot®, 1001®, Lava® and Solvol®.  

Headquartered in San Diego, WD-40 Company recorded net sales of $381 million in fiscal year 2017 and its products are currently available in more than 176 countries and territories worldwide. WD-40 Company is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select market under the ticker symbol "WDFC." For additional information about WD-40 Company please visit http://www.wd40company.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements reflect the Company's current expectations with respect to currently available operating, financial and economic information.  These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in or implied by the forward-looking statements.

Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, discussions about future financial and operating results, including:  growth expectations for certain products; expected levels of promotional and advertising spending; plans for and success of product innovation, the impact of new product introductions on the growth of sales; anticipated results from product line extension sales; the impact of the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act"; and forecasted foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices.  Our forward-looking statements are generally identified with words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "could," "may," "aim," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar expressions. 

The Company's expectations, beliefs and forecasts are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the Company's expectations, beliefs or forecasts will be achieved or accomplished.  

Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, those identified in Part I―Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, and in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 31, 2018 which the Company expects to file with the SEC on July 10, 2018.

All forward-looking statements included in this press release should be considered in the context of these risks. All forward-looking statements speak only as of July 10, 2018, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE WD-40 Company