WD-40 Co. WDFC

~ Management updates fiscal year 2022 guidance ~

SAN DIEGO, July 7, 2022 /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, 2022.

Third Fiscal Quarter Financial Highlights

• Total net sales for the third quarter were $123.7 million, a decrease of 9 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date total net sales were $388.4 million, an increase of 4 percent compared to the prior year fiscal period.
• Translation of the Company's foreign subsidiary results to U.S. dollars had an unfavorable impact on sales for the current quarter and year-to-date. On a constant currency basis, total net sales would have been $127.8 million for the third quarter and $390.0 million year-to-date.
• Net income for the third quarter was $14.5 million, a decrease of 31 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date net income was $52.5 million, a decrease of 15 percent from the prior year fiscal period.
• Diluted earnings per share were $1.07 in the third quarter, compared to $1.52 per share for the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date diluted earnings per share were $3.82 compared to $4.48 for the prior year fiscal period.
• Gross margin was 47.7 percent in the third quarter compared to 53.1 percent in the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date gross margin was 49.7 percent compared to 54.9 percent in the prior year fiscal period.
• Selling, general and administrative expenses were down 12 percent in the third quarter to $33.6 million when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date selling, general and administrative expenses were down 2 percent to $106.9 million compared to the prior year fiscal period.
• Advertising and sales promotion expenses were down 9 percent in the third quarter to $6.0 million when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. Year-to-date advertising and sales promotion expenses were down 2 percent to $17.2 million compared to the prior year fiscal period.

"In the third quarter we were up against very strong sales comparisons and had to manage through several global disruptions that negatively impacted our current quarter sales results," said Garry Ridge, WD-40 Company's chairman and chief executive officer. "In addition, we are operating in a challenging macroeconomic environment which has continued to deteriorate our gross margin. Although we remain committed to managing our business  to restore gross margin to our target of 55 percent over the longer-term, we continue to experience short-term margin pressures due to inflation."

"In times like these I like to remind stakeholders to see the forest through the trees.  We continue to be a business with a very strong moat, diversified across many trade channels and countries around the world.  We have a strong balance sheet, generate steady cash flows, and continue to return capital to our investors though regular dividends.  In addition, the WD-40® Brand is strong and robust brands like ours are great assets in turbulent times. Most critical of all, we have passionate and committed employees who are dedicated to our Company's purpose."

"As we look to the remainder of the fiscal year, despite the global disruptions we've experienced, we continue to believe we are positioned to achieve sales growth for the full fiscal year which will represent a record sales result for our Company," Ridge concluded.

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, 40 percent; and for Asia-Pacific, 10 percent.
     
• Net sales in the Americas increased 2 percent in the third quarter due primarily to higher sales of maintenance products in the Canada and Latin America markets which increased 23 percent and 10 percent, respectively. Higher sales of maintenance products in Canada were primarily due to increased promotional activities and a higher level of demand for our products in the industrial channel. Higher sales of maintenance products in Latin America were primarily driven by strong sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in Mexico due to the continued momentum from the shift in the Mexico market from a distributor model to the direct model that we made in late fiscal year 2020. In addition, price increases that went into effect earlier this fiscal year had a positive impact on sales in the region. In the United States, sales remained relatively constant period over period.
     
• Net sales in EMEA decreased 16 percent in the third quarter due primarily to lower sales of maintenance products in both the EMEA direct and distributor markets, which decreased 13 percent and 21 percent, respectively. The decrease in maintenance product sales in the EMEA direct markets was primarily due to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates and reduced demand for our products compared to the prior period. Renovation trends associated with the pandemic resulted in particularly strong demand in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 in many regions of EMEA. The decrease in maintenance product sales in the EMEA distributor markets was primarily attributable to the Company's suspension of sales in Russia due to the ongoing impacts of the Russian military action in Ukraine. On a constant currency basis EMEA sales for the third quarter would have decreased by 9 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter.
    
• Net sales in Asia-Pacific decreased 28 percent in the third quarter due primarily to lower sales of maintenance products in the Asia-Pacific distributor markets and China, which decreased 56 percent and 25 percent, respectively. Products for our Asia-Pacific distributor and Chinese markets are sourced from a third-party manufacturer located in Shanghai, China. Both markets were negatively impacted by the Company's inability to ship products due to the severe lockdown measures instituted in Shanghai as a result of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the region. Net sales in Australia increased 4 percent in the third quarter primarily due to the ongoing growth of the base business, increased promotional activities and the impact of price increases. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had an unfavorable impact on sales for the Asia-Pacific segment. On a constant currency basis, Asia-Pacific sales would have decreased by 26 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter.

Net Sales by Product Group (in thousands):

• Net sales of maintenance products, which are considered the primary growth focus for the Company, decreased 9 percent in the third quarter when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. These sales decreases were primarily attributable to lower sales of maintenance products in the Company's China and Asia-Pacific distributor markets due to lockdown measures in Shanghai related to the COVID-19 pandemic that severely limited our ability to ship product in the region. Also contributing to the decline was the Company's suspension of sales in Russia due to the ongoing impacts of the Russian military action in Ukraine. Finally, sales were lower in the Company's EMEA direct markets due to reduced demand and changing foreign currency exchange rates compared to the prior year period.
     
• Net sales of homecare and cleaning products decreased 10 percent in the third quarter when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. The homecare and cleaning products, particularly those in the United States, are considered harvest brands providing healthy profits to the Company and are becoming a smaller part of the business as net sales of maintenance products grow, reflecting the execution of the Company's strategic initiatives.

Dividend and Share Repurchase Update

As previously announced on June 21, 2022, WD-40 Company's board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.78 per share payable on July 29, 2022 to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 15, 2022.

On October 12, 2021, the Company's board of directors approved a share repurchase plan that became effective on November 1, 2021. Under the plan the Company is authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares through August 31, 2023. The timing and amount of repurchases will be based on terms and conditions acceptable to the Company and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. During the period from March 1, 2022 through May 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 23,200 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $4.2 million, leaving $52.6 million available for the repurchase of common stock under this plan.

Updated Fiscal Year 2022 Guidance

The Company updated its guidance for fiscal year 2022 as follows:

• Net sales growth is projected to be between 6 and 9 percent with net sales expected to be between $519 million and $532 million.
• Gross margin percentage for the full year is expected to be around 50 percent. 
• Advertising and promotion investments are projected to be between 5.0 and 5.5 percent of net sales.
• The provision for income tax is expected to be between 20 and 21 percent.
• Net income is projected to be between $69.0 million and $70.1 million.
• Diluted earnings per share is expected to be between $5.02 and $5.10 based on an estimated 13.7 million weighted average shares outstanding.

This guidance is based on management's current view of anticipated results and does not include any future acquisitions or divestitures or the impact of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates. Unanticipated inflationary headwinds, COVID-19 related lockdowns in China and other unforeseen events may further impact the Company's financial results.  

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 supplemental 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 owns a wide range of well-known brands that include maintenance products and homecare and cleaning products: WD-40_® Multi-Use Product, WD-40 Specialist_®, 3-IN-ONE_®, GT85_®, 2000 Flushes_®, no vac_®, 1001_®, Spot Shot_®, Lava®, Solvol_®, X-14_®, and Carpet Fresh_®.

Headquartered in San Diego, WD-40 Company recorded net sales of $488.1 million in fiscal year 2021 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 are generally identified with words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "could," "may," "aim," "anticipate," "target," "estimate" and similar expressions.

Our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, discussions about future financial and operating results, including: growth expectations for maintenance products; expected levels of promotional and advertising spending; anticipated input costs for manufacturing and the costs associated with distribution of our products; 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; expected tax rates and the impact of tax legislation and regulatory action; the length and severity of the current COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy and the Company's financial results; changes in the political conditions or relations between the United States and other nations; the impacts from inflationary trends and supply chain constraints; and forecasted foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices.

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, 2021 which the Company filed with the SEC on October 22, 2021 and in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 31, 2022 which the Company expects to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2022.

All forward-looking statements included in this presentation should be considered in the context of these risks. All forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations as of July 7, 2022, and the Company undertakes 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 these forward-looking statements.

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SOURCE WD-40 Company