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Q.E.P. CO., INC. Reports Fiscal 2024 Nine Month and Third Quarter Financial Results and Declares Special Dividend of $1.00 Per Share

QEPC

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Q.E.P. CO., INC. (OTCQX: QEPC) (the “Company” or “QEP”) today reported its consolidated results of operations for the first nine months and third quarter of its fiscal year 2024, which ended on November 30, 2023, and announced the declaration of a special dividend.

Results of Operations

During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, QEP successfully completed the divestment of its North American flooring businesses and its UK operations. As of the third quarter, these businesses are now classified as discontinued operations. Amounts for prior periods, including sales and operating income, have been reclassified to conform to this presentation.

QEP reported net sales of $233.1 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2023, a decrease of $23.8 million or 9.3% from the $256.9 million reported in the same period of fiscal 2023. The Company reported net sales of $74.6 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2023, which was comparable to the $74.5 million reported in the same period of fiscal 2023. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to a general softening in consumer demand in the domestic and international segments as well as the currency translation impact of the stronger U.S. Dollar in the current period.

The Company’s gross profit for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 was $74.3 million compared to $69.4 million in the corresponding fiscal 2023 period, an increase of $4.9 million or 7.0%. Gross profit for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $24.4 million, representing an increase of $3.7 million or 18.0%, from $20.7 million in the corresponding fiscal 2023 period. The Company’s gross margin as a percentage of net sales for the first nine months and third quarter of fiscal 2024 was 31.9% and 32.7%, respectively, which increased from 27.0% and 27.8% in the corresponding prior fiscal year periods, respectively. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of net sales was largely due to lower inbound freight costs.

Lewis Gould, Executive Chairman, commented on the Company’s results, “The third quarter was highlighted by significant progress in the ongoing realignment of the Company’s focus on its market leadership in flooring installation tools and accessories. During the quarter, we successfully completed the exit from our North American flooring product lines and divested our UK operations. Proceeds from these transactions have positioned the Company to become debt-free by fiscal year-end, with a healthy cash balance.”

Leonard Gould, President & Chief Executive Officer, added, “This strategic transformation allows the Company to intensify our focus on the innovation and expansion of our best-in-class product offerings to our diverse customer base, offsetting the softer consumer demand caused by the current macroeconomic backdrop of higher inflation and higher cost of borrowing.”

Operating expenses for the first nine months and third quarter of fiscal 2024 were $64.3 million and $21.8 million, respectively, or 27.6% and 29.2% of net sales in those periods, compared to $61.7 million and $18.6 million, respectively, or 24.0% and 24.9% of net sales in the comparable fiscal 2023 periods. The increase in operating expenses was due to higher personnel and transaction costs in the current period.

Interest expense has trended down in recent months as the significant repayment of debt has offset higher interest rates during the current period.

The provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before taxes was 28.0% for the first nine months and third quarter for both fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023.

Net loss for the first nine months and third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $3.3 million and $5.9 million, respectively, or $0.97 and $1.76, respectively, per diluted share. Excluding discontinued operations, adjusted net income for the first nine months and third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $6.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively, or $1.79 and $0.48, respectively, per diluted share. For the comparable periods of fiscal 2023, adjusted net income was $4.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively, or $1.31 and $0.31, respectively, per diluted share.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) from continuing operations for the first nine months and third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $11.2 million and $3.0 million, respectively, as compared to $8.9 million and $2.5 million for the first nine months and third quarter of fiscal 2023, respectively.

For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended
November 30,
2023
November 30,
2022
November 30,
2023
November 30,
2022
Net income from continuing operations $ 1,619 $ 1,026 $ 5,978 $ 4,397
Add: Interest expense, net 401 710 1,689 1,623
Provision for income taxes 630 399 2,326 1,710
Depreciation and amortization 390 403 1,168 1,178
EBITDA, as adjusted $ 3,040 $ 2,538 $ 11,161 $ 8,908

Cash provided by operations during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 was $29.7 million as compared to cash used in operations of $2.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2023, reflecting the reduction in inventory to more normalized levels from the elevated levels of the previous year. In the first nine months of fiscal 2024, cash provided by operations, along with proceeds from the sale of businesses, was used to reduce borrowings under the Company’s credit facilities, fund capital expenditures and increase cash balances.

Working capital as of November 30, 2023 was $59.0 million compared to $55.0 million at the end of fiscal 2023. Aggregate available cash, net of outstanding debt at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $16.9 million compared to aggregate debt, net of available cash of $33.5 million or 43.0% of equity at the end of fiscal 2023.

Special Dividend

On January 9, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a special dividend of $1.00 per share or approximately $3.3 million. The dividend will be payable on February 16, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 22, 2024.

Mr. Lewis Gould stated, “The Board of Directors agreed to use a portion of the proceeds generated from our recent divestitures to return capital to its stockholders through the payment of a special dividend. The payment of related debt and the special dividend will not impact the Company’s ability to make strategic investments in the business and meet its operating needs in the coming year. The Company’s Board of Directors is committed to implementing additional initiatives to return value to our stockholders.”

Conference Call Information

The Company expects to hold its next investor conference call in June 2024 to discuss the financial results of its fiscal year ending on February 29, 2024.

About QEP

Founded in 1979, Q.E.P. Co., Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of a broad range of best-in-class flooring installation solutions for commercial and home improvement projects worldwide. QEP offers a comprehensive line of specialty installation tools, adhesives, and underlayment. QEP sells its products throughout the world to home improvement retail centers, and professional specialty distribution outlets, under brand names including QEP®, LASH®, ROBERTS®, Capitol®, Premix-Marbletite® (PMM), Brutus®, Homelux®, PRCI®, and Tomecanic®.

QEP is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida with offices in Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Please visit our website at www.qepcorporate.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical facts, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements can be identified by words such as "expects," "plans," "projects," "will," "may," "anticipates," "believes," "should," "intends," "estimates," and other words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding implementation of the Company’s strategies and increasing profitability and stockholder value. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on current expectations and beliefs, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those listed in the Company’s annual report, as such risk factors may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports and disclosures made by the Company. Forward-looking statements may also be adversely affected by general market factors, competitive product development, product availability, federal and state regulations and legislation, manufacturing issues that may arise, patent positions and litigation, scarcity and rising cost for raw materials, shifts in global sourcing patterns, and general inflationary pressures, economic conditions, sales growth, price increases, maintaining and improving profitability, product development and marketing, operating expenses, cost savings, the successful completion of acquisitions and dispositions, acquisition integration, operational synergy realization, global sourcing, political uncertainty, cash flow, debt and currency exchange rates, among other factors. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date the statements were made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

-Financial Information Follows-

Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended
November 30, November 30, November 30, November 30,
2023 2022 2023 2022
Net sales $ 74,575 $ 74,492 $ 233,053 $ 256,903
Cost of goods sold 50,155 53,801 158,755 187,464
Gross profit 24,420 20,691 74,298 69,439
Operating expenses:
Shipping 9,202 8,149 28,216 29,572
General and administrative 8,308 6,421 22,701 18,417
Selling and marketing 4,306 3,927 13,713 13,782
Other (income) expense, net (46 ) 59 (325 ) (62 )
Total operating expenses 21,770 18,556 64,305 61,709
Operating income 2,650 2,135 9,993 7,730
Interest expense, net (401 ) (710 ) (1,689 ) (1,623 )
Income before provision for income taxes 2,249 1,425 8,304 6,107
Provision for income taxes 630 399 2,326 1,710
Net income from continuing operations 1,619 1,026 5,978 4,397
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (including loss on sale of discontinued operations of $5,863) (7,481 ) (782 ) (9,233 ) (3,678 )
Net income (loss) $ (5,862 ) $ 244 $ (3,255 ) $ 719
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations 0.49 0.31 1.79 1.32
From discontinued operations (2.24 ) (0.23 ) (2.76 ) (1.10 )
Basic earnings (loss) per share (1.76 ) 0.07 (0.97 ) 0.22
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
From continuing operations 0.48 0.31 1.79 1.31
From discontinued operations (2.24 ) (0.23 ) (2.76 ) (1.10 )
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (1.75 ) 0.07 (0.97 ) 0.21
Weighted average number of common
shares outstanding:
Basic 3,336 3,332 3,341 3,337
Diluted 3,344 3,339 3,347 3,346


Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except par values)
November 30,
2023
February 28,
2023
(Unaudited) (Audited)
ASSETS
Cash $ 25,346 $ 3,804
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses of $364 and
$329 at November 30, 2023 and February 28, 2023, respectively 38,679 42,038
Inventories, net 41,845 49,403
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,067 3,082
Prepaid income taxes 641 288
Current assets of discontinued operations - 40,000
Current assets 109,578 138,615
Property and equipment, net 9,215 8,048
Right of use operating lease assets 25,364 28,431
Deferred income taxes, net 4,183 4,191
Intangibles, net 228 266
Goodwill 259 263
Other assets 1,632 2,430
Non-current assets of discontinued operations - 13,762
Total assets $ 150,459 $ 196,006
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Trade accounts payable $ 21,603 $ 17,543
Accrued liabilities 15,614 14,382
Current operating lease liabilities 4,711 4,427
Lines of credit 8,330 25,051
Current maturities of debt 99 1,908
Current liabilities of discontinued operations 229 20,299
Current liabilities 50,586 83,610
Long term debt - 5,513
Non-current operating lease liabilities 22,791 25,920
Deferred income taxes - -
Other long term liabilities 1,537 2,333
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations - 790
Total liabilities 74,914 118,166
Preferred stock, 2,500 shares authorized, $1.00 par value; 0 shares
issued and outstanding at November 30, 2023 and - -
February 28, 2023, respectively
Common stock, 20,000 shares authorized, $.001 par value;
4,005 shares issued: 3,286 and 3,293 shares outstanding at
November 30, 2023 and February 28, 2023, respectively 4 4
Additional paid-in capital 11,635 11,449
Retained earnings 77,950 81,205
Treasury stock, 719 and 712 shares held at cost at November 30, 2023
and February 28, 2023, respectively (9,517 ) (9,410 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (4,527 ) (5,408 )
Shareholders' equity 75,545 77,840
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 150,459 $ 196,006


Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the Nine Months Ended
November 30,
2023
November 30,
2022
Operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ (3,255 ) $ 719
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,261 2,881
Loss on disposal of businesses 5,863 307
Loss on sale of property 41 9
Gain from insurance recoveries (134 ) -
Proceeds from settlement of insurance claims 537 -
Other non-cash adjustments 265 (75 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 7,795 6,130
Inventories 20,442 3,447
Prepaid expenses and other assets 3,167 4,684
Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities (7,287 ) (20,322 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 29,695 (2,220 )
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures (2,602 ) (4,451 )
Proceeds from sale of businesses 22,560 -
Proceeds from sale of property 81 1,388
Proceeds from settlement of insurance claims 285 -
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 20,324 (3,063 )
Financing activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) under lines of credit (22,800 ) 9,787
Net borrowings (repayments) of term loan facilities (7,249 ) 268
Purchase of treasury stock (198 ) (203 )
Principal payments on finance leases (82 ) (84 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (30,329 ) 9,768
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 660 (216 )
Net increase in cash 20,350 4,269
Cash at beginning of period 3,804 2,072
Cash at beginning of the period from discontinued operations 1,192 1,131
Cash at end of period $ 25,346 $ 7,472



Q.E.P. CO., INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands, except shares data)
The following table shows the changes in the stockholders's equity for the nine months ended November 30, 2023 and 2022.
Accumulated
Other Total
Preferred Stock Common Stock Paid-in Retained Treasury Comprehensive Shareholders'
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Earnings Stock Income Equity
Balance at February 28, 2022 - $ - 4,005,370 $ 4 $ 11,449 $ 81,268 $ (9,124 ) $ (4,195 ) $ 79,402
Net income 719 719
Unrealized currency translation adjustments (1,468 ) (1,468 )
Purchase of treasury stock (271 ) (271 )
Balance at November 30, 2022 - $ - 4,005,370 $ 4 $ 11,449 $ 81,987 $ (9,395 ) $ (5,663 ) $ 78,382
Accumulated
Other Total
Preferred Stock Common Stock Paid-in Retained Treasury Comprehensive Shareholders'
Shares Amount Shares Amount Capital Earnings Stock Income Equity
Balance at February 28, 2023 - $ - 4,005,370 $ 4 $ 11,449 $ 81,205 $ (9,410 ) $ (5,408 ) $ 77,840
Net loss (3,255 ) (3,255 )
Unrealized currency translation adjustments 881 881
Purchase of treasury stock (107 ) (107 )
Stock-based compensation expense 186 186
Balance at November 30, 2023 - $ - 4,005,370 $ 4 $ 11,635 $ 77,950 $ (9,517 ) $ (4,527 ) $ 75,545


CONTACT:
Q.E.P. Co., Inc.
Enos Brown
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
561-994-5550


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