Clarus Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire
Clarus Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

Increased Quarterly Adventure Sales 27%

Reduced Apparel Inventory at Outdoor 38%

Reaffirms Full Year Guidance

SALT LAKE CITY, May 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ: CLAR) (“Clarus” and/or the “Company”), a global company focused on the outdoor enthusiast markets, reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Financial Summary vs. Same YearAgo Quarter (adjusted to reflect the reclassification of the Precision Sport segment as discontinued operations)

  • Sales of $69.3 million compared to $70.3 million.
  • Gross margin was 35.9% compared to 36.3%; adjusted gross margin of 36.9% compared to 36.3%.
  • Net income, which includes the impact of discontinued operations, of $21.9 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, compared to $1.6 million, or $0.04 per diluted share.
  • Loss from continuing operations of $6.5 million, or $(0.17) per diluted share, compared to loss from continuing operations of $2.0 million, or $(0.05) per diluted share.
  • Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations of $2.0 million with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 2.9% compared to $1.1 million with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 1.6%.

Management Commentary
“We entered 2024 with a strong balance sheet and an experienced leadership team focused on initiating our strategic plan for our next phase as a pure-play, ESG-friendly outdoor business,” said Warren Kanders, Clarus’ Executive Chairman. “We are pleased with our execution in the first quarter, prioritizing simplification and right-sizing in Outdoor, along with the launch of compelling new products and expansion beyond the home market in Adventure. Based on our results to date, we have reaffirmed our full-year guidance and believe we have laid the foundation to drive increased profitability and unlock new growth opportunities going forward.”

Mr. Kanders added, “During the quarter, we saw evidence that our strategic initiatives are yielding incremental near-term benefits. Specifically, at Outdoor, we made progress on our inventory reduction initiatives, highlighted by a decline in apparel inventory of nearly 38% year-over-year. Overall, while we saw continued stabilization of the North American wholesale market, Europe and our independent global distributor markets still face difficult conditions. Building on the momentum we generated in the second half of last year, Adventure sales increased 27% in Q1 driven by strength in OEM customer demand. We are committed to establishing a best-in-class product ecosystem across the Adventure segment, while remaining intensely focused on enhanced product margins as we scale.”

First Quarter 2024 Financial Results
Sales in the first quarter were $69.3 million compared to $70.3 million in the same year‐ago quarter. This decrease was primarily driven by softness in the European wholesale market at Outdoor, partly offset by strength at the Adventure segment due to continued success with new product launches and OEM customers.

Sales in the Adventure segment increased 27% to $22.3 million, or $23.0 million on a constant currency basis, compared to $17.5 million in the year-ago quarter, reflecting higher demand from OEM customers and the impact of the TRED Outdoors acquisition. Sales in the Outdoor segment were $47.0 million, or $46.7 million on a constant currency basis, compared to $52.8 million in the year-ago quarter. The decline primarily reflects weakness in European and independent global distributor markets, partially offset by growth in the North American wholesale channel.

Gross margin in the first quarter was 35.9% compared to 36.3% in the year‐ago quarter. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to promotional pricing at the Outdoor segment, the increase in PFAS related inventory reserves, as well as unfavorable channel mix at the Adventure segment. Adjusted gross margin in the first quarter was 36.9% compared to 36.3% in the year-ago quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the first quarter were $28.2 million compared to $29.4 million in the same year‐ago quarter. The decrease was attributable to expense reduction initiatives in the Outdoor segment to manage costs, as well as lower intangible amortization and lower stock compensation expenses. The decrease was partially offset by higher investment in marketing initiatives in the Adventure segment.

The loss from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2024 was $6.5 million, or $(0.17) per diluted share, compared to loss from continuing operations of $2.0 million, or $(0.05) per diluted share in the year-ago quarter. Loss from continuing operations in the first quarter included $3.0 million of charges relating to legal cost and regulatory matter expenses and $0.7 million of PFAS inventory reserve.

Adjusted loss from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2024 was $0.1 million, or $(0.00) per diluted share, compared to adjusted income from continuing operations of $0.4 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted (loss) income from continuing operations excludes legal cost and regulatory matters expenses, PFAS inventory reserves, restructuring charges and transaction costs, as well as non-cash items for intangible amortization and stock-based compensation.

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations in the first quarter was $2.0 million, or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 2.9%, compared to $1.1 million, or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 1.6%, in the same year‐ago quarter.

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $16.4 million compared to net cash generated of $3.2 million in the prior year quarter. Capital expenditures in the first quarter of 2024 were $1.9 million compared to $1.5 million in the prior year quarter. Free cash flow for the first quarter of 2024 was an outflow of $18.3 million compared to positive free cash flow of $1.7 million in the prior year quarter. Free cash flow was significantly lower because of a significant reduction in accounts payable.

Liquidity at March 31, 2024 vs. December 31, 2023

  • Cash and cash equivalents totaled $47.5 million compared to $11.3 million.
  • Total debt of $0.1 million compared to $119.8 million.
  • On February 29, 2024, approximately $135.0 million of long-term debt, interest and fees were repaid and the credit agreement was terminated.

Sale of Precision Sport / Discontinued Operations

On December 29, 2023, the Company announced the sale of its Precision Sport segment for $175 million. As the disposition was completed on February 29, 2024, we recognized a gain of $40.6 million, pending customary working capital adjustments, on the disposition during the three months ending March 31, 2024. The activities of the Precision Sport segment have been segregated and reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

2024 Outlook
The Company continues to expect fiscal year 2024 sales to range between $270 million to $280 million and adjusted EBITDA of approximately $16 million to $18 million, or an adjusted EBITDA margin of 6.2% at the mid-point of revenue and adjusted EBITDA. In addition, capital expenditures are expected to range between $4 million to $5 million and free cash flow is expected to range between $18 million to $20 million for the full year 2024.

Net Operating Loss (NOL)
The Company has net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes of $7.7 million. None of the NOLs expire until December 31, 2029.

Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its first quarter 2024 results.

Date: Thursday, May 2, 2024
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (3:00 p.m. Mountain time)
Registration Link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIcdb6a4a884d64ac9a3bcfbb6965a71f6

To access the call by phone, please register via the live call registration link above and you will be provided with dial-in instructions and details. The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and on the Company’s website at www.claruscorp.com.

About Clarus Corporation
 Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Clarus Corporation is a global leading designer, developer, manufacturer and distributor of best-in-class outdoor equipment and lifestyle products focused on the outdoor enthusiast markets. Each of our brands has a long history of continuous product innovation for core and everyday users alike. The Company’s products are principally sold globally under the Black Diamond®, Rhino-Rack®, MAXTRAX®, TRED Outdoors® brand names through outdoor specialty and online retailers, our own websites, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers. Our portfolio of iconic brands is well-positioned for sustainable, long-term growth underpinned by powerful industry trends across the outdoor and adventure sport end markets. For additional information, please visit www.claruscorp.com or the brand websites at www.blackdiamondequipment.com, www.rhinorack.com, www.maxtraxus.com / www.maxtrax.com.au, www.tredoutdoors.com, or www.pieps.com.

Use of Non‐GAAP Measures
The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). This press release contains the non-GAAP measures: (i) adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross profit, (ii) adjusted (loss) income from continuing operations and related earnings (loss) per diluted share, (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, other income or expense, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin, and (iv) free cash flow (defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures). The Company believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP measures, i.e.: (i) adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross profit, (ii) adjusted (loss) income from continuing operations and related earnings (loss) per diluted share , (iii) EBITDA, EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin, and (iv) free cash flow, provide useful information for the understanding of its ongoing operations and enables investors to focus on period-over-period operating performance, and thereby enhances the user's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance relative to past performance and provides, along with the nearest GAAP measures, a baseline for modeling future earnings expectations. Non-GAAP measures are reconciled to comparable GAAP financial measures within this press release. We do not provide a reconciliation of the non-GAAP guidance measures Adjusted EBITDA and/or Adjusted EBITDA Margin for the fiscal year 2024 to net income for the fiscal year 2024, the most comparable GAAP financial measure, due to the inherent difficulty of forecasting certain types of expenses and gains, without unreasonable effort, which affect net income but not Adjusted EBITDA and/or Adjusted EBITDA Margin. The Company cautions that non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the Company's reported GAAP results. Additionally, the Company notes that there can be no assurance that the above referenced non-GAAP financial measures are comparable to similarly titled financial measures used by other publicly traded companies.

Forward-Looking Statements
Please note that in this press release we may use words such as “appears,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “future,” and similar expressions which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this press release, include, but are not limited to, those risks and uncertainties more fully described from time to time in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the section titled “Risk Factors” in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and/or Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as in the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release and speak only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any forward- looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Company Contact:
Michael J. Yates
Chief Financial Officer
mike.yates@claruscorp.com

Investor Relations:
The IGB Group
Leon Berman / Matt Berkowitz
Tel 1-212-477-8438 / 1-212-227-7098
lberman@igbir.com / mberkowitz@igbir.com

CLARUS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
    
 March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Assets     
Current assets     
Cash$47,484  $11,324 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for     
credit losses of $1,394 and $1,412 51,954   53,971 
Inventories 88,630   91,409 
Prepaid and other current assets 7,966   4,865 
Income tax receivable 930   892 
Assets held for sale -   137,284 
Total current assets 196,964   299,745 
      
Property and equipment, net 16,345   16,587 
Other intangible assets, net 37,526   41,466 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets 56,897   58,527 
Goodwill 38,300   39,320 
Deferred income taxes 16,280   22,869 
Other long-term assets 14,664   16,824 
Total assets$376,976  $495,338 
      
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity     
Current liabilities     
Accounts payable$12,772  $20,015 
Accrued liabilities 22,441   24,580 
Income tax payable 816   805 
Current portion of long-term debt 44   119,790 
Liabilities held for sale -   5,744 
Total current liabilities 36,073   170,934 
      
Long-term debt, net 37   - 
Deferred income taxes 17,324   18,124 
Other long-term liabilities 13,167   14,160 
Total liabilities 66,601   203,218 
      
Stockholders’ Equity     
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share; 5,000 shares authorized; none issued -   - 
Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share; 100,000 shares authorized; 42,878 and 42,761 issued and 38,236 and 38,149 outstanding, respectively 4   4 
Additional paid in capital 692,381   691,198 
Accumulated deficit (329,811)  (350,739)
Treasury stock, at cost (33,114)  (32,929)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (19,085)  (15,414)
Total stockholders’ equity 310,375   292,120 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$376,976  $495,338 
      


CLARUS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
      
 Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023
      
Sales     
Domestic sales$28,284  $24,197 
International sales 41,027   46,081 
Total sales 69,311   70,278 
      
Cost of goods sold 44,460   44,770 
Gross profit 24,851   25,508 
      
Operating expenses     
Selling, general and administrative 28,215   29,354 
Restructuring charges 370   - 
Transaction costs 38   37 
Contingent consideration benefit -   (1,565)
Legal costs and regulatory matter expenses 3,002   128 
      
Total operating expenses 31,625   27,954 
      
Operating loss (6,774)  (2,446)
      
Other (expense) income     
Interest income, net 370   5 
Other, net (909)  76 
      
Total other (expense) income, net (539)  81 
      
Loss before income tax (7,313)  (2,365)
Income tax benefit (851)  (334)
Loss from continuing operations (6,462)  (2,031)
      
Discontinued operations, net of tax 28,346   3,629 
      
Net income$21,884  $1,598 
      
Loss from continuing operations per share:     
Basic$(0.17) $(0.05)
Diluted (0.17)  (0.05)
      
Net income per share:     
Basic$0.57  $0.04 
Diluted 0.57   0.04 
      
Weighted average shares outstanding:     
Basic 38,208   37,137 
Diluted 38,208   37,137 
      


CLARUS CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION FROM GROSS PROFIT TO ADJUSTED GROSS PROFIT
AND ADJUSTED GROSS MARGIN
       
THREE MONTHS ENDED
   
 March 31, 2024  March 31, 2023
       
Sales$69,311  Sales$70,278 
       
Gross profit as reported$24,851  Gross profit as reported$25,508 
Plus impact of PFAS inventory reserve 729  Plus impact of PFAS inventory reserve - 
Adjusted gross profit$25,580  Adjusted gross profit$25,508 
       
Gross margin as reported 35.9% Gross margin as reported 36.3%
       
Adjusted gross margin 36.9% Adjusted gross margin 36.3%
       


CLARUS CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION FROM LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO ADJUSTED (LOSS) INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS AND RELATED EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                         
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 
 Total
sales
 Gross
profit
 Operating
expenses
 Income tax
(benefit) expense
 Tax rate Loss from
continuing
operations
 Diluted EPS(1) 
                     
                     
As reported$69,311 $24,851 $31,625  $(851) (11.6)% $(6,462) $(0.17) 
                     
Amortization of intangibles -  -  (2,449)  617     1,832     
Restructuring charges -  -  (370)  59     311     
Transaction costs -  -  (38)  6     32     
PFAS inventory reserve -  729  -   114     615     
Legal costs and regulatory matter expenses -  -  (3,002)  461     2,541     
Stock-based compensation -  -  (1,178)  181     997     
                     
As adjusted$69,311 $25,580 $24,588  $587  129.6% $(134) $(0.00) 
                     
(1) Potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share if their effect is anti-dilutive to the loss from continuing operations. Reported loss from continuing operations per share and adjusted loss from continuing operations per share are both calculated based on 38,208 basic and diluted weighted average shares of common stock. 
                     
                     
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 
 Total
sales
 Gross
profit
 Operating
expenses
 Income tax
(benefit) expense
 Tax rate (Loss) income from continuing operations Diluted EPS(1) 
                     
                     
As reported$70,278 $25,508 $27,954  $(334) (14.1)% $(2,031) $(0.05) 
                     
Amortization of intangibles -  -  (2,768)  278     2,490     
Transaction costs -  -  (37)  6     31     
Contingent consideration (benefit) expense -  -  1,565   (335)    (1,230)    
Legal costs and regulatory matter expenses -  -  (128)  2     126     
Stock-based compensation -  -  (1,286)  277     1,009     
                     
As adjusted$70,278 $25,508 $25,300  $(106) (36.7)% $395  $0.01  
                     
(1) Potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share if their effect is anti-dilutive to the loss from continuing operations. Reported loss from continuing operations per share is calculated based on 37,137 basic and diluted weighted average shares of common stock. Adjusted income from continuing operations per share is calculated based on 38,109 diluted shares of common stock. 
                     


CLARUS CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION FROM LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS TO EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES,
DEPRECIATION, AND AMORTIZATION (EBITDA), EBITDA MARGIN, ADJUSTED EBITDA,
AND ADJUSTED EBITDA MARGIN

      
 Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2024 March 31, 2023
      
      
Loss from continuing operations$(6,462) $(2,031)
      
Income tax benefit (851)  (334)
Other, net 909   (76)
Interest income, net (370)  (5)
      
Operating loss (6,774)  (2,446)
      
Depreciation 1,026   939 
Amortization of intangibles 2,449   2,768 
      
EBITDA (3,299)  1,261 
      
Restructuring charges 370   - 
Transaction costs 38   37 
Contingent consideration benefit -   (1,565)
PFAS inventory reserve 729   - 
Legal costs and regulatory matter expenses 3,002   128 
Stock-based compensation 1,178   1,286 
      
Adjusted EBITDA$2,018  $1,147 
      
Sales$69,311  $70,278 
      
EBITDA margin -4.8%  1.8%
Adjusted EBITDA margin 2.9%  1.6%