HELE - Helen of Troy Limited Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

Consolidated Net Sales Decline of 1.6%
GAAP Diluted EPS of $3.19; Adjusted Diluted EPS of $2.79
GAAP Operating Margin Expansion of 570 Basis Points
Cash Flow from Operations of $74.7 Million; $232.5 Million Year-to-Date
Free Cash Flow ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ of $65.6 Million; $202.8 Million Year-to-Date

Fiscal 2024 Outlook:
Narrows Consolidated Net Sales to $1.975-$2.0 Billion
Narrows GAAP Diluted EPS to $6.67-$7.05 and Adjusted Diluted EPS to $8.60-$8.85
Lowers Adjusted EBITDA ⁽¹⁾ to $330-$335 Million; Growth of 0.8% to 2.3%
Maintains Free Cash Flow ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ of $250-$270 Million
Maintains Net Leverage Ratio ⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾ Reduction to Between 2.0X and 1.85X by the End of Year
Project Pegasus on Track to Deliver $20 Million Fiscal 2024 Savings Target

Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ: HELE), designer, developer, and worldwide marketer of branded consumer home, outdoor, beauty, and wellness products, today reported results for the three-month period ended November 30, 2023.

Executive Summary – Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023

• Consolidated net sales revenue of $549.6 million, a decrease of 1.6%
• Gross profit margin improvement of 210 basis points to 48.0% compared to 45.9%
• Operating margin improvement of 570 basis points to 19.5% compared to 13.8%
• Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin of 16.3% compared to 16.6%
• GAAP diluted EPS of $3.19 compared to $2.15
• Non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS of $2.79 compared to $2.75
• Net cash provided by operating activities of $74.7 million compared to $125.0 million
• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin of 17.8% compared to 17.9%

Noel M. Geoffroy, current Chief Operating Officer and incoming Chief Executive Officer, stated: “I am pleased to report third quarter consolidated net sales and adjusted EPS that were slightly better than our expectation. During the quarter, we further expanded our gross margin by over 200 basis points, controlled expenses while still investing in our strategic initiatives, and built on the strong cash flow generation we have been delivering over the past five quarters with a further $66 million of free cash flow. This is a solid outcome in what continues to be a challenging macro consumer environment. We are pleased to be in a position to end the fiscal year within the ranges of our original full year outlook for net sales, adjusted EPS, and free cash flow. I believe this is a testament to the initiatives we have chosen, the talent and dedication of our global associates, and the strength of our brand portfolio. Looking longer term, we are energized and motivated as we enter the Elevate for Growth Era.”

Julien R. Mininberg, Chief Executive Officer, stated: “As my planned retirement approaches on March 1, 2024, I am proud of the Company’s Transformation over the past decade and the significant value it created for all stakeholders. We transformed Helen of Troy from a holding company into a unified global operating company with an outstanding portfolio of market-leading brands. We also created a highly capable global organization that is powered by a culture that makes the Company an employer of choice. I am most proud of our talented associates; their enduring passion, engagement, and ownership mindset are inspiring. I remain confident the best is still to come, and I look forward to Helen of Troy’s continued success under Noel’s leadership.”

Consolidated Results - Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Compared to Third Quarter Fiscal 2023

• Consolidated net sales revenue decreased $9.0 million, or 1.6%, to $549.6 million, compared to $558.6 million, primarily driven by a decrease from Organic business of $13.6 million, or 2.4%. The decline in Organic business was primarily due to a decline in sales of hair appliance, humidification and air filtration products in Beauty & Wellness driven by softer consumer demand, later start to the illness season, and SKU rationalization efforts. Net sales revenue was also impacted by a decline in brick and mortar sales in the insulated beverageware category in Home & Outdoor. These factors were partially offset by an increase in consolidated online channel sales, stronger consumer demand for products in the home and travel categories in Home & Outdoor, and higher sales of thermometry, heaters, and water filtration products in Beauty & Wellness.

• Consolidated gross profit margin increased 210 basis points to 48.0%, compared to 45.9%. The increase in consolidated gross profit margin was primarily due to lower inbound freight costs, the favorable impact of SKU rationalization efforts in Beauty & Wellness, and a more favorable customer mix within Home & Outdoor. These factors were partially offset by a less favorable product mix within Beauty & Wellness.

• Consolidated selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) ratio decreased 250 basis points to 27.8%, compared to 30.3%. The decrease in the consolidated SG&A ratio was primarily due to a gain on the sale of distribution and office facilities in El Paso, Texas of $34.2 million, lower salary and wage costs primarily as a result of Project Pegasus role reductions, the favorable comparative impact of EPA compliance costs of $1.7 million incurred in the prior year period, and lower outbound freight costs. These factors were partially offset by the unfavorable comparative impact of a gain from insurance recoveries of $9.7 million recognized in the prior year period, an increase in annual incentive compensation expense, higher marketing expense, a charge of $1.4 million related to the bankruptcy of Rite Aid, and increased distribution expense.

• Consolidated operating income was $106.9 million, or 19.5% of net sales revenue, compared to $77.2 million, or 13.8% of net sales revenue. The 570 basis point increase in consolidated operating margin was primarily due to a gain on the sale of distribution and office facilities in El Paso, Texas of $34.2 million, lower inbound and outbound freight costs, a decrease in restructuring charges of $6.6 million, lower salary and wage costs primarily as a result of Project Pegasus role reductions, the favorable comparative impact of EPA compliance costs of $2.1 million incurred in the prior year period, the favorable impact of SKU rationalization efforts in Beauty & Wellness, and a more favorable customer mix within Home & Outdoor. These factors were partially offset by the unfavorable comparative impact of a gain from insurance recoveries of $9.7 million recognized in the prior year period, an increase in annual incentive compensation expense, higher marketing expense, increased distribution expense, a charge of $1.4 million related to the bankruptcy of Rite Aid, and a less favorable product mix within Beauty & Wellness.

• Interest expense was $12.9 million, compared to $13.1 million. The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to lower average levels of debt outstanding, partially offset by a higher average interest rate compared to the same period last year.

• Income tax expense as a percentage of income before income tax was 19.5% compared to 19.1%, primarily due to tax expense recognized for the gain on the sale of distribution and office facilities in El Paso, Texas during the third quarter of fiscal 2023 and an increase in tax expense for other discrete items, partially offset by shifts in the mix of income in various tax jurisdictions.

• Net income was $75.9 million, compared to $51.8 million. Diluted EPS was $3.19, compared to $2.15. Diluted EPS increased primarily due to higher operating income in both the Home & Outdoor and Beauty & Wellness segments, lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding and a decrease in interest expense, partially offset by an increase in the effective income tax rate.

• Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) decreased 1.9% to $97.8 million, compared to $99.7 million. Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 17.8% compared to 17.9%.

On an adjusted basis (non-GAAP) for the third quarters of fiscal 2024 and 2023, excluding acquisition-related expenses, EPA compliance costs, gain from insurance recoveries, gain on sale of distribution and office facilities, restructuring charges, amortization of intangible assets, and non-cash share-based compensation, as applicable:

• Adjusted operating income decreased $2.9 million, or 3.1%, to $89.8 million, or 16.3% of net sales revenue, compared to $92.7 million, or 16.6% of net sales revenue. The 30 basis point decrease in adjusted operating margin was primarily driven by an increase in annual incentive compensation expense, higher marketing expense, increased distribution expense, a charge of $1.4 million related to the bankruptcy of Rite Aid, and a less favorable product mix within Beauty & Wellness. These factors were partially offset by lower inbound and outbound freight costs, lower salary and wage costs primarily as a result of Project Pegasus role reductions, the favorable impact of SKU rationalization efforts in Beauty & Wellness, and a more favorable customer mix within Home & Outdoor.

• Adjusted income increased $0.1 million, or 0.2%, to $66.4 million, compared to $66.3 million. Adjusted diluted EPS increased 1.5% to $2.79 compared to $2.75. The increase in adjusted diluted EPS was primarily due to a decrease in the adjusted effective income tax rate, lower weighted average diluted shares outstanding and a decrease in interest expense, partially offset by lower adjusted operating income.

Segment Results - Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Compared to Third Quarter Fiscal 2023

Home & Outdoor net sales revenue increased $7.0 million, or 3.1%, to $235.9 million, compared to $228.9 million. The increase was driven by growth from Organic business of $4.5 million, or 2.0%, primarily due to higher home category sales in the club, online and brick and mortar channels due to strong consumer demand and expanded distribution, as well as insulated beverageware growth in the online channel, primarily driven by expanded distribution and replenishment of the new travel tumbler, higher travel related sales in the outdoor category, and higher sales in the closeout channel. These factors were partially offset by reduced sales to Bed, Bath & Beyond as a result of their bankruptcy, a decline in brick and mortar sales in the insulated beverageware category, and lower home category sales in the closeout channel.

Home & Outdoor operating income was $49.5 million, or 21.0% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $30.8 million, or 13.5% of segment net sales revenue. The 750 basis point increase in segment operating margin was primarily due to an allocated portion of a gain on the sale of distribution and office facilities in El Paso, Texas of $16.2 million, lower inbound and outbound freight costs, a decrease in restructuring charges of $4.5 million, lower commodity costs, lower salary and wage costs primarily as a result of Project Pegasus role reductions, and a more favorable customer mix. These factors were partially offset by higher distribution expense, increased marketing expense, an increase in inventory obsolescence expense, higher share-based compensation expense, increased annual incentive compensation expense, and an increase in depreciation expense primarily due to a new distribution facility. Adjusted operating income decreased 0.2% to $39.8 million, or 16.9% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $39.9 million, or 17.4% of segment net sales revenue.

Beauty & Wellness net sales revenue decreased $16.0 million, or 4.9%, to $313.7 million, compared to $329.7 million. The decline was driven by a decrease from Organic business of $18.1 million, or 5.5%, primarily due to a decline in sales of hair appliances, a decline in humidification reflecting a slow start to the cough/cold/flu season as compared to the prior year period, and lower sales of air filtration products and fans, primarily driven by softer consumer demand and SKU rationalization efforts. The decline was partially offset by growth in thermometry which drove higher international sales, an increase in sales of heaters and water filtration products, and an increase in sales of prestige hair care products.

Beauty & Wellness operating income was $57.4 million, or 18.3% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $46.3 million, or 14.1% of segment net sales revenue. The 420 basis point increase in segment operating margin was primarily due to an allocated portion of a gain on the sale of distribution and office facilities in El Paso, Texas of $18.0 million, lower inbound and outbound freight costs, reduced inventory obsolescence expense, the favorable comparative impact of EPA compliance costs of $2.1 million in the prior year period, a decrease in restructuring charges of $2.1 million, the favorable impact of SKU rationalization efforts, decreased distribution expense, reduced share-based compensation expense, and lower salary and wage costs primarily as a result of Project Pegasus role reductions. These factors were partially offset by the unfavorable comparative impact of a gain from insurance recoveries of $9.7 million recognized in the prior year period, an increase in annual incentive compensation expense, higher marketing expense, the unfavorable comparative impact of duty refunds received in the prior year period, a charge of $1.4 million related to the bankruptcy of Rite Aid, unfavorable operating leverage, and a less favorable product mix. Adjusted operating income decreased 5.2% to $50.1 million, or 16.0% of segment net sales revenue, compared to $52.8 million, or 16.0% of segment net sales revenue.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Compared to Third Quarter Fiscal 2023

• Cash and cash equivalents totaled $25.2 million, compared to $45.3 million.
• Accounts receivable turnover was 68.6 days, compared to 70.6 days.
• Inventory was $426.0 million, compared to $536.8 million.
• Total short- and long-term debt was $735.6 million, compared to $1,080.5 million as a result of strong cash flow in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and the first three quarters of fiscal 2024.
• Net cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of the fiscal year was $232.5 million, compared to $49.5 million for the same period last year.
• Free cash flow ⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ for the first nine months of the fiscal year was $202.8 million, compared to free cash flow of $(96.7) million for the same period last year, which includes $16.8 million and $125.8 million of capital expenditures for the Tennessee distribution facility, respectively.

Pegasus Restructuring Plan

The Company previously announced a global restructuring plan intended to expand operating margins through initiatives designed to improve efficiency and reduce costs (collectively referred to as “Project Pegasus”). Project Pegasus includes multiple workstreams to further optimize the Company's brand portfolio, streamline and simplify the organization, accelerate cost of goods savings projects, enhance the efficiency of its supply chain network, optimize its indirect spending, and improve its cash flow and working capital, as well as other activities. The Company anticipates these initiatives will create operating efficiencies, as well as provide a platform to fund future growth investments.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company made changes to the structure of the organization as part of its global restructuring plan, Project Pegasus. As a result of these changes, the disclosures included herein reflect two reportable segments, Home & Outdoor and Beauty & Wellness. The previous Health & Wellness and Beauty operating segments have been combined into a single reportable segment, which is referred to herein as “Beauty & Wellness.” Comparative prior period segment information has been recast to conform to this change in reportable segments.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company announced plans to geographically consolidate the U.S. Beauty business, currently located in El Paso, Texas, and Irvine, California, and co-locate it with its Wellness business in the Boston, Massachusetts area. This geographical consolidation and relocation is the next step in the Company's initiative to streamline and simplify the organization and it is expected to be completed during fiscal 2025. The Company expects these changes will enable a greater opportunity to capture synergies and enhance collaboration and innovation within the Beauty & Wellness segment.

As previously disclosed, the Company continues to have the following expectations regarding Project Pegasus charges:

• Total one-time pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $60 million to $65 million over the duration of the plan, expected to be completed during fiscal 2025.
• Pre-tax restructuring charges to be comprised of approximately $22 million to $25 million of severance and employee related costs, $30 million of professional fees, $5 million of contract termination costs, and $3 million to $5 million of other exit and disposal costs.
• All of the Company's operating segments and shared services will be impacted by the plan and pre-tax restructuring charges include approximately $17 million to $19 million in Home & Outdoor and $43 million to $46 million in Beauty & Wellness.
• Pre-tax restructuring charges represent primarily cash expenditures, which are expected to be substantially paid by the end of fiscal 2025.

The Company also continues to have the following expectations regarding Project Pegasus savings:

• Targeted annualized pre-tax operating profit improvements of approximately $75 million to $85 million, which began in fiscal 2024 and are expected to be substantially achieved by the end of fiscal 2026.
• Estimated cadence of the recognition of the savings will be approximately 25% in fiscal 2024, approximately 50% in fiscal 2025 and approximately 25% in fiscal 2026.
• Total profit improvements to be realized approximately 60% through reduced cost of goods sold and 40% through lower SG&A.

Fiscal 2024 Annual Outlook

The Company now expects consolidated net sales revenue in the range of $1.975 billion to $2.0 billion, which implies a decline of 4.7% to 3.5%, compared to the previous range of $1.965 billion to $2.015 billion. This continues to include a combined year-over-year decline of approximately $70 million, or 3.4%, from the bankruptcy of Bed, Bath & Beyond and the Pegasus SKU rationalization initiative. The Company's sales outlook reflects year-to-date performance, as well as the Company’s view of continued pressure and uncertainty on consumer spending, especially for some discretionary categories, lower illness incidence than pre-COVID historical averages, and softer-than-expected holiday sales. In the aggregate, the Company believes retail inventory on hand is at healthy levels, and it continues to expect that sell-in will more closely match sell-through during the remainder of fiscal 2024.

The Company’s fiscal year net sales outlook now reflects the following expectations by segment:

• Home & Outdoor net sales decline of 1.5% to 0.5%, compared to the prior expectation of a decline of 1.7% to growth of 1.0%; and
• Beauty & Wellness net sales decline of 7.5% to 5.9%, compared to the prior expectation of a decline of 8.0% to 5.8%.

The Company now expects GAAP diluted EPS of $6.67 to $7.05, compared to the previous range of $6.36 to $7.03, and non-GAAP adjusted diluted EPS in the range of $8.60 to $8.85, which implies an adjusted EPS decline of 9.0% to 6.3%, compared to the previous range of $8.50 to $9.00.

The Company now expects consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $330 million to $335 million, compared to the previous range of $338 million to $348 million, which implies growth of 0.8% to 2.3%. The Company continues to expect free cash flow in the range of $250 million to $270 million and its net leverage ratio ⁽¹⁾⁽³⁾ , as defined in its credit agreement, to end fiscal 2024 at 2.0x to 1.85x.

The Company’s consolidated net sales and EPS outlook also reflects the following assumptions:

• the severity of the cough/cold/flu season will be below pre-COVID historical averages, as compared to the previous assumption that it would be in line with pre-COVID historical averages;
• December 2023 foreign currency exchange rates will remain constant for the remainder of the fiscal year;
• expected interest expense in the range of $52 million to $54 million;
• a reported GAAP effective tax rate range of 20.0% to 19.0% for the full fiscal year 2024 and an adjusted effective tax rate range of 14.5% to 13.5%; and
• an estimated weighted average diluted shares outstanding of 24.0 million for the full year.

The likelihood, timing and potential impact of a significant or prolonged recession, any fiscal 2024 acquisitions and divestitures, future asset impairment charges, future foreign currency fluctuations, additional interest rate increases, or share repurchases are unknown and cannot be reasonably estimated; therefore, they are not included in the Company’s outlook.

Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will conduct a teleconference in conjunction with today’s earnings release. The teleconference begins at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time today, Monday, January 8, 2024. Institutional investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial (877) 407-3982 approximately ten minutes prior to the start of the call. The conference call will also be webcast live on the Events & Presentations page at: http://investor.helenoftroy.com/ . A telephone replay of this call will be available at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on January 8, 2024, until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 22, 2024, and can be accessed by dialing (844) 512-2921 and entering replay pin number 13742678. A replay of the webcast will remain available on the website for one year.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company reports and discusses its operating results using financial measures consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). To supplement its presentation, the Company discloses certain financial measures that may be considered non-GAAP such as Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, Adjusted Income, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share (“EPS”), EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, Free Cash Flow and Net Leverage Ratio, which are presented in accompanying tables to this press release along with a reconciliation of these financial measures to their corresponding GAAP-based financial measures presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income and cash flows. For additional information see Note 1 to the accompanying tables to this press release.

About Helen of Troy Limited

Helen of Troy Limited (NASDAQ: HELE) is a leading global consumer products company offering creative products and solutions for its customers through a diversified portfolio of well-recognized and widely-trusted brands, including OXO, Hydro Flask, Osprey, Vicks, Braun, Honeywell, PUR, Hot Tools and Drybar. The Company sometimes refers to these brands as its Leadership Brands. All trademarks herein belong to Helen of Troy Limited (or its subsidiaries) and/or are used under license from their respective licensors.

For more information about Helen of Troy, please visit http://investor.helenoftroy.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain written and oral statements made by the Company and subsidiaries of the Company may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This includes statements made in this press release, in other filings with the SEC, and in certain other oral and written presentations. Generally, the words “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, “might”, “would”, “should”, “seeks”, “estimates”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “currently”, “continue”, “intends”, “outlook”, “forecasts”, “targets”, “could”, and other similar words identify forward-looking statements. All statements that address operating results, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates may occur in the future, including statements related to sales, expenses, EPS results, and statements expressing general expectations about future operating results, are forward-looking statements and are based upon its current expectations and various assumptions. The Company believes there is a reasonable basis for these expectations and assumptions, but there can be no assurance that the Company will realize these expectations or that these assumptions will prove correct. Forward-looking statements are only as of the date they are made and are subject to risks that could cause them to differ materially from actual results. Accordingly, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release should be read in conjunction with, and are subject to and qualified by, the risks described in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2023, and in the Company's other filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to refer to the risk factors referred to above for a description of these risks. Such risks include, among others, the occurrence of cyber incidents or failure by the Company or its third-party service providers to maintain cybersecurity and the integrity of confidential internal or customer data, a cybersecurity breach, obsolescence or interruptions in the operation of the Company’s central global Enterprise Resource Planning systems and other peripheral information systems, the geographic concentration of certain United States (“U.S.”) distribution facilities which increases its risk to disruptions that could affect the Company’s ability to deliver products in a timely manner, the Company’s ability to develop and introduce a continuing stream of innovative new products to meet changing consumer preferences, actions taken by large customers that may adversely affect the Company’s gross profit and operating results, the Company’s dependence on sales to several large customers and the risks associated with any loss of, or substantial decline in, sales to top customers, the Company’s dependence on third-party manufacturers, most of which are located in Asia, and any inability to obtain products from such manufacturers, the Company's ability to deliver products to its customers in a timely manner and according to their fulfillment standards, the risks associated with trade barriers, exchange controls, expropriations, and other risks associated with domestic and foreign operations including uncertainty and business interruptions resulting from political changes and events in the U.S. and abroad, and volatility in the global credit and financial markets and economy, the Company's dependence on the strength of retail economies and vulnerabilities to any prolonged economic downturn, including a downturn from the effects of macroeconomic conditions, any public health crises or similar conditions, risks associated with the use of licensed trademarks from or to third parties, risks associated with weather conditions, the duration and severity of the cold and flu season and other related factors, the Company’s reliance on its Chief Executive Officer and a limited number of other key senior officers to operate its business, the Company's ability to execute and realize expected synergies from strategic business initiatives such as acquisitions, divestitures and global restructuring plans, including Project Pegasus, the risks of potential changes in laws and regulations, including environmental, employment and health and safety and tax laws, and the costs and complexities of compliance with such laws, the risks associated with increased focus and expectations on climate change and other environmental, social and governance matters, the risks associated with significant changes in or the Company's compliance with regulations, interpretations or product certification requirements, the risks associated with global legal developments regarding privacy and data security that could result in changes to its business practices, penalties, increased cost of operations, or otherwise harm the business, the Company’s dependence on whether it is classified as a “controlled foreign corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes which impacts the tax treatment of its non-U.S. income, the risks associated with legislation enacted in Bermuda and Barbados in response to the European Union’s review of harmful tax competition, the risks associated with accounting for tax positions and the resolution of tax disputes, the risks of significant tariffs or other restrictions being placed on imports from China, Mexico or Vietnam or any retaliatory trade measures taken by China, Mexico or Vietnam, the risks associated with product recalls, product liability and other claims against the Company, and associated financial risks including but not limited to, significant impairment of the Company's goodwill, indefinite-lived and definite-lived intangible assets or other long-lived assets, increased costs of raw materials, energy and transportation, the risks to the Company's liquidity or cost of capital which may be materially adversely affected by constraints or changes in the capital and credit markets, interest rates and limitations under its financing arrangements, risks associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, and projections of product demand, sales and net income, which are highly subjective in nature, and from which future sales and net income could vary in a material amount. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.