RCKY Rocky Brands Inc

Second Quarter Diluted EPS Improved to $0.20

Funded Debt Decreased 63.3% Year-over-Year to $8.6 Million

Rocky Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:RCKY) today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Second Quarter 2017 Sales and Income

Second quarter net sales were $58.5 million compared to $62.6 million in the second quarter of 2016. The Company reported second quarter net income of $1.5 million, or $0.20 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $1.8 million, or ($0.23) per diluted share in the second quarter of 2016.

Net sales were $121.5 million compared to $120.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company reported net income of $3.0 million, or $0.40 per diluted share compared to a net loss of $2.0 million, or ($0.26) per diluted share for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Jason Brooks, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The significant increase in second quarter profitability year-over-year reflects the work we have done to create a more efficient company. Through enhancements to our production facility in Puerto Rico along with a number of organizational changes aimed at reducing our expense structure we were able to improve operating profit by nearly $4.8 million. Equally important, we continued to see signs of stabilization in our branded wholesale business. Although wholesale sales decreased in the quarter, in part due to the discontinuation of a low margin private label program, we achieved higher gross margins due to less promotional sales as well as the discontinuation of the private label program. We are continuing to focus on designing and delivering high quality branded products which support higher gross margins.”

“Looking ahead, I am encouraged by the outlook for Rocky Brands,” continued Brooks. “With Rocky, Georgia Boot and Durango, we have a great portfolio of brands that hold leadership positions in their respective categories and provide compelling growth opportunities for our wholesale segment. At the same time, our retail model is uniquely situated to directly and efficiently serve the footwear needs of America’s manufacturing and labor based businesses. Finally, the expansion of our domestic manufacturing capabilities is allowing us to bid on and win an increasing amount of military contracts and produce footwear at better margins. The entire organization is committed to executing our growth and profit improvement strategies and delivering greater value to shareholders over the long-term.”

Second Quarter Review

Net sales for the second quarter decreased 6.6% to $58.5 million compared to $62.6 million a year ago. Wholesale sales for the second quarter decreased 10.5% to $37.1 million compared to $41.5 million for the same period in 2016. Retail sales for the second quarter increased 5.8% to $11.0 million compared to $10.4 million for the same period last year. Military segment sales for the second quarter were $10.3 million compared to $10.7 million in the second quarter of 2016.

Gross margin in the second quarter of 2017 increased to $18.2 million, or 31.1% of sales, compared to $16.3 million, or 26.0% of sales, for the same period last year. The 510 basis point increase was driven by a significant improvement in both wholesale segment and military segment margins.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased to $15.9 million, or 27.2% of net sales, for the second quarter of 2017 compared to $18.8 million, or 30.1% of net sales, a year ago. The $2.9 million decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily related to lower compensation expense following the workforce reductions in the second half of 2016.

Income from operations was $2.3 million, or 3.9% of net sales compared to a loss from operations of $2.5 million a year ago.

Interest expense was $80,000 for the second quarter of 2017, versus $142,000 for the same period last year.

The Company’s funded debt decreased $14.9 million, or 63.3% to $8.6 million at June 30, 2017 versus $23.5 million at June 30, 2016.

Inventory at June 30, 2017 decreased 12.8% to $76.3 million compared to $87.6 million on the same date a year ago.

Conference Call Information

The Company’s conference call to review second quarter 2017 results will be broadcast live over the internet today, Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at 4:30 pm Eastern Time. The broadcast will be hosted at http://www.rockybrands.com.

About Rocky Brands, Inc.

Rocky Brands, Inc. is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of premium quality footwear and apparel marketed under a portfolio of well recognized brand names including Rocky®, Georgia Boot®, Durango®, Lehigh®, Creative Recreation®, and the licensed brand Michelin®.

Safe Harbor Language

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Those statements include, but may not be limited to, all statements regarding intent, beliefs, expectations, projections, forecasts, and plans of the Company and its management and include statements in this press release regarding outlook (paragraph 4). These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the various risks inherent in the Company’s business as set forth in periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (filed March 9, 2017) and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 (filed May 5, 2017). One or more of these factors have affected historical results, and could in the future affect the Company’s businesses and financial results in future periods and could cause actual results to differ materially from plans and projections. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this press release will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the Company, or any other person should not regard the inclusion of such information as a representation that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. All forward-looking statements made in this press release are based on information presently available to the management of the Company. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

           

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

  June 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 Unaudited Audited Unaudited ASSETS:   CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,665,148 $ 4,480,505 $ 2,470,576 Trade receivables – net 39,952,038 40,844,583 42,188,601 Other receivables 687,851 688,251 587,779 Inventories 76,314,721 69,168,442 87,555,956 Income tax receivable - 1,243,678 2,179,525 Prepaid expenses   2,085,839   2,354,107   2,886,973 Total current assets 121,705,597 118,779,566 137,869,410 FIXED ASSETS – net 25,610,927 26,511,493 27,896,273 IDENTIFIED INTANGIBLES 33,351,030 33,415,694 36,481,414 OTHER ASSETS   227,720   232,509   245,934 TOTAL ASSETS $ 180,895,274 $ 178,939,262 $ 202,493,031   LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable $ 17,475,226 $ 11,589,040 $ 21,892,208 Accrued other expenses:   7,584,956   6,130,871   7,380,567 Total current liabilities 25,060,182 17,719,911 29,272,775 LONG TERM DEBT 8,618,697 14,584,008 23,503,226 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 10,464,435 11,365,800 11,968,791 DEFERRED LIABILITIES   181,737   176,219   227,345 TOTAL LIABILITIES 44,325,051 43,845,938 64,972,137 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Common stock, no par value;

25,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding June 30, 2017 - 7,441,851; December 31, 2016 - 7,421,455; June 30, 2016 - 7,481,022

69,449,917 69,291,637 69,890,665 Retained earnings   67,120,306   65,801,687   67,630,229   Total shareholders' equity   136,570,223   135,093,324   137,520,894   TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 180,895,274 $ 178,939,262 $ 202,493,031          

Rocky Brands, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2017     2016 2017   2016 Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited   NET SALES $ 58,454,954 $ 62,560,094 $ 121,527,907 $ 120,090,039   COST OF GOODS SOLD   40,291,433     46,296,834     83,616,306     84,915,887     GROSS MARGIN 18,163,521 16,263,260 37,911,601 35,174,152   SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES   15,904,935     18,807,595     33,286,844     37,939,489     INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS 2,258,586 (2,544,335 ) 4,624,757 (2,765,337 )   OTHER INCOME AND (EXPENSES): Interest expense, net (80,096 ) (142,215 ) (170,489 ) (278,191 ) Other, net   32,693     19,221     22,856     86,749   Total other income and (expenses), net (47,403 ) (122,994 ) (147,633 ) (191,442 )   INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES 2,211,183 (2,667,329 ) 4,477,124 (2,956,779 )   INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)   752,000     (908,000 )   1,522,000     (1,006,000 )   NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 1,459,183   $ (1,759,329 ) $ 2,955,124   $ (1,950,779 )   INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE Basic $ 0.20 $ (0.23 ) $ 0.40 $ (0.26 ) Diluted $ 0.20 $ (0.23 ) $ 0.40 $ (0.26 )   WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING Basic   7,442,000     7,530,579     7,438,000     7,556,873   Diluted   7,445,268     7,530,579     7,441,514     7,556,873  

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170725006267/en/

Rocky Brands, Inc.Tom Robertson, 740-753-1951Chief Financial OfficerorInvestor Relations:ICR, Inc.Brendon Frey, 203-682-8200