Arctic Cat Reports Fiscal 2015 Second Quarter Results

Arctic Cat ©

Net sales up 10 percent to $262.5 million in second quarter;
Quarterly net earnings of $1.18 per diluted share, or $1.44 as adjusted;
Year-to-date sales increased 13 percent;
Company adjusts full-year sales and earnings outlook for fiscal 2015

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – October 23, 2014 – Arctic Cat Inc. (NASDAQ: ACAT) today reported net earnings of $15.4 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, on higher net sales of $262.5 million for the fiscal 2015 second quarter ended September 30, 2014. As previously announced, the company recorded a non-recurring charge of approximately $5.4 million pretax for ATV warranty expense that reduced 2015 second quarter earnings by $0.26 per diluted share. Excluding this charge, the company’s adjusted second-quarter earnings were $1.44 per diluted share. In the prior-year quarter, Arctic Cat reported net earnings of $23.4 million, or $1.70 per diluted share, on net sales of $238.5 million.

Commented Christopher Twomey, Arctic Cat’s chairman and chief executive officer: “Solid sales increases in the second quarter were led by double-digit gains in our snowmobile product line, as well as parts, garments and accessories. We also saw continued strong sales of our Wildcat side-by-side models and excitement around new Wildcat models introduced to our line-up late in the second quarter. Gross margins, however, were impacted by the significant volume of OEM partner snowmobile models that shipped in the quarter. Looking ahead, we remain focused on maintaining a robust pipeline of innovative new products and improving the company’s long-term operating efficiency.”

Second-Quarter Operating Review

Arctic Cat’s fiscal 2015 second-quarter net sales rose approximately 10 percent to $262.5 million, due to higher snowmobile sales to its OEM partner and Arctic Cat’s dealers, strong Wildcat™ sales and double-digit sales gains in the parts, garments and accessories (PG&A) business.
Gross profit margin in the 2015 second quarter was 21.0 percent, or 23.0 percent as adjusted excluding the non-recurring warranty expense, compared to 25.9 percent in the prior-year quarter. The gross profit margin decline stemmed primarily from the timing of OEM sales, ATV warranty expense and the unfavorable Canadian currency exchange, as approximately 30 percent of Arctic Cat’s annual sales are to Canada.

Operating profit in the 2015 second quarter was $24.1 million compared to $36.3 million in the same quarter last year, chiefly due to lower gross margins, primarily as a result of the non-recurring warranty expense, and increased general and administrative expenses. The company continued to invest in research and development to ensure a strong pipeline of new products and technologies.
Arctic Cat ended the 2015 second quarter with cash and short-term investments totaling $24.0 million, and no long-term debt. During the quarter, Arctic Cat’s board of directors authorized a new share repurchase program for up to $25 million of common stock.

For the six months ended September 30, 2014, Arctic Cat’s net earnings were $19.0 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, compared to $28.8 million, or $2.10 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. Arctic Cat’s adjusted earnings totaled $1.79 per diluted share, excluding an executive severance charge of $0.08 per diluted share and a warranty expense charge of $0.26 per diluted share recorded in the fiscal 2015 first half. Year to date, the company’s net sales increased 13 percent to $406.1 million versus net sales of $359.3 million in the year-ago first six months.

Business Line Results

ATVs/Side-by-Sides 

Sales of Arctic Cat’s all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and side-by-sides totaled $69.6 million, down 4 percent compared to prior-year sales of $72.7 million. During the quarter, the company unveiled 15 new 2015 models of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) at its annual ATV/ROV dealer meeting in mid-September.

Expanding its high-performance line of side-by-sides, Arctic Cat introduced three Wildcat Sport models on a new 60-inch wide chassis. The new chassis’ width offers consumers a mid-sized option between the original Wildcat and the recently introduced Wildcat Trail model, with its narrower 50-inch stance. In addition, Arctic Cat debuted the Wildcat Trail Limited EPS, which is an upscale version of the Wildcat Trail with its 50-inch wide chassis, and the Prowler XT side-by-side recreation model.

In addition, new 2015 model year ATVs unveiled included the all-new XR line designed for the sport utility segment and the TRV® 1000 XT EPS, with its two-person seating for the touring category.

Snowmobile

Snowmobile sales in the fiscal 2015 second quarter rose to $157.8 million, up from $135.4 million in the prior-year quarter. The increased snowmobile sales were largely due to Arctic Cat’s expanded OEM partnership. Following strong retail sales and market share gains in fiscal 2014, Arctic Cat anticipates higher snowmobile sales to its dealers in the current fiscal year.

Parts, Garments & Accessories 

Sales of parts, garments and accessories (PG&A) in the fiscal 2015 second quarter grew 15 percent to $35.1 million, up from $30.4 million in the prior-year quarter. The increase was driven by sales of newly developed accessories for Arctic Cat’s expanding line of Wildcat models, as well as snowmobile parts, garments and accessories.

Fiscal 2015 Full-Year Outlook

Commented Twomey: “Fiscal 2015 remains a challenging year. We are working to further reduce dealer inventory levels by lowering the company’s previously planned core ATV sales to North America dealers in the current fiscal year. Similarly, we now expect lower international sales, including sales to Russia. As a result of these factors, combined with charges recorded in the first half, we are adjusting the company’s outlook for fiscal 2015 full-year sales and earnings. Going forward, we remain focused on positioning the company for improved long-term financial performance.”

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, Arctic Cat now estimates fiscal 2015 full-year sales in the range of $745 to $755 million and net earnings of $1.55 to $1.65 per diluted share. Arctic Cat’s revised outlook includes an executive severance charge of $0.08 per diluted share recorded in the first quarter, warranty expense charge of $0.26 per diluted share recorded in the second quarter, and the anticipated unfavorable Canadian currency impact up to $0.79 per diluted share for the fiscal 2015 full year. Excluding first-half charges, the company anticipates fiscal 2015 earnings in the range of $1.89 to $1.99 per diluted share, as adjusted. The new earnings guidance excludes any new CEO and CFO transition costs that could be incurred in the 2015 second half. Previously, Arctic Cat anticipated net earnings of $2.25 to $2.35 per diluted share on net sales in the range of $775 million to $786 million.

Conference Call

A conference call is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT (11:30 a.m. ET) today. To listen to the live call, dial 888-572-7033. The webcast may be accessed through the investor relations section of www.arcticcat.com/corporate. In addition, a telephone replay will be available through October 30, 2014, by dialing 888-203-1112, passcode 7907877.

About Arctic Cat

Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides and snowmobiles under the Arctic Cat® brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories. Its common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “ACAT.” More information about Arctic Cat and its products is available at www.arcticcat.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for certain forward-looking statements. The Company’s Annual Report, as well as the Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company’s press releases and oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, contain forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. The words “aim,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate” and other expressions that indicate future events and trends identify forward-looking statements including statements related to our fiscal 2015 outlook, business strategy, expected product introductions and demand. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to: product mix and volume; competitive pressure on sales, pricing and sales incentives; increase in material or production cost which cannot be recouped in product pricing; unexpected delays in the introduction of new products; changes in the sourcing of engines; interruption of dealer floorplan financing; warranty expenses and product recalls; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; product liability claims and other legal proceedings in excess of reserves or insured amounts; environmental and product safety regulatory activity; effects of the weather; general economic conditions and political changes; interest rate changes; consumer demand and confidence; and those set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2014, under heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” The Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ARCTIC CAT INC.
Financial Highlights
(000s omitted, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
	Three Months Ended													Six Months Ended
	September 30,													September 30,
	2014						2013								2014						2013
Net Sales
Snowmobile & ATV Units	$	227,382					$	208,076							$	347,360					$	306,990
Parts, Garments & Accessories		35,097						30,449								58,758						52,303
Total Net Sales		262,479						238,525								406,118						359,293
Cost of Goods Sold
Snowmobile & ATV Units		185,064						157,748								282,765						235,656
Parts, Garments & Accessories		22,334						19,103								37,471						32,803
Total Cost of Goods Sold		207,398						176,851								320,236						268,459
Gross Profit		55,081						61,674								85,882						90,834
Operating Expenses
Selling & Marketing		12,074						12,116								19,055						19,110
Research & Development		6,621						6,286								11,967						11,568
General & Administrative		12,325						7,019								25,229						15,430
Total Operating Expenses		31,020						25,421								56,251						46,108
Operating Profit		24,061						36,253								29,631						44,726
Other Income (Expense)
Interest Income		6						7								10						16
Interest Expense		(209	)					(37	)							(249	)					(40	)
Total Other Expense		(203	)					(30	)							(239	)					(24	)
Earnings Before Income Taxes		23,858						36,223								29,392						44,702
Income Taxes		8,469						12,858								10,434						15,869
Net Earnings	$	15,389					$	23,365							$	18,958					$	28,833
Net Earnings Per Share
Basic	$	1.19					$	1.75							$	1.47					$	2.17
Diluted	$	1.18					$	1.70							$	1.45					$	2.10
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic		12,922						13,379								12,909						13,297
Diluted		13,074						13,726								13,078						13,718
							September 30,
Selected Balance Sheet Data:							2014								2013
Cash and Short-term Investments							$	24,022							$	40,074
Accounts Receivable, net								106,039								105,071
Inventories								170,084								171,174
Total Assets								379,446								381,789
Short-term Bank Borrowings								0								0
Total Current Liabilities								170,143								175,361
Long-term Debt								0								0
Shareholders’ Equity								200,224								201,857

		Three Months Ended																			Six Months Ended
		September 30,																			September 30,
Product Line Data:		2014						2013							Change						2014						2013							Change
Snowmobiles		$		157,791				$		135,425					17	%					$		213,943				$		157,999					35	%
All-Terrain Vehicles				69,591						72,651					-4	%							133,417						148,991					-10	%
Parts, Garments & Accessories				35,097						30,449					15	%							58,758						52,303					12	%
Total Sales		$		262,479				$		238,525					10	%					$		406,118				$		359,293					13	%

Arctic Cat Inc. / Timothy C. Delmore, 763-354-1800 / Chief Financial Officer

Source: Arctic Cat Inc.By press release ©