- Company-wide third quarter net sales decreased 6% due to Hawthorne decline of 40%; U.S. Consumer net sales increased 1% over prior year
- Consumer POS dollars up 8% in the third quarter and over 5% year to date
- Year-to-date cash flow improved over $700 million
- Total Project Springboard savings to exceed $300 million
- Full-year sales and Adjusted EBITDA expected to decline
- Amended credit agreement updates leverage glidepath providing operational flexibility
MARYSVILLE, Ohio, Aug. 02, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (: SMG), the world’s leading marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden as well as indoor and hydroponic growing products, today announced its results for the third quarter ended July 1, 2023.
Sales for the period declined 6 percent driven by a 40 percent decline in the Hawthorne segment and a 1 percent improvement in the U.S. Consumer segment. Separately, the Company announced additional Project Springboard savings in excess of $100 million, bringing total reductions to more than $300 million, and a credit facility amendment with lower total revolver capacity and increased leverage targets.
“Regional weather extremes, inflationary pressures and price elasticity contributed to declines in retail foot traffic and volume,” said Jim Hagedorn, chairman and CEO. “Despite these challenges, POS dollars are up, and we’ve had market share gains. This is a testament to the power of our consumer franchise. For a variety of reasons, Lawns has not performed to expectations. With up to a third of our Lawns business in the fall, we are investing in aggressive consumer activation programs to narrow the delta.”
“Just as importantly, we’ve strengthened the company through expense reduction, cash flow improvement and debt paydown. We are on target for $1 billion in cash flow by the end of fiscal ‘24. Looking ahead, our amended credit facility provides room to meaningfully reduce debt while directing investments into the core business. In Hawthorne, we have line of sight to profitability and opportunities to leverage our leading positions in the multi-billion dollar cannabis space.”
Third quarter details
For the quarter ended July 1, 2023, company-wide sales decreased 6 percent to $1.12 billion. U.S. Consumer segment sales increased 1 percent to $916.4 million from $904.5 million driven by strong Growing Media net sales nearly $100 million higher in the quarter than a year ago. Hawthorne segment sales decreased 40 percent to $93.4 million, compared with $154.5 million during the same period last year.
GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted gross margin rates for the quarter were 18.4 percent and 21.3 percent, respectively. These compare to 19.9 percent and 25.5 percent in the prior year. The declines were primarily due to higher commodity costs and unfavorable conversion and fixed cost leverage related to lower volume in both major business segments. Gross margin rates were also nearly 200 basis points lower from one-time pandemic-driven excess and obsolete inventory write-offs. These combined pressures were partially offset by net pricing and distribution savings from Project Springboard. Favorability from net pricing was significantly lower for the quarter, ending near flat to prior year, on lower Lawns category volume and higher costs related to volume rebates and promotional programs. The Company’s debt-to-EBITDA ratio at the end of the quarter was 6.15 times and within the revised covenant maximum of 7.00 times.
“In the face of dynamic retail and macro conditions, we executed on what we could control, including strong engagement with our retail partners, targeted marketing efforts and aggressive actions through Project Springboard,” said Matt Garth, executive vice president and CFO. “We are taking the difficult and necessary steps to rightsize our business and drive sustainable efficiency gains. These activities will enhance free cash flow generation to be directed to debt paydown.”
“The credit facility amendment provides a maximum leverage glidepath that better reflects the timing of margin recovery and debt reduction. We remain committed to driving leverage below 3.5 times as quickly as possible in order to return to a more balanced and strategic capital allocation approach.”
GAAP net income was $43.7 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, compared with a prior year loss of $443.9 million, or $8.01 per diluted share. The current quarter results include impairment, restructuring and other non-recurring items of $34.5 million, compared to $724.2 million a year ago, primarily related to inventory write-downs, facility closure costs, and impairment of right-of-use assets associated with Project Springboard. Non-GAAP adjusted earnings, which exclude impairment, restructuring, and other non-recurring items, were $66.0 million, or $1.17 per diluted share, compared with $110.4 million, or $1.98 per diluted share last year.
Year-to-date details
Company-wide sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2023 decreased 7 percent to $3.18 billion, compared with $3.43 billion a year ago. Sales in the U.S. Consumer segment increased 1 percent, to $2.64 billion. Hawthorne sales decreased 42 percent to $317.6 million.
The GAAP gross margin rate on a year-to-date basis was 22.5 percent. The non-GAAP adjusted rate was 27.6 percent. These compare with 27.5 percent and 29.6 percent, respectively, last year. The reasons for the declines are consistent with the factors that drove third quarter results.
SG&A of $443.3 million was 13.9 percent of net sales and reflects a 10 percent decrease from 2022 and a 24 percent decrease over two years, primarily driven by continued cost savings efforts associated with Project Springboard and lower accruals for incentive compensation. The Company expects full year SG&A to be sustainable in a range of 15 to 16 percent of net sales.
Interest expense increased $55.0 million to $138.1 million primarily due to an increase in average borrowing rates. GAAP net income was $88.3 million, or $1.57 per diluted share, compared with a loss of $217.5 million, or $3.91 per diluted share, in the prior year.
Non-GAAP adjusted earnings, which exclude impairment, restructuring and other non-recurring items, were $223.4 million, or $3.97 per diluted share, compared with $343.3 million, or $6.11 per diluted share last year.
Full-year outlook
The Company now expects total net sales to decline approximately 10 to 11 percent mainly driven by a net sales decline in the U.S. Consumer segment of 2 to 4 percent and a net sales decline of 30 to 35 percent in the Hawthorne segment. Additionally, operating income is expected to range from 7 to 7.5 percent of sales for the year. Including these revisions, full-year Adjusted EBITDA is expected below prior year by about 25 percent, and the resulting tax rate will move higher to 28 to 29 percent for the year. Expectations for interest expense and strong free cash flow generation remain unchanged.
Conference Call and Webcast Scheduled for 9 a.m. ET Today, August 2
The Company will discuss results during a webcast and conference call today at 9:00 a.m. ET. To participate in the conference call, please register in advance at this link. Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN number that can be used to access the call. If you do not anticipate asking a question, we recommend joining via the live webcast on the Company’s investor relations website at http://investor.scotts.com. The replay of the conference call will also be available on the Company’s website, where an archive of the press release and any accompanying information will remain available for at least a 12-month period.
Net sales details
| Fiscal Third Quarter (April - June 2023) | |||||
| Net Sales Drivers(1) | Volume & Mix | Foreign Exchange | Price | Other(2) | Net Sales |
| U.S. Consumer | 1% | –% | –% | –% | 1% |
| Hawthorne | (39)% | –% | (1 )% | –% | (40 )% |
| Other | (18)% | (4)% | 8% | –% | (14)% |
| Total SMG | (6)% | (1)% | 1% | –% | (6)% |
| Fiscal Year-to-Date (October 2022 - June 2023) | |||||
| Net Sales Drivers (1) | Volume & Mix | Foreign Exchange | Price | Other(2) | Net Sales |
| U.S. Consumer | (6)% | –% | 7% | –% | 1% |
| Hawthorne | (45)% | (1)% | 3% | 1% | (42)% |
| Other | (18)% | (5)% | 8% | –% | (15)% |
| Total SMG | (13)% | –% | 6% | –% | (7)% |
(1) Net Sales percentage changes are approximations based on quantitative formulas that are consistently applied
(2) Other includes the impact of acquisitions and divestitures and rounding impacts necessary to reconcile volume to net sales
About ScottsMiracle-Gro
With approximately $3.9 billion in sales, the Company is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, which address activities, events and developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, information regarding the future economic performance and financial condition of the Company, the plans and objectives of the Company’s management, and the Company’s assumptions regarding such performance and plans are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified as statements that include phrases such as “guidance,” “outlook,” “projected,” “believe,” “target,” “predict,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “may,” “goal,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “should” or other similar words or phrases. Actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking information in this release due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:
- If the Company underestimates or overestimates demand for its products and does not maintain appropriate inventory levels, its net sales and/or working capital could be negatively impacted;
- The Company’s indebtedness could limit its flexibility and adversely affect its financial condition;
- Disruptions in availability or increases in the prices of raw materials or fuel could adversely affect the Company's business;
- The effects of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and any possible recurrence of other similar types of pandemics, or any other widespread public health emergencies, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows;
- A significant interruption in the operation of the Company’s or its suppliers’ facilities could impact the Company’s capacity to produce products and service its customers, which could adversely affect the Company’s revenues and earnings;
- The Company’s decision to maintain, reduce or discontinue paying cash dividends to its shareholders or repurchasing its Common Shares could cause the market price for its common shares to decline;
- Climate change and unfavorable weather conditions could adversely impact financial results;
- If the Company is unable to effectively execute its e-commerce business, its reputation and operating results may be harmed;
- Because of the concentration of the Company’s sales to a small number of retail customers, the loss of one or more of, or significant reduction in orders from, its top customers, or a material reduction in the inventory of the Company’s products that they carry, could adversely affect the Company’s financial results;
- Acquisitions, other strategic alliances and investments could result in operating difficulties, dilution and other harmful consequences that may adversely impact the Company’s business and results of operations;
- Damage to the Company’s reputation or the reputation of its products or products it markets on behalf of third parties could have an adverse effect on its business;
- Certain of the Company’s products may be purchased for use in new or emerging industries or segments and/or be subject to varying, inconsistent, and rapidly changing laws, regulations, administrative practices, enforcement approaches, judicial interpretations and consumer perceptions;
- The Company’s operations may be impaired if its information technology systems fail to perform adequately or if it is the subject of a data breach or cyber-attack;
- The Company may not be able to adequately protect its intellectual property and other proprietary rights that are material to the Company’s business;
- In the event the Third Restated Marketing Agreement for consumer Roundup products terminates, or Monsanto’s consumer Roundup business materially declines the Company would lose a substantial source of future earnings and overhead expense absorption; and
- Hagedorn Partnership, L.P. beneficially owns approximately 25% of the Company’s common shares and can significantly influence decisions that require the approval of shareholders.
Additional detailed information concerning a number of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information contained in this release is readily available in the Company’s publicly filed quarterly, annual and other reports. The Company disclaims any obligation to update developments of these risk factors or to announce publicly any revision to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this release, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments.
For investor inquiries:
Aimee DeLuca
Sr. Vice President
Investor Relations
(937) 578-5621
For media inquiries:
Tom Matthews
Chief Communications Officer
Corporate Affairs
(937) 644-7044
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Footnotes | July 1, 2023 | July 2, 2022 | % Change | July 1, 2023 | July 2, 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,118.7 | $ | 1,186.1 | (6 | )% | $ | 3,176.8 | $ | 3,430.4 | (7 | )% | ||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 880.1 | 883.7 | 2,300.7 | 2,415.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales—impairment, restructuring and other | 32.7 | 65.8 | 161.8 | 71.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 205.9 | 236.6 | (13 | )% | 714.3 | 943.7 | (24 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
| % of sales | 18.4 | % | 19.9 | % | 22.5 | % | 27.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 128.5 | 135.8 | (5 | )% | 443.3 | 494.6 | (10 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
| Impairment, restructuring and other | 1.7 | 658.4 | 32.0 | 660.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (1.6 | ) | 4.9 | (2.7 | ) | (1.0 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | 77.3 | (562.5 | ) | 114 | % | 241.7 | (210.1 | ) | 215 | % | ||||||||||||||
| % of sales | 6.9 | % | (47.4)% | 7.6 | % | (6.1)% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates | (22.2 | ) | (15.1 | ) | (3.5 | ) | (1.3 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 47.1 | 31.0 | 138.1 | 83.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other non-operating (income) expense, net | 0.4 | (1.7 | ) | (0.2 | ) | (5.4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 52.0 | (576.7 | ) | 109 | % | 107.3 | (286.5 | ) | 137 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense (benefit) | 8.3 | (132.8 | ) | 19.0 | (69.0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 43.7 | $ | (443.9 | ) | 110 | % | $ | 88.3 | $ | (217.5 | ) | 141 | % | ||||||||||
| Basic net income (loss) per common share | (1) | $ | 0.78 | $ | (8.01 | ) | 110 | % | $ | 1.58 | $ | (3.91 | ) | 140 | % | |||||||||
| Diluted net income (loss) per common share | (2) | $ | 0.77 | $ | (8.01 | ) | 110 | % | $ | 1.57 | $ | (3.91 | ) | 140 | % | |||||||||
| Common shares used in basic net income (loss) per share calculation | 56.2 | 55.4 | 1 | % | 55.9 | 55.6 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Common shares and potential common shares used in diluted net income (loss) per share calculation | 56.6 | 55.4 | 2 | % | 56.3 | 55.6 | 1 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP results: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net income | (3) | $ | 66.0 | $ | 110.4 | (40 | )% | $ | 223.4 | $ | 343.3 | (35 | )% | |||||||||||
