BellRing Brands Reports Results for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2023; Raises Fiscal Year 2023 Outlook

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BellRing Brands, Inc. (:BRBR) (“BellRing”), a holding company operating in the global convenient nutrition category, today reported results for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Highlights:

• Third quarter net sales of $445.9 million
• Operating profit of $76.0 million; net earnings available to common stockholders of $44.3 million and Adjusted EBITDA* of $86.9 million
• Generated $110.4 million in cash from operations
• Raised fiscal year 2023 net sales guidance to $1.63-$1.67 billion and Adjusted EBITDA* guidance to $330-$338 million

*Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. For additional information regarding non-GAAP measures, see the related explanations presented under “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” later in this release. BellRing provides Adjusted EBITDA guidance only on a non-GAAP basis and does not provide a reconciliation of its forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA non-GAAP guidance measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation, including the adjustments described under “Outlook” later in this release.

“Our business momentum continued this quarter, with our results coming in modestly ahead of our expectations. Premier Protein saw consumption growth accelerate this quarter on the reintroduction of our shake flavors, and Dymatize’s consumption remained strong on distribution gains. Both brands gained market share and new households, benefiting from increased brand investment and continued category tailwinds,” said Darcy H. Davenport, President and Chief Executive Officer of BellRing. “Our shake capacity expansion is on track. One new greenfield co-manufacturing facility came online in the quarter and started up smoothly. Our third quarter performance and visibility to the fourth quarter give us confidence in our ability to finish the year in a strong position.”

Dollar consumption of Premier Protein ready-to-drink (“RTD”) shakes and Dymatize powder products increased 26.8% and 38.6%, respectively, in the 13-week period ended July 2, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 (inclusive of United States (“U.S.”) IRI Multi Outlet including Convenience and management estimates of untracked channels).

Third Quarter Operating Results

Net sales were $445.9 million, an increase of 20.3%, or $75.3 million, compared to the prior year period, driven by 11.0% improvement in price/mix and 9.3% increase in volume.

Premier Protein net sales increased 19.9%, driven by 10.2% improvement in price/mix and 9.7% increase in volume. Premier Protein RTD shake net sales increased 19.1%, driven by 10.0% increase in volume and 9.1% improvement in price/mix. Higher RTD shake production, along with the reintroduction of certain shake flavors and RTD category growth drove volume growth. Additionally, net sales benefited from higher average net selling prices driven by price increases to offset significant cost inflation.

Dymatize net sales increased 32.3%, driven by 46.4% increase in volume, which was partially offset by 14.1% decrease in price/mix. Net sales benefited from volume growth driven by (i) distribution gains and organic growth and (ii) lapping prior year period temporary price elasticities. Volume growth was partially offset by lower average net selling prices driven by increased promotional spending and unfavorable product mix shift when compared to the prior year period.

Gross profit was $136.0 million, or 30.5% of net sales, an increase of 13.1%, or $15.8 million, compared to $120.2 million, or 32.4% of net sales, in the prior year period. Gross profit included unfavorable mark-to-market adjustments on commodity hedges of $1.9 million and $0.7 million in the third quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, which were treated as adjustments for non-GAAP measures. The lower gross profit margin was driven by input cost inflation and higher promotional activity, which was only partially offset by pricing actions and favorable freight rates.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were $55.1 million, or 12.4% of net sales, an increase of $7.3 million compared to $47.8 million, or 12.9% of net sales, in the prior year period. SG&A expenses in the third quarter of 2022 included $0.9 million of costs incurred in connection with BellRing’s separation from Post Holdings, Inc. (“Post”), which were treated as adjustments for non-GAAP measures. SG&A expenses in the third quarter of 2023 included higher marketing and consumer advertising expenses of $6.7 million and higher distribution and warehousing expenses on higher volumes.

Operating profit was $76.0 million, an increase of 12.6%, or $8.5 million, compared to $67.5 million in the prior year period.

Net earnings available to common stockholders were $44.3 million, an increase of 13.3%, or $5.2 million, compared to $39.1 million in the prior year period. Net earnings per diluted share of common stock were $0.33, compared to $0.29 in the prior year period. Adjusted net earnings available to common stockholders* were $45.7 million, or $0.34 per diluted share of common stock*, compared to $42.5 million, or $0.31 per diluted share of common stock*, in the prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA* was $86.9 million, an increase of 7.5%, or $6.1 million, compared to $80.8 million in the prior year period.

*Adjusted net earnings available to common stockholders, Adjusted diluted earnings per share of common stock and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. For additional information regarding non-GAAP measures, see the related explanations presented under “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” later in this release.

Nine Month Operating Results

Net sales were $1,194.2 million, an increase of 20.3%, or $201.9 million, compared to the prior year period, driven by 14.6% improvement in price/mix and 5.7% increase in volume. Premier Protein net sales increased 22.8%, driven by 15.8% improvement in price/mix and 7.0% increase in volume. Dymatize net sales increased 15.4%, driven by 9.9% improvement in price/mix and 5.5% increase in volume.

Gross profit was $374.9 million, or 31.4% of net sales, an increase of 25.2%, or $75.4 million, compared to $299.5 million, or 30.2% of net sales, in the prior year period. The higher gross profit margin was driven by pricing actions that offset significant cost inflation, lapping logistics inefficiencies in the prior year period and favorable freight rates.

SG&A expenses were $151.1 million, or 12.7% of net sales, an increase of $17.6 million compared to $133.5 million, or 13.5% of net sales, in the prior year period. SG&A expenses included $0.7 million and $13.2 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, of costs incurred in connection with BellRing’s separation from Post, which were treated as adjustments for non-GAAP measures. SG&A expenses in the nine months ended June 30, 2023 included higher marketing and consumer advertising expenses of $15.1 million.

Net earnings available to common stockholders were $119.4 million, an increase of 145.7%, or $70.8 million, compared to $48.6 million in the prior year period. Net earnings available to common stockholders in the prior year period included loss on extinguishment of debt, net of $17.6 million, which is discussed later in this release and was treated as an adjustment for non-GAAP measures, and excluded $33.7 million of net earnings attributable to the Company’s redeemable noncontrolling interest (the “NCI”). Net earnings per diluted share of common stock were $0.89, compared to $0.61 in the prior year period. Adjusted net earnings available to common stockholders* were $122.6 million, or $0.91 per diluted share of common stock*, compared to $67.0 million, or $0.84 per diluted share of common stock*, in the prior year period. Diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding were 134.5 million, compared to 79.7 million in the prior year period, with the increase driven by the Spin-off (see definition below).

Adjusted EBITDA* was $239.8 million, an increase of 25.2%, or $48.3 million, compared to $191.5 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA in the prior year period included an adjustment for the portion of BellRing Brands, LLC’s (“BellRing LLC”) consolidated net earnings which was allocated to the NCI in the period prior to Post’s distribution to its shareholders of 80.1% of Post’s interest in BellRing (the “Distribution” and, together with the transactions related thereto, the “Spin-off”), resulting in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA including 100% of BellRing.

*Adjusted net earnings available to common stockholders, Adjusted diluted earnings per share of common stock and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. For additional information regarding non-GAAP measures, see the related explanations presented under “Use of Non-GAAP Measures” later in this release.

Interest, Loss on Extinguishment of Debt and Income Tax

Interest expense, net was $17.3 million and $15.9 million in the third quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, with the increase primarily driven by an increase in the weighted-average interest rate. Interest expense, net was $50.8 million and $32.8 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, with the increase driven by an increase in the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding, primarily resulting from the effect of the Spin-off transaction, and the weighted-average interest rate.

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of $17.6 million was recorded in the nine months ended June 30, 2022 in connection with BellRing LLC’s repayment of the entire principal amount of its term loan and termination of its prior credit agreement.

Income tax expense was $14.4 million in the third quarter of 2023, an effective income tax rate of 24.5%, compared to $12.5 million in the third quarter of 2022, an effective income tax rate of 24.2%. Income tax expense was $39.0 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2023, an effective income tax rate of 24.6%, compared to $18.6 million in the nine months ended June 30, 2022, an effective income tax rate of 18.4%. The increase in the effective income tax rate in the nine months ended June 30, 2023 when compared to the prior year period was driven by the inclusion of 100% of the income, gain, loss and deduction of BellRing LLC in the periods subsequent to the Spin-off, partially offset by lapping in the prior year period certain separation-related expenses incurred in connection with the Spin-off that were treated as non-deductible.

Share Repurchases

During the third quarter of 2023, BellRing repurchased 1.3 million shares for $49.0 million at an average price of $36.13 per share. During the nine months ended June 30, 2023, BellRing repurchased 4.0 million shares for $117.5 million at an average price of $29.08 per share. As of June 30, 2023, BellRing had $31.0 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.

Basis of Presentation

On March 10, 2022, Post’s distribution to its shareholders of 80.1% of its interest in BellRing was completed. From October 21, 2019 through March 10, 2022, BellRing allocated a portion of the consolidated net earnings of BellRing LLC to the NCI, reflecting the entitlement of Post to a portion of the consolidated net earnings. Subsequent to the Spin-off, any remaining ownership of BellRing by Post did not represent a NCI to BellRing LLC. On November 25, 2022, Post transferred its remaining ownership in BellRing to certain financial institutions and, as a result, no longer had ownership of any shares of BellRing’s common stock.

Outlook

For fiscal year 2023, BellRing management has raised its guidance range for net sales to $1.63-$1.67 billion from $1.61-$1.66 billion and Adjusted EBITDA to $330-$338 million from $320-$335 million (resulting in net sales and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 19%-22% and 22%-25%, respectively, over fiscal year 2022). BellRing management expects fiscal year 2023 capital expenditures of approximately $3 million.

BellRing provides Adjusted EBITDA guidance only on a non-GAAP basis and does not provide a reconciliation of its forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA non-GAAP guidance measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation, including adjustments that could be made for mark-to-market adjustments on commodity hedges and other charges reflected in BellRing’s reconciliation of historical numbers, the amounts of which, based on historical experience, could be significant. For additional information regarding BellRing’s non-GAAP measures, see the related explanations presented under “Use of Non-GAAP Measures.”

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

BellRing uses certain non-GAAP measures in this release to supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP measures include Adjusted net earnings available to common stockholders, Adjusted diluted earnings per share of common stock and Adjusted EBITDA. The reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is provided later in this release under “Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”

Management uses certain of these non-GAAP measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, as key metrics in the evaluation of underlying company performance, in making financial, operating and planning decisions and, in part, in the determination of bonuses for its executive officers and employees. Additionally, BellRing is required to comply with certain covenants and limitations that are based on variations of EBITDA in its financing documents. Management believes the use of these non-GAAP measures provides increased transparency and assists investors in understanding the underlying operating performance of BellRing and in the analysis of ongoing operating trends. Non-GAAP measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, as they exclude certain items as described later in this release. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. For additional information regarding BellRing’s non-GAAP measures, see the related explanations provided under “Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” later in this release.

Conference Call to Discuss Earnings Results and Outlook

BellRing will host a conference call on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. EDT to discuss financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2023 outlook and to respond to questions. Darcy H. Davenport, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Paul A. Rode, Chief Financial Officer, will participate in the call.

Interested parties may join the conference call by registering in advance at the following link: BellRing Q3 2023 Earnings Conference Call. Upon registration, participants will receive a dial-in number and a unique passcode to access the conference call. Interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast of the conference call, which can be accessed by visiting the Investor Relations section of BellRing’s website at www.bellring.com. A slide presentation containing supplemental material will also be available at the same location on BellRing’s website. A webcast replay also will be available for a limited period on BellRing’s website in the Investor Relations section.

Prospective Financial Information

Prospective financial information is necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions underlying the prospective financial information described above will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results. For further discussion of some of the factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from the information provided above, see “Forward-Looking Statements” below. Accordingly, the prospective financial information provided above is only an estimate of what BellRing’s management believes is realizable as of the date of this release. It also should be recognized that the reliability of any forecasted financial data diminishes the farther in the future that the data is forecasted. In light of the foregoing, the information should be viewed in context and undue reliance should not be placed upon it.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this release and on BellRing’s conference call are forward-looking statements, including BellRing’s net sales and Adjusted EBITDA and capital expenditures outlook for fiscal year 2023. These forward-looking statements are sometimes identified from the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “intend,” “plan,” “forecast,” “target,” “is likely,” “will,” “can,” “may” or “would” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions, and include all statements regarding future performance, earnings projections, events or developments. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• BellRing’s dependence on sales from its RTD protein shakes;
• BellRing’s ability to continue to compete in its product categories and its ability to retain its market position and favorable perceptions of its brands;
• disruptions or inefficiencies in BellRing’s supply chain, including as a result of BellRing’s reliance on third party suppliers or manufacturers for the manufacturing of many of its products, pandemics and other outbreaks of contagious diseases, labor shortages, fires and evacuations related thereto, changes in weather conditions, natural disasters, agricultural diseases and pests and other events beyond BellRing’s control;
• BellRing’s dependence on a limited number of third party contract manufacturers for the manufacturing of most of its products, including one manufacturer for the majority of its RTD protein shakes;
• the ability of BellRing’s third party contract manufacturers to produce an amount of BellRing’s products that enables BellRing to meet customer and consumer demand for the products;
• BellRing’s reliance on a limited number of third party suppliers to provide certain ingredients and packaging;
• significant volatility in the cost or availability of inputs to BellRing’s business (including freight, raw materials, packaging, energy, labor and other supplies);
• BellRing’s ability to anticipate and respond to changes in consumer and customer preferences and behaviors and introduce new products;
• consolidation in BellRing’s distribution channels;
• BellRing’s ability to expand existing market penetration and enter into new markets;
• the loss of, a significant reduction of purchases by or the bankruptcy of a major customer;
• legal and regulatory factors, such as compliance with existing laws and regulations, as well as new laws and regulations and changes to existing laws and regulations and interpretations thereof, affecting BellRing’s business, including current and future laws and regulations regarding food safety, advertising, labeling, tax matters and environmental matters;
• fluctuations in BellRing’s business due to changes in its promotional activities and seasonality;
• BellRing’s ability to maintain the net selling prices of its products and manage promotional activities with respect to its products;
• BellRing’s leverage, its ability to obtain additional financing (including both secured and unsecured debt) and its ability to service its outstanding debt (including covenants that restrict the operation of its business);
• the accuracy of BellRing’s market data and attributes and related information;
• changes in estimates in critical accounting judgments;
• uncertain or unfavorable economic conditions that limit customer and consumer demand for BellRing’s products or increase its costs;
• risks related to BellRing’s ongoing relationship with Post following BellRing’s separation from Post and the Spin-off, including BellRing’s obligations under various agreements with Post;
• conflicting interests or the appearance of conflicting interests resulting from certain of BellRing’s directors also serving as officers or directors of Post;
• risks related to the Spin-off, including BellRing’s inability to take certain actions because such actions could jeopardize the tax-free status of the Distribution and BellRing’s possible responsibility for U.S. federal tax liabilities related to the Distribution;
• the ultimate impact litigation or other regulatory matters may have on BellRing;
• risks associated with BellRing’s international business;
• BellRing’s ability to protect its intellectual property and other assets and to continue to use third party intellectual property subject to intellectual property licenses;
• costs, business disruptions and reputational damage associated with information technology failures, cybersecurity incidents and/or information security breaches;
• impairment in the carrying value of goodwill or other intangibles;
• BellRing’s ability to identify, complete and integrate or otherwise effectively execute acquisitions or other strategic transactions and effectively manage its growth;
• BellRing’s ability to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;
• significant differences in BellRing’s actual operating results from any guidance BellRing may give regarding its performance;
• BellRing’s ability to hire and retain talented personnel, employee absenteeism, labor strikes, work stoppages or unionization efforts; and
• other risks and uncertainties described in BellRing’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
  

These forward-looking statements represent BellRing’s judgment as of the date of this release. BellRing disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

About BellRing Brands, Inc.

BellRing Brands, Inc. is a rapidly growing leader in the global convenient nutrition category offering ready-to-drink shake and powder protein products. Its primary brands, Premier Protein^® and Dymatize^®, appeal to a broad range of consumers and are distributed across a diverse network of channels including club, food, drug, mass, eCommerce, specialty and convenience. BellRing’s commitment to consumers is to strive to make highly effective products that deliver best-in-class nutritionals and superior taste. For more information, visit www.bellring.com.

Contact:
Investor Relations
Jennifer Meyer
[email protected]
(415) 814-9388

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
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