Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation Reports Record First Quarter Fiscal 2013 Financial Results

September 6, 2012

- Record Fiscal First Quarter 2013 Net Sales from Continuing Operations of $136.0 Million, Up 48.3% Year-Over-Year
- Record Fiscal First Quarter 2013 Income from Continuing Operations of $18.9 Million or $0.28 per diluted share
- Record Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDAS of $36.1 Million
- Company Raising Full Year Fiscal 2013 Financial Guidance

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, today announced record financial results for the fiscal 2013 first quarter ended July 31, 2012.

First Quarter Fiscal 2013 Financial Highlights

Net sales from continuing operations for the first quarter were a record $136.0 million, up 48.3% from the first quarter last year. The increase was led by strong sales of the M&P™ product platform.
Gross profit for the first quarter was $51.3 million, or 37.7% of net sales, compared with gross profit of $26.5 million, or 28.9% of net sales, for the comparable quarter last year. Increased sales volume of polymer firearms positively impacted gross profit margin, resulting in an improvement in manufacturing absorption.
Operating expense for the first quarter declined to $20.0 million, or 14.7% of net sales, compared with operating expense of $21.0 million, or 22.9% of net sales, for the first quarter last year. Increased profit sharing and incentive compensation expense was more than offset by a temporary reduction in selling and marketing expenses.
Net income from continuing operations for the first quarter was a record $18.9 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, compared with net income from continuing operations of $2.3 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the first quarter last year.
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDAS from continuing operations for the first quarter increased to a record $36.1 million compared with $12.2 million for the first quarter last year.
At July 31, 2012, firearm backlog was $392.4 million, an increase of $243.6 million, or 163.7%, compared with the end of the first quarter last year, and a decrease of $46.6 million, or 10.6%, from the most recent sequential quarter.
Operating cash flow of $9.3 million and net capital spending of $6.3 million for the first quarter resulted in free cash flow of $3.0 million from continuing operations. In addition, during the quarter the company received an initial payment of $5.5 million in cash relating to the sale of the company's discontinued operations. Cash at the end of the first quarter was $60.5 million.

James Debney, Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "In the first quarter, we continued to deliver on our commitment to grow our company and improve profitability by focusing on our core firearm business. Our results demonstrate that commitment, evidenced by record achievements in first quarter sales, net income, and earnings per share. Internal capacity increases, enhanced supply chain integration capabilities, and strong execution by our operations team allowed us to exceed our revenue and earnings guidance by capturing incremental sales. Strong sales growth was fueled by orders for our most popular products. Our newest M&P pistol, the Shield™, continues to be highly favored and sought after by consumers."

Jeffrey D. Buchanan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, stated, "Our strong fiscal first quarter financial performance reflects successful execution of our strategic plan. Based on our stronger than anticipated first quarter, current consumer orders for our products, and our ability to pull forward certain capacity expansions, we are increasing our full year fiscal 2013 financial guidance. Also of note, in keeping with our focus on our core firearm business, during the quarter we successfully sold the assets of our discontinued operations for just under $10.0 million, including proceeds from a two-year licensing agreement."

Financial Outlook for Continuing Operations

The company expects net sales from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 to be between $130.0 million and $135.0 million, which would represent year-over-year growth from continuing operations in excess of 40.0%. The typical seasonal reduction in second quarter net sales is expected to be less pronounced than in prior years, reflecting the net result of fewer production days partially offset by increases in manufacturing capacity. The company anticipates GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of between $0.19 and $0.21 for the second quarter of fiscal 2013.

Based on the strength of the company's fiscal 2013 first quarter financial performance and current outlook for the year, the company is raising its full year fiscal 2013 financial guidance. The company now anticipates net sales from continuing operations for fiscal 2013 of between $530.0 million and $540.0 million, which would represent year-over-year growth from continuing operations of approximately 30.0%. The company anticipates fiscal 2013 GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations of between $0.85 and $0.90.

Conference Call and Webcast

The company will host a conference call and webcast today, September 6, 2012, to discuss its first quarter fiscal 2013 financial and operational results. Speakers on the conference call will include James Debney, President and CEO, and Jeffrey D. Buchanan, Executive Vice President and CFO. The conference call may include forward-looking statements. The conference call and webcast will begin at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time). Those interested in listening to the call via telephone may call directly at 857-350-1604 and reference conference code 97414745. No RSVP is necessary. The conference call audio webcast can also be accessed live and for replay on the company's website at www.smith-wesson.com, under the Investor Relations section. The company will maintain an audio replay of this conference call on its website for a period of time after the call. No other audio replay will be available.

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDAS

In this press release, a non-GAAP financial measure known as "Adjusted EBITDAS" is presented. From time-to-time, the company considers and uses Adjusted EBITDAS as a supplemental measure of operating performance in order to provide the reader with an improved understanding of underlying performance trends. Adjusted EBITDAS excludes the effects of interest expense, income taxes, depreciation of tangible fixed assets, amortization of intangible assets, stock-based employee compensation expense, loss on the sale of discontinued operations, DOJ and SEC investigation costs, and certain other transactions. See the attached "Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDAS" for a detailed explanation of the amounts excluded from and included in net income to arrive at Adjusted EBITDAS for the three-month periods ended July 31, 2012 and July 31, 2011. Adjusted or non-GAAP financial measures provide investors and the company with supplemental measures of operating performance and trends that facilitate comparisons between periods before, during, and after certain items that would not otherwise be apparent on a GAAP basis. Adjusted financial measures are not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for GAAP results. The company's definition of these adjusted financial measures may differ from similarly named measures used by others.

About Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC) is a U.S.-based leader in firearm manufacturing and design, delivering a broad portfolio of quality firearms, related products, and training to the global military, law enforcement, and consumer markets. The company's brands include Smith & Wesson®, M&P™ and Thompson/Center Arms. Smith & Wesson facilities are located in Massachusetts and Maine. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements contained in this press release may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under federal securities laws, and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor created thereby. Such forward-looking statements include raising our full year fiscal 2013 financial guidance; our assessment that the Shield continues to be highly favored and sought after by consumers; our outlook for net sales from continuing operations, year-over-year growth from continuing operations, and GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 and the full 2013 fiscal year; and our belief that the typical seasonal reduction in second quarter net sales will be less pronounced than in prior years. We caution that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include the demand for our products; the costs and ultimate conclusion of certain legal matters, including the DOJ and SEC matters; the state of the U.S. economy; general economic conditions, and consumer spending patterns; the potential for increased gun control; speculation surrounding fears of terrorism and crime; our growth opportunities; our anticipated growth; our ability to increase demand for our products in various markets, including consumer, law enforcement, and military channels, domestically and internationally; the position of our hunting products in the consumer discretionary marketplace and distribution channel; our penetration rates in new and existing markets; our strategies; our ability to introduce new products; the success of new products; our ability to expand our markets; the potential for cancellation of orders from our backlog; the effects of the divestiture of our security solutions business on our core firearm business; and other risks detailed from time to time in our reports filed with the SEC, including our Form 10-K Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2012.

Contacts:
Liz Sharp, VP Investor Relations
Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.
(413) 747-3304
lsharp@smith-wesson.com

SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

		For the Three Months Ended,
		July 31, 2012		July 31, 2011
		(In thousands, except per share data)

Net sales		$	135,995	$	91,730
Cost of sales			84,702		65,213
Gross profit			51,293		26,517
Operating expenses:
	Research and development		1,143		1,338
	Selling and marketing		6,828		8,125
	General and administrative		12,026		11,520
	Total operating expenses		19,997		20,983
Operating income from continuing operations			31,296		5,534
Other income/(expense):
	Other income/(expense), net		-		34
	Interest income		368		403
	Interest expense		(1,987)		(1,941)
	Total other income/(expense), net		(1,619)		(1,504)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes			29,677		4,030
Income tax expense			10,807		1,753
	Income from continuing operations		18,870		2,277
Discontinued operations:
	Loss from operations of discontinued security solutions division		(1,682)		(2,702)
	Income tax benefit		(599)		(1,216)
	Loss from discontinued operations		(1,083)		(1,486)
Net income/comprehensive income		$	17,787	$	791


Net income per share:
	Basic - continuing operations	$	0.29	$	0.04

	Basic - net income	$	0.27	$	0.01

	Diluted - continuing operations	$	0.28	$	0.04

	Diluted - net income	$	0.27	$	0.01

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

	Basic		65,352		64,529

	Diluted		66,798		64,942

SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
As of:

				July 31, 2012		April 30, 2012
				(In thousands, except par value and share data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
		Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash of $3,336 on July 31, 2012 and $3,334 on April 30, 2012		$	60,543	$	56,717
		Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,174 on July 31, 2012 and $1,058 on April 30, 2012			53,289		48,313
		Inventories			62,827		55,296
		Other current assets			9,410		4,139
		Assets held for sale			1,047		13,490
		Deferred income taxes			12,759		12,759
			Total current assets		199,875		190,714
Property, plant and equipment, net					63,190		60,528
Intangibles, net					4,374		4,532
Other assets					5,496		5,900
				$	272,935	$	261,674


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
		Accounts payable		$	25,322	$	28,618
		Accrued expenses			17,865		20,685
		Accrued payroll			8,007		9,002
		Accrued income taxes			8,148		291
		Accrued taxes other than income			4,002		4,270
		Accrued profit sharing			10,215		8,040
		Accrued product/municipal liability			1,429		1,397
		Accrued warranty			5,218		5,349
		Liabilities held for sale			—		5,693
		Current portion of notes payable			1,271		—
			Total current liabilities		81,477		83,345
Deferred income taxes					4,537		4,537
Notes payable, net of current portion					43,556		50,000
Other non-current liabilities					11,221		10,948
			Total liabilities		140,791		148,830
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
	Preferred stock, $.001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding				—		—
	Common stock, $.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 66,608,175 shares issued and 65,408,175 shares outstanding on July 31, 2012 and 66,512,097 shares issued and 65,312,097 shares outstanding on April 30, 2012				67		67
	Additional paid-in capital				190,892		189,379
	Accumulated deficit				(52,492)		(70,279)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income				73		73
	Treasury stock, at cost (1,200,000 common shares)				(6,396)		(6,396)
			Total stockholders' equity		132,144		112,844
				$	272,935	$	261,674

SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
				For the Three Months Ended
				July 31, 2012		July 31, 2011
				(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income			$	17,787	$	791
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
		Amortization and depreciation			3,985		3,629
		Loss on sale of discontinued operations, including $45 of stock-based compensation expense			798		—
		(Gain)/loss on sale of assets			(14)		199
		Provision for/(recoveries of) losses on accounts receivable			75		(360)
		Change in disposal group assets and liabilities			(1,112)		(29)
		Stock-based compensation expense			853		587
		Excess book deduction of stock-based compensation			—		(249)
		Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
		Accounts receivable			(5,051)		(5,991)
		Inventories			(7,531)		(5,887)
		Other current assets			(2,447)		(1,235)
		Income tax receivable/payable			7,857		387
		Accounts payable			(3,296)		(6,335)
		Accrued payroll			(1,600)		1,195
		Accrued taxes other than income			(268)		(1,056)
		Accrued profit sharing			2,175		1,244
		Accrued other expenses			(3,430)		(2,493)
		Accrued product/municipal liability			32		(174)
		Accrued warranty			(131)		52
		Other assets			174		(23)
		Other non-current liabilities			423		192
			Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities		9,279		(15,556)
Cash flows from investing activities:
	Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations				5,500		—
	Receipts from note receivable				18		—
	Payments to acquire patents and software				—		(4)
	Proceeds from sale of property and equipment				14		1
	Payments to acquire property and equipment				(6,278)		(4,730)
			Net cash used in investing activities		(746)		(4,733)
Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from loans and notes payable				1,753		1,532
	Cash paid for debt issue costs				—		(1,837)
	Proceeds from energy efficiency incentive programs				—		225
	Payments on capital lease obligation				(150)		—
	Payments on loans and notes payable				(6,925)		(421)
	Proceeds from exercise of options to acquire common stock				527		180
	Excess tax benefit of stock-based compensation				88		—
			Net cash used in financing activities		(4,707)		(321)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents					3,826		(20,610)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period					56,717		58,292
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period				$	60,543	$	37,682
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
	Cash paid for:
		Interest		$	2,974	$	4,109
		Income taxes			2,397		398

SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET INCOME TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDAS (Unaudited)

		For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2012:							For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2011:

		GAAP		Adjustments			Adjusted		GAAP		Adjustments			Adjusted
Net sales		$	135,995	$	—		$	135,995	$	91,730	$	—		$	91,730
Cost of sales			84,702		(3,369)	(1)		81,333		65,213		(3,971)	(9)		61,242
Gross profit			51,293		3,369			54,662		26,517		3,971			30,488

Operating expenses:
	Research and development		1,143		(28)	(1)		1,115		1,338		(59)	(9)		1,279
	Selling and marketing		6,828		(62)	(1)		6,766		8,125		(84)	(9)		8,041
	General and administrative		12,026		(1,339)	(2)		10,687		11,520		(2,477)	(3)		9,043
	Total operating expenses		19,997		(1,429)			18,568		20,983		(2,620)			18,363
Operating income from continuing operations			31,296		4,798			36,094		5,534		6,591			12,125

Other income/(expense):
	Other income/(expense), net		—		—			—		34		—			34
	Interest income		368		(317)	(6)		51		403		(320)	(6)		83
	Interest expense		(1,987)		1,987	(4)		—		(1,941)		1,941	(4)		—
	Total other income/(expense), net		(1,619)		1,670			51		(1,504)		1,621			117

Income from continuing operations before income taxes			29,677		6,468			36,145		4,030		8,212			12,242
Income tax expense			10,807		(10,807)	(5)		—		1,753		(1,753)	(5)		—
Income from continuing operations			18,870		17,275			36,145		2,277		9,965			12,242
Discontinued operations:
	Loss from operations of discontinued security solutions division		(1,682)		1,161	(7)		(521)		(2,702)		723	(8)		(1,979)
	Income tax benefit		(599)		599	(5)		—		(1,216)		1,216	(5)		—
	Loss on discontinued operations		(1,083)		562			(521)		(1,486)		(493)			(1,979)
Net income/comprehensive income		$	17,787	$	17,837		$	35,624	$	791	$	9,472		$	10,263

(1)	To exclude depreciation and amortization.
(2)	To exclude depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense, and DOJ/SEC costs and related profit sharing impacts of DOJ/SEC.
(3)	To exclude depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense, plant consolidation costs, and DOJ/SEC costs and related profit sharing impacts of DOJ/SEC.
(4)	To exclude interest expense.
(5)	To exclude income tax expense.
(6)	To exclude intercompany interest income.
(7)	To exclude loss on sale of discontinued operations, interest expense, and stock-based compensation expense.
(8)	To exclude depreciation, amortization, interest expense, and stock-based compensation expense.
(9)	To exclude depreciation, amortization, and plant consolidation costs.

SOURCE Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation