American Vanguard Reports Q2 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

American Vanguard (NYSE: AVD) reported Q2 2024 financial results, showing a slight decline in net sales to $128.2 million from $132.8 million in Q2 2023. The company faced profitability challenges, with earnings per share dropping to $(0.42) from $(0.04) year-over-year. Despite adverse market conditions, AVD saw double-digit increases in domestic non-crop business and Green Solutions products sales.

To address liquidity concerns, AVD entered an amended credit facility on August 8, 2024, relaxing EBITDA-based covenants and increasing borrowing capacity. The company has also implemented cost-cutting measures, including a 4% workforce reduction and initiatives to manage inventory and expenses. AVD revised its full-year 2024 targets, lowering adjusted EBITDA expectations to $40-$50 million and projecting net sales to be down 2% to flat at $565-$580 million.

Positive

• Double-digit sales increase in domestic non-crop business and Green Solutions products
• Amended credit facility to enhance liquidity and improve borrowing capacity
• Implementation of cost-cutting measures including 4% workforce reduction
• Initiatives to maximize cash and manage inventory downward

Negative

• Q2 2024 net sales declined to $128.2 million from $132.8 million in Q2 2023
• Earnings per share dropped to $(0.42) from $(0.04) year-over-year
• Lowered full-year 2024 adjusted EBITDA target to $40-$50 million from previous $60-$70 million
• Revised net sales forecast to be down 2% to flat, compared to previous 6% to 9% growth estimate
• EPA issued emergency suspension of Dacthal product, preventing its sale, distribution, and use

Insights

Financial Analyst

American Vanguard's Q2 2024 results reveal significant challenges. Net sales decreased to $128.2 million from $132.8 million year-over-year, while adjusted EBITDA fell to $6.2 million from $10.7 million. The company reported a loss per share of $(0.42), compared to $(0.04) in Q2 2023. These figures, coupled with the lowered full-year guidance, indicate substantial financial pressure.

The new credit agreement, while providing short-term liquidity, comes with stricter conditions including higher interest rates and limitations on share repurchases, dividends and acquisitions. This suggests lenders perceive increased risk. The 4% workforce reduction and cost-cutting initiatives highlight the urgency of the situation. The search for a SIMPAS commercialization partner also signals a strategic shift to conserve capital.

Market Research Analyst

The agricultural market conditions appear challenging, impacting American Vanguard's performance. While domestic non-crop and Green Solutions products showed growth, overall sales declined. The EPA's emergency suspension of Dacthal, although anticipated, removes a product from the company's portfolio. This regulatory action, combined with the broader market headwinds, suggests a difficult operating environment for agrochemical companies.

The company's revised full-year targets - adjusted EBITDA of $40-$50 million and net sales down 2% to flat - indicate a pessimistic outlook for the remainder of 2024. The focus on inventory management and cash generation reflects a defensive strategy in response to market conditions. The planned business transformation, aiming for 15% adjusted EBITDA margins by 2026, will be important for long-term competitiveness.

Corporate Restructuring Specialist

American Vanguard's restructuring efforts are comprehensive but face significant challenges. The formation of an Office of the CEO and engagement of consultants like Kearney indicate a serious commitment to transformation. Key initiatives include workforce reduction, cost-cutting and operational efficiency improvements across procurement, manufacturing and commercial strategies.

The company's focus on liquidity enhancement through inventory management and cash cycle control is critical. However, the need for covenant relaxation in the credit agreement suggests financial strain. The pursuit of a partner for SIMPAS commercialization represents a pragmatic approach to capital allocation. The target of 15% adjusted EBITDA margins by 2026 is ambitious given current performance, requiring successful execution of multiple strategic initiatives. The ongoing CEO search adds an element of uncertainty to the transformation process.

Office of the CEO Kickstarts Liquidity and Transformation Initiatives

New Credit Agreement Bolsters Working Capital Needs

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Vanguard Corporation (NYSE: AVD) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights – versus Second Quarter 2023:

• Net sales of $128.2 million v. $132.8 million
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $6.2 million v. $10.7 million
• Earnings per share of $(0.42) v. $(0.04)

First Half of 2024 Financial Highlights – versus First Half of 2023:

• Net sales of $263.4 million v. $257.7 million
• Adjusted EBITDA of $21.7 million v. $22.2 million
• Earnings per diluted share of $(0.36) v. $0.03

“In the face of adverse market conditions, quarterly net sales were slightly below, and first half net sales were slightly above, those of the comparable periods last year. We did record double-digit increases in net sales of our domestic non-crop business and Green Solutions products, driven by strong demand in Central America. However, our profitability was reduced largely due to non-recurring charges, including severance compensation for the former CEO and other one-time costs including various expenses in support of our business transformation activity. That said, the company does not find these results to be acceptable and is focused on changing direction with urgency,” stated Timothy Donnelly, Acting CEO of American Vanguard.

Mr. Donnelly continued, “We have taken immediate steps to enhance liquidity and improve our cost structure. On August 8, 2024, the company entered into an amended credit facility with our senior lenders to relax our EBITDA-based covenant through Q3 of 2025, while significantly upsizing the amount of non-recurring charges that we can exclude from our adjusted EBITDA calculation. These measures will improve our borrowing capacity in light of trailing four-quarter performance. The amended agreement includes an increase in interest rates at the highest leverage ratios and adds a requirement for lender consent in connection with share repurchases, dividends and acquisitions. We thank the lender group for moving quickly and for their continued support.”

Mr. Donnelly continued, “In addition, after a detailed review, we have recently trimmed our workforce by about 4% and set in motion multiple initiatives to maximize cash while managing inventory downward, including selling out select non-strategic inventory positions to generate cash, building to demand and controlling the accounts receivable/accounts payable cycle. Further, we have redoubled our effort to reduce controllable expenses over the second half, including selling expenses, travel and entertainment and use of contractors.”

Mr. Donnelly added, “With respect to recent developments affecting our product, Dacthal, as reported widely by the press earlier in the week, the EPA has issued an emergency suspension of that product which prevents its sale, distribution and use. As you may recall, we had voluntarily suspended sales of Dacthal last April and submitted a mitigated label in an effort to meet the agency’s concerns. In light of our cessation of sales at that time, we removed Dacthal sales from our 2024 forecast assumptions. We are, of course, working in good faith with both EPA and our customers to ensure compliance with the suspension order and will have more to report on this in the near term.”

Mark Basset, board member on special assignment with the Company’s Office of the CEO, stated, “We’ve done a lot of hard work laying the foundation for a successful business transformation that touches every aspect of the company from a new organizational design, to new commercial strategies, to more cost effective operations. Now is the time to begin to implement those plans with sense of urgency and purpose.”

Dr. Basset continued, “Accordingly, in the interest of allocating capital prudently, we are seeking a partner within the precision application space to take over the broader commercialization and funding of SIMPAS. In addition, working with our consultant Kearney, we are pursuing multiple paths toward improving operating leverage, including material procurement, manufacturing efficiency, SKU rationalization, customer and pricing strategies and structural reorganization, which, we believe, will meaningfully improve our cost structure, in an effort to push our adjusted EBITDA margins to 15% on a fully-realized basis in 2026.”

Mr. Donnelly concluded, “In light of the current state of the market and forecasted demand, which we expect to be stable, we are lowering our full year 2024 targets to adjusted EBITDA of $40 - $50 million (compared to our previous estimate of $60 - $70 million) and net sales to be down 2%-to-flat (compared to our previous estimate of sales up 6% to 9%) or $565 million to $580 million. On a related note, we continue to make progress in our effort to hire a CEO. However, during the pendency of the search, the Office of the CEO has a mandate to improve liquidity and change the company for the better and to do so with a sense of urgency. Please join us on our earnings call for more details.”

Conference Call

Timothy Donnelly, Acting CEO, Mark Bassett, Board Member and David T. Johnson, VP & CFO, will conduct a conference call focusing on the financial results and strategic themes at 4:30 pm ET / 1:30 pm PT on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 201-493-6744. Please call in 10 minutes before the scheduled start time and ask for the American Vanguard call. The conference call will also be webcast live via the News and Media section of the Company’s web site at www.american-vanguard.com. To listen to the live webcast, go to the web site at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to listen live, the conference call will be archived on the Company’s web site.

About American Vanguard

American Vanguard Corporation is a diversified specialty and agricultural products company that develops and markets products for crop protection and management, turf and ornamentals management and public and animal health. Over the past 20 years, through product and business acquisitions, the Company has expanded its operations into 21 countries and now has over 1,000 product registrations in 56 nations worldwide. Its strategy rests on three growth initiatives – i) Core Business (through innovation of conventional products) and ii) Green Solutions (with over 120 biorational products – including fertilizers, microbials, nutritionals and non-conventional products). American Vanguard is included on the Russell 2000® and Russell 3000® Indexes. To learn more about American Vanguard, please reference the Company’s web site at www.american-vanguard.com.

The Company, from time to time, may discuss forward-looking information. Except for the historical information contained in this release, all forward-looking statements are estimates by the Company’s management and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may cause results to differ from management’s current expectations. Such factors include weather conditions, changes in regulatory policy and other risks as detailed from time-to-time in the Company’s SEC reports and filings. All forward-looking statements, if any, in this release represent the Company’s judgment as of the date of this release.

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
ASSETS		June 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
Current assets:
Cash		$	17,949			$	11,416
Receivables:
Trade, net of allowance for credit losses of $7,982 and $7,107, respectively			192,081				182,613
Other			6,287				8,356
Total receivables, net			198,368				190,969
Inventories			244,935				219,551
Prepaid expenses			9,146				6,261
Income taxes receivable			7,183				3,824
Total current assets			477,581				432,021
Property, plant and equipment, net			74,652				74,560
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net			22,635				22,417
Intangible assets, net of amortization			166,958				172,508
Goodwill			48,878				51,199
Deferred income tax assets			3,367				2,849
Other assets			13,384				11,994
Total assets		$	807,455			$	767,548
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	93,912			$	68,833
Customer prepayments			12,090				65,560
Accrued program costs			86,094				68,076
Accrued expenses and other payables			14,444				16,354
Operating lease liabilities, current			6,612				6,081
Income taxes payable			1,776				5,591
Total current liabilities			214,928				230,495
Long-term debt			211,254				138,900
Operating lease liabilities, long term			16,735				17,113
Deferred income tax liabilities			8,670				7,892
Other liabilities			2,643				3,138
Total liabilities			454,230				397,538
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.10 par value per share; authorized 400,000 shares; none issued			—				—
Common stock, $0.10 par value per share; authorized 40,000,000 shares; issued 34,655,429 shares at June 30, 2024 and 34,676,787 shares at December 31, 2023			3,465				3,467
Additional paid-in capital			113,165				110,810
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(13,256	)			(5,963	)
Retained earnings			321,052				332,897
Less treasury stock at cost, 5,915,182 shares at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023			(71,201	)			(71,201	)
Total stockholders’ equity			353,225				370,010
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	807,455			$	767,548

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
		For the Three Months Ended June 30,								For the Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net sales		$	128,209			$	132,790			$	263,352			$	257,674
Cost of sales			(90,446	)			(89,881	)			(183,171	)			(176,230	)
Gross profit			37,763				42,909				80,181				81,444
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative			(31,051	)			(29,742	)			(60,520	)			(56,140	)
Research, product development and regulatory			(8,599	)			(9,413	)			(14,305	)			(18,283	)
Transformation			(7,345	)			—				(8,497	)			—
Operating (loss) income			(9,232	)			3,754				(3,141	)			7,021
Change in fair value of equity investment			(125	)			(55	)			513				(77	)
Interest expense, net			(3,917	)			(3,211	)			(7,610	)			(4,898	)
(Loss) income before provision for income taxes			(13,274	)			488				(10,238	)			2,046
Income tax benefit (expense)			1,553				(1,541	)			69				(1,181	)
Net (loss) income		$	(11,721	)		$	(1,053	)		$	(10,169	)		$	865
Net (loss) income per common share—basic		$	(0.42	)		$	(0.04	)		$	(0.36	)		$	0.03
Net (loss) income per common share—assuming dilution		$	(0.42	)		$	(0.04	)		$	(0.36	)		$	0.03
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic			28,024				28,428				27,934				28,397
Weighted average shares outstanding—assuming dilution			28,024				28,428				27,934				28,985

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
ANALYSIS OF SALES
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
		For the three months ended June 30,
		2024				2023				Change				% Change
Net sales:
U.S. crop		$	52,289			$	56,212			$	(3,923	)			-7	%
U.S. non-crop			19,011				16,878				2,133				13	%
U.S. total			71,300				73,090				(1,790	)			-2	%
International			56,909				59,700				(2,791	)			-5	%
Total net sales		$	128,209			$	132,790			$	(4,581	)			-3	%
Total cost of sales		$	(90,446	)		$	(89,881	)		$	(565	)			1	%
Total gross profit		$	37,763			$	42,909			$	(5,146	)			-12	%
Gross margin			29	%			32	%
		For the six months ended June 30,
		2024				2023				Change				% Change
Net sales:
U.S. crop		$	119,542			$	118,105			$	1,437				1	%
U.S. non-crop			36,787				30,759				6,028				20	%
U.S. total			156,329				148,864				7,465				5	%
International			107,023				108,810				(1,787	)			-2	%
Total net sales		$	263,352			$	257,674			$	5,678				2	%
Total cost of sales		$	(183,171	)		$	(176,230	)		$	(6,941	)			4	%
Total gross profit		$	80,181			$	81,444			$	(1,263	)			-2	%
Gross margin			30	%			32	%

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
		For the Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income		$	(10,169	)		$	865
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment			4,365				4,322
Amortization of intangibles assets			6,539				6,707
Amortization of other long-term assets			194				1,117
Provision for bad debts			883				902
Stock-based compensation			2,752				2,541
Change in deferred income taxes			(276	)			(1,015	)
Changes in liabilities for uncertain tax positions or unrecognized tax benefits			71				419
Change in equity investment fair value			(513	)			77
Other			213				117
Foreign currency transaction gains			(127	)			(382	)
Changes in assets and liabilities associated with operations:
Decrease (increase) in net receivables			(11,962	)			6,092
Increase in inventories			(27,770	)			(50,900	)
Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets			(3,730	)			(1,749	)
Change in income tax receivable/payable, net			(7,129	)			(3,510	)
Increase (decrease) in net operating lease liability			(66	)			132
Increase in accounts payable			27,197				9,105
Decrease in customer prepayments			(53,468	)			(83,225	)
Increase in accrued program costs			18,209				19,607
Decrease in other payables and accrued expenses			(1,665	)			(7,824	)
Net cash used in operating activities			(56,452	)			(96,602	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures			(4,944	)			(6,498	)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment			75				44
Intangible assets			(1,529	)			(718	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(6,398	)			(7,172	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments under line of credit agreement			(64,005	)			(54,050	)
Borrowings under line of credit agreement			136,359				162,500
Net receipt from the issuance of common stock under ESPP			430				480
Net receipt from the exercise of stock options			—				32
Net payment for tax withholding on stock-based compensation awards			(829	)			(1,948	)
Repurchase of common stock			—				(7,226	)
Payment of cash dividends			(1,670	)			(1,702	)
Net cash provided by financing activities			70,285				98,086
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			7,435				(5,688	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(902	)			(8	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			11,416				20,328
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	17,949			$	14,632

AMERICAN VANGUARD CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
(Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net (loss) income		$	(11,721	)		$	(1,053	)		$	(10,169	)		$	865
Income tax (benefit) expense			(1,553	)			1,541				(69	)			1,181
Interest expense, net			3,917				3,211				7,610				4,898
Depreciation and amortization			5,463				5,889				11,093				12,146
Stock compensation			748				1,067				2,752				2,541
Transformation costs & legal reserves			9,310				—				10,462				—
Proxy contest activities			—				—				—				541
Adjusted EBITDA2		$	6,164			$	10,655			$	21,679			$	22,172

_____________________________

1 Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss) or any other financial measure so calculated and presented, nor as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. The items excluded from adjusted EBITDA are detailed in the reconciliation attached to this news release. Other companies (including the Company’s competitors) may define adjusted EBITDA differently.

2 Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss) or any other financial measure so calculated and presented, nor as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. The items excluded from adjusted EBITDA are detailed in the reconciliation attached to this news release. Other companies (including the Company’s competitors) may define adjusted EBITDA differently.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240808015676/en/

Company:

American Vanguard Corporation

Anthony Young, Director of Investor Relations

(949) 260-1200

anthonyy@amvac-chemical.com

Investor Representative:

The Equity Group Inc.

www.theequitygroup.com

Lena Cati

Lcati@equityny.com

Source: American Vanguard Corporation

FAQ

What were American Vanguard's (AVD) Q2 2024 financial results?

AVD reported Q2 2024 net sales of $128.2 million, down from $132.8 million in Q2 2023. Earnings per share decreased to $(0.42) from $(0.04) year-over-year.

How has American Vanguard (AVD) addressed its liquidity concerns?

AVD entered an amended credit facility on August 8, 2024, relaxing EBITDA-based covenants and increasing borrowing capacity. The company also implemented cost-cutting measures and initiatives to manage inventory and expenses.

What are American Vanguard's (AVD) revised financial targets for 2024?

AVD lowered its full-year 2024 adjusted EBITDA target to $40-$50 million and now projects net sales to be down 2% to flat at $565-$580 million.

How has the EPA's decision on Dacthal affected American Vanguard (AVD)?

The EPA issued an emergency suspension of AVD's Dacthal product, preventing its sale, distribution, and use. AVD had already voluntarily suspended Dacthal sales in April and removed it from their 2024 forecast assumptions.