Bassett Reports Fiscal Second Quarter Results and Launches Restructuring Plan
Bassett Furniture Industries (Nasdaq: BSET) reported Q2 fiscal results ending June 1, 2024, reflecting a 17% revenue decrease year-over-year but a 3.8% increase from Q1 2024.
The company faced an operating loss of $8.5 million, including $5.5 million in asset impairment charges and $2.7 million in additional inventory valuation charges. Gross margin stood at 52.5%, but adjusted to 55.7% excluding inventory charges. Loss per share was $0.82 compared to $0.24 earnings per share in the previous year, while generating $5.8 million in operating cash flow.
The company announced a comprehensive restructuring plan aiming to improve long-term profitability, including consolidating US wood manufacturing, optimizing inventory, and closing the Noa Home e-commerce business. This plan is expected to improve the bottom line by $5.5-$6.5 million annually. Additionally, the board has approved an 11% increase in the quarterly dividend.
A conference call to discuss these results will take place on July 11, 2024.
- Quarterly revenues increased 3.8% from Q1 2024.
- Generated $5.8 million in operating cash flow.
- Gross margin adjusted to 55.7%, excluding inventory valuation charges.
- Restructuring plan is expected to improve profitability by $5.5-$6.5 million annually.
- Board approved an 11% increase in quarterly dividend.
- Year-over-year revenue decreased by 17%.
- Operating loss of $8.5 million, including $5.5 million in asset impairment charges.
- Loss per share was $0.82 compared to $0.24 EPS the previous year.
Insights
With revenues decreasing by 17% year-on-year, Bassett Furniture Industries' Q2 results indicate significant headwinds. This sharp decline in sales, paired with an operating loss of $8.5 million, underscores the challenging fiscal climate for the company. Despite this, the company managed to generate
The announced restructuring plan seems tailored to improve both top-line and bottom-line performance. The focus on enhancing omni-channel capabilities and closing unproductive lines could streamline operations and drive efficiency. However, the success of these initiatives hinges on effective execution and market response.
In the short-term, investors should brace for continued volatility given the still evolving business climate and consumer spending patterns. Over the long term, if the restructuring plan achieves its objectives, Bassett could emerge stronger and leaner, potentially leading to improved profitability and shareholder value.
Bassett's strategic move to close Noa Home e-commerce reflects a critical evaluation of its business segments. This could be a judicious decision considering the competitive landscape of e-commerce where specialized platforms often dominate. By concentrating resources on core operations and retail refurbishments, Bassett might leverage its brand strength more effectively.
The furniture industry is currently grappling with slow housing markets and shifting consumer preferences towards experiences over tangible home investments. This trend has undeniably influenced Bassett's revenue dip and the company's pivot towards customization and branded retail could address these evolving consumer preferences.
The company's anticipation of improving its bottom line by
BASSETT, Va., July 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: BSET) reported today its results of operations for its second quarter ended June 1, 2024. The Company also announced a restructuring plan designed to improve long-term operational and financial performance.
Q2 Consolidated Business Highlights: [FY 24 vs. FY 23, unless otherwise specified]
- Revenues decreased
17% . - When comparing to the first quarter of 2024, revenues increased
3.8% , normalizing the first quarter for the extra week due to our fiscal calendar. - Operating loss of
$8.5 million which included asset impairment charges of$5.5 million and additional inventory valuation charges of$2.7 million . - Gross margin of
52.5% , which included the increased inventory valuation charges noted above. Excluding the inventory valuation charges, gross profit margin would have been55.7% (see Table 5). - Loss per share of
$0.82 vs. diluted earnings per share$0.24 . - Generated
$5.8 million of operating cash flow for the quarter.
Fiscal 2024 Second Quarter Overview
(Dollars in millions)
Sales | Operating Income (Loss) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2nd Qtr | Dollar | % | 2nd Qtr | % of | 2nd Qtr | % of | ||||||||||||||||||
2024 | 2023 | Change | Change | 2024 | Sales | 2023 | Sales | |||||||||||||||||
Consolidated (1) | $ | 83.4 | $ | 100.5 | $ | (17.1 | ) | -17.0 | % | $ | (8.5 | ) | -10.2 | % | $ | 2.5 | 2.5 | % | ||||||
Wholesale | $ | 52.6 | $ | 61.8 | $ | (9.2 | ) | -14.9 | % | $ | 5.7 | 10.8 | % | $ | 7.0 | 11.3 | % | |||||||
Retail | $ | 50.5 | $ | 60.8 | $ | (10.3 | ) | -16.9 | % | $ | (2.2 | ) | -4.4 | % | $ | 0.8 | 1.3 | % | ||||||
Corporate & Other (2) | $ | 1.1 | $ | 2.3 | $ | (1.2 | ) | -52.2 | % | $ | (6.9 | ) | N/A | $ | (6.9 | ) | N/A |
(1) | Our consolidated results include certain intercompany eliminations as well as asset impairment charges of |
(2) | Corporate and Other includes the operations of Noa Home Inc. along with the shared Corporate costs that are benefiting both the Wholesale and Retail segments. |
“Excluding the additional inventory valuation charges that we recorded, we were pleased with another quarter of strong gross margins, despite lower sales,” said Robert H. Spilman, Jr., Bassett Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The environment for housing remains challenging and consumers are choosing to invest in experiences over their homes, a change from the Covid period. We continue to be disciplined on expenses to improve operating efficiency.”
Restructuring Plan
The Company also announced a restructuring plan to more right-size its cost structure and to prepare it for topline growth. The comprehensive strategy builds on the strength of Bassett’s brand quality, design expertise and service, and focuses on driving revenue growth and profitability long-term. The five-point plan includes:
- Drive organic growth through Bassett-branded retail locations, omni-channel capabilities, and enhanced customization positioning to expand dedicated distribution footprint.
- Rationalize US wood manufacturing from two locations into one primary location, supported by a small satellite operation.
- Optimize inventory and drop unproductive lines.
- Improve overall cost structure and invest capital in refurbishment of current retail locations.
- Close the Noa Home e-commerce business.
“Bassett Furniture has a long history of weathering economic cycles, such as the inflationary environment and slow housing market we’re experiencing in 2024 – factors that led to soft demand in our second quarter,” explained Spilman. “The business climate has remained difficult through the first six months of this year and may not improve in the near future. Accordingly, we are committed to returning to profitability by running a leaner operation, with priority focus on both our inventory position and the overall cost structure. We believe that our restructuring plan, expected to improve our bottom line between
Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its quarterly results on July 11, 2024, at 9:00 am ET. The public is invited to listen to the conference call by webcast, accessible through the Company’s investor relations website, https://investors.bassettfurniture.com/. Participants can also listen to the conference call via https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/332ii2e5. A replay and transcript of the conference call will be available on demand on the investor relations site.
About Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.
Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: BSET) is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high-quality home furnishings. With 88 company- and licensee-owned stores at the time of this release, Bassett has leveraged its strong brand name in furniture into a network of corporate and licensed stores that focus on providing consumers with a friendly environment for buying furniture and accessories. Bassett’s retail strategy includes stylish, custom-built furniture that features the latest on-trend furniture styles, free in-home design visits, and coordinated decorating accessories. Bassett also has a traditional wholesale business with more than 700 accounts on the open market, across the United States and internationally. For more information, visit the Company’s website at bassettfurniture.com. (BSET-E)
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain of the statements in this release, particularly those preceded by, followed by or including the words “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “should,” “estimates,” or similar expressions, or those relating to or anticipating financial results or changes in operations for periods beyond the end of the second fiscal quarter of 2024, constitute “forward looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. For those statements, Bassett claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In many cases, Bassett cannot predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Expectations included in the forward-looking statements are based on preliminary information, as well as certain assumptions which management believes to be reasonable at this time. The following important factors affect Bassett and could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements: the effects of national and global economic or other conditions and future events on the retail demand for home furnishings and the ability of Bassett’s customers and consumers to obtain credit; the success of marketing, logistics, retail and other initiatives; and the economic, competitive, governmental and other factors identified in Bassett’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement that Bassett makes speaks only as of the date of such statement, and Bassett undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indication of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.
Contacts:
J. Michael Daniel
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(276) 629-6614 – Investors
mdaniel@bassettfurniture.com
Peter D. Morrison
Vice President of Communications
(276) 629-6450 – Media
Table 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - unaudited | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except for per share data) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter Ended | Six Months | ||||||||||||||||||||||
June 1, 2024 | May 27, 2023 | June 1, 2024 | May 27, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Percent of | Percent of | Percent of | Percent of | ||||||||||||||||||||
Amount | Net Sales | Amount | Net Sales | Amount | Net Sales | Amount | Net Sales | ||||||||||||||||
Net sales of furniture and accessories | $ | 83,410 | 100.0 | % | $ | 100,519 | 100.0 | % | $ | 169,964 | 100.0 | % | $ | 208,217 | 100.0 | % | |||||||
Cost of furniture and accessories sold | 39,650 | 47.5 | % | 47,686 | 47.4 | % | 78,337 | 46.1 | % | 98,187 | 47.2 | % | |||||||||||
Gross profit | 43,760 | 52.5 | % | 52,833 | 52.6 | % | 91,627 | 53.9 | % | 110,030 | 52.8 | % | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 46,707 | 56.0 | % | 51,366 | 51.1 | % | 96,931 | 57.0 | % | 105,861 | 50.8 | % | |||||||||||
Asset impairment charges | 5,515 | 6.6 | % | - | 0.0 | % | 5,515 | 3.2 | % | - | 0.0 | % | |||||||||||
Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration | - | 0.0 | % | 1,013 | 1.0 | % | - | 0.0 | % | 1,013 | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations | (8,462 | ) | -10.1 | % | 2,480 | 2.5 | % | (10,819 | ) | -6.4 | % | 5,182 | 2.5 | % | |||||||||
Interest income | 627 | 0.8 | % | 569 | 0.6 | % | 1,383 | 0.8 | % | 721 | 0.3 | % | |||||||||||
Other loss, net | (276 | ) | -0.3 | % | (505 | ) | -0.5 | % | (380 | ) | -0.2 | % | (1,072 | ) | -0.5 | % | |||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes | (8,111 | ) | -9.7 | % | 2,544 | 2.5 | % | (9,816 | ) | -5.8 | % | 4,831 | 2.3 | % | |||||||||
Income tax expense (benefit) | (910 | ) | -1.1 | % | 468 | 0.5 | % | (1,422 | ) | -0.8 | % | 1,310 | 0.6 | % | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | (7,201 | ) | -8.6 | % | 2,076 | 2.1 | % | (8,394 | ) | -4.9 | % | 3,521 | 1.7 | % | |||||||||
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share | $ | (0.82 | ) | $ | 0.24 | $ | (0.96 | ) | $ | 0.40 | |||||||||||||
Table 2 | |||||||
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets | |||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||
Assets | June 1, 2024 | November 25, 2023 | |||||
Current assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 42,646 | $ | 52,407 | |||
Short-term investments | 17,814 | 17,775 | |||||
Accounts receivable, net | 13,495 | 13,736 | |||||
Inventories, net | 56,875 | 62,982 | |||||
Recoverable income taxes | 2,896 | 2,574 | |||||
Other current assets | 9,377 | 8,480 | |||||
Total current assets | 143,103 | 157,954 | |||||
Property and equipment, net | 79,802 | 83,981 | |||||
Other long-term assets | |||||||
Deferred income taxes, net | 6,085 | 4,645 | |||||
Goodwill and other intangible assets | 14,213 | 16,067 | |||||
Right of use assets under operating leases | 94,748 | 100,888 | |||||
Other | 7,313 | 6,889 | |||||
Total long-term assets | 122,359 | 128,489 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 345,264 | $ | 370,424 | |||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 12,188 | $ | 16,338 | |||
Accrued compensation and benefits | 8,424 | 8,934 | |||||
Customer deposits | 23,021 | 22,788 | |||||
Current portion of operating lease obligations | 18,293 | 18,827 | |||||
Other accrued expenses | 9,056 | 11,003 | |||||
Total current liabilities | 70,982 | 77,890 | |||||
Long-term liabilities | |||||||
Post employment benefit obligations | 10,758 | 10,207 | |||||
Long-term portion of operating lease obligations | 90,646 | 97,357 | |||||
Other long-term liabilities | 1,218 | 1,529 | |||||
Total long-term liabilities | 102,622 | 109,093 | |||||
Stockholders’ equity | |||||||
Common stock | 43,808 | 43,842 | |||||
Retained earnings | 127,807 | 139,354 | |||||
Additional paid-in-capital | 52 | 93 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (7 | ) | 152 | ||||
Total stockholders' equity | 171,660 | 183,441 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 345,264 | $ | 370,424 | |||
Table 3 | |||||||
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - unaudited | |||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||
Six Months | |||||||
June 1, 2024 | May 27, 2023 | ||||||
Operating activities: | |||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (8,394 | ) | $ | 3,521 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 5,291 | 4,909 | |||||
Non-cash asset impairment charges | 5,515 | - | |||||
Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration | - | (1,013 | ) | ||||
Inventory valuation charges | 3,879 | 2,475 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | (1,440 | ) | 392 | ||||
Other, net | 689 | 1,388 | |||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||
Accounts receivable | 241 | 3,005 | |||||
Inventories | 2,228 | 15,145 | |||||
Other current and long-term assets | (1,217 | ) | 953 | ||||
Right of use assets under operating leases | 8,707 | 9,105 | |||||
Customer deposits | 233 | (12,022 | ) | ||||
Accounts payable and other liabilities | (6,930 | ) | (8,715 | ) | |||
Obligations under operating leases | (10,721 | ) | (10,255 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (1,919 | ) | 8,888 | ||||
Investing activities: | |||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (3,683 | ) | (7,405 | ) | |||
Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations, net | - | 1,000 | |||||
Other | (383 | ) | (637 | ) | |||
Net cash used in investing activities | (4,066 | ) | (7,042 | ) | |||
Financing activities: | |||||||
Cash dividends | (3,153 | ) | (2,832 | ) | |||
Other issuance of common stock | 179 | 177 | |||||
Repurchases of common stock | (489 | ) | (3,450 | ) | |||
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards | (161 | ) | (109 | ) | |||
Repayments of finance lease obligations | (153 | ) | (137 | ) | |||
Net cash used in financing activities | (3,777 | ) | (6,351 | ) | |||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 1 | (42 | ) | ||||
Change in cash and cash equivalents | (9,761 | ) | (4,547 | ) | |||
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period | 52,407 | 61,625 | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period | $ | 42,646 | $ | 57,078 | |||
Table 4 | |||||||||||||||
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||||||
Segment Information - unaudited | |||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Quarter Ended | Six Months | ||||||||||||||
June 1, 2024 | May 27, 2023 | June 1, 2024 | May 27, 2023 | ||||||||||||
Sales Revenue | |||||||||||||||
Wholesale sales of furniture and accessories | $ | 52,609 | $ | 61,774 | $ | 107,310 | $ | 131,658 | |||||||
Less: Sales to retail segment | (20,751 | ) | (24,330 | ) | (44,514 | ) | (54,429 | ) | |||||||
Wholesale sales to external customers | 31,858 | 37,444 | 62,796 | 77,229 | |||||||||||
Retail sales of furniture and accessories | 50,468 | 60,778 | 104,222 | 125,740 | |||||||||||
Corporate & Other - Noa Home (1) | 1,084 | 2,297 | 2,946 | 5,248 | |||||||||||
Consolidated net sales of furniture and accessories | $ | 83,410 | $ | 100,519 | $ | 169,964 | $ | 208,217 | |||||||
Income (Loss) before Income Taxes | |||||||||||||||
Income (Loss) from Operations | |||||||||||||||
Wholesale | $ | 5,687 | $ | 7,005 | $ | 12,446 | $ | 15,999 | |||||||
Retail | (2,222 | ) | 755 | (3,834 | ) | 2,285 | |||||||||
Net expenses - Corporate and other (1) | (6,942 | ) | (6,949 | ) | (14,537 | ) | (14,720 | ) | |||||||
Inter-company elimination | 530 | 656 | 621 | 605 | |||||||||||
Asset impairment charges | (5,515 | ) | - | (5,515 | ) | - | |||||||||
Gain on revaluation of contingent consideration | - | 1,013 | - | 1,013 | |||||||||||
Consolidated income (loss) from operations | (8,462 | ) | 2,480 | (10,819 | ) | 5,182 | |||||||||
Interest income | 627 | 569 | 1,383 | 721 | |||||||||||
Other loss, net | (276 | ) | (505 | ) | (380 | ) | (1,072 | ) | |||||||
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes | $ | (8,111 | ) | $ | 2,544 | $ | (9,816 | ) | $ | 4,831 | |||||
(1) | Corporate and Other includes the operations of Noa Home Inc. along with the shared Corporate costs that are benefiting both the Wholesale and Retail segments. |
Table 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
BASSETT FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted Gross Profit | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(In thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Quarter Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
June 1, 2024 | May 27, 2023 | June 1, 2024 | May 27, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Percent of | Percent of | Percent of | Percent of | ||||||||||||||||||||
Amount | Net Sales | Amount | Net Sales | Amount | Net Sales | Amount | Net Sales | ||||||||||||||||
Gross profit as reported | $ | 43,760 | 52.5 | % | $ | 52,833 | 52.6 | % | $ | 91,627 | 52.5 | % | $ | 110,030 | 52.8 | % | |||||||
Additional inventory valuation charges | 2,701 | 3.2 | % | 1,003 | 1.0 | % | 2,701 | 1.6 | % | 1,003 | 0.5 | % | |||||||||||
Gross profit as adjusted | $ | 46,461 | 55.7 | % | $ | 53,836 | 53.6 | % | $ | 94,328 | 55.5 | % | $ | 111,033 | 53.3 | % | |||||||
FAQ
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