Clarus Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results, Continues to Navigate COVID-19 From a Position of Strength

Rhea-AI Summary

Clarus Corporation (CLAR) reported a significant decline in second-quarter sales for 2020, totaling $30 million, down from $47 million year-over-year. The company faced a net loss of $2.7 million, worsening from a loss of $0.7 million in the same quarter last year. Adjusted EBITDA was negative at $(1.3) million. Despite the pandemic challenges, free cash flow increased over two-fold to $10.2 million. Cash and cash equivalents rose to $21.5 million from $1.7 million at the end of 2019. The firm anticipates improved conditions and maintains that it is on track to meet its goals for the year.

Positive

• Free cash flow increased to $10.2 million, up from $3.0 million year-over-year.
• Cash and cash equivalents rose to $21.5 million from $1.7 million at the end of 2019.
• Sales in the direct-to-consumer channel grew by 7%, with a 25% increase in website sales.
• Domestic growth in Sierra business continued, aided by an improved demand environment.

Negative

• Sales decreased significantly by 36% on a constant currency basis.
• Net loss increased to $(2.7) million from $(0.7) million year-over-year.
• Black Diamond sales dropped 47% due to COVID-related retail demand freeze.
• Adjusted EBITDA turned negative at $(1.3) million compared to $1.6 million last year.

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clarus Corporation (NASDAQ: CLAR) (“Clarus” and/or the “Company”), a company focused on the outdoor and consumer industries, reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

Second Quarter 2020 Financial Summary vs. Same Year‐Ago Quarter

• Sales were $30.0 million compared to $47.0 million.
• Gross margin increased 140 basis points to 35.4% compared to 34.0%.
• Net loss was $(2.7) million, or $(0.09) per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $(0.7) million, or $(0.02) per diluted share.
• Adjusted net loss before non‐cash items was $(1.2) million, or $(0.04) per diluted share, compared to an adjusted net income of $1.5 million, or $0.05 per diluted share.
• Adjusted EBITDA was $(1.3) million compared to $1.6 million.
• Free cash flow (net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) increased more than two-fold to $10.2 million compared to $3.0 million.

Management Commentary

“Despite a challenging consumer environment amidst a global pandemic, the strength of our well-diversified brand portfolio and multi-channel distribution platform was apparent in our second quarter results,” said Clarus President John Walbrecht. “For Black Diamond, the impact of COVID-19 caused our retail partners to close their doors, freezing pre-season and replenishment orders. However, demand improved each month in the quarter, particularly in regions that have shown marked progress in the recovery, like Europe. We also showed resilience with various key accounts who were able to serve their customers in other ways, such as online or curbside pickup. Sales in our direct-to-consumer channel were also resilient, growing 7% in the quarter with a 25% increase in sales through our own website.

“In our Sierra business, domestic growth continued to accelerate in both our ‘Greenbox’ and OEM channels. This was partially offset by prolonged softness internationally, as those markets had retail ordinances preventing their opening and the absence of unique demand-drivers being experienced in the U.S., like the upcoming election.

“Since the end of the second quarter, however, sales trends in both brands have continued to improve. Black Diamond is benefiting from partner retail doors beginning to open and our ability to fulfil orders has been largely unaffected. The fact that 86% of the brand’s sales are non-perishable equipment that is deemed as a necessity to our activity-based consumer is a unique asset during these uncertain times. In fact, we are quite optimistic by the early indications of interest for our backcountry products, especially in snow safety, as our consumer looks to get back outdoors. For Sierra, domestic strength has continued, including strong reception to our recently launched ammo initiative, and we have now started to see signs of recovery in our international markets. Importantly, we have the capacity to fulfill what we expect to be a strong second half of the year.

“Assessing our expectations for 2020, we believe we are still well on track to achieve the goals laid out last quarter. These include liquidity improvements, cost-saving measures, key sales assumptions and current demand trends, which all underscore the optionality that we have created in our brands to adapt to the changing consumer landscape.”

Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results

Sales in the second quarter were $30.0 million compared to $47.0 million in the same year‐ago quarter. Black Diamond sales were down 47% and Sierra sales were up 7%. The decrease in Black Diamond was primarily due to the COVID-related retail demand freeze during the quarter. The increase in Sierra was due to sustained improvements in the domestic demand environment for bullets throughout the second quarter. Sales in the Company’s direct-to-consumer channel were up 7%. On a constant currency basis, total sales were down 36%.

Gross margin in the second quarter increased 140 basis points to 35.4% compared to 34.0% in the year‐ago quarter due to favorable channel and product mix. In addition, compared to last year, foreign currency changes and the new tariffs each had a negative impact on gross margins of 30-basis points.   

Selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter decreased 16% to $14.5 million compared to $17.2 million in the year‐ago quarter. The decrease reflects the cost-saving initiatives the Company implemented in response to COVID-19.

Net loss in the second quarter was $(2.7) million, or $(0.09) per diluted share, compared to $(0.7) million or $(0.02) per diluted share, in the year‐ago quarter. The decrease included $1.4 million of non‐cash charges and $0.2 million in transaction costs, compared to $2.2 million of non‐cash charges and minimal transaction and restructuring costs in the same year‐ago quarter.

Adjusted net loss in the second quarter, which excludes the non‐cash items and transaction costs, was $(1.2) million or $(0.04) per diluted share, compared to an adjusted net income of $1.5 million or $0.05 per diluted share in the same year‐ago quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter was $(1.3) million compared to $1.6 million in the same year‐ago quarter. The decline was primarily due to the aforementioned COVID-driven retail demand freeze for Black Diamond products during the quarter.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the second quarter ended June 30, 2020 was $10.9 million compared to $4.0 million in the prior year. Capital expenditures in the second quarter were $0.7 million compared to $0.9 million in the same year‐ago period. Free cash flow for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was $10.2 million compared to $3.0 million in the same year‐ago period.

Liquidity at June 30, 2020

• Cash and cash equivalents totaled $21.5 million compared to $1.7 million at the end of 2019.
• Total debt of $30.5 million compared to $22.7 million at the end of 2019.
• Remaining access to $50.4 million on the Company’s revolving line of credit.
• Net debt leverage ratio of 0.6x compared to 0.9x at the end of 2019.

Net Operating Loss (NOL)

The Company estimates that it has available NOL carryforwards for U.S. federal income tax purposes of approximately $132 million. The Company’s common stock is subject to a rights agreement dated February 7, 2008 that is intended to limit the number of 5% or more owners and therefore reduce the risk of a possible change of ownership under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any such change of ownership under these rules would limit or eliminate the ability of the Company to use its existing NOLs for federal income tax purposes. However, there is no guaranty that the rights agreement will achieve the objective of preserving the value of the NOLs.

Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its second quarter 2020 results.

Date: Monday, August 10, 2020
Time: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (3:00 p.m. Mountain time)
Toll-free dial-in number: 1-877-511-3707
International dial-in number: 1-786-815-8672
Conference ID: 2437648

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Investor Relations at 1-949-574-3860.

The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and on the Company’s website at www.claruscorp.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available after 8:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day through August 24, 2020.

Toll-free replay number: 1-855-859-2056
International replay number: 1-404-537-3406
Replay ID: 2437648

About Clarus Corporation

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Clarus Corporation is a leading developer, manufacturer and distributor of best-in class outdoor equipment and lifestyle products focused on the climb, ski, mountain, and sport markets. With a strong reputation for innovation, style, quality, design, safety and durability, Clarus’ portfolio of iconic brands includes Black Diamond®, Sierra®, PIEPS®, and SKINourishment® sold through specialty and online retailers, distributors and original equipment manufacturers throughout the U.S. and internationally. For additional information, please visit www.claruscorp.com or the brand websites at www.blackdiamondequipment.com, www.sierrabullets.com, or www.pieps.com.

Use of Non‐GAAP Measures

The Company reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). This press release contains the non‐GAAP measures: (i) adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross profit, (ii) net (loss) income before non‐cash items and related income per diluted share, and adjusted net income before non‐cash items and related income per diluted share, (iii) earnings before interest, taxes, other income or expense, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), and adjusted EBITDA, and (iv) free cash flow. The Company believes that the presentation of certain non‐GAAP measures, i.e.: (i) adjusted gross margin and adjusted gross profit, (ii) net (loss) income before non‐cash items and related income per diluted share, and adjusted net income before non‐cash items and related income per diluted share, (iii) EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, and (iv) free cash flow, provide useful information for the understanding of its ongoing operations and enables investors to focus on period‐ over‐period operating performance, and thereby enhances the user's overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance relative to past performance and provides, along with the nearest GAAP measures, a baseline for modeling future earnings expectations. Non‐GAAP measures are reconciled to comparable GAAP financial measures within this press release. The Company cautions that non‐GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the Company's reported GAAP results. Additionally, the Company notes that there can be no assurance that the above referenced non‐GAAP financial measures are comparable to similarly titled financial measures used by other publicly traded companies.

Forward‐Looking Statements

Please note that in this press release we may use words such as “appears,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “future,” and similar expressions which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, the overall level of consumer demand on our products; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence, preferences, and behavior; disruption and volatility in the global currency, capital, and credit markets; the financial strength of the Company's customers; the Company's ability to implement its business strategy, the ability of the Company to execute and integrate acquisitions; changes in governmental regulation, legislation or public opinion relating to the manufacture and sale of bullets and ammunition by our Sierra segment, and the possession and use of firearms and ammunition by our customers; the Company’s exposure to product liability or product warranty claims and other loss contingencies; disruptions and other impacts to the Company’s business, as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic and government actions and restrictive measures implemented in response; stability of the Company’s manufacturing facilities and suppliers, as well as consumer demand for our products, in light of disease epidemics and health-related concerns such as  the COVID-19 global pandemic; the impact that global climate change trends may have on the Company and its suppliers and customers; the Company's ability to protect patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights; any breaches of, or interruptions in, our information systems; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and contracted products as well as foreign currency fluctuations; our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards; changes in tax laws and liabilities, tariffs, legal, regulatory, political and economic risks; and the Company’s ability to declare a dividend. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results is included from time to time in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press release, and speak only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Company Contact:

John C. Walbrecht
President
Tel 1‐801‐993‐1344
john.walbrecht@claruscorp.com
or
Aaron J. Kuehne
Chief Administrative Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
Tel 1‐801‐993‐1364
aaron.kuehne@claruscorp.com

Investor Relations Contact:

Gateway Investor Relations
Cody Slach
Tel 1‐949‐574‐3860
CLAR@gatewayir.com

CLARUS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	June 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
Assets
Current assets
Cash	$	21,538			$	1,703
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses and
doubtful accounts of $1,474 and $494, respectively		23,895				41,628
Inventories		72,514				73,432
Prepaid and other current assets		4,363				3,787
Income tax receivable		387				322
Total current assets		122,697				120,872
Property and equipment, net		22,720				22,919
Other intangible assets, net		14,279				15,816
Indefinite lived intangible assets		41,634				41,630
Goodwill		18,090				18,090
Deferred income taxes		8,743				7,904
Other long-term assets		2,570				3,034
Total assets	$	230,733			$	230,265
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	19,151			$	24,304
Income tax payable		96				260
Current portion of long-term debt		4,000				-
Total current liabilities		23,247				24,564
Long-term debt		26,521				22,670
Deferred income taxes		1,071				1,224
Other long-term liabilities		334				615
Total liabilities		51,173				49,073
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 5,000
shares authorized; none issued		-				-
Common stock, $.0001 par value; 100,000 shares authorized;
33,757 and 33,615 issued and 29,888 and 29,760 outstanding, respectively		3				3
Additional paid in capital		494,793				492,353
Accumulated deficit		(292,757	)			(288,592	)
Treasury stock, at cost		(22,406	)			(22,269	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(73	)			(303	)
Total stockholders' equity		179,560				181,192
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	230,733			$	230,265

CLARUS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended
	June 30, 2020				June 30, 2019
Sales
Domestic sales	$	20,259			$	28,422
International sales		9,755				18,572
Total sales		30,014				46,994
Cost of goods sold		19,378				31,002
Gross profit		10,636				15,992
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative		14,493				17,192
Transaction costs		180				41
Total operating expenses		14,673				17,233
Operating loss		(4,037	)			(1,241	)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net		(257	)			(315	)
Other, net		406				183
Total other income (expense), net		149				(132	)
Loss before income tax		(3,888	)			(1,373	)
Income tax benefit		(1,145	)			(679	)
Net loss	$	(2,743	)		$	(694	)
Net loss per share:
Basic	$	(0.09	)		$	(0.02	)
Diluted		(0.09	)			(0.02	)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		29,817				29,898
Diluted		29,817				29,898

CLARUS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2020				June 30, 2019
Sales
Domestic sales	$	48,807			$	59,011
International sales		34,762				49,201
Total sales		83,569				108,212
Cost of goods sold		54,421				70,164
Gross profit		29,148				38,048
Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative		31,863				34,772
Restructuring charge		-				13
Transaction costs		430				87
Total operating expenses		32,293				34,872
Operating (loss) income		(3,145	)			3,176
Other expense
Interest expense, net		(568	)			(625	)
Other, net		(125	)			160
Total other expense, net		(693	)			(465	)
(Loss) income before income tax		(3,838	)			2,711
Income tax benefit		(1,131	)			(382	)
Net (loss) income	$	(2,707	)		$	3,093
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic	$	(0.09	)		$	0.10
Diluted		(0.09	)			0.10
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		29,789				29,824
Diluted		29,789				30,961

CLARUS CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION FROM NET LOSS TO NET (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE NON-CASH ITEMS, ADJUSTED
NET (LOSS) INCOME BEFORE NON-CASH ITEMS AND RELATED EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended
					Per Diluted								Per Diluted
	June 30, 2020				Share				June 30, 2019				Share
Net loss	$	(2,743	)		$	(0.09	)		$	(694	)		$	(0.02	)
Amortization of intangibles		765				0.03				888				0.03
Depreciation		1,148				0.04				1,139				0.04
Amortization of debt issuance costs		77				0.00				68				0.00
Stock-based compensation		616				0.02				783				0.03
Income tax benefit		(1,145	)			(0.04	)			(679	)			(0.02	)
Cash paid for income taxes		(84	)			(0.00	)			(28	)			(0.00	)
Net (loss) income before non-cash items	$	(1,366	)		$	(0.05	)		$	1,477			$	0.05
Transaction costs		180				0.01				41				0.00
State cash taxes on adjustments		(6	)			(0.00	)			(1	)			(0.00	)
AMT cash taxes on adjustments		(3	)			(0.00	)			(1	)			(0.00	)
Adjusted net (loss) income before non-cash items	$	(1,195	)		$	(0.04	)		$	1,516			$	0.05

CLARUS CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION FROM NET (LOSS) INCOME TO NET INCOME BEFORE NON-CASH ITEMS, ADJUSTED
NET INCOME BEFORE NON-CASH ITEMS AND RELATED EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
	Six Months Ended
					Per Diluted								Per Diluted
	June 30, 2020				Share				June 30, 2019				Share
Net (loss) income	$	(2,707	)		$	(0.09	)		$	3,093			$	0.10
Amortization of intangibles		1,537				0.05				1,777				0.06
Depreciation		2,265				0.08				2,242				0.07
Amortization of debt issuance costs		154				0.01				132				0.00
Stock-based compensation		1,229				0.04				1,568				0.05
Income tax benefit		(1,131	)			(0.04	)			(382	)			(0.01	)
Cash paid for income taxes		(266	)			(0.01	)			(103	)			(0.00	)
Net income before non-cash items	$	1,081			$	0.04			$	8,327			$	0.27
Restructuring charge		-				-				13				0.00
Transaction costs		430				0.01				87				0.00
State cash taxes on adjustments		(13	)			(0.00	)			(3	)			(0.00	)
AMT cash taxes on adjustments		(8	)			(0.00	)			(2	)			(0.00	)
Adjusted net income before non-cash items	$	1,490			$	0.05			$	8,422			$	0.27

CLARUS CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION FROM NET LOSS TO EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES, DEPRECIATION, AND
AMORTIZATION (EBITDA), AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended
	June 30, 2020				June 30, 2019
Net loss	$	(2,743	)		$	(694	)
Income tax benefit		(1,145	)			(679	)
Other, net		(406	)			(183	)
Interest expense, net		257				315
Operating loss		(4,037	)			(1,241	)
Depreciation		1,148				1,139
Amortization of intangibles		765				888
EBITDA	$	(2,124	)		$	786
Transaction costs		180				41
Stock-based compensation		616				783
Adjusted EBITDA	$	(1,328	)		$	1,610

CLARUS CORPORATION
RECONCILIATION FROM NET (LOSS) INCOME TO EARNINGS BEFORE INTEREST, TAXES,
DEPRECIATION, AND AMORTIZATION (EBITDA), AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(In thousands)
	Six Months Ended
	June 30, 2020				June 30, 2019
Net (loss) income	$	(2,707	)		$	3,093
Income tax benefit		(1,131	)			(382	)
Other, net		125				(160	)
Interest expense, net		568				625
Operating (loss) income		(3,145	)			3,176
Depreciation		2,265				2,242
Amortization of intangibles		1,537				1,777
EBITDA	$	657			$	7,195
Restructuring charge		-				13
Transaction costs		430				87
Stock-based compensation		1,229				1,568
Adjusted EBITDA	$	2,316			$	8,863

FAQ

What were Clarus Corporation's sales figures for Q2 2020?

Clarus Corporation reported sales of $30 million for the second quarter of 2020, down from $47 million in the same period last year.

What was the net loss reported by Clarus for Q2 2020?

Clarus reported a net loss of $2.7 million, equivalent to $(0.09) per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2020.

How did Clarus's free cash flow change in Q2 2020?

The free cash flow for Clarus increased to $10.2 million in Q2 2020, compared to $3.0 million in the same quarter last year.

What challenges did Clarus face in Q2 2020 due to COVID-19?

Clarus faced a significant demand freeze in retail for Black Diamond products, contributing to a 47% decline in sales for that brand.

What is the outlook for Clarus Corporation for the second half of 2020?

Clarus remains optimistic regarding sales trends for the second half of 2020, particularly in the recovery of Black Diamond sales as retail partners reopen.