Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Announces Fiscal 2021 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) reported a strong fourth quarter and fiscal year 2021.

Net sales rose 3.2% to $272.6 million for Q4, with net income surging 93.3% to $7.2 million.

For the full year, sales increased 1.8% to $1.1 billion, marking the 18th consecutive year of positive comparable sales growth.

Diluted EPS for Q4 was $0.32, a 100% increase year-over-year. The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10, up 43% from previous dividends, and expects moderate growth in fiscal 2022 amidst ongoing COVID-19 impacts.

Positive

• Net sales increased 3.2% in Q4 2021 to $272.6 million.
• Net income for Q4 2021 rose 93.3% to $7.2 million.
• Diluted EPS for Q4 2021 reached $0.32, doubling from $0.16 in Q4 2020.
• The company has a strong balance sheet with no outstanding borrowings on its credit facility.
• Quarterly cash dividend increased 43% to $0.10.

Negative

• Daily average comparable store sales for fiscal 2022 are expected to range from 0.0% to 2.0%, indicating potential stagnation.
• Store expenses as a percentage of net sales increased during fiscal 2021, reflecting higher labor costs.

LAKEWOOD, Colo., Nov. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 and provided its outlook for fiscal 2022.

Highlights for Fourth Quarter 2021 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2020

• Net sales increased 3.2% to $272.6 million;
• Daily average comparable store sales increased 2.5%, and 15.7% on a two-year stacked basis;
• Net income increased 93.3% to $7.2 million;
• Diluted earnings per share was $0.32, up from $0.16 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020; and
• Adjusted EBITDA was $17.8 million.

Highlights for Fiscal 2021 Compared to Fiscal 2020

• Net sales increased 1.8% to $1.1 billion;
• 18^th consecutive year of positive comparable store sales growth;
• Daily average comparable store sales increased 0.7%, and 12.7% on a two-year stacked basis;
• Net income was $20.6 million, with diluted earnings per share of $0.91, up from $0.89 in fiscal 2020; and
• Adjusted EBITDA was $60.3 million.

"Our fiscal 2021 performance resulted in a record $1.1 billion in net sales and $0.91 of diluted earnings per share. Fiscal 2021 was our eighteenth consecutive year of positive daily average comparable store sales growth," said Kemper Isely, Co-President.  "We finished the year with a strong fourth quarter. Diluted earnings per share was up 100% to $0.32, above our expectations. Daily average comparable store sales accelerated and gross margin improved, which we leveraged across a more normalized level of operating expense compared to last year.  An increase in transaction counts was slightly offset by a moderation in transaction size, however, the average basket has remained elevated as compared to the pre-pandemic level, up over 20% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019."

Mr. Isely continued "Our commitment to our founding principles continues to drive our success, increasing engagement and loyalty across our growing customer base.  We believe our carefully vetted offering of natural and organic products continues to resonate with consumers, as they have developed a stronger appreciation for the value of healthy nutrition and dietary supplements as a result of the pandemic. Looking ahead to fiscal 2022, our competitive position remains strong with a differentiated and relevant model providing the highest quality, healthy foods at Always Affordable^SM Prices."

In addition to presenting the financial results of Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the Company is also presenting EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures. The reconciliation from GAAP to these non-GAAP financial measures is provided at the end of this earnings release.

Operating Results — Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2021 Compared to Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2020

During the fourth quarte­­r of fiscal 2021, net sales increased $8.5 million, or 3.2%, to $272.6 million, compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, as a result of a $6.7 million increase in comparable store sales and a $1.8 million increase in new store sales. Daily average comparable store sales increased 2.5% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. On a two-year stacked basis, daily average comparable store sales increased 15.7%. The daily average comparable store sales increase in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 was comprised of a 3.4% increase in daily average transaction count partially offset by a 0.8% decrease in daily average transaction size. Fourth quarter net sales benefited from our customers' response to COVID-19 pandemic trends, inflationary pressure on our retail prices, marketing initiatives, promotional campaigns, and increased membership in and usage of the {N}power® customer loyalty program.

Gross profit during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 increased 4.7%, to $75.8 million. Gross profit reflects earnings after both product and occupancy expenses. Gross margin increased to 27.8% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to 27.4% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The increase in gross margin was a result of improved product margin and store occupancy leverage. 

Store expenses during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 decreased 2.4%, to $58.7 million. Store expenses as a percentage of net sales was 21.5% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, down from 22.8% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The reduction in store expenses as a percentage of net sales reflects more normalized labor-related expenses compared to the prior year. Store expenses included long-lived asset impairment charges of $1.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and $0.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

Administrative expenses during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 increased 4.4% to $7.4 million. Administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 2.7% during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, consistent with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

Operating income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 increased 89.0% to $9.4 million, compared to $5.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Operating margin during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 increased to 3.4%, compared to 1.9% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 was $7.2 million, or $0.32 of diluted earnings per share, compared to net income of $3.7 million, or $0.16 of diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA was $17.8 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to $13.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Commencing with its financial reporting for fiscal year 2021, the Company has revised its definition of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude share-based compensation. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, as presented in this release, has been recast to exclude share-based compensation expense to enhance the comparability of this measure between the fourth quarters of fiscal years 2020 and 2021. See the Non-GAAP financial measures section of this announcement for a reconciliation and definition of Adjusted EBITDA.

Operating Results — Fiscal 2021 Compared to Fiscal 2020

During fiscal 2021, net sales increased $18.7 million, or 1.8%, to $1.1 billion, compared to fiscal 2020, primarily driven by a $4.2 million increase in comparable store sales and a $14.5 million increase in new store sales. Daily average comparable store sales increased  0.7% in fiscal 2021.  On a two-year stacked basis, daily average comparable store sales increased 12.7%. The daily average comparable store sales increase during fiscal 2021 reflected a 4.7% increase in daily average transaction size, partially offset by a 3.8% decrease in daily average transaction count. The increase in net sales is attributable to our customers' response to the COVID-19 pandemic and related government mandates, inflationary pressure on our retail prices, marketing initiatives, promotional campaigns, and increased membership in and usage of the {N}power customer loyalty program.

Gross profit during fiscal 2021 increased 3.2% to $292.2 million. Gross profit reflects earnings after both product and occupancy expenses. Gross margin was 27.7% of sales for fiscal 2021 compared to 27.3% of sales for fiscal 2020. The increase in gross margin was primarily driven by improved product margin, and lower shrink and store occupancy expenses, both as a percentage of net sales.

Store expenses during fiscal 2021 increased 3.3% to $234.6 million. Store expenses as a percentage of net sales was 22.2% during fiscal 2021 compared to 21.9% in fiscal 2020.  Store expenses as a percentage of net sales increased during fiscal 2021 due to higher labor-related expenses in the first half of the year. Store expenses included long-lived asset impairment and lease termination charges totaling $1.5 million in fiscal 2021 and long-lived asset impairment charges of $0.6 million in fiscal 2020.

Administrative expenses during fiscal 2021 increased 5.9% to $28.4 million. Administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 2.7% during fiscal 2021 compared to 2.6% in fiscal 2020.

Operating income increased 2.1% to $28.3 million during fiscal 2021, compared to $27.7 million in fiscal 2020. Operating margin was 2.7%, consistent with fiscal 2020.

Net income for fiscal 2021 was $20.6 million, or $0.91 of diluted earnings per share, compared to $20.0 million, or $0.89 of diluted earnings per share, for fiscal 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA was $60.3 million in fiscal 2021 compared to $60.7 million in fiscal 2020. Commencing with its financial reporting for fiscal year 2021, the Company has revised its definition of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude share-based compensation. Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2020, as presented in this release, has been recast to exclude share-based compensation expense to enhance the comparability of this measure between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021. See the Non-GAAP financial measures section of this announcement for a reconciliation and definition of Adjusted EBITDA.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of September 30, 2021, the Company had $23.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, no outstanding borrowings on its $50.0 million revolving credit facility, and $23.7 million outstanding on its term loan facility.

During fiscal 2021, the Company generated $53.9 million in cash from operations and invested $27.8 million in net capital expenditures, primarily for new and relocated/remodeled stores.

Dividend Announcement

Today, the Company announced the declaration of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share, a 43% increase over the Company's previous quarterly dividend. The dividend will be paid on December 15, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 29, 2021.

Growth and Development

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company opened one store and relocated/remodeled two stores, ending the quarter with a total store count of 162 stores in 20 states. During fiscal 2021 the Company opened three new stores and relocated/remodeled five stores.   The company had a 1.9% and 3.9% unit growth rate for the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. 

As of November 18, 2021, the Company has signed leases or acquired property for an additional four new stores planned to open in fiscal years 2022 and beyond.

Fiscal 2022 Outlook

The Company is introducing its fiscal 2022 outlook reflecting current trends, including the uncertain COVID-19 environment. While the Company cannot predict the duration, severity or economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government mandates, the Company expects these factors will continue to impact its operations and financial performance into fiscal 2022. The Company expects:

	Fiscal 2022 Outlook
Number of new stores	4-6
Number of relocations/remodels	3-4
Daily average comparable store sales growth	0.0% to 2.0%
Diluted earnings per share	$0.75 to $0.87
Capital expenditures (in millions)	$28 to $35

Earnings Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time (4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) to discuss this earnings release. The dial-in number is 1-888-347-6606 (US) or 1-412-902-4289 (International). The conference ID is "Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage." A simultaneous audio webcast will be available at http://Investors.NaturalGrocers.com and archived for a minimum of 20 days.

About Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage

Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products and dietary supplements. The products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based nutrition education programs to help customers make informed health and nutrition choices. The Company, founded in 1955, has 162 stores in 20 states.

Visit www.NaturalGrocers.com  for more information and store locations.

Forward-Looking Statements

The following constitutes a "safe harbor" statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for the historical information contained herein, statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" and are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements because of factors such as risks and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and government mandates, the economy, changes in the Company's industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning the Company's market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources, future growth, other financial and operating information and other risks detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020 (the Form 10-K) and the Company's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this release and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as may be required by the securities laws.

For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, please refer to the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections of the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Form 10-K and the Company's subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Investor Relations at 303-986-4600 or by visiting the Company's website at http://Investors.NaturalGrocers.com.

Investor Contact:

Reed Anderson, ICR 646-277-1260,  reed.anderson@icrinc.com

 

NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
		Three months ended September 30,					Year ended September 30,
		2021			2020		2021		2020
Net sales		$	272,649		264,178		1,055,516		1,036,842
Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs		196,855			191,765		763,328		753,701
Gross profit		75,794			72,413		292,188		283,141
Store expenses		58,748			60,187		234,586		227,069
Administrative expenses		7,420			7,105		28,355		26,780
Pre-opening expenses		255			163		920		1,543
Operating income		9,371			4,958		28,327		27,749
Interest expense, net		(572)			(491)		(2,271)		(2,048)
Income before income taxes		8,799			4,467		26,056		25,701
Provision for income taxes		(1,586)			(735)		(5,475)		(5,692)
Net income		$	7,213		3,732		20,581		20,009
Net income per share of common stock:
Basic		$	0.32		0.17		0.91		0.89
Diluted		$	0.32		0.16		0.91		0.89
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic		22,619,902			22,531,447		22,591,816		22,501,779
Diluted		22,704,008			22,662,651		22,711,003		22,577,646

 

NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
		September 30,
		2021			2020
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	23,678		28,534
Accounts receivable, net		8,489			8,519
Merchandise inventory		100,546			100,175
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,914			6,185
Total current assets		135,627			143,413
Property and equipment, net		151,399			147,929
Other assets:
Operating lease assets, net		316,388			339,239
Finance lease assets, net		39,367			40,096
Deposits and other assets		530			616
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net		11,768			10,499
Total other assets		368,053			390,450
Total assets		$	655,079		681,792
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	68,949		69,163
Accrued expenses		26,589			24,995
Term loan facility, current portion		1,750			—
Operating lease obligations, current portion		33,308			32,156
Finance lease obligations, current portion		3,176			2,836
Total current liabilities		133,772			129,150
Long-term liabilities:
Term loan facility, net of current portion		21,938			—
Operating lease obligations, net of current portion		301,895			325,641
Finance lease obligations, net of current portion		39,450			39,506
Deferred income tax liabilities, net		15,293			14,429
Total long-term liabilities		378,576			379,576
Total liabilities		512,348			508,726
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value. 50,000,000 shares authorized, 22,620,417 and 22,546,765 shares issued at 2021 and 2020, respectively		23			23
Additional paid-in capital		57,289			56,752
Retained earnings		85,419			116,291
Total stockholders' equity		142,731			173,066
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	655,079		681,792

 

NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
		Year ended September 30,
		2021			2020
Operating activities:
Net income		$	20,581		20,009
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		29,633			31,193
Impairment of long-lived assets and store closing costs		1,155			612
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment		209			(42)
Share-based compensation		877			1,129
Deferred income tax expense		864			3,742
Non-cash interest expense		24			12
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Decrease (increase)  in:
Accounts receivable, net		30			(3,418)
Income tax receivable		3,004			2,350
Merchandise inventory		(371)			(3,996)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(141)			(762)
Operating lease asset		31,090			30,206
(Decrease) increase in:
Operating lease liability		(32,030)			(30,569)
Accounts payable		(2,639)			10,103
Accrued expenses		1,594			5,934
Net cash provided by operating activities		53,880			66,503
Investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(26,350)			(26,752)
Acquisition of other intangibles		(1,937)			(2,832)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		89			—
Proceeds from property insurance settlements		443			27
Net cash used in investing activities		(27,755)			(29,557)
Financing activities:
Borrowings under revolving facility		65,900			236,100
Repayments under revolving facility		(65,900)			(241,792)
Borrowings under term loan facility		35,000			—
Repayments under term loan facility		(11,313)			—
Finance lease obligation payments		(2,823)			(2,271)
Dividends to shareholders		(51,453)			(6,301)
Loan fees paid		(52)			(25)
Payments on withholding tax for restricted stock unit vesting		(340)			(337)
Net cash used in financing activities		(30,981)			(14,626)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(4,856)			22,320
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		28,534			6,214
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year		$	23,678		28,534
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest		$	370		354
Cash paid for interest on finance lease obligations, net of capitalized interest of $194 and $102, respectively		1,782			1,690
Income taxes paid		6,747			3,305
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment not yet paid		$	4,770		2,407
Acquisition of other intangibles not yet paid		319			255
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment not yet received		—			42
Property acquired through operating lease obligations		9,216			13,204
Property acquired through finance lease obligations		3,025			11,625

 

NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE, INC. Non-GAAP Financial Measures (Unaudited)

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. We define EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA as adjusted to exclude the effects of certain income and expense items that management believes make it more difficult to assess the Company's actual operating performance, including certain items such as share-based compensation, impairment charges, store closing costs and non-recurring items. The adjustments to EBITDA for the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 related to impairment of long-lived assets and store closing costs, and share-based compensation.

The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, dollars in thousands:

		Three months ended September 30,					Year ended September 30,
		2021			2020		2021		2020
Net income		$	7,213		3,732		20,581		20,009
Interest expense, net		572			491		2,271		2,048
Provision for income taxes		1,586			735		5,475		5,692
Depreciation and amortization		7,171			7,685		29,633		31,193
EBITDA			16,542		12,643		57,960		58,942
Impairment of long-lived assets and store closing costs			1,050		612		1,455		612
Share-based compensation			211		378		877		1,129
Adjusted EBITDA(1)		$	17,803		13,633		60,292		60,683

(1)	Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2020, as presented, have been recast to exclude share-based compensation expense to enhance the comparability of this measure between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021. See below.

EBITDA increased 30.8% to $16.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $12.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020.  EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 6.1% and 4.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  EBITDA decreased 1.7% to $58.0 million for the year ended September 30, 2021 compared to $58.9 million for the year ended September 30, 2020.  EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 5.5% and 5.7% for the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 30.6% to $17.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $13.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020.  Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 6.5% and 5.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  Adjusted EBITDA decreased 0.6% to $60.3 million in the year ended September 30, 2021 compared to $60.7 million for the year ended September 30, 2020.  Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net sales was 5.7% and 5.9% for the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Management believes some investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures.  We believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA provide additional information about: (i) our operating performance, because they assist us in comparing the operating performance of our stores on a consistent basis, as they remove the impact of non-cash depreciation and amortization expense as well as items not directly resulting from our core operations, such as interest expense and income taxes and (ii) our performance and the effectiveness of our operational strategies.  Additionally, EBITDA is a component of a measure in our financial covenants under our credit facility. 

Furthermore, management believes some investors use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental measures to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies in our industry. Management believes that some investors' understanding of our performance is enhanced by including these non-GAAP financial measures as a reasonable basis for comparing our ongoing results of operations. By providing these non-GAAP financial measures, together with a reconciliation from net income, we believe we are enhancing investors' understanding of our business and our results of operations, as well as assisting investors in evaluating how well we are executing our strategic initiatives. Commencing with its financial reporting for fiscal year 2021, the Company has revised its definition of Adjusted EBITDA to exclude share-based compensation expense. The Company's historical presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, including for fiscal year 2020, did not exclude share-based compensation expense. However, Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2020, as presented in this announcement, has been recast to exclude share-based compensation expense to enhance the comparability of this measure between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021. Management believes that excluding share-based compensation expense from Adjusted EBITDA will enhance investors' ability to assess period-to-period comparisons of the Company's operating performance and make more meaningful comparisons between our operating performance and the operating performance of our competitors.

Our competitors may define EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently, and as a result, our measure of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be directly comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA of other companies. Items excluded from EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental measures of operating performance that do not represent, and should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to, or substitute for, net income or other financial statement data presented in the consolidated financial statements as indicators of financial performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of the limitations are:

• EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
• EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;
• EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any impact for single lease expense for leases classified as finance leases;
• EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;
• Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect share-based compensation expense, impairment and store closing costs;
• EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our tax expense or the cash requirements to pay our taxes; and
• although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements.

Due to these limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as measures of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental information.

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SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.

FAQ

What were the financial results for Natural Grocers (NGVC) in Q4 2021?

Natural Grocers reported a 3.2% increase in net sales to $272.6 million and a 93.3% rise in net income to $7.2 million for Q4 2021.

What is Natural Grocers' (NGVC) diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2021?

The diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2021 was $0.91, up from $0.89 in fiscal 2020.

What is the fiscal 2022 outlook for Natural Grocers (NGVC)?

Natural Grocers anticipates daily average comparable store sales growth between 0.0% to 2.0% in fiscal 2022.

How much is the new quarterly dividend for Natural Grocers (NGVC)?

The company declared a new quarterly cash dividend of $0.10 per common share, a 43% increase from the previous dividend.