Northern Technologies International Corporation Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter Fiscal 2024
Northern Technologies International (NASDAQ: NTIC) announced its financial results for Q3 fiscal 2024. Consolidated net sales fell 1.4% to $20.69M. ZERUST® industrial net sales decreased by 4.4% to $13.48M, and ZERUST® oil and gas net sales dropped 31.9% to $1.36M. However, Natur-Tec® product net sales surged 20.1% to a record $5.85M. NTIC China net sales grew by 6.7% to $3.54M. Gross profit margin rose by 210 basis points to 38.2%. Joint venture operating income slipped 3.6% to $2.61M. Net income attributable to NTIC declined 7.8% to $0.98M, or $0.10 per diluted share. Operating expenses increased to 43.4% of net sales. Year-to-date, consolidated net sales grew by 4.3% to $61.71M, with Natur-Tec® sales up by 22.5%. Cash provided by operating activities surged 116% to $7.58M for the nine months ended May 31, 2024.
- Natur-Tec® product net sales increased 20.1% to $5,849,000.
- NTIC China net sales increased 6.7% to $3,541,000.
- Gross profit margin improved by 210 basis points to 38.2%.
- Cash provided by operating activities increased 116% to $7,584,000.
- Consolidated net sales decreased 1.4% to $20,686,000.
- ZERUST® industrial net sales decreased 4.4% to $13,477,000.
- ZERUST® oil and gas net sales decreased 31.9% to $1,360,000.
- Joint venture operating income decreased 3.6% to $2,609,000.
- Net income attributable to NTIC decreased 7.8% to $977,000.
- Operating expenses increased to 43.4% of net sales.
Insights
Analyzing Northern Technologies International Corporation's (NTIC) financial results for Q3 2024, it is clear that the company faced both challenges and opportunities. Despite a 1.4% decrease in consolidated net sales to
Another significant aspect is the 210 basis points increase in gross profit margin to 38.2%, suggesting that NTIC's strategic initiatives to mitigate supply chain disruptions are beginning to show results. Additionally, the 116% increase in cash provided by operating activities to
However, the 7.8% decrease in net income to
The report highlights distinct market demand patterns for NTIC’s product segments. The 20.1% increase in Natur-Tec® sales reflects growing consumer and industrial preference for environmentally friendly products, aligning with global sustainability trends. This demonstrates NTIC’s effective positioning in high-growth markets. The increase of 6.7% in NTIC China’s net sales suggests resilience in a major international market despite global economic uncertainties.
Conversely, the decline in ZERUST® oil and gas net sales by 31.9% due to order timing issues could indicate potential volatility in this segment. However, the statement from NTIC’s CEO about a significant rebound expected in the fourth quarter provides some optimism. Investors should watch this segment closely to see if the rebound materializes as projected.
The challenges in the ZERUST® segment highlight the need for NTIC to possibly diversify its revenue streams further or enhance supply chain efficiencies to avoid such timing-related disruptions. The Natur-Tec® segment's growth, coupled with the company’s investments in North America, Brazil and India, suggests NTIC is strategically positioning itself in markets with significant growth potential.
MINNEAPOLIS, July 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northern Technologies International Corporation (NASDAQ: NTIC), a leading developer of corrosion inhibiting products and services, as well as bio-based and biodegradable polymer resin compounds, today reported its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2024.
Third quarter fiscal 2024 financial and operating highlights include (with growth rates on a fiscal quarter year-over-year basis):
- Consolidated net sales decreased
1.4% to$20,686,000 - ZERUST® industrial net sales decreased
4.4% to$13,477,000 - ZERUST® oil and gas net sales decreased
31.9% to$1,360,000 – the year-over-year decline was primarily due to the timing of approximately$600,000 of orders that moved from the third quarter of fiscal 2024 to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 - Natur-Tec® product net sales increased
20.1% to a quarterly record of$5,849,000 - NTIC China net sales increased
6.7% to$3,541,000 - Gross profit as a percent of third quarter net sales increased 210 basis points to
38.2% - Joint venture operating income decreased
3.6% to$2,609,000 - Net income attributable to NTIC decreased
7.8% to$977,000 compared to$1,060,000 - Net income per diluted share attributable to NTIC was
$0.10 , compared to$0.11 - Cash provided by operating activities increased
116% to$7,584,000 for the nine months ended May 31, 2024, compared to$3,506,000 for the same period last fiscal year
“Our third quarter results reflect the progress we are making navigating a fluid macro environment, while capitalizing on growing demand within our Natur-Tec® and ZERUST® oil and gas markets. We achieved record quarterly Natur-Tec® sales driven by continued growth in North America and India for our compostable plastic products and specialty resins. While the timing of approximately
“The 210-basis point year-over-year improvement in third quarter gross profit is encouraging and was primarily due to recent strategies underway aimed at offsetting supply chain disruptions and raw material challenges, including the insourcing of various finished goods production. In addition, we continue to make strategic investments in our operations aimed at supporting additional growth opportunities across our global markets – most notably in North America, Brazil, and India. Overall, fiscal 2024 is shaping up to be a strong year of growth, profitability and strategic investments for NTIC. I am excited by the direction we are headed, and proud of the hard work and dedication of our global team members and joint venture partners,” concluded Mr. Lynch.
NTIC’s consolidated net sales decreased
The following tables set forth NTIC’s net sales by product category for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2024, and May 31, 2023, by segment:
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| May 31, 2024 | % of Net Sales | May 31, 2023 | % of Net Sales | % Change | ||||||||||
| ZERUST® industrial net sales | $ | 13,477,181 | 65.1 | % | $ | 14,103,292 | 67.3 | % | (4.4 | %) | ||||
| ZERUST® oil & gas net sales | 1,360,054 | 6.6 | % | 1,997,382 | 9.5 | % | (31.9 | %) | ||||||
| Total ZERUST® net sales | $ | 14,837,235 | 71.7 | % | $ | 16,100,674 | 76.8 | % | (7.8 | %) | ||||
| Total Natur-Tec® net sales | 5,848,962 | 28.3 | % | 4,869,052 | 23.2 | % | 20.1 | % | ||||||
| Total net sales | $ | 20,686,197 | 100.0 | % | $ | 20,969,726 | 100.0 | % | (1.4 | %) | ||||
| Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| May 31, 2024 | % of Net Sales | May 31, 2023 | % of Net Sales | % Change | ||||||||||
| ZERUST® industrial net sales | $ | 40,431,379 | 65.5 | % | $ | 40,504,908 | 68.4 | % | (0.2 | %) | ||||
| ZERUST® oil & gas net sales | 5,029,696 | 8.2 | % | 5,424,514 | 9.2 | % | (7.3 | %) | ||||||
| Total ZERUST® net sales | $ | 45,461,075 | 73.7 | % | $ | 45,929,422 | 77.6 | % | (1.0 | %) | ||||
| Total Natur-Tec® net sales | 16,249,335 | 26.3 | % | 13,263,895 | 22.4 | % | 22.5 | % | ||||||
| Total net sales | $ | 61,710,410 | 100.0 | % | $ | 59,193,317 | 100.0 | % | 4.3 | % | ||||
NTIC’s joint venture operating income decreased
Operating expenses, as a percent of net sales, for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were
Net income attributable to NTIC for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was
NTIC’s consolidated balance sheet remains strong, with working capital of
At May 31, 2024, the Company had
Conference Call and Webcast
NTIC will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. Central Time to review its results of operations for the third quarter of fiscal year 2024 and its outlook, followed by a question-and-answer session. The conference call will be available to interested parties through a webcast. To join the live call and ask a question, a participant must register using the URL below.
https://register.vevent.com/register/BI5613987f5d08414b9bdee26f0a3f7b70
Once registered, the participant will receive a dial-in number and unique PIN number to access the call.
The audio-only webcast can be accessed at the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/wve7hntp.
A link to the webcast is also available on the Investor Relations section of NTIC’s webpage. Participants are advised to go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to participate in the live webcast, a replay of the webcast will be archived and accessible for approximately one year on the Investor Relations section of NTIC’s webpage.
About Northern Technologies International Corporation
Northern Technologies International Corporation develops and markets proprietary, environmentally beneficial products and services in over 65 countries either directly or via a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures, independent distributors and agents. NTIC’s primary business is corrosion prevention marketed mainly under the ZERUST® brand. NTIC has been selling its proprietary ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting products and services to the automotive, electronics, electrical, mechanical, military and retail consumer markets for almost 50 years and more recently has also targeted and expanded into the oil and gas industry. NTIC offers worldwide on-site technical consulting for rust and corrosion prevention issues. NTIC’s technical service consultants work directly with the end users of NTIC’s products to analyze their specific needs and develop systems to meet their technical requirements. NTIC also markets and sells a portfolio of bio-based and biodegradable polymer resin compounds and finished products marketed under the Natur-Tec® brand.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this release that are not historical information are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include NTIC’s beliefs that demand for oil and gas solutions will expand, oil and gas sales will significantly rebound in fourth quarter of 2024, and our strategic investments will support additional growth opportunities, and other statements that can be identified by words such as “believes,” “continues,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “potential,” “outlook,” “will,” “may,” “would,” “should,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning, and the use of future dates. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of NTIC’s management and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. Such potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, in no particular order: the health of the U.S. and worldwide economies, including in particular the U.S. automotive industry and its evolution towards electric vehicles; the effect of economic uncertainty, recessionary indicators, inflation, increased interest rates and turmoil in the global credit, financial and banking markets or perception thereof; effect of supply chain disruptions; effect of COVID-19; dependence on joint ventures, relationships with joint venture partners and their success, including fees and dividend distributions; risks associated with international operations, including NTIC China, exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, tariffs and trade disputes; effect of economic slowdown and political unrest, including the Russia and Ukraine war and the Israel and Hamas conflict; the level of growth in NTIC’s markets; NTIC’s investments in research and development efforts; acceptance of existing and new products; timing of purchase orders under supply contracts; variability in sales to oil and gas customers and effect on quarterly financial results; increased competition; costs and effects of complying with changes in tax, fiscal, government and other regulatory policies, and rules relating to environmental, health and safety matters; and NTIC’s reliance on its intellectual property rights and the absence of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. More detailed information on these and additional factors which could affect NTIC’s operating and financial results is described in NTIC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. NTIC urges all interested parties to read these reports to gain a better understanding of the many business and other risks that it faces. Additionally, NTIC undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
| NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MAY 31, 2024 (UNAUDITED) AND AUGUST 31, 2023 (AUDITED) | |||||||
| May 31, 2024 | August 31, 2023 | ||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||
| CURRENT ASSETS: | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 5,794,824 | $ | 5,406,173 | |||
| Receivables: | |||||||
| Trade, excluding joint ventures, less allowance for doubtful accounts of | 14,374,856 | 15,645,130 | |||||
| Trade, joint ventures | 594,331 | 187,912 | |||||
| Fees for services provided to joint ventures | 1,262,153 | 1,296,594 | |||||
| Dividend receivable from joint ventures | — | 1,986,027 | |||||
| Income taxes | 463,828 | 34,202 | |||||
| Inventories | 13,242,381 | 13,096,489 | |||||
| Prepaid expenses | 2,170,896 | 2,019,029 | |||||
| Total current assets | $ | 37,903,269 | $ | 39,671,556 | |||
| PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET | $ | 15,678,572 | $ | 14,065,354 | |||
| OTHER ASSETS: | |||||||
| Investments in joint ventures | 24,219,348 | 23,705,714 | |||||
| Deferred income tax, net | 570,673 | 530,944 | |||||
| Intangible asset, net | 5,802,438 | 6,159,485 | |||||
| Goodwill | 4,782,376 | 4,782,376 | |||||
| Operating lease right of use asset | 308,868 | 428,874 | |||||
| Total other assets | 35,683,703 | 35,607,393 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 89,265,544 | $ | 89,344,303 | |||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||
| CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |||||||
| Line of credit | $ | 1,988,380 | $ | 3,600,000 | |||
| Term loan | 2,762,049 | 2,757,176 | |||||
| Accounts payable | 6,273,261 | 6,056,329 | |||||
| Income taxes payable | 17,579 | 13,053 | |||||
| Accrued liabilities: | |||||||
| Payroll and related benefits | 2,216,767 | 2,305,400 | |||||
| Other | 1,289,106 | 1,648,615 | |||||
| Current portion of operating lease | 247,291 | 340,799 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | $ | 14,794,433 | $ | 16,721,372 | |||
| LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | |||||||
| Deferred income tax, net | 1,836,059 | 1,836,059 | |||||
| Operating lease, less current portion | 61,577 | 88,075 | |||||
| Total long-term liabilities | $ | 1,897,636 | $ | 1,924,134 | |||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | |||||||
| EQUITY: | |||||||
| Preferred stock, no par value; authorized 10,000 shares; none issued and outstanding | — | — | |||||
| Common stock, | 188,823 | 188,482 | |||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 23,104,415 | 21,986,767 | |||||
| Retained earnings | 52,596,976 | 51,004,427 | |||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (7,038,745 | ) | (6,823,403 | ) | |||
| Stockholders’ equity | 68,851,469 | 66,356,273 | |||||
| Non-controlling interest | 3,722,006 | 4,342,524 | |||||
| Total equity | 72,573,475 | 70,698,797 | |||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 89,265,544 | $ | 89,344,303 | |||
| NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2024 AND 2023 | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| May 31, 2024 | May 31, 2023 | May 31, 2024 | May 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| NET SALES: | |||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 20,686,197 | $ | 20,969,726 | $ | 61,710,410 | $ | 59,193,317 | |||||||
| Cost of goods sold | 12,793,103 | 13,389,873 | 38,143,878 | 38,957,272 | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 7,893,094 | 7,579,853 | 23,566,532 | 20,236,045 | |||||||||||
| JOINT VENTURE OPERATIONS: | |||||||||||||||
| Equity in income from joint ventures | 1,396,731 | 1,346,658 | 3,676,962 | 3,664,793 | |||||||||||
| Fees for services provided to joint ventures | 1,212,497 | 1,361,311 | 3,764,514 | 3,795,862 | |||||||||||
| Total joint venture operations | 2,609,228 | 2,707,969 | 7,441,476 | 7,460,655 | |||||||||||
| OPERATING EXPENSES: | |||||||||||||||
| Selling expenses | 4,232,887 | 3,893,152 | 12,053,839 | 10,996,303 | |||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | 3,500,113 | 3,205,645 | 10,253,966 | 9,470,433 | |||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | 1,245,405 | 1,282,439 | 3,593,582 | 3,680,246 | |||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 8,978,405 | 8,381,236 | 25,901,387 | 24,146,982 | |||||||||||
| OPERATING INCOME | 1,523,917 | 1,906,586 | 5,106,621 | 3,549,718 | |||||||||||
| INTEREST INCOME | 23,744 | 8,876 | 99,396 | 18,495 | |||||||||||
| INTEREST EXPENSE | (59,939 | ) | (136,168 | ) | (248,835 | ) | (342,643 | ) | |||||||
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE | 1,478,722 | 1,779,294 | 4,957,182 | 3,225,570 | |||||||||||
| INCOME TAX EXPENSE | 332,400 | 542,295 | 848,391 | 834,823 | |||||||||||
| NET INCOME | 1,155,322 | 1,236,999 | 4,108,791 | 2,390,747 | |||||||||||
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS | 178,718 | 177,409 | 535,497 | 417,418 | |||||||||||
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC | $ | 976,604 | $ | 1,059,590 | $ | 3,573,294 | $ | 1,973,329 | |||||||
| NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NTIC PER COMMON SHARE: | |||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.21 | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.20 | |||||||
| WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES | |||||||||||||||
| ASSUMED OUTSTANDING: | |||||||||||||||
| Basic | 9,431,134 | 9,369,923 | 9,432,684 | 9,355,776 | |||||||||||
| Diluted | 10,015,674 | 9,628,069 | 9,819,220 | 9,702,610 | |||||||||||
| CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 0.21 | $ | 0.21 | |||||||
NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
The accompanying press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted net income attributable to NTIC and adjusted net income attributable to NTIC per diluted share, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures are information supplemental and in addition to the financial measures presented in the accompanying release that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. NTIC uses non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental measures of performance and believes these measures facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company by factoring out potential differences caused by non-recurring, unusual or infrequent charges not related to NTIC’s regular, ongoing business. NTIC also believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors in evaluating the company’s operations, period over period. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for, or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in the release. The non-GAAP financial measures in the accompanying release may differ from similar measures used by other companies.
The following is a reconciliation of NTIC’s reported net income attributable to NTIC and reported net income attributable to NTIC per diluted common share to adjusted net income attributable to NTIC and adjusted net income attributable to NTIC per diluted common share, in each case, as adjusted to exclude the amortization expense associated with the net one-time gain related to the acquisition of the remaining
| Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
| May 31, 2024 | May 31, 2023 | May 31, 2024 | May 31, 2023 | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to NTIC, as reported | $ | 976,604 | $ | 1,059,590 | $ | 3,573,294 | $ | 1,973,329 | ||||
| Adjustments for adjusted net income: | ||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | 105,783 | 105,783 | 317,349 | 317,349 | ||||||||
| Non-GAAP adjusted net income | $ | 1,082,387 | $ | 1,165,373 | $ | 3,890,643 | $ | 2,290,678 | ||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding (diluted) | 10,015,674 | 9,628,069 | 9,819,220 | 9,702,610 | ||||||||
| Diluted net income per share, as reported | 0.10 | 0.11 | 0.36 | 0.20 | ||||||||
| Adjustments for adjusted net income, net of tax impact, per diluted share | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.03 | ||||||||
| Non-GAAP diluted adjusted net income per share | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.23 | ||||
Investor and Media Contact:
Matthew Wolsfeld, CFO
NTIC
(763) 225-6600
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