Post Holdings Reports Results For The First Quarter Of Fiscal Year 2019

ST. LOUIS, Jan. 31, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Post Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POST), a consumer packaged goods holding company, today reported results for the first fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2018.

Highlights:

Net sales of $1.4 billion
Operating profit of $293.9 million; net earnings of $125.6 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $292.5 million
Updated fiscal year 2019 Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) guidance range of $1.20-$1.24 billion

Basis of Presentation

Financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 reflect the separate capitalization of 8th Avenue Food & Provisions, Inc. (“8th Avenue”), the holding company for Post’s historical private brands business, effective October 1, 2018, with Post’s 60.5% retained interest in 8th Avenue’s common equity accounted for using equity method accounting. Additionally, financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 include results from Bob Evans Farms, Inc. (“Bob Evans”), which was acquired on January 12, 2018.

First Quarter Consolidated Operating Results

Net sales were $1,411.3 million, a decrease of 1.5%, or $21.8 million, compared to the prior year period. Pro forma net sales (as defined later in this release under “Pro Forma Information”) increased 3.1%, or $42.7 million, when compared to the same period in fiscal year 2018. Gross profit was $426.5 million, or 30.2% of net sales, a decrease of $22.0 million compared to the prior year gross profit of $448.5 million, or 31.3% of net sales.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses were $217.1 million, or 15.4% of net sales, a decrease of $28.9 million compared to the prior year SG&A expenses of $246.0 million, or 17.2% of net sales. SG&A expenses for the first quarter of 2019 included $10.7 million of transaction costs primarily related to the separate capitalization of 8th Avenue and were treated as adjustments for non-GAAP measures. SG&A expenses for the first quarter of 2018 included $10.6 million of integration expenses and a provision for $9.0 million in legal settlements, both of which were treated as adjustments for non-GAAP measures.

Operating profit was $293.9 million, an increase of 82.5%, or $132.9 million, compared to the prior year period operating profit of $161.0 million which included segment profit of $16.9 million attributable to the historical private brands business. Operating profit for the first quarter of 2019 included a $124.7 million gain related to the separate capitalization of 8th Avenue which was treated as an adjustment for non-GAAP measures.

Net earnings were $125.6 million, a decrease of 57.4%, or $169.3 million, compared to the prior year period. Net earnings for the first quarter of 2019 included a loss of $51.7 million primarily related to non-cash mark-to-market adjustments on interest rate swaps, which is discussed later in this release and was treated as an adjustment for non-GAAP measures. Net earnings for the first quarter of 2018 included a $263.6 million one-time income tax net benefit and a $37.3 million loss related to early extinguishment of debt, both of which are discussed later in this release and were treated as adjustments for non-GAAP measures. Net earnings available to common shareholders were $123.6 million, or $1.67 per diluted common share, compared to the prior year period net earnings available to common shareholders of $291.5 million, or $3.82 per diluted common share. Adjusted net earnings were $83.3 million, or $1.11 per adjusted diluted common share, compared to the prior year period adjusted net earnings of $67.9 million, or $0.88 per adjusted diluted common share.

Adjusted EBITDA was $292.5 million, an increase of 3.9%, or $10.9 million, compared to the prior year period Adjusted EBITDA of $281.6 million which included $30.2 million attributable to the historical private brands business.

Segment Results

During the first quarter of 2019, Post reorganized its reported segments by separating the legacy Refrigerated Food segment into two segments: Foodservice and Refrigerated Retail.

The below references to pro forma net sales and volumes are defined later in this release under “Pro Forma Information.”

Post Consumer Brands

North American ready-to-eat (“RTE”) cereal.

Net sales were $455.3 million, an increase of 5.4%, or $23.3 million, compared to the prior year period. Volume growth of 4.8% was driven primarily by certain licensed products, Honey Bunches of Oats and Pebbles. Segment profit was $84.0 million and $70.2 million for first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $113.6 million and $104.8 million for first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Weetabix

International (primarily United Kingdom) RTE cereal and muesli.

Net sales were $100.9 million, an increase of 1.2%, or $1.2 million, compared to the prior year period, with volumes declining 3.3%. Segment profit was $18.9 million and $16.8 million for first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $27.1 million and $25.6 million for first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Foodservice

Primarily egg and potato products.

Net sales were $408.1 million, an increase of 10.6%, or $39.2 million, compared to the reported prior year first quarter. Pro forma net sales increased 4.1%, or $16.2 million, over the same period in fiscal year 2018. Pro forma volumes increased 5.1%, driven by a 5.8% increase in egg volumes and a 4.6% increase in potato volumes. Segment profit was $52.7 million and $45.9 million for first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $77.1 million and $69.8 million for first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Refrigerated Retail

Inclusive of side dishes, egg, cheese and sausage products.

Net sales were $261.6 million, an increase of 84.6%, or $119.9 million, compared to the reported prior year first quarter. Pro forma net sales increased 0.2%, or $0.5 million, over the same period in fiscal year 2018. Pro forma volumes increased 3.2%, driven by a 7.0% increase in pro forma side dish volumes. Volume information for additional products is disclosed in a table presented later in this release. Segment profit was $30.5 million and $23.2 million for first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $48.0 million and $31.2 million for first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Active Nutrition

Protein shakes and other ready-to-drink beverages, powders and bars and nutritional supplements.

Net sales were $185.8 million, flat compared to the prior year period, as net sales growth in shake, other ready-to-drink and powder products was offset by declines in bar products. Shake net sales grew 3.8%, a deceleration from recent periods resulting from short-term capacity constraints. Segment profit was $35.2 million and $19.8 million for first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively. Segment profit for the first quarter of 2018 was negatively impacted by a provision for $9.0 million for a legal settlement. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $41.6 million and $35.3 million for first quarter 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Interest, Loss on Extinguishment of Debt, Expense (Income) on Swaps and Income Tax

Interest expense, net was $59.4 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared to $90.5 million for the first quarter of 2018. Interest expense, net for the first quarter of 2019 included i) a gain of $30.1 million resulting from the reclassification of gains previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense and ii) $4.3 million of interest expense payable, under certain circumstances, to former holders of shares of Bob Evans common stock who demanded appraisal of their shares under Delaware law and had not withdrawn their demands. During the first quarter of 2019, Post i) settled with one such former stockholder and ii) pre-paid the $77.00 per share merger consideration related to claims from the remaining former stockholders, which together resulted in total payments of $257.6 million.

Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of $6.1 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2019 in connection with i) Post’s repayment of $863.0 million in total principal value of its term loan, ii) the assignment of debt to 8th Avenue related to its separate capitalization and iii) Post’s open market purchases of $60.0 million in total principal value of certain senior notes. Loss on extinguishment of debt, net of $37.3 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2018 in connection with Post’s redemption of its 6.00% senior notes.

Expense (income) on swaps, net relates to non-cash mark-to-market adjustments and cash settlements on interest rate swaps. Expense on swaps, net was $51.7 million for the first quarter of 2019, compared to income of $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2018.

Income tax expense was $43.8 million in the first quarter of 2019, an effective income tax rate of 24.3%, compared to a benefit of $255.8 million in the first quarter of 2018. In connection with the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Post recorded a $263.6 million one-time income tax net benefit in the first quarter of 2018.

Share Repurchases

During the first quarter of 2019, Post repurchased 0.3 million shares for $25.3 million at an average price of $88.12 per share. At the end of the first quarter of 2019, Post had $282.7 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization.

Recent Announcements

On January 10, 2019, Post announced it gave notice for the redemption of all outstanding shares of its 2.5% Series C Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock with a redemption date of February 15, 2019.

Outlook

Post management has updated its fiscal year 2019 Adjusted EBITDA range to be between $1.20-$1.24 billion, which excludes any earnings from Post’s investment in 8th Avenue.

In fiscal year 2019, Post management continues to expect to incur the following costs, which are treated as adjustments to non-GAAP measures:

$17-$19 million of restructuring and plant closure costs associated with the closure of certain cereal facilities, comprised of severance, retention and related expenses, adjustments on assets held for sale and accelerated depreciation; and
$2-$3 million of integration costs, comprised of severance, retention and third party consulting expenses.

Post management continues to expect fiscal year 2019 capital expenditures to range between $300-$310 million, including the following:

approximately $80 million related to the previously announced new precooked egg facility in Norwalk, Iowa;
approximately $30 million related to the previously announced cage-free housing conversion at the Bloomfield, Nebraska facility; and
approximately $25 million to upgrade certain manufacturing product lines in Corby, U.K. into a single facility and to complete the start-up and transfer of production to other facilities related to the Clinton, Massachusetts cereal facility closure.

The Company provides Adjusted EBITDA guidance only on a non-GAAP basis and does not provide a reconciliation of its forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA non-GAAP guidance measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation, including adjustments that could be made for gain on sale of business, non-cash mark-to-market adjustments and cash settlements on interest rate swaps, provision for legal settlement, transaction and integration costs, restructuring and plant closure costs, mark-to-market adjustments on commodity and foreign exchange hedges, assets held for sale and other charges reflected in the Company’s reconciliation of historical numbers, the amounts of which, based on historical experience, could be significant. For additional information regarding Post’s non-GAAP measures, see the related explanations presented under “Use of Non-GAAP Measures.”

Fiscal Year 2018 Reclassification

Certain financial amounts for fiscal year 2018 were reclassified to reflect the exclusion of all components of net periodic benefit cost, with the exception of service cost, from operating profit in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Update 2017-07, “Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” The reclassified amounts are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in “Other income, net.” These reclassifications had no impact on net earnings as previously reported.

8th Avenue Standalone Financial Information and Outlook

A business separately capitalized by Post and Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. (“THL”), in which Post and THL own 60.5% and 39.5%, respectively, of the common equity of 8th Avenue, the holding company for Post’s historical private brands business (nut butter, dried fruit and nut, granola and pasta).

Net sales were $214.1 million, an increase of 3.7%, or $7.7 million, compared to the prior year period. Net loss was $4.5 million and Adjusted EBITDA was $22.9 million. As of December 31, 2018, 8th Avenue is capitalized with $648 million of senior secured debt and $250 million of preferred equity. Summarized financial information for 8th Avenue is disclosed later in this release.

For 8th Avenue, Post management continues to expect fiscal year 2019 Adjusted EBITDA to range between $110-$120 million.

Post provides Adjusted EBITDA guidance for 8th Avenue only on a non-GAAP basis and does not provide a reconciliation of its forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA non-GAAP guidance measure to the most directly comparable GAAP measure due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation, including transaction and integration costs and other charges reflected in 8th Avenue’s reconciliation of historical numbers, the amounts of which, based on historical experience, could be significant. For additional information regarding Post’s non-GAAP measures, see the related explanations presented under “Use of Non-GAAP Measures.”

Use of Non-GAAP Measures

The Company uses certain non-GAAP measures in this release to supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP measures include total segment profit, Adjusted net earnings, Adjusted diluted earnings per common share, Adjusted EBITDA for the Company and 8th Avenue, and segment Adjusted EBITDA. The reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is provided later in this release under “Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures.”

Management uses certain of these non-GAAP measures, including Adjusted EBITDA and segment Adjusted EBITDA, as key metrics in the evaluation of underlying Company and segment performance, in making financial, operating and planning decisions and, in part, in the determination of cash bonuses for its executive officers and employees. Management believes the use of these non-GAAP measures provides increased transparency and assists investors in understanding the underlying operating performance of the Company and its segments and in the analysis of ongoing operating trends. Non-GAAP measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, as they exclude certain items as described later in this release. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. For additional information regarding the Company’s non-GAAP measures, see the related explanations provided under “Explanation and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures” later in this release.

Conference Call to Discuss Earnings Results and Outlook

Post will host a conference call on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. EST to discuss financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2019 outlook and to respond to questions. Robert V. Vitale, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jeff A. Zadoks, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will participate in the call.

Interested parties may join the conference call by dialing (877) 540-0891 in the United States and (678) 408-4007 from outside of the United States. The conference identification number is 8557859. Interested parties are invited to listen to the webcast of the conference call, which can be accessed by visiting the Investor Relations section of Post’s website at www.postholdings.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available through Friday, February 15, 2019 by dialing (800) 585-8367 in the United States and (404) 537-3406 from outside of the United States and using the conference identification number 8557859. A webcast replay also will be available for a limited period on Post’s website in the Investor Relations section.

Prospective Financial Information

Prospective financial information is necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions underlying the prospective financial information described above will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results. For further discussion of some of the factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from the information provided above, see “Forward-Looking Statements” below. Accordingly, the prospective financial information provided above is only an estimate of what the Company’s management believes is realizable as of the date of this release. It also should be recognized that the reliability of any forecasted financial data diminishes the farther in the future that the data is forecast. In light of the foregoing, the information should be viewed in context and undue reliance should not be placed upon it.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this release and on the conference call are forward-looking statements, including Post’s Adjusted EBITDA outlook for fiscal year 2019, Post’s capital expenditures expectations, including capital expenditures expectations related to the new precooked egg facility, the cage-free housing conversion, upgrading certain manufacturing product lines in Corby and the start-up and transfer of production to other facilities related to the Clinton cereal facility closure, Post’s restructuring, plant closure and integration cost expectations, Post management’s Adjusted EBITDA outlook for 8th Avenue for fiscal year 2019 and statements regarding the initial public offering of Post’s Active Nutrition business. These forward-looking statements are sometimes identified from the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” “continue,” “expect,” “project,” “estimate,” “predict,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “intend,” “plan,” “forecast,” “target,” “is likely,” “will,” “can,” “may,” “would” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions, and include all statements regarding future performance, earnings projections, events or developments. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Post’s high leverage, Post’s ability to obtain additional financing (including both secured and unsecured debt) and Post’s ability to service its outstanding debt (including covenants that restrict the operation of its business);
Post’s ability to continue to compete in its product categories and Post’s ability to retain its market position and favorable perceptions of its brands;
Post’s ability to anticipate and respond to changes in consumer preferences and trends and introduce new products;
the possibility that Post may not be able to consummate the initial public offering of its Active Nutrition business on the expected timeline or at all, that Post may not be able to create value in its Active Nutrition business through such transaction or that the pursuit of such transaction could be disruptive to Post and its Active Nutrition business;
Post’s ability to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions and manage its growth;
Post’s ability to promptly and effectively realize the expected synergies of its acquisition of Bob Evans within the expected timeframe or at all;
higher freight costs, significant volatility in the costs or availability of certain raw materials, commodities or packaging used to manufacture Post’s products or higher energy costs;
impairment in the carrying value of goodwill or other intangibles;
Post’s ability to successfully implement business strategies to reduce costs;
allegations that Post’s products cause injury or illness, product recalls and withdrawals and product liability claims and other litigation;
legal and regulatory factors, such as compliance with existing laws and regulations and changes to and new laws and regulations affecting Post’s business, including current and future laws and regulations regarding food safety, advertising and labeling and animal feeding and housing operations;
the loss of, a significant reduction of purchases by or the bankruptcy of a major customer;
consolidations in the retail and foodservice distribution channels;
losses incurred in the appraisal proceedings brought in connection with Post’s acquisition of Bob Evans by former Bob Evans stockholders who demanded appraisal of their shares;
the ultimate impact litigation or other regulatory matters may have on Post;
disruptions or inefficiencies in the supply chain, including as a result of Post’s reliance on third party manufacturers for certain of its products;
changes in weather conditions, natural disasters, agricultural diseases and pests and other events beyond Post’s control;
Post’s ability to successfully collaborate with the private equity firm THL, whose affiliates invested with Post in 8th Avenue;
costs associated with Bob Evans’s obligations in connection with the sale and separation of its restaurant business in April 2017, which occurred prior to Post’s acquisition of Bob Evans, including certain indemnification obligations under the restaurants sale agreement and Bob Evans’s payment and performance obligations as a guarantor for certain leases;
the ability of Post’s and Post’s customers’ private brand products to compete with nationally branded products;
Post’s ability to successfully operate its international operations in compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
changes in economic conditions, disruptions in the United States and global capital and credit markets, changes in interest rates and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
the possibility of, or the occurrence of, a prolonged shutdown of the United States federal government, including any uncertainties resulting therefrom, any adverse impacts on the financial markets and economic conditions in the United States or worldwide and any regulatory or other delays occurring during or after a shutdown;
the impact of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (commonly known as “Brexit”) on Post and its operations;
changes in estimates in critical accounting judgments, including those based on tax reform;
loss of key employees, labor strikes, work stoppages or unionization efforts;
losses or increased funding and expenses related to Post’s qualified pension or other postretirement plans;
costs, business disruptions and reputational damage associated with information technology failures, cybersecurity incidents or information security breaches;
Post’s ability to protect its intellectual property and other assets;
significant differences in Post’s and 8th Avenue’s actual operating results from Post’s guidance regarding its and 8th Avenue’s future performance;
Post’s ability to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; and
other risks and uncertainties described in Post’s filings with the SEC.

These forward-looking statements represent Post’s judgment as of the date of this release. Post disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

About Post Holdings, Inc.

Post Holdings, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a consumer packaged goods holding company operating in the center-of-the-store, refrigerated, foodservice, food ingredient, and active nutrition food categories. Through its Post Consumer Brands business, Post is a leader in the North American ready-to-eat cereal category offering a broad portfolio including recognized brands such as Honey Bunches of Oats®, Pebbles™, Great Grains® and Malt-O-Meal® bag cereal. Post also is a leader in the United Kingdom ready-to-eat cereal category with the iconic Weetabix® brand. As a leader in refrigerated foods, Post delivers innovative, value-added egg and refrigerated potato products to the foodservice channel and the retail refrigerated side dish category, offering side dishes and egg, sausage and cheese products through the Bob Evans®, Simply Potatoes®, All Whites®, Better’n Eggs® and Crystal Farms® brands. Post’s Active Nutrition platform brings good energy to a wide range of consumers looking to live healthy lives through brands such as Premier Protein®, PowerBar® and Dymatize®. Post participates in the private brand food category through its investment with Thomas H. Lee Partners in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions, a leading, private brand centric, consumer products holding company. For more information, visit www.postholdings.com.

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