Boston Beer Reports Third Quarter 2017 Results

BOSTON, Oct. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) reported third quarter 2017 net revenue of $247.0 million, a decrease of $6.4 million or 3% from the third quarter of 2016, mainly due to a decline in shipments of 4%.  Net income for the third quarter was $33.7 million, or $2.78 per diluted share, an increase of $2.1 million or $0.30 per diluted share from the third quarter of 2016.  This increase in net income was primarily due to a decrease in general and administrative expenses, increases in gross margin and a lower tax rate that were partially offset by a decrease in net revenue. 

Earnings per diluted share for the 39-week period ended September 30, 2017 were $5.54, an increase of $0.49 from the comparable 39-week period in 2016.  Net revenue for the 39-week period ended September 30, 2017 was $656.7 million, a decrease of $30.4 million, or 4%, from the comparable 39-week period in 2016.

In the third quarter and the 39-week period ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $0.04 per diluted share and $0.35 per diluted share, respectively, resulting from the adoption of the new Accounting Standard "Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" ("ASU 2016-09"), which was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017.

Highlights of this release include:

• Depletions decreased 3.5% and 6% from the comparable 13 and 39 week periods in 2016.
• Gross margin was 53.2% for the third quarter, an increase from 52.7% in the comparable 13-week period in 2016, and 52.1% for the 39-week period ending September 30, 2017, an increase from 51.2% in the comparable 39-week period in 2016. The Company maintains its full year gross margin target of between 51% and 52%.
• Advertising, promotional and selling expense was flat to the comparable 13-week period in 2016 and decreased $1.1 million, or 1%, from the comparable 39-week period in 2016.
• Full-year 2017 year over year depletion and shipment change is now estimated at between minus 7% and minus 4%, a decrease and narrowing of the range from the previously communicated estimate of between minus 7% and plus 1%.  The 2017 fiscal year includes 52 weeks compared to the 2016 fiscal year, which included 53 weeks.
• Based on current spending and investment plans, full year 2017 Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share¹, which excludes the impact of ASU 2016-09, is now estimated at between $5.60 and $6.20, a narrowing up of the range from the previously communicated estimate of $5.00 and $6.20.

Jim Koch, Chairman and Founder of the Company, commented, "Total Company depletion trends showed continued improvement during the last quarter while still remaining slightly negative.  We remain challenged by the general softening of the craft beer and cider categories and a competitive retail environment with a lot of options for our drinkers. Our leadership team continues to make strides to address these challenges. During the quarter, we have had better focus and execution at retail around our fall seasonal program, which appear to have helped our Samuel Adams Octoberfest trends.  We are excited by the introduction in the coming weeks of new media campaigns for both our Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard brands and by the early reception to our key innovations that we are planning to launch nationally in the first quarter of 2018.  These innovations include Samuel Adams Sam '76, a uniquely flavorful and refreshing lager ale union. The Sam '76 launch will be supported by new media, launch events and other marketing programs to drive awareness of this revolutionary beer.  Other innovations that we are planning to launch nationally in the first quarter of 2018 include Samuel Adams New England IPA and Angry Orchard Rosé.  In our search to find a successor to our CEO Martin Roper, who announced plans to retire in 2018, our Board continues its process to identify and recruit an exceptional leader who will be able to harness and accelerate the positive steps that we are taking, while building and leveraging our unique craft culture.  Consistent with his commitment when he announced his proposed retirement, Martin will continue to lead the team as CEO, until his successor has formally joined the Company, and assist in the new CEO on-boarding process.  We believe that we are well positioned to meet the longer-term challenges because of the quality of our employees, our beers, our innovation capability and our sales execution strength, coupled with our strong financial position that enables us to invest in growing our brands and creating new growth opportunities."

Martin Roper, the Company's President and CEO stated, "Our reported third quarter depletions decline was primarily due to decreases in our Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard brands and a slight headwind from the timing of our fiscal quarter in relation to the Fourth of July holiday. These decreases were only partially offset by increases in our Truly Spiked & Sparkling and Twisted Tea brands.  We are encouraged by the improving total Company depletions trends since the first quarter, but the on-premise channel remains challenging.  Truly Spiked & Sparkling has developed as one of the leaders in the emerging hard sparkling water segment and Twisted Tea continues to grow distribution and pull.  Most of our volume declines for the quarter resulted from the continued underperformance of our Samuel Adams brand; however, we have seen sequential improvements relative to first and second quarter performance.  Our plans to improve our Samuel Adams trends include the introduction of a new campaign this quarter with integrated messaging across media, digital and point of sale, along with a more focused sales execution on our core initiatives. Our plans also include the national launch of Sam '76 planned for early 2018 and the return of Samuel Adams Cold Snap as our first quarter seasonal.  In the third quarter, we also saw continued declines in the cider category and in our Angry Orchard brand.  As the leader in the cider category, we are determined to turn these category trends around, and will introduce a new media campaign designed to better educate drinkers on hard cider and the occasions to drink it while explaining the quality and uniqueness of Angry Orchard.  We are excited by our planned national launch of Angry Orchard Rosé cider as we hope to attract new drinkers to the category. This launch will be integrated into our new campaign reinforcing occasions, innovation and quality.  We have adjusted our expectations for 2017 full-year depletions growth and our earnings guidance to reflect our trends for the first nine months and our current view of the remainder of the year, which includes continued investments in our brands and our new media campaigns.  While our full year depletions trends are below our expectations, we are pleased that our efficiency and cost initiatives are delivering ahead of targets and have provided us the flexibility to invest more in our brands. We remain prepared to forsake short term earnings, as we invest to return to long-term profitable growth, commensurate with the opportunities and the increased competition that we see.  We have provided our preliminary view of 2018 growth rates based on our plans but these rates are difficult to predict and subject to reassessment.  With increased competition and retailer programing decisions remaining unclear it is not possible to be more definitive in our outlook, but we remain optimistic for continued long term growth of the cider and high-end beer segments."

Mr. Roper went on to say, "Our priorities for the remainder of 2017 and 2018 remain unchanged.  Our number one priority is returning both Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard to growth through continued packaging, innovation, promotion and brand communication initiatives, while maintaining Twisted Tea's momentum.  Our second priority is a focus on cost savings and efficiency projects to fund the investments needed to grow our brands.  We have adjusted our organization to the new volume environment, while preserving the capability to innovate and return to growth.  We believe that the results of these initiatives show in our reported gross margin improvements and in our operating expenses.  Based on the success of these efforts, we are maintaining our previously stated goal of increasing our gross margins by about one percentage point per year through 2019, before any mix or volume impacts, while preserving our quality and improving our service levels. Our third priority is long-term innovation, where our current focus is on ensuring that Truly Spiked & Sparkling reaches its full potential, and our long-term intent is to generate a consistent cadence of interesting brand innovations."

3rd Quarter 2017 Summary of Results

Depletions decreased 3.5% from the comparable 13-week period in 2016. 

Shipment volume was approximately 1.1 million barrels, a 4% decrease from the comparable 13-week period in 2016.

The Company believes distributor inventory levels at September 30, 2017 were appropriate. Inventory at distributors participating in the Freshest Beer Program at September 30, 2017 decreased in terms of days of inventory on hand when compared to September 24, 2016. The Company has approximately 79% of its volume on the Freshest Beer Program.

Gross margin at 53.2% represented an increase from the 52.7% margin realized in the third quarter of 2016.  The increase primarily resulted from increases in revenue per barrel due to pricing and package mix and lower brewery processing costs driven by waste reductions and efficiency gains, partially offset by unfavorable fixed cost absorption due to lower volumes.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses were flat to the comparable 13-week period in 2016, primarily due to slightly higher media spending that was offset by decreases in freight to distributors, as a result of lower volume and lower rates.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $3.1 million from the comparable 13-week period in 2016, primarily due to decreases in stock compensation related to the planned retirement of the Company's Chief Executive Officer in 2018, salary and benefit costs, consulting and legal costs.

Year to Date 2017 Summary of Results

Depletions decreased 6% from the comparable 39-week period in 2016, reflecting decreases in the Company's Samuel Adams and Angry Orchard brands, partially offset by increases in its Truly Spiked & Sparkling and Twisted Tea brands.

Shipment volume was approximately 2.9 million barrels, a 6% decrease from the comparable 39-week period in 2016.

Gross margin at 52.1% represented an increase from the 51.2% margin realized in the comparable 39-week period in 2016. The increase primarily resulted from increases in revenue per barrel due to pricing and package mix and lower brewery processing costs driven by waste reductions and efficiency gains, partially offset by unfavorable fixed cost absorption due to lower volumes.

Advertising, promotional and selling expenses decreased $1.1 million from the comparable 39-week period in 2016, primarily due to decreases in point of sale and freight to distributors, as a result of lower volume and lower freight rates that were partially offset by higher investments in our sales force and media spending.

General and administrative expenses decreased $8.0 million from the comparable 39-week period in 2016, primarily due to decreases in stock compensation related to the planned retirement of the Company's Chief Executive Officer in 2018, consulting and legal costs.

Impairment of long-lived assets increased $1.5 million from the comparable 39-week period in 2016, primarily due to the write-down of brewery equipment at the Company's Pennsylvania and Cincinnati breweries.

The Company's effective tax rate for the 39-week period ended September 30, 2017 decreased to 32.5% from 36.6% in the comparable 39-week period in 2016. This decrease was primarily due to the tax benefit resulting from the adoption ASU 2016-09, which was effective for the Company on January 1, 2017.

The Company expects that its September 30, 2017 cash balance of $70.0 million, together with its future operating cash flows and its $150.0 million line of credit, will be sufficient to fund future cash requirements.

During the 39-week period ended September 30, 2017 and the period from October 1, 2017 through October 20, 2017, the Company repurchased approximately 884,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $130.5 million.  As of October 20, 2017 the Company had approximately $192.8 million remaining on the $931.0 million share buyback expenditure limit set by the Board of Directors.

Depletion estimates

Year-to-date depletions through the 42-week period ended October 21, 2017 are estimated by the Company to have decreased approximately 6% from the comparable period in 2016.

2017 Outlook

The Company currently projects full year 2017 Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share of between $5.60 and $6.20.  This Non-GAAP projection excludes the impact of ASU 2016-09.  The Company's actual 2017 earnings per share could vary significantly from the current projection.  The 2017 fiscal year includes 52 weeks compared to the 2016 fiscal year which included 53 weeks.  Underlying the Company's current 2017 projection are the following 52-week full-year estimates and targets:

• Depletions and shipments percentage change of between minus 7% and minus 4% from the 53-week number in 2016.
• Price increases per barrel of between 1% and 2%.
• Gross margin of between 51% and 52%.
• Increased investments in advertising, promotional and selling expenses of between $10 million and $20 million.  This does not include any changes in freight costs for the shipment of products to the Company's distributors. This estimate is subject to timing of brand investments currently planned for the fourth quarter of 2017 which could move into 2018.
• Non-GAAP effective tax rate of approximately 37%, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09. 
• Estimated capital spending of between $35 million and $45 million, most of which relates to continued investments in the Company's breweries.

2018 Outlook

The Company is completing its 2018 planning process and will provide further detailed guidance when the Company presents its full-year 2017 results.  The Company is currently using the following preliminary assumptions and targets for its 2018 fiscal year:

• Depletions and shipments percentage increase of low single digits.
• National price increases of between 1% and 2%.
• Gross margin of between 52% and 53%. Increasing during the year due to progress on the cost initiatives.
• Increased investment in advertising, promotional and selling expenses of between $15 million and $25 million.  This does not include any changes in freight costs for the shipment of products to the Company's distributors.  This estimate is subject to the timing of brand investments currently planned for the fourth quarter 2017 which could move into 2018.
• Non-GAAP effective tax rate of approximately 37%, excluding the impact of ASU 2016-09.
• Estimated capital spending of between $55 million and $65 million, which could be significantly higher, if deemed necessary to meet future growth.

Non-GAAP effective tax rate and Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share are not defined terms under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). These Non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for diluted earnings per share and effective tax rate data prepared in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to calculations of similarly titled measures by other companies. The Company's projection for its Non-GAAP effective tax rate and Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share exclude the impact of ASU 2016-09, which could be significant and will depend largely upon unpredictable future events outside the Company's control, including the timing and value realized upon exercise of stock options versus the fair value of those options when granted. Therefore, because of the uncertainty and variability of the impact of ASU 2016-09, the Company is unable to provide, without unreasonable effort, a reconciliation of these Non-GAAP measures on a forward-looking basis.

About the Company

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 and today brews more than 60 styles of Samuel Adams beer.  Our portfolio of brands also includes Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Twisted Tea, Truly Spiked & Sparkling, as well as several other craft beer brands brewed by A&S Brewing, our craft beer incubator.  For more information, please visit our investor relations website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to all of our respective brand websites.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release that state the Company's or management's intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements.  It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements.  Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the Company's report on Form 10-K for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015.  Copies of these documents may be found on the Company's website, www.bostonbeer.com, or obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC.

Thursday, October 26, 2017

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SOURCE The Boston Beer Company, Inc.