Petco Health + Wellness Company, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Earnings, Issues 2023 Outlook

Q4 2022 Highlights

• Comparable sales grew 5.3 percent year over year and 18.8 percent on a two-year basis, resulting in the seventeenth consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth
• Net revenue of $1.58 billion increased 4.2 percent year over year
• Delivered net income of $32.7 million, an increase of 12.9 percent year over year, and Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $170.3 million, a decrease of 1.1 percent year over year
• Earnings per share of $0.12, an increase of $0.01 from prior year; Adjusted Earnings Per Share¹ of $0.23, a decline of $0.05 from prior year
• Generated $136.5 million of operating cash flow, an increase of 95.7 percent year over year
• Delivered $70.6 million of Free Cash Flow¹, an increase of $75.6 million year over year

Full Year 2022 Highlights

• Comparable sales grew 4.5 percent year over year and 23.5 percent on a two-year basis
• Net revenue of $6.04 billion increased 3.9 percent year over year
• Delivered net income of $90.8 million, a decrease of 44.8 percent year over year, and Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $582.3 million, a decrease of 1.5 percent year over year
• Earnings per share of $0.34, a decline of $0.28 year over year; Adjusted Earnings Per Share¹ of $0.75, a decline of $0.16 year over year
• Generated $346.0 million of operating cash flow, a decrease of 3.4 percent year over year
• Delivered $68.0 million of Free Cash Flow¹, a decrease of $51.1 million year over year

SAN DIEGO, March 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc. (Nasdaq: WOOF), a complete partner in pet health and wellness, today announced its fourth quarter and full year 2022 financial results.       

In the fourth quarter of 2022, Petco delivered net revenue of $1.58 billion, up 4.2 percent versus prior year, driven by strength in the company's consumables business, up 12.1 percent versus prior year, and services and other business, up 17.0 percent versus prior year, which was partially offset by its supplies and companion animal business, down 7.8 percent versus prior year. Net income was $32.7 million or $0.12 per share, compared to $29.0 million or $0.11 per share in the prior year. Adjusted Net Income¹ was $62.0 million or $0.23 per share, compared to $75.1 million or $0.28 per share in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $170.3 million compared to $172.2 million in the prior year.

For the full year 2022, Petco delivered net revenue of $6.04 billion, up 3.9 percent versus prior year.  Revenue growth was driven by strength in the company's consumables business, up 12.9 percent versus prior year, and services and other business, up 20.2 percent versus prior year, and partially offset by its supplies and companion animal business, down 8.9 percent versus prior year. Net income was $90.8 million or $0.34 per share, compared to $164.4 million or $0.62 per share in the prior year. Adjusted Net Income¹ was $200.8 million or $0.75 per share, compared to $241.1 million or $0.91 per share in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA¹ was $582.3 million compared to $591.5 million in the prior year.

In March 2023, Petco paid down $35 million on its term loan, $31 million more than the required quarterly payment and is targeting $100 million total in principal payments for 2023. 

"Record fourth quarter sales, with cash flow exceeding expectations, rounded out a solid fiscal year, once again demonstrating the enduring strength of the pet category and Petco's ability to grow through economic cycles," said Petco CEO Ron Coughlin. "I'm grateful for our incredible partners and their ongoing commitment to Petco's mission of improving the lives of pets, pet parents, and the partners who work at Petco. As we look ahead, the pet category remains resilient and growing, and we'll continue to execute day-in and day-out while we progress our differentiated long-term growth strategy."

Q4 2022 Operating Results:

Comparisons are fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 ended January 28, 2023 versus fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 ended January 29, 2022 unless otherwise noted.

• Net revenue increased 4.2 percent to $1.58 billion driven by comparable sales growth of 5.3 percent
• Net income increased $3.7 million to $32.7 million or $0.12 per share
• Adjusted Net Income¹ decreased $13.1 million to $62.0 million or $0.23 per share
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ decreased $1.9 million to $170.3 million
• Operating cash flow increased 95.7 percent to $136.5 million
• Free Cash Flow¹ increased $75.6 million to $70.6 million

Fiscal 2022 Operating Results:

Comparisons are fiscal year ended January 28, 2023 versus fiscal year ended January 29, 2022 unless otherwise noted.

• Net revenue increased 3.9 percent to $6.04 billion driven by comparable sales growth of 4.5 percent
• Net income decreased $73.6 million to $90.8 million or $0.34 per share
• Adjusted Net Income¹ decreased $40.3 million to $200.8 million or $0.75 per share
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ decreased $9.1 million to $582.3 million
• Operating cash flow decreased 3.4 percent to $346.0 million
• Free Cash Flow¹ decreased $51.1 million to $68.0 million

Changes in non-GAAP Definitions and Fiscal 2023 Outlook

Beginning in fiscal 2023, Petco has made certain changes to its definitions for Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted EPS that impact the comparability of the metrics to prior periods.  Specifically, Petco will no longer include store pre-opening expenses, store closing expenses, non-cash occupancy costs, and certain other costs in its non-GAAP add-backs. Accordingly, Petco's 2023 Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS guidance reflects Petco's updated definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS.  See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for additional details of these changes and a reconciliation of the definitions prior to fiscal 2023 to allow for like-for-like comparisons to the new definitions for all periods presented.  

Furthermore, Fiscal 2023 will be a 53-week year for Petco, leading to an incremental week of operations relative to Fiscal 2022. 

Given the foregoing, inclusive of Petco's expected 53^rd week of operations, the company expects:

In light of the current macroeconomic environment, the company is providing one-time commentary on its debt paydown expectations.  In Fiscal 2023, the company expects to make a total of $100 million in principal payments on its term loan, which is inclusive of the $35 million paid in March detailed above.

*Assumptions in the guidance include that economic conditions, currency rates and the tax and regulatory landscape remain generally consistent. Adjusted EPS guidance assumes approximately $145 to $155 million of  interest expense, an estimated $44 to $54 million increase in interest expense, a 26 percent tax rate, and a 273 million weighted average diluted share count. 

The Company estimates that the increase in interest expense will impact Adjusted EPS by approximately $0.12 to $0.15 per share.  Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are non-GAAP financial measures and have not been reconciled to the most comparable GAAP outlook because it is not possible to do so without unreasonable efforts due to the uncertainty and potential variability of reconciling items, which are dependent on future events and often outside of management's control and which could be significant. Because such items cannot be reasonably predicted with the level of precision required, we are unable to provide outlook for the comparable GAAP measures. Forward-looking estimates of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS are made in a manner consistent with the relevant definitions and assumptions noted herein and in our filings with the SEC.

Earnings Conference Call Webcast Information:

Management will host an earnings conference call on March 22, 2023 at 8:00 AM Eastern Time to discuss the company's financial results. The conference call will be accessible through live webcast. Interested  investors and other individuals can access the webcast, earnings release, earnings presentation, infographic, and earnings supplement via the company's investor relations page at ir.petco.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived on the company's investor relations page through April 5, 2023 until approximately 5:00 PM Eastern Time.

About Petco, The Health + Wellness Co.:

Founded in 1965, Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and our own Petco partners. We've consistently set new standards in pet care while delivering comprehensive pet wellness products, services and solutions, and creating communities that deepen the pet-pet parent bond. We operate more than 1,500 pet care centers across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, which offer merchandise, companion animals, grooming, training and a growing network of on-site veterinary hospitals and mobile veterinary clinics. Our complete pet health and wellness ecosystem is accessible through our pet care centers and digitally at petco.com and on the Petco app. In tandem with Petco Love (formerly the Petco Foundation), an independent nonprofit organization, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, we've helped find homes for nearly 7 million animals.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This earnings release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, concerning expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding our fiscal year 2023 guidance. Such forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "believes," "expects," "may," "intends," "will," "shall," "should," "anticipates," "opportunity," "illustrative", or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Although Petco believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct or that any forward-looking results will occur or be realized. Nothing contained in this earnings release is, or should be relied upon as, a promise or representation or warranty as to any future matter, including any matter in respect of the operations or business or financial condition of Petco. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions about future events that may or may not be correct or necessarily take place and that are by their nature subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are outside the control of Petco. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the potential results or events discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those identified in this earnings release as well as the following: (i) increased competition (including from multi-channel retailers and e-Commerce providers); (ii) reduced consumer demand for our products and/or services; (iii) our reliance on key vendors; (iv) our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; (v) risks arising from statutory, regulatory and/or legal developments; (vi) macroeconomic pressures in the markets in which we operate, including inflation and prevailing interest rates; (vii) failure to effectively manage our costs; (viii) our reliance on our information technology systems; (ix) our ability to prevent or effectively respond to a privacy or security breach; (x) our ability to effectively manage or integrate strategic ventures, alliances or acquisitions and realize the anticipated benefits of such transactions; (xi) economic or regulatory developments that might affect our ability to provide attractive promotional financing; (xii) business interruptions and other supply chain issues; (xiii) catastrophic events, political tensions, conflicts and wars (such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine), health crises, and pandemics; (xiv) our ability to maintain positive brand perception and recognition; (xv) product safety and quality concerns; (xvi) changes to labor or employment laws or regulations; (xvii) our ability to effectively manage our real estate portfolio; (xviii) constraints in the capital markets or our vendor credit terms; (xix) changes in our credit ratings; and (xx) the other risks, uncertainties and other factors identified under "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in Petco's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The occurrence of any such factors could significantly alter the results set forth in these statements.

Petco cautions that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not complete, and forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Petco undertakes no duty to update publicly any such forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law, regulation or other competent legal authority.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following information provides definitions and reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this earnings release to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The company has provided this non-GAAP financial information, which is not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as information supplemental and in addition to the financial measures presented in this earnings release that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in this earnings release. The non-GAAP financial measures in this earnings release may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Beginning in fiscal 2023, Petco has made certain changes to how it defines Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted EPS that impact the comparability of the metrics to prior periods.  Specifically, Petco will no longer include store pre-opening expenses, store closing expenses, non-cash occupancy costs, and certain other costs in its non-GAAP add-backs. Details of these changes and a reconciliation of the definitions prior to fiscal 2023 to the go-forward definition is presented in the tables and related footnotes below. The tables below reflect the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted EPS, as applicable, for the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended January 28, 2023 compared to the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended January 29, 2022, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA and Trailing Twelve Month Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA, including Trailing Twelve Month Adjusted EBITDA, is considered a non-GAAP financial measure under the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) rules because it excludes certain amounts included in net income calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure to share with investors because it facilitates comparison of the current period performance with that of the comparable prior period. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA affords investors a view of what management considers to be Petco's core operating performance as well as the ability to make a more informed assessment of such operating performance as compared with that of the prior period. Please see the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 24, 2022 for additional information on Adjusted EBITDA.

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to Petco common stockholders (Adjusted EPS) are considered non-GAAP financial measures under the SEC's rules because they exclude certain amounts included in the net income attributable to Petco common stockholders and diluted earnings per share attributable to Petco common stockholders calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management  believes that Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are meaningful measures to share with investors because they facilitate comparison of the current period performance with that of the comparable prior period. In addition, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS afford investors a view of what management considers to be Petco's core earnings performance as well as the ability to make a more informed assessment of such earnings performance with that of the prior period.

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities less cash paid for fixed assets. Management believes that Free Cash Flow, which measures the ability to generate additional cash from business operations, is an important financial measure for use in evaluating the company's financial performance.

The table below reflects the calculation of Free Cash Flow for the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended January 28, 2023 and January 29, 2022, respectively.

Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS Footnotes

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SOURCE Petco - Investor Relations