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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / December 06, 2017 / Active-Investors free earnings report on Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: LL) ("Lumber Liquidators") has freshly been issued to its members, and you can also sign up to view this report at www.active-investors.com/registration-sg/?symbol=LL. The Company reported its third quarter fiscal 2017 operating results on October 31, 2017. The largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring in North America reported a continued growth in sales and a positive comp store growth for the fifth consecutive quarter, while its net loss narrowed on a y-o-y basis. Register today and get free access to our complimentary member's area where many more reports are available:

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Active-Investors.com is currently working on the research report for Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), which also belongs to the Services sector as the Company Lumber Liquidators. Do not miss out and become a member today for free to access this upcoming report at:

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Active-Investors.com is focused on giving you timely information and the inside line on companies that matter to you. This morning, Lumber Liquidators Holdings most recent news is on our radar and we have decided to include it on our blog post. Today's free coverage is available at:

www.active-investors.com/registration-sg/?symbol=LL

Earnings Highlights and Summary

Lumber Liquidators' net sales grew 5.4% to $257.2 million in Q3 2017 from $244.1 million in Q3 2016. The Company's sales were lower than analysts' estimates of $261.6 million.

Lumber Liquidators' net sales in comparable stores increased 3.8%, driven by a 3.0% increase in the average sale and a 0.8% increase in the number of customers invoiced, while net sales in non-comparable stores increased $3.8 million. The Company's Merchandise sales in comparable stores grew 1.8% in the reported quarter.

Lumber Liquidators' gross profit increased 20.9% to $92.7 million in Q3 2017 from $76.7 million in Q3 2016. The Company's gross margin increased to 36.0% in the reported quarter from 31.4% in the prior year's same quarter, driven by the higher mix of vinyl products that carry higher margins, improved margins in the Company's wood and bamboo categories, due to reduced clearance sales, lower transportation costs, and lower inventory obsolescence.

For Q3 2017, Lumber Liquidators' selling, general, and administrative expenses (SG&A) increased 9.2% to $110 million from $100.7 million in Q3 2016. The SG&A was negatively impacted in the reported quarter by an $18 million increase to the Company's reserve for the execution of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) relating to the MDL and Abrasion MDL, incremental legal and professional fees, and the impairment of assets related to a vertical integration initiative the Company has discontinued.

Lumber Liquidators' operating loss was $17.3 million for Q3 2017 compared to an operating loss of $24 million in Q3 2016. The Company's operating loss as a percentage of net sales was negative 6.7% and 9.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The operating loss was negatively impacted by an increase in the Company's reserve for the execution of the MOU regarding the MDL and Abrasion MDL, and incremental legal and professional fees in the reported quarter. The same period in the prior year was negatively impacted by incremental legal and professional fees and costs related to the settlement of the Securities Class Action.

On an adjusted basis, the Company's operating income was approximately $5.1 million for Q3 2017 compared to an operating loss of approximately $12.8 million in Q3 2016, with the improvement driven by a revenue growth, an improved gross margin, and a lower SG&A.

Lumber Liquidators' net loss was $18.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, resulting in a loss of $0.66 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $18.4 million, resulting in a loss of $0.68 per diluted share, for Q3 2016. The Company's earnings adjusted for non-recurring expenses totaled $0.07 per share, ahead of Wall Street's estimates for earnings of $0.03 per share.

Cash Matters

At September 30, 2017, Lumber Liquidators' had approximately $115 million in immediate liquidity, comprised of cash and cash equivalents and availability under its revolving credit facility. The Company had $32 million outstanding on its revolving credit facility at September 30, 2017.

Store Update

During Q3 2017, Lumber Liquidators opened three stores and closed one, bringing the total store count to 387 as of September 30, 2017.

Stock Performance Snapshot

December 05, 2017 - At Tuesday's closing bell, Lumber Liquidators Holdings' stock marginally dropped 0.07%, ending the trading session at $29.34.

Volume traded for the day: 1.07 million shares, which was above the 3-month average volume of 1.06 million shares.

Stock performance in the last six-month ? up 9.85%; past twelve-month period ? up 66.70%; and year-to-date ? up 86.40%

After yesterday's close, Lumber Liquidators Holdings' market cap was at $834.84 million.

The stock is part of the Services sector, categorized under the Home Improvement Stores industry.

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