UNITED STATIONERS INC. DEERFIELD, Ill., Oct. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Stationers Inc. (NASDAQ: USTR), a leading supplier of business essentials in North America, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014.
Overview
-- Diluted earnings per share were $0.98, compared to $1.01 in the
prior-year quarter.
-- Net sales increased 6.2 percent to $1.42 billion, compared to $1.34
billion in the prior-year quarter.
-- Gross profit was $211.0 million, or 14.9 percent of sales, compared with
$203.7 million, or 15.2 percent of sales in the prior-year quarter.
-- Operating expenses were $146.6 million, or 10.3 percent of sales,
compared with $136.3 million, or 10.2 percent of sales in the prior-year
quarter.
-- Operating income was $64.5 million, or 4.5 percent of sales, compared to
$67.4 million, or 5.0 percent of sales, in the prior-year quarter.
-- In September 2014, the company announced it will acquire Liberty Bell
Equipment, a leading wholesaler of automotive aftermarket tools and
supplies, and its affiliates (collectively, "MEDCO") including G2S
Equipment de Fabrication et d'Entretien ULC, a Canadian wholesaler. The
transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014
and is subject to customary closing conditions.
"Robust sales gains in our industrial, online, and janitorial and breakroom businesses drove our third quarter performance as we continue to successfully implement our diversification strategy," said Cody Phipps, president and chief executive officer. "Our team is actively managing the inherent margin volatility related to our diversification and development of a common platform for our office products and janitorial businesses."
Third Quarter Performance
Net sales increased 6.2 percent during the third quarter of 2014 to $1.42 billion when compared to the third quarter of last year. Sales of industrial supplies increased 24.4 percent to $163.5 million, including $21.9 million from the CPO acquisition, from $131.5 million. Janitorial and breakroom supplies sales increased 12.1 percent to $386.1 million from $344.5 million. Traditional office products sales increased 1.4 percent to $360.4 million from $355.2 million in the prior-year quarter. Technology remained flat to the prior-year quarter at $381.2 million during the third quarter of 2014. Furniture was down slightly to $84.5 million compared to $85.1 million in the prior year quarter.
Gross profit in the third quarter of 2014 increased 3.6 percent to $211.0 million, compared to $203.7 million the prior-year quarter. Gross margin declined 35 basis points from the prior-year quarter to 14.9 percent of sales. The decline in margin rate resulted from higher freight costs and higher inventory-related costs partially offset by favorable product margins.
Operating expenses for the third quarter increased to $146.6 million, or 10.3 percent of sales, due to the acquisition of CPO and higher bad debt expense. Comparatively, operating expenses were $136.3 million or 10.2 percent of sales in the third quarter of 2013.
Operating income declined to $64.5 million, compared to $67.4 million in the prior-year quarter. Operating margin declined 50 basis points to 4.5 percent of sales.
Net income was $38.2 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, compared with $40.5 million, or $1.01 per diluted share in the prior-year period.
Nine-Month Performance
Net sales in the first nine months of 2014 increased 3.4 percent to $3.99 billion, from $3.86 billion in the prior-year period. This was led by a 12.2 percent increase in industrial supplies, including $30.1 million of incremental sales from CPO, and a 7.4 percent increase in janitorial and breakroom supplies. Sales of total office products remained flat, as the declines in technology and furniture were offset by an increase in traditional office products sales.
Gross profit increased $3.5 million to $597.6 million in the first nine months of 2014, compared to $594.1 million the prior year. Gross margin declined 40 basis points to 15.0 percent of sales due to a combination of shifting customer and product mix in product margin, higher freight costs, and higher inventory-related adjustments.
Operating expenses in the first nine months of 2014 were $437.6 million, or 11.0 percent of sales, compared with $442.6 million the prior year. Operating expenses in the first nine months of 2013 included a charge for a workforce reduction and facility closure during the first quarter. Adjusted for the charge, operating expenses in the first nine months of 2013 were $428.1 million((1)) or 11.1 percent((1)) of sales. Year-to-date 2014, operating expenses were impacted by lower employee-related expenses offset by continued investments in the company's growth businesses.
Operating income for the first nine months of 2014 was $160.0 million or 4.0 percent of sales, compared with $151.6 million in the prior-year period. Excluding the charge mentioned above, adjusted operating income through the first nine months of 2013 was $166.0 million((1)) or 4.3 percent((1) )of sales.
Net income for the first nine months of 2014 was $93.4 million, or $2.38 per diluted share, compared to $89.0 million in the first nine months of 2013. Excluding the charge mentioned above, adjusted net income in the first nine months of 2013 was $98.0 million((1)), or $2.43((1)) per diluted share.
Cash Flow, Debt Trends and Share Repurchases
Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $93.7 million, compared with $79.4 million in the same period last year. Current period cash flow was positively impacted by a reduction in inventory levels from December 31, 2013 and a favorable change in accounts payable, partially offset by higher accounts receivable. Cash flow used in investing activities, including the acquisition of CPO, totaled $41.3 million in 2014, compared with $19.3 million in the same period last year.
The company currently has approximately $1.0 billion of total committed debt capacity. As of September 30, 2014, the company had total debt outstanding of $545.9 million compared with $507.5 million as of September 30, 2013. Debt-to-total capitalization declined to 38.7 percent at September 30, 2014 from 38.9 percent at September 30, 2013. In the first nine months of 2014, the company paid $43.0 million to acquire approximately 1.1 million shares and paid cash dividends of $16.4 million to common shareholders.
Outlook
"Our third quarter results reflect the significant progress we are making as we continue to transform our business," commented Phipps. "We will continue to build on this progress by investing in our online and industrial businesses and creating customer efficiencies to position the company for sustained growth, profitability and value creation."
Conference Call
United Stationers will hold a conference call followed by a question and answer session on Thursday, October 23, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. CDT, to discuss third quarter 2014 results. To participate, callers within the U.S. and Canada should dial (877) 358-2531, and international callers should dial (412) 902-6623 approximately 10 minutes before the presentation. The conference ID is "10051838." To listen to the webcast, participants should visit the Investors section of the company's website (link: http://investors.unitedstationers.com), and click on the "Q3-14 Earnings Release" button on the right side of the page, several minutes before the event is broadcast. Interested parties can access an archived version of the call, this news release, a financial slide presentation and other information related to the call, also located on the Investors section of United Stationers' website, about two hours after the call ends.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements, including references to goals, plans, strategies, objectives, projected costs or savings, anticipated future performance, results or events and other statements that are not strictly historical in nature. These statements are based on management's current expectations, forecasts and assumptions. This means they involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied here. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: United's reliance on key customers, and the risks inherent in continuing or increased customer concentration; end-user demand for products in the office, technology, and furniture product categories may continue to decline; prevailing economic conditions and changes affecting the business products industry and the general economy; United's ability to effectively manage its operations and to implement growth, cost-reduction and margin-enhancement initiatives; United's reliance on supplier allowances and promotional incentives; United's reliance on independent resellers for a significant percentage of its net sales and, therefore, the importance of the continued independence, viability and success of these resellers; continuing or increasing competitive activity and pricing pressures within existing or expanded product categories, including competition from product manufacturers who sell directly to United's customers; the impact of supply chain disruptions or changes in key suppliers' distribution strategies; United's ability to maintain its existing information technology systems and the systems and e-commerce services that it provides to customers, and to successfully procure, develop and implement new systems and services without business disruption or other unanticipated difficulties or costs; the creditworthiness of United's customers; United's ability to manage inventory in order to maximize sales and supplier allowances while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory; United's success in effectively identifying, consummating and integrating acquisitions; the risks and expense associated with United's obligations to maintain the security of private information provided by United's customers; the costs and risks related to compliance with laws, regulations and industry standards affecting United's business; the availability of financing sources to meet United's business needs; United's reliance on key management personnel, both in day-to-day operations and in execution of new business initiatives; and the effects of hurricanes, acts of terrorism and other natural or man-made disruptions.
Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these risks and uncertainties in evaluating forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. For additional information about risks and uncertainties that could materially affect United's results, please see the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The forward-looking information in this news release is made as of this date only, and the company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement. Investors are advised to consult any further disclosure by United regarding the matters discussed in this release in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other written statements it makes from time to time. It is not possible to anticipate or foresee all risks and uncertainties, and investors should not consider any list of risks and uncertainties to be exhaustive or complete.
Company Overview
United Stationers Inc. is a leading supplier of business essentials, with 2013 net sales of $5.1 billion. The company stocks a broad assortment of over 140,000 items, including technology products, traditional office products, janitorial and breakroom supplies, office furniture, and industrial supplies. The Company's network of 65 distribution centers allows it to deliver these products to approximately 25,000 reseller customers. This network, combined with United's breadth and depth of inventory, enables the Company to ship most products overnight to more than ninety percent of the U.S. and major cities in Mexico and Canada. For more information, visit unitedstationers.com.
United Stationers common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol USTR.
Note: All EPS numbers in this document are
diluted unless stated otherwise.
(1) This is non-GAAP information. A
reconciliation of these items to
the most comparable GAAP measures
is presented at the end of this
news release. Except as noted,
all references within this news
release to financial results are
presented in accordance with U.S.
Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles.
For Further Information Contact:
Cody Phipps
President and Chief Executive Officer
or
Todd Shelton
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
United Stationers Inc.
(847) 627-7000
United Stationers Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
For the Three Months Ended For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------- -------------
2014 2013 2014 2013
---- ---- ---- ----
Net sales $1,419,947 $1,336,676 $3,994,123 $3,861,655
Cost of goods sold 1,208,919 1,133,015 3,396,552 3,267,533
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Gross profit 211,028 203,661 597,571 594,122
Operating expenses:
Warehousing, marketing and administrative
expenses 146,560 136,265 437,595 442,558
------- ------- ------- -------
Operating income 64,468 67,396 159,976 151,564
Interest expense, net 3,992 2,734 11,199 8,703
----- ----- ------ -----
Income before income taxes 60,476 64,662 148,777 142,861
Income tax expense 22,307 24,161 55,420 53,816
------ ------ ------ ------
Net income $38,169 $40,501 $93,357 $89,045
======= ======= ======= =======
Net income per share - basic:
Net income per share -basic $0.99 $1.03 $2.41 $2.24
===== ===== ===== =====
Average number of common shares
outstanding -basic 38,450 39,468 38,817 39,732
Net income per share - diluted:
Net income per share -diluted $0.98 $1.01 $2.38 $2.21
===== ===== ===== =====
Average number of common shares
outstanding -diluted 38,884 40,031 39,244 40,331
Dividends declared per share $0.14 $0.14 $0.42 $0.42
===== ===== ===== =====
United Stationers Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited) (Audited)
As of September 30, As of
-------------------- -----
2014 2013 December 31, 2013
---- ---- -----------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $24,838 $30,143 $22,326
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $20,168 in
2014 and $20,608 in 2013 749,415 694,988 643,379
Inventories 796,325 722,781 830,295
Other current assets 20,599 26,256 29,255
------ ------ ------
Total current assets 1,591,177 1,474,168 1,525,255
Property, plant and equipment, net 133,076 136,018 143,050
Goodwill 381,687 356,228 356,811
Intangible assets, net 72,499 66,082 65,502
Other long-term assets 24,372 25,568 25,576
------ ------ ------
Total assets $2,202,811 $2,058,064 $2,116,194
========== ========== ==========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $515,350 $469,873 $476,113
Accrued liabilities 189,224 181,338 191,531
Current maturities of long-term debt 894 1,198 373
--- ----- ---
Total current liabilities 705,468 652,409 668,017
Deferred income taxes 28,265 20,958 29,552
Long-term debt 545,009 506,287 533,324
Other long-term liabilities 60,500 82,256 59,787
------ ------ ------
Total liabilities 1,339,242 1,261,910 1,290,680
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; authorized -100,000,000 shares, issued
-74,435,628 shares in 2014 and 2013 7,444 7,444 7,444
Additional paid-in capital 410,303 407,930 411,954
Treasury stock, at cost - 35,562,874 shares in 2014 and 34,714,083
shares in 2013 (1,035,570) (985,488) (998,234)
Retained earnings 1,521,230 1,415,652 1,444,238
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (39,838) (49,384) (39,888)
------- ------- -------
Total stockholders' equity 863,569 796,154 825,514
------- ------- -------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $2,202,811 $2,058,064 $2,116,194
========== ========== ==========
United Stationers Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
-------------
2014 2013
---- ----
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income $93,357 $89,045
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 29,699 29,236
Share-based compensation 5,935 7,526
Loss (gain) on the disposition of property, plant and equipment 97 (108)
Amortization of capitalized financing costs 657 687
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation (1,166) (3,223)
Deferred income taxes (7,618) (8,214)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of acquisitions):
Increase in accounts receivable, net (104,540) (36,855)
Decrease in inventory 46,591 40,936
Decrease in other assets 10,000 1,612
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable 24,663 (24,677)
Decrease in checks in-transit (2,679) (835)
Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities 3,438 (7,569)
Decrease in other liabilities (4,768) (8,120)
------ ------
Net cash provided by operating activities 93,666 79,441
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures (15,431) (22,822)
Proceeds from the disposition of property, plant and equipment 872 3,522
Acquisition, net of cash acquired (26,725) -
------- ---
Net cash used in investing activities (41,284) (19,300)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Net repayments under revolving credit facility (12,094) (66,891)
Borrowings under Receivables Securitization Program 9,300 50,000
Repayment of debt (135,000) -
Proceeds from the issuance of debt 150,000 -
Net (disbursements) proceeds from share-based compensation
arrangements (3,142) 18,143
Acquisition of treasury stock, at cost (43,037) (46,984)
Payment of cash dividends (16,407) (16,764)
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation 1,166 3,223
Payment of debt issuance costs (623) (1,680)
---- ------
Net cash used in financing activities (49,837) (60,953)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (33) 36
--- ---
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 2,512 (776)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 22,326 30,919
------ ------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $24,838 $30,143
======= =======
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-stationers-reports-third-quarter-2014-financial-results-974713036.html
United Stationers Inc. and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Adjusted Operating Income, Net Income, and Diluted Earnings Per Share
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
---------------------------------------
2014 2013
---- ----
% to % to
Amount Net Sales Amount Net Sales
------ --------- ------ ---------
Net Sales $3,994,123 100.0% $3,861,655 100.0%
========== ===== ========== =====
Gross profit $597,571 15.0% $594,122 15.4%
Operating expenses $437,595 11.0% $442,558 11.5%
Workforce reduction and facility closure
charge - 0.0% (14,432) (0.4%)
--- --- ------- -----
Adjusted operating expenses $437,595 11.0% $428,126 11.1%
======== ==== ======== ====
Operating income $159,976 4.0% $151,564 3.9%
Operating expense item noted above - 0.0% 14,432 0.4%
--- --- ------ ---
Adjusted operating income $159,976 4.0% $165,996 4.3%
======== === ======== ===
Net income $93,357 $89,045
Operating expense item noted above, net of
tax - 8,948
--- -----
Adjusted net income $93,357 $97,993
======= =======
Diluted earnings per share $2.38 $2.21
Per share operating expense item noted above - 0.22
--- ----
Adjusted diluted earnings per
share $2.38 $2.43
===== =====
Adjusted diluted earnings per share -change
over the prior year period (2.1%)
Weighted average number of common shares -
diluted 39,244 40,331
Note: Adjusted Operating Expenses,
Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted
Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per
Share for the nine months ended
September 30, 2013 exclude the
effects of a $14.4 million charge
related to a workforce reduction and
facility closures. Generally
Accepted Accounting Principles
require that the effects of these
items be included in the Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Income.
Management believes that excluding
these items is an appropriate
comparison of its ongoing operating
results to last year. It is helpful
to provide readers of its financial
statements with a reconciliation of
these items to its Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Income
reported in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles.
SOURCE United Stationers Inc.
