FARMINGTON, Utah, Aug. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Vista Outdoor Inc. (NYSE: VSTO) today reported operating results for the first quarter of its Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18), which ended on July 2, 2017.

"We delivered a solid start to Fiscal Year 2018 in the face of a challenging retail environment," said Vista Outdoor Interim Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Callahan. "The company continues its focus on new product development, improved operational performance, and cost savings."

For the first quarter ended July 2, 2017:


    --  Sales were $569 million, down 10 percent from the prior-year quarter,
        including $21 million of additional sales from the acquisition of Camp
        Chef. Sales were down 13 percent on an organic basis.
    --  Gross profit was $147 million, down 14 percent from the prior-year
        quarter. This includes $7 million of gross profit from the Camp Chef
        acquisition, offset by an 18 percent decrease in organic gross profit.
    --  Operating expenses were $107 million, compared to $112 million in the
        prior-year quarter.
    --  Fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.29, compared to $0.48 in
        the prior-year quarter. Adjusted EPS was $0.24, compared to $0.48 in the
        prior-year quarter.
    --  Cash flow provided by operating activities was $39 million, compared to
        a use of $22 million for operating activities in the prior-year period.
        Year-to-date free cash flow generation was $23 million, compared to free
        cash flow use of $41 million in the prior-year period.

Please see the tables in the press release for a reconciliation of non-GAAP adjusted gross profit, operating profit, tax rate, fully diluted earnings per share, and free cash flow to the comparable GAAP measures.

Outlook for Fiscal Year 2018

"We are pleased with our performance in the quarter," said Vista Outdoor Chief Financial Officer Stephen Nolan. "Our working capital reduction efforts are delivering results, with strong cash performance in a quarter when traditionally the company has had a net cash use. Margins were helped by the timing of some general overhead spending and by a late introduction in the quarter of ammunition promotional programs. This late introduction pushed the impact of those programs into later quarters. Our sales programs also resulted in the company pulling ahead some revenue from the second quarter into the latter part of our first quarter. Nonetheless, we are reaffirming previously issued guidance for the full year."

Vista Outdoor reaffirmed its FY18 financial guidance. The company expects:


    --  Sales in a range of $2.36 billion to $2.42 billion.
    --  Interest expense of approximately $50 million.
    --  Adjusted tax rate of approximately 37 percent.
    --  Adjusted EPS in a range of $1.10 to $1.30.
    --  Capital expenditures of approximately $70 million.
    --  Free cash flow in a range of $175 million to $200 million.

The guidance above does not include the impact of any future strategic acquisitions, divestitures, investments, business combinations or other significant transactions, nor the impact of transition expenses for already-completed acquisitions.

Earnings Conference Call Webcast Information

Vista Outdoor will hold an investor conference call to discuss its first quarter FY18 financial results on August 10, 2017, at 9 a.m. ET. The conference call will be accessible through live webcast. Interested investors and other individuals can access the webcast and view and/or download the earnings press release, including a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures, and the related earnings release presentation slides, which will also include detailed segment information, via Vista Outdoor's website (www.vistaoutdoor.com). Choose "Investors" then "Events and Presentations." For those who cannot participate in the live webcast, a telephone recording of the conference call will be available for one month after the call. The telephone number for the recorded call is 719-457-0820, and the confirmation code is 1265259.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Gross Profit, Operating Profit, and Earnings Per Share

The adjusted gross profit, operating expenses, operating profit (adjusted EBIT), adjusted tax rate, and adjusted earnings per share (adjusted EPS) presented below are non-GAAP financial measures. Vista Outdoor defines these measures as gross profit, operating profit (EBIT), tax rate, and EPS excluding, where applicable, the impact of costs incurred for current and possible transactions, pension curtailment, change in value of future payments of contingent consideration, transition costs for the Action Sports acquisition, and acquisition inventory step-up. Vista Outdoor management is presenting these measures so a reader may compare gross profit, EBIT, tax rate, and EPS excluding these items, as the measures provide investors with an important perspective on the operating results of the company. Vista Outdoor management uses this measurement internally to assess business performance, and Vista Outdoor's definition may differ from those used by other companies.





    Vista Outdoor

    Quarter ended July 2,
    2017:

    (in thousands)

                                 Gross              Operating           Operating          Income    Income            Net   EPS
                                Profit              Expenses              Profit            Tax     Tax Rate          Income
                                ------              --------              ------            ---     --------          ------

    As reported                          $146,558                                 $107,217                    $39,341            $10,296           38.2%           $16,652 $0.29

    Pension curtailment                -                         5,783                      (5,783)          (2,154)                     (3,629)         (0.06)

    Contingent consideration           -                         (843)                         843               314                          529            0.01

    Transaction costs                  -                          (84)                          84                31                           53               -
                                     ---

    As adjusted                          $146,558                                 $112,073                    $34,485             $8,487           38.4%           $13,605 $0.24
                                         ========                                 ========                    =======             ======                           ======= =====


    Quarter ended July 3,
    2016:

    (in thousands)

                                 Gross              Operating           Operating          Income    Income            Net   EPS
                                Profit              Expenses              Profit            Tax     Tax Rate          Income
                                ------              --------              ------            ---     --------          ------

    As reported                          $171,377                                 $112,275                    $59,102            $18,015           38.2%           $29,124 $0.48

    Contingent consideration           -                         3,396                      (3,396)          (1,274)                     (2,122)         (0.04)
    revaluation

    Transaction and transition         -                       (2,002)                       2,002               130                        1,872            0.03
    costs

    Inventory step-up                817                              -                         817               310                          507            0.01

    As adjusted                          $172,194                                 $113,669                    $58,525            $17,181           36.9%           $29,381 $0.48
                                         ========                                 ========                    =======            =======                           ======= =====




    Outdoor Products

    Quarter ended July 3, 2016:

    (in thousands)

                                                  Gross Profit
                                                  ------------

    As reported                                                $80,897

    Inventory step-up                                      817

    As adjusted                                                $81,714
                                                               =======

*NOTE: Adjustments to "as reported" results are items that are excluded to arrive at the "as adjusted" results for the quarters ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016.

During the quarter ended July 2, 2017, we announced changes to our qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans that resulted in a one-time pension curtailment gain of $6 million. The curtailment is effective July 31, 2017, with employees receiving a pro-rated pay credit for 2017 and no future pay credits beginning in 2018. Given the nature of this item, we believe the gain is not indicative of the ongoing operations of the company. The tax effect of the pension curtailment was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 37 percent.

During the quarter ended July 2, 2017, Vista Outdoor incurred transaction costs associated with possible transactions, including advisory, legal, and accounting service fees. Given the nature of transaction costs, and differences in these amounts from one acquisition to another, we feel these costs are not indicative of operations of the company. The tax effect of the transaction costs was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 37 percent.

During the quarter ended July 2, 2017, Vista Outdoor recorded a portion of the $10 million of compensation for Camp Chef earn-out, which will be paid over the next three years, subject to continued Camp Chef leadership employment and the achievement of certain incremental profitability growth milestones. Given this balance is related to the purchase price of the company and is not normal compensation of the employees and will not be a continuing cost, we do not believe these costs are indicative of operations of the company. The tax effect of the contingent consideration cost was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 37 percent.

During the quarter ended July 3, 2016, Vista Outdoor incurred transaction and transition costs associated with the completed transaction of Action Sports as well as other possible transactions, including advisory, legal, and accounting service fees, a portion of which were non-deductible for tax purposes. Transition costs for the Action Sports business include one-time costs related to the integration of the business into the company including vendor change fees, insurance policy start up fees, and severance costs. The tax effect of the deductible transaction and transition costs was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 38 percent.

For the quarter ended July 3, 2016, as result of not attaining the level of growth required to achieve the first-year growth milestone earnout for the Jimmy Styks acquisition, the company revalued the contingent consideration based on expected incremental profitability growth milestones and reduced the liability. The tax effect of the contingent consideration revaluation was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 38 percent.

For the quarter ended July 3, 2016, as a result of the acquisitions of Action Sports, Vista Outdoor recorded a step-up in the inventory balances, which is the purchase accounting fair value adjustment. The inventory step-up will be expensed to the income statement over the first inventory cycle. The tax effect of the inventory step-up was calculated based on a blended statutory rate of approximately 38 percent.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by (used for) operating activities less capital expenditures and excluding transaction and transition costs net of taxes incurred to date. Vista Outdoor management believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available for debt repayment, share repurchases and acquisitions after making the capital investments required to support ongoing business operations. Vista Outdoor management uses free cash flow internally to assess both business performance and overall liquidity.



    (in thousands)                                               Three months               Three months              Projected year ending
                                                              ended July 2, 2017         ended July 3, 2016               March 31, 2018
                                                              ------------------         ------------------               --------------

    Cash provided by (used for) operating activities                             $38,909                                            $(22,158)           $244,947-$269,947

    Capital expenditures                                                (16,430)                            (21,006)                          ~(70,000)

    Transaction and transition costs paid to date, net of tax                 53                                2,419                               53
                                                                                                                                                 ---

    Free cash flow                                                               $22,532                                            $(40,745)           $175,000-$200,000
                                                                                 =======                                             ========            =================

Adjusted Earnings Per Share - Guidance Reconciliation Table

The projected adjusted earnings per share (EPS), excluding the impact of costs incurred for current and possible transactions, changes in value of future payments of pension curtailment and contingent consideration, is a non-GAAP financial measure that Vista Outdoor defines as EPS excluding the impact of these items. Vista Outdoor management is presenting this measure so a reader may compare EPS, excluding these items, as this measure provides investors with an important perspective on the operating results of the company. Vista Outdoor management uses this measurement internally to assess business performance, and Vista Outdoor's definition may differ from those used by other companies.




    Current FY18 Full-Year Adjusted EPS Guidance


                                                                                          Low          High
                                                                                          ---          ----

    EPS guidance including pension curtailment, contingent consideration revaluation, and        $1.15              $1.35
    transaction costs incurred to date

    Pension curtailment                                                                   (0.06)            (0.06)

    Contingent consideration                                                                0.01               0.01

    Adjusted EPS guidance                                                                        $1.10              $1.30
                                                                                                 =====              =====

Vista Outdoor is a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of consumer products in the growing outdoor sports and recreation markets. The company operates in two segments, Outdoor Products and Shooting Sports, and has a portfolio of well-recognized brands that provides consumers with a wide range of performance-driven, high-quality, and innovative products for individual outdoor recreational pursuits. Vista Outdoor products are sold at leading retailers and distributors across North America and worldwide. Vista Outdoor is headquartered in Utah and has manufacturing operations and facilities in 13 U.S. States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico along with international customer service, sales, and sourcing operations in Asia, Australia, Canada, and Europe.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release and other oral and written statements made by Vista Outdoor from time to time are forward-looking statements, including those that discuss, among other things: Vista Outdoor's plans, objectives, expectations, intentions, strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; projections with respect to future revenues, income, earnings per share or other financial measures for Vista Outdoor; and the assumptions that underlie these matters. The words 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'aim', 'should' and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. To the extent that any such information is forward-looking, it is intended to fit within the safe harbor for forward-looking information provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause Vista Outdoor's actual results to differ materially from expectations described in such forward-looking statements, including the following: general economic and business conditions in the U.S. and Vista Outdoor's other markets, including conditions affecting employment levels, consumer confidence and spending, the conditions in the retail environment, and other economic conditions affecting demand for our products and the financial health of our customers; Vista Outdoor's ability to attract and retain key personnel and maintain and grow its relationships with customers, suppliers and other business partners, including Vista Outdoor's ability to obtain acceptable third party licenses; Vista Outdoor's ability to adapt its products to changes in technology, the marketplace and customer preferences, including our ability to respond to shifting preferences of the end consumer from brick and mortar retail to online retail; Vista Outdoor's ability to maintain and enhance brand recognition and reputation; reductions, unexpected changes in or our inability to accurately forecast demand for ammunition, firearms or accessories or other outdoor sports and recreation products; risks associated with Vista Outdoor's sales to significant customers, including unexpected cancellations, delays and other changes to purchase orders; supplier capacity constraints, production disruptions or quality or price issues affecting Vista Outdoor's operating costs; Vista Outdoor's competitive environment; risks associated with compliance and diversification into international and commercial markets; the supply, availability and costs of raw materials and components; increases in commodity, energy and production costs; changes in laws, rules and regulations relating to Vista Outdoor's business, such as federal and state firearms and ammunition regulations; Vista Outdoor's ability to execute its long-term growth strategy, including our ability to complete and realize expected benefits from acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses; Vista Outdoor's ability to take advantage of growth opportunities in international and commercial markets; foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; the outcome of contingencies, including with respect to litigation and other proceedings relating to intellectual property, product liability, warranty liability, personal injury and environmental remediation; risks associated with cybersecurity and other industrial and physical security threats; capital market volatility and the availability of financing; changes to accounting standards or policies; and changes in tax rules or pronouncements. Vista Outdoor undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact Vista Outdoor, and statements contained herein, please refer to Vista Outdoor's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                                                       VISTA OUTDOOR INC

                                                          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

                                                                  (preliminary and unaudited)


                                                                                                                   Quarter ended

    (Amounts in thousands except per share data)                                                      July 2, 2017            July 3, 2016
    -------------------------------------------                                                       ------------            ------------

    Sales, net                                                                                                     $568,749                          $630,269

    Cost of sales                                                                                          422,191                           458,892
                                                                                                           -------                           -------

    Gross profit                                                                                           146,558                           171,377

    Operating expenses:

    Research and development                                                                                 7,791                             7,831

    Selling, general, and administrative                                                                    99,426                           104,444
                                                                                                            ------                           -------

    Income before interest and income taxes                                                                 39,341                            59,102

    Interest expense, net                                                                                 (12,393)                         (11,963)
                                                                                                           -------                           -------

    Income before income taxes                                                                              26,948                            47,139

    Income tax provision                                                                                    10,296                            18,015
                                                                                                            ------                            ------

    Net income                                                                                                      $16,652                           $29,124
                                                                                                                    =======                           =======

    Earnings per common share:

    Basic                                                                                                             $0.29                             $0.48

    Diluted                                                                                                           $0.29                             $0.48

    Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

    Basic                                                                                                   56,916                            60,384

    Diluted                                                                                                 56,957                            60,715



                                                                                                  VISTA OUTDOOR INC

                                                                                        CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                             (preliminary and unaudited)


    (Amounts in thousands except share data)                                                                                  July 2, 2017            March 31, 2017
    ---------------------------------------                                                                                   ------------            --------------

    ASSETS

    Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                 $53,550                       $45,075

    Net receivables                                                                                                                454,789                       450,715

    Net inventories                                                                                                                542,880                       562,795

    Income tax receivable                                                                                                           17,944                        25,658

    Other current assets                                                                                                            26,639                        25,604
                                                                                                                                    ------                        ------

    Total current assets                                                                                                         1,095,802                     1,109,847

    Net property, plant, and equipment                                                                                             272,773                       272,346

    Goodwill                                                                                                                       861,114                       857,631

    Net intangible assets                                                                                                          700,839                       708,530

    Deferred charges and other non-current assets                                                                                   30,779                        28,393
                                                                                                                                    ------                        ------

    Total assets                                                                                                                           $2,961,307                    $2,976,747
                                                                                                                                           ==========                    ==========

    LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    Current liabilities:

    Current portion of long-term debt                                                                                                         $32,000                       $32,000

    Accounts payable                                                                                                               102,098                       127,718

    Accrued compensation                                                                                                            31,773                        33,663

    Federal excise tax                                                                                                              26,092                        30,082

    Other accrued liabilities                                                                                                      130,022                       122,926
                                                                                                                                   -------                       -------

    Total current liabilities                                                                                                      321,985                       346,389

    Long-term debt                                                                                                               1,075,175                     1,089,252

    Deferred income tax liabilities                                                                                                159,444                       160,765

    Accrued pension and postemployment benefits                                                                                     62,710                        64,230

    Other long-term liabilities                                                                                                     71,360                        71,046
                                                                                                                                    ------                        ------

    Total liabilities                                                                                                            1,690,674                     1,731,682


    Common stock-$.01 par value:

    Authorized-500,000,000 shares

    Issued and outstanding - 57,030,534 shares at July 2, 2017 and 57,014,319 shares at                                                570                           571
    March 31, 2017

    Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                   1,755,119                     1,752,903

    Accumulated deficit                                                                                                           (91,381)                    (108,033)

    Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                         (107,178)                    (112,992)

    Common stock in treasury, at cost - 6,933,905 shares held at July 2, 2017 and                                                (286,497)                    (287,384)
    6,950,120 shares held at March 31, 2017


    Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                   1,270,633                     1,245,065

    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                             $2,961,307                    $2,976,747
                                                                                                                                           ==========                    ==========


                                                                                                            VISTA OUTDOOR INC

                                                                                             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                                                                                       (preliminary and unaudited)


                                                                                                                                                     Three months ended

    (Amounts in thousands)                                                                                                                   July 2, 2017              July 3, 2016
    ---------------------                                                                                                                    ------------              ------------

    Operating Activities:

    Net income                                                                                                                                               $16,652                           $29,124

    Adjustments to net income to arrive at cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

      Depreciation                                                                                                                                 13,552                               13,676

      Amortization of intangible assets                                                                                                             9,110                               10,106

      Amortization of deferred financing costs                                                                                                        728                                2,172

      Deferred income taxes                                                                                                                             2                                   52

      Loss on disposal of property, plant, and equipment                                                                                               77                                   41

    Stock-based compensation                                                                                                                        3,357                                3,310

    Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition of businesses:

      Net receivables                                                                                                                             (2,323)                            (12,908)

      Net inventories                                                                                                                              17,550                             (57,697)

      Accounts payable                                                                                                                           (20,953)                            (33,196)

      Accrued compensation                                                                                                                        (2,559)                            (19,322)

      Accrued income taxes                                                                                                                          8,423                               14,396

      Federal excise tax                                                                                                                          (4,036)                                 737

      Pension and other postretirement benefits                                                                                                   (4,841)                                 579

      Other assets and liabilities                                                                                                                  4,170                               26,772

    Cash provided by (used for) operating activities                                                                                               38,909                             (22,158)

    Investing Activities:

    Capital expenditures                                                                                                                         (16,430)                            (21,006)

    Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired                                                                                                     -                           (405,943)

    Proceeds from the disposition of property, plant, and equipment                                                                                    13                                   34

    Cash used for investing activities                                                                                                           (16,417)                           (426,915)

    Financing Activities:

    Borrowings on line of credit                                                                                                                  145,000                              115,000

    Payments made on line of credit                                                                                                             (150,000)                            (25,000)

    Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                                                                            -                             307,500

    Payments made on long-term debt                                                                                                               (8,000)                             (8,000)

    Payments made for debt issuance costs                                                                                                         (1,805)                             (3,660)

    Purchase of treasury shares                                                                                                                         -                            (22,058)

    Proceeds from employee stock compensation plans                                                                                                   298                                    -
                                                                                                                                                      ---                                  ---

    Cash provided by (used for) financing activities                                                                                             (14,507)                             363,782

    Effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on cash                                                                                              490                                (401)
                                                                                                                                                      ---                                 ----

    (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                8,475                             (85,692)

    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                                                                               45,075                              151,692
                                                                                                                                                   ------                              -------

    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                                                                               $53,550                           $66,000
                                                                                                                                                             =======                           =======



    Media Contact:                           Investor Contact:


    Amanda Covington                         Michael Pici

    Phone: 801-447-3035                      Phone: 801-447-3168

    E-mail: media.relations@vistaoutdoor.com E-mail: investor.relations@vistaoutdoor.com


    Corporate Communications                 Phone:  801-447-3000

    262 N. University Dr.

    Farmington, UT 84025

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