SAN DIEGO, Jan. 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- WD-40 Company (NASDAQ: WDFC), a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world, today reported financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended November 30, 2014.

Financial Highlights and Summary


    --  Total net sales for the first quarter were $96.4 million, an increase of
        1 percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter.
    --  Translation of the Company's foreign subsidiary results to U.S. dollars
        had a favorable impact on sales for the current quarter. On a constant
        currency basis total net sales were $95.8 million for the first quarter.
    --  Net income for the first quarter was $10.8 million, a decrease of 6
        percent compared to the prior year fiscal quarter.
    --  Diluted earnings per share were $0.73 in the first quarter, compared to
        $0.74 per share for the prior year fiscal quarter.
    --  Gross margin was 51.6 percent in the first quarter compared to 52.0
        percent in the prior year fiscal quarter.
    --  Selling, general and administrative expenses were up 3 percent in the
        first quarter to $27.4 million when compared to the prior year fiscal
        quarter.
    --  Advertising and sales promotion expenses were up 5 percent in the first
        quarter to $5.9 million compared to prior year fiscal quarter.

"During the quarter we experienced slow but steady growth of our multi-purpose maintenance products," said Garry Ridge, WD-40 Company's president and chief executive officer. "We did experience a decline in sales in our European markets and we've linked that decline to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the euro and U.S. dollar relative to the pound sterling, as well as the timing of customer orders within that region. Overall we are off to a good start in 2015 and we see a solid, steady year ahead as we continue to put our efforts behind our key strategic initiatives," Ridge added.

Net Sales by Product Group (in thousands):



                             Three Months Ended November 30,
                             -------------------------------

                          2014                       2013    % Change
                          ----                       ----    --------

    Multi-purpose
     maintenance products           $84,904                   $83,986   1%

    Homecare and cleaning
     products                        11,449                    11,555 (1)%
                                     ------                    ------

    Total                           $96,353                   $95,541   1%
                                    =======                   =======

    --  Net sales of multi-purpose maintenance products, which are considered
        the primary growth focus for the Company, grew 1 percent in the first
        fiscal quarter when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. This
        growth was driven primarily by successful expansion of the WD-40
        Specialist product line in the Americas and Asia-Pacific.
    --  Net sales of homecare and cleaning products decreased 1 percent in the
        current quarter when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter. The
        homecare and cleaning products, particularly those in the U.S., are
        considered harvest brands providing healthy profit returns to the
        Company and are becoming a smaller part of the business as net sales of
        multi-purpose maintenance products grow per the execution of the
        Company's strategic initiatives.

Net Sales by Segment (in thousands):



                    Three Months Ended November 30,
                    -------------------------------

                 2014                       2013    % Change
                 ----                       ----    --------

    Americas               $44,773                   $44,062   2%

    EMEA                    34,591                    36,516 (5)%

    Asia-Pacific            16,989                    14,963  14%
                            ------                    ------

    Total                  $96,353                   $95,541   1%
                           =======                   =======

    --  Net sales by segment as a percent of total net sales for the first
        quarter were as follows: for the Americas, 46 percent; for EMEA, 36
        percent; and, for Asia-Pacific, 18 percent.
    --  Increased sales in the Americas and Asia-Pacific more than offset
        declines in EMEA as total sales grew 1 percent in the first fiscal
        quarter when compared to the prior year fiscal quarter.
    --  The increase in sales in the Americas in the first fiscal quarter was
        primarily due to higher sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product in Latin
        America. This increase was partially offset by decreased sales in Canada
        driven by changes in distribution and the timing of customer specific
        promotions. Sales in the United States remained relatively constant.
    --  The decrease in sales in EMEA in the first quarter was driven by the
        unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates from period to
        period, primarily the euro and U.S. dollar relative to the pound
        sterling. EMEA sales were also negatively impacted in the first quarter
        by the decline in customer orders following a heavy promotional period
        in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014.
    --  The increase in sales in Asia-Pacific in the first quarter was due
        primarily to strong sales of WD-40 Multi-Use Product and the continued
        expansion of the WD-40 Specialist product line throughout most of our
        distributor markets primarily those in South Korea, Indonesia and the
        Philippines.

Dividend and Share Repurchase
As previously announced, WD-40 Company's board of directors declared on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 a quarterly dividend of $0.38 per share reflecting an increase of 12 percent over the previous quarter's dividend. The quarterly dividend is payable January 30, 2015 to stockholders of record at the close of business on January 5, 2015.

On June 18, 2013, the board of directors approved a share repurchase plan that authorizes the Company to acquire up to $60.0 million of its outstanding shares effective from August 1, 2013 through August 31, 2015. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company repurchased an additional $9.9 million in shares under this plan. Since the plan's commencement on August 1, 2013, the Company has repurchased $55.3 million in shares under the plan.

On October 14, 2014 the board of directors approved a new share repurchase plan which becomes effective when the Company's existing $60.0 million authorization is exhausted. Under the new share repurchase plan, the Company is authorized to acquire up to $75.0 million of its outstanding shares through August 31, 2016. The timing and the amount of any repurchases of common stock will be determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors.

Fiscal Year 2015 Guidance
The Company's guidance for fiscal year 2015 is as follows:


    --  Net sales growth is projected to be between 4 and 8 percent with net
        sales expected to be between $398 million and $413 million.
    --  Gross margin for the full year is expected to be better than 52 percent.
    --  Projected advertising and promotion expenses to be 6.0 percent to 7.0
        percent of net sales.
    --  Net income is projected to be between $45.1 million and $46.4 million.
    --  Expect diluted earnings per share to be between $3.07 and $3.16 based on
        an estimated 14.7 million weighted average shares outstanding.

This guidance does not include any future acquisitions or divestitures.

"Our guidance reflects the Company's current view of the business," said Jay Rembolt, WD-40 Company's vice president and chief financial officer. "Although there are several global market dynamics going on outside the Company's control that may impact specific elements of our guidance, including the recent decline in the price of crude oil and present trends in foreign currency exchange rates, we are comfortable with our current range for net income. We will continue to monitor these market dynamics closely."

Webcast Information
As previously announced, WD-40 Company management will host a live webcast at approximately 5:00 p.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. PT today to discuss these results. Other forward-looking and material information may also be discussed during this call. Please visit http://investor.wd40company.com for more information and to view supporting materials.

About WD-40 Company
WD-40 Company is a global marketing organization dedicated to creating positive lasting memories by developing and selling products that solve problems in workshops, factories and homes around the world. The Company markets its multi-purpose maintenance products and its homecare and cleaning products under the following well-known brands: WD-40®, 3-IN-ONE®, GT85®, X-14®, 2000 Flushes®, Carpet Fresh®, no vac®, Spot Shot®, 1001®, Lava® and Solvol®.

Headquartered in San Diego, WD-40 Company recorded net sales of $383 million in fiscal year 2014 and its products are currently available in more than 176 countries and territories worldwide. WD-40 Company is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select market under the ticker symbol "WDFC." For additional information about WD-40 Company please visit http://www.wd40company.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements concerning WD-40 Company's outlook for net sales, gross margins, advertising and sales promotion expenses, net income, dividends and other financial results. These statements are based on an assessment of a variety of factors, contingencies and uncertainties considered relevant by WD-40 Company. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including the impact of commodity prices, the introduction of new product lines and fluctuating global market conditions, including foreign currency exchange rates, both in the United States and internationally. The Company's expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by the Company to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the Company's expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished.

The risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in reports filed by WD-40 Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including Forms 8-K, 10-Q, and 10-K, and readers are urged to carefully review these and other documents. More detailed information will be available in WD-40 Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended November 30, 2014 which the Company expects to file with the SEC on January 8, 2015.

All forward-looking statements included in this press release should be considered in the context of these risks. All forward-looking statements speak only as of January 7, 2015, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors and prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements.



    Table Notes

             (1)    The Company markets multi-
                     purpose maintenance products
                     under the WD-40(R), GT85(R)
                     and 3-IN-ONE(R) brand names.
                     Currently included in the WD-
                     40 brand are the WD-40 Multi-
                     Use Product and the WD-40
                     Specialist(R) and WD-40 BIKETM
                     product lines.

             (2)    The Company markets the
                     following homecare and cleaning
                     brands:  X-14(R) mildew stain
                     remover and automatic toilet
                     bowl cleaners, 2000 Flushes(R)
                     automatic toilet bowl cleaners,
                     Carpet Fresh(R) and no vac(R)
                     rug and room deodorizers, Spot
                     Shot(R) aerosol and liquid
                     carpet stain removers, 1001(R)
                     household cleaners and rug and
                     room deodorizers and Lava(R)
                     and Solvol(R) heavy-duty hand
                     cleaners.

             (3)    The Americas segment consists of
                     the U.S., Canada and Latin
                     America.

             (4)    The EMEA segment consists of
                     countries in Europe, the Middle
                     East, Africa and India.

             (5)    The Asia-Pacific segment
                     consists of Australia, China
                     and other countries in the Asia
                     region.


                                              WD-40 COMPANY

                                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                     (Unaudited and in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


                                                          November 30,                August 31,

                                                                  2014                       2014
                                                                  ----                       ----

    Assets

    Current assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                               $46,442                    $57,803

    Short-term investments                                                 42,645                     45,050

    Trade and other accounts receivable, less
     allowance for doubtful accounts of $497 and
     $406 at November 30, 2014 and August 31,
     2014, respectively

                                                                           62,165                     63,618

    Inventories                                                            33,886                     34,989

    Current deferred tax assets, net                                        5,734                      5,855

    Other current assets                                                    5,284                      8,339
                                                                            -----                      -----

    Total current assets                                                  196,156                    215,654

    Property and equipment, net                                            10,123                      9,702

    Goodwill                                                               96,518                     95,499

    Other intangible assets, net                                           25,353                     23,671

    Other assets                                                            3,161                      3,154
                                                                            -----                      -----

    Total assets                                                           $331,311                   $347,680
                                                                           ========                   ========


    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

    Current liabilities:

    Accounts payable                                                        $17,400                    $18,031

    Accrued liabilities                                                    15,263                     18,382

    Revolving credit facility                                              98,000                     98,000

    Accrued payroll and related expenses                                   11,412                     15,969

    Income taxes payable                                                    3,228                      1,529
                                                                            -----                      -----

    Total current liabilities                                             145,303                    151,911

    Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net                                23,828                     24,253

    Other long-term liabilities                                             2,121                      2,101
                                                                            -----                      -----

    Total liabilities                                                     171,252                    178,265
                                                                          -------                    -------


    Commitments and Contingencies


    Shareholders' equity:

    Common stock ? authorized 36,000,000 shares,
     $0.001 par value; 19,503,193 and 19,464,310
     shares issued at November 30, 2014 and August
     31, 2014, respectively; and 14,649,403 and
     14,754,362 shares outstanding at November 30,
     2014 and August 31, 2014, respectively

                                                                               20                         19

    Additional paid-in capital                                            137,231                    136,212

    Retained earnings                                                     243,379                    237,596

    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                         (5,193)                     1,103

    Common stock held in treasury, at cost ?
     4,853,790 and 4,709,948 shares at November
     30, 2014 and August 31, 2014, respectively

                                                                        (215,378)                 (205,515)

    Total shareholders' equity                                            160,059                    169,415
                                                                          -------                    -------

    Total liabilities and shareholders'
     equity                                                                $331,311                   $347,680
                                                                           ========                   ========


                                                          WD-40 COMPANY

                                         CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                      (Unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                       Three Months Ended November 30,
                                                       -------------------------------

                                                                        2014                 2013
                                                                        ----                 ----


    Net sales                                                                    $96,353           $95,541

    Cost of products sold                                                       46,652            45,868
                                                                                ------            ------

    Gross profit                                                                49,701            49,673
                                                                                ------            ------


    Operating expenses:

    Selling, general and administrative                                         27,424            26,699

    Advertising and sales promotion                                              5,915             5,615

    Amortization of definite-lived
     intangible assets                                                             769               592
                                                                                   ---               ---

    Total operating expenses                                                    34,108            32,906
                                                                                ------            ------


    Income from operations                                                      15,593            16,767


    Other income (expense):

    Interest income                                                                134               131

    Interest expense                                                             (294)            (215)

    Other income (expense), net                                                    102             (214)
                                                                                   ---              ----

    Income before income taxes                                                  15,535            16,469

    Provision for income taxes                                                   4,749             4,987
                                                                                 -----             -----

    Net income                                                                   $10,786           $11,482
                                                                                 =======           =======


    Earnings per common share:

    Basic                                                                          $0.73             $0.75
                                                                                   =====             =====

    Diluted                                                                        $0.73             $0.74
                                                                                   =====             =====


    Shares used in per share
     calculations:

    Basic                                                                       14,668            15,279
                                                                                ======            ======

    Diluted                                                                     14,738            15,366
                                                                                ======            ======

    Dividends
     declared
     per
     common
     share                                                                         $0.34             $0.31
                                                                                   =====             =====


                                               WD-40 COMPANY

                              CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                       (Unaudited and in thousands)


                                                               Three Months Ended November
                                                                          30,
                                                             ----------------------------

                                                                  2014                   2013
                                                                  ----                   ----

    Operating activities:

    Net income                                                             $10,786               $11,482

    Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
     provided by

    operating activities:

    Depreciation and amortization                                          1,633                 1,378

    Net gains on sales and disposals of property
     and equipment                                                          (24)                 (17)

    Deferred income taxes                                                  (615)                (154)

    Excess tax benefits from settlements of stock-
     based equity awards                                                   (494)                (777)

    Stock-based compensation                                                 498                   517

    Unrealized foreign currency exchange (gains)
     losses, net                                                             461               (1,053)

    Provision for bad debts                                                  164                   215

    Changes in assets and liabilities:

    Trade and other accounts receivable                                    (720)                2,302

    Inventories                                                              624               (1,088)

    Other assets                                                           2,841                   117

    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                             (3,563)              (2,580)

    Accrued payroll and related expenses                                 (4,931)              (6,720)

    Income taxes payable                                                   2,698                 3,052

    Other long-term liabilities                                               40                    35
                                                                             ---                   ---

    Net cash provided by operating activities                              9,398                 6,709
                                                                           -----                 -----


    Investing activities:

    Purchases of property and equipment                                  (1,582)              (1,186)

    Proceeds from sales of property and equipment                             79                    95

    Acquisition of business                                              (3,705)                    -

    Purchases of short-term investments                                     (82)              (1,282)

    Net cash used in investing activities                                (5,290)              (2,373)
                                                                          ------                ------


    Financing activities:

    Treasury stock purchases                                             (9,863)              (5,264)

    Dividends paid                                                       (5,003)              (4,758)

    Proceeds from issuance of common stock                                   685                 1,149

    Excess tax benefits from settlements of stock-
     based equity awards                                                     494                   777
                                                                             ---                   ---

    Net cash used in financing activities                               (13,687)              (8,096)
                                                                         -------                ------

    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
     cash equivalents                                                    (1,782)                1,745
                                                                          ------                 -----

    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents                           (11,361)              (2,015)

    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
     period                                                               57,803                53,434
                                                                          ------                ------

    Cash and cash equivalents at end of
     period                                                                $46,442               $51,419
                                                                           =======               =======

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